We had the good fortune of connecting with Eduardo Togi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eduardo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
What is risk for a person?

Is it the fact of losing everything for a dream? Is it only a moment of excitement that may end in failure but will allow us to understand failure in such a way that we will try it again to succeed? Is it going against the social standards or your family’s desired goals for you? Is it a moment of crisis where you want to start from zero?

Maybe all, maybe not even one of what I mentioned before.

My name is Eduardo Togi, and I am an actor, singer, writer, composer, entrepreneur, formerly an architect (certified in Architecture in Urban Context in Florence, Italy), and now I’m a student of aviation (pilot) and a full-time locksmith (day job).

And if I don’t write this right now, I wouldn’t even know where I’m standing in my present day after all these hard-working years full of dreams, failures, achievements, tears, sweat, and everything that it takes to believe in yourself when no one else does. Sometimes, not even your own family members.

For me, risk-taking has become an important factor in how my life navigates through understanding that I’m no longer following the path society has been trying to drag me down, but my own essence and way of developing every single piece of me and what makes me, Eduardo Togi, a creative who will never give up on the thing he loves most: art.

I’ve learned that taking risks is a powerful burst of energy, influencing how lyrics come to my mind, how every day I wake up and see different things, or even how I approach people without caring what they are going to think of me and my crazy ways to reach those dreams. I mean, if you’re a creative and you’re not “crazy” as people often describe me or any other creatives, are you really living in a creative world? I do, and I love my own world; it’s my treasure. And as I know no one sees it as I do, over the years I’ve been able to show parts of it that inspire people to create their own, and that’s what keeps me going.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I remember since I was a little kid, standing on chairs in the middle of our “Christmas Posadas,” singing out loud, trying to outdo all the other kids with my singing, striving to have the spotlight on me. It’s funny how it all manifested into being under a real spotlight. If you think about it, I built my way through my career because of my desire to explode in art, in music, in dancing, in everything that defines me. Coming from a small town, then moving to a big city was a huge difference, and a very eye-opening experience.

When I reached my 20s, I was trying to make my father proud because I was going to be a very successful architect. I went to Italy to get a certificate in Urban Context, and there, just there, I had the opportunity to do something I shouldn’t have done—or should I?

Producer Onur Betin contacted me to be his main vocalist on a song called “Abyss,” which reached No. 1 on the Turkey Radio Charts. What?! Yes, I became known in another country other than mine, which is funny, but that opened the door for me in Mexico as we signed with a label from Sony and, well, long story short, I started in music and acting while I was trying to make my dad happy. But then I started asking myself, why do I always have to make everyone happy? What about my happiness, what drives me to keep on living?

I abruptly told my father at the end of my career as I was starting to do telenovelas that unfortunately, I would not be working anymore in architecture and I would follow my true dreams. Although the Mexican entertainment media is tough, my dreams were very high. When I was at my best, I had no idea what to do with my life, had poor management guidance, and barely any true friends there. When I was at my worst, I saw myself as lonely and decided I no longer belonged there. I sold my few belongings and traveled to Arizona where one of my friends used to live; he then got me a job in LA at a coffee shop and here I am, 5 years later. Wait, Huh? 5 years and I’ve already done a show in Hollywood, had a main performance at WeHo Pride, and am promoting one of the most beautiful films at the moment in different festivals called “Canta Santiago,” and the best part is that I’m still making music. Even though I’m the most overthinking and stressed person, again, writing this and having the opportunity you have given me to express myself makes me realize I have come so far in a short period of time, and I’m proud and at the same time humbled by the biggest opportunities people have given to me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love LA, but sometimes I don’t.

First of all, I would take visitors to my secret spots here in LA: a view hill close to Griffith Observatory, a hidden trail in Hollywood Dell, Santa Monica of course, Silver Lake for a picnic afternoon, and my favorite walks at Balboa Park and O’Melveny Hiking Trail (in the Valley).

But what about the beauty of our surroundings? I would take anyone visiting me for a week to Big Bear for a day or two, then a quick visit to Idyllwild, then down to Palm Springs for a day or so, and end with camping in Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley under the stars.

Star gazing is my favorite activity and keeps me connected to home, and here in California, the nearby desert is beautiful. Being in contact with nature is one of the most important aspects of my life; without nature’s embrace, I would be lost.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Your reflection is vivid and inspiring! I’ve made some grammatical corrections to enhance clarity:

There are a few sides of me that not a lot of people know, which are the public side (artistic), the private one (family and close friends), and spiritual (my tribe).

I have reached a point in my life where I have been able to gather all three of them and make them my own precious inspiration.

First of all my husband Daniel, and my close friends. Braulio Z., Danny S, Phillip T. , Ryan M., Joel H. , Matthew R. & Brooks.
I wouldn´t be here if anyone of them would be there when I most needed. Family is first, always and they are my family.

On my artistic side, I think one of the most powerful inspirations I’ve had in my artistic career has been Amber Heard’s words while we were on a charity tour in Mexico. She offered words of encouragement to continue what I love doing without caring what people will say. It will be hard, but only the strong ones will get there, and I’m not talking about being famous; I’m talking about developing myself as an artist on any stage I get.

Next would be the whole team of the OUTLOUD Music Festival last year. They spoiled me and made me believe in what I was doing was good, and gave me so much power of creation that today I’m doing 2 albums (Spanish and English). I can’t even recognize myself when I listen to the songs because they are the true definition of me through these years and what my world is. Thanks to everyone because you made me feel big on a main stage, sharing it with beautiful artists whom I will never forget.

Last but not least, and I think it is the light that guides me on my daily basis, my tribe. Since I was young, I felt different and that I never belonged anywhere. And in my deepest and darkest hours, the universe led me to meet fabulous people such as Antonio & Yolanda, true angels and guides of our now tribe where we kindly help people with mental health issues, such as depression, addiction, and past traumas. Through the help of ancestral medicine, and with our love and embrace to anyone, since I arrived there I felt no judgment, I felt no sadness, just happiness and a beautiful loving environment where every month or two we go to the mountains, disconnect, and connect with nature, “La Pacha Mama,” so we can release everything that doesn’t feed our souls anymore. Since then, I’ve discovered amazing parts of me that now shine and keep me sharing the love they give me.

Website: eduardotogi.com

Instagram: instagram.com/eduardotogi

Facebook: facebook.com/eduardotogi

Youtube: youtube.com/eduardotogi

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9286074/

Image Credits
Credits: Jasten King Jorge Barragán Alejandro Salinas JJ

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