Latinas, independent and successful! Sisters Sofía Carson and Paulina Char are two young women who are shining bright with their own light and unique careers. The first one does it in front of the cameras, and at 28 years old, is a true Hollywood star. The second, about to turn 26, is an already recognized executive in the world of beauty.
Both share very desirable professional and glamorous lives and invited us to spend an afternoon with their family, next to the Pacific Ocean, in the coastal city of Malibu in Los Angeles, California and learn about their Colombian upbringing, relationships and aspirations.
HOLA! USA had the chance to do an exclusive interview with the two sisters who are quite close, Paulina and her older sister, Sofia, the interpreter of ‘He Loves Me,’ the latest song by the Disney star that is sweeping the US.
“My mom is my everything. My whole world, my ground pole, my heart … She taught us to be fearless, independent women, for whom nothing is impossible.” - Sofia Carson
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
Paulina, where did your love for the world of beauty come from?
Paulina Char: I’ve always loved all things beauty! I was always that little girl in my mom’s bathroom going through all her creams and make up. I would beg my parents to please get me every new product I would see on infomercials! It’s truly always been a part of me.
What do you find more attractive about the field you work in: the business or the style and beauty?
PC: I’ve always loved business. I think it’s in my blood! But the creative side of what I do so fun, bringing an idea to life from start to finish is just such an exciting part of my job, too!
What do you like most about your job and why?
PC: I think there’s something so special and fulfilling about creating a make-up product from start to finish and then seeing it in the world being loved by people! Every time I walk into a Sephora and I see our products doing so well and so loved will forever be a highlight of my career! And doing it with our incredible team at Tower 28 beauty, that I love so much, makes work fun!
If you had the opportunity to work on something different in the future, what would that be?
PC: This might be unexpected but I love real estate! I don’t know if I would ever do it full time but I have a deep love for it!
Paulina: “Since I was little I have always wanted to have children and get married. It is not something that will happen soon, but in the future, yes.”- Paulina Char
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
What were some of your dreams as a little girl? And ... What are some of your current dreams?
PC: When I was a little girl I always wanted to be a Vet or a Chef. But I’m so happy with where I’m at in my career but it‘s always been a dream of mine to have my own company, which will hopefully happen one day soon!
In what ways do you want to be like your parents?
PC: I grew up seeing not only my parents but my entire family be such hard workers and put so much heart into their jobs every single day but I also saw them enjoy life and I hope to have that balance in life!
What is the best advice your sister has given you?
PC: Sofia has always told me but more importantly, has shown me what one can achieve when you give something everything you have! Her work ethic and dedication is admirable!
Do you prefer being in front of or behind the cameras?
PC: I feel more comfortable behind the scenes, but in shoots like these when I get to do them with Sofia I do enjoy being in front of the camera because I know one day we’ll look back at these moments with such happiness but if I‘m being totally honest, cameras aren’t my thing! But every now and then, it’s fun!
“I grew up seeing some parents and whole family, who are tireless workers, who put their heart into everything they do” - Paulina Char
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
Of all the adventures you have had with Sofia, which is your favorite?
PC: Sofia and I have been very blessed to have been able to experience so many incredible moments together, but if I had to choose, I would say that the moment we found out Sofia got her role as Evie in Descendants and when we saw Tower 28 in Sephora for the first time. There are pivotal moments in life that simply wouldn’t be as special without each other!
How do you find balance in your life?
PC: If I’m being honest, I don’t have balance but it‘s something I try to prioritize daily. I really love working and I love what I do but at the end of the day work isn’t everything and we have to make time for life, and enjoy every moment!
“I have always loved business. It is something that is in my blood” - Paulina Char
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
Can you imagine being married with children?
PC: I’ve always seen myself married with kids. It’s not something that I can see happening soon, but in the future, absolutely.
Who do you ask for advice on matters of the heart?
PC: I usually go to Sofia and my very close circle of friends but I think that sometimes it’s best to listen to yourself and your heart and do what’s best for you!
And who do you ask for advice in regards to work?
PC: My family. I have so much respect and admiration for them and everything they’ve accomplished.
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
“Singing, acting, dancing, and composing, goes much further than what I love. It is who I truly am” - Sofia Carson
Sofia, you had a dream as a child that you fought for and now you are living that dream. What do you feel when you see yourself on a Hollywood set or singing on top of a stage and look back in time?
Sofia Carson: It will never not be absolutely surreal. And I will never not be infinitely grateful. Wherever I go, I carry that little girl in my heart. She is with me in every song that I write, in every role that I play, on every stage that I perform on...Reminding me that every single day that I wake up and do what I love most in this world, is a blessing. A precious gift.
What do you think has been the secret to your success?
SC: Everyone’s path is different, but I am forever grateful that today I am walking on the path I dreamt of as a little girl...I would like to think that it perhaps was a combination of a few things: Heart. Discipline. Determination. Passion. Honesty. And, Love. Combined with years of relentlessly knocking on doors, countless songs, and hundreds of auditions...until the one that was meant for me, finally opened....And I will forever be grateful that it did.
At what point did you say to yourself, ‘OMG I think I made it!’
SC: A few years ago, I was in Madrid on a press tour for a movie. Every morning and every night, the most beautiful crowd of fans would gather outside the hotel (which was in and of itself, the most beautiful and surreal feeling)....One day, I met a girl named “Noelia” who had taken the bus from Barcelona. We spoke for a long time and during our emotional conversation, she asked if she could tattoo the words “back to beautiful” (the title of one of my songs), in my hand writing, on her arm. She shared with me that those words had meant so much to her during a time when she needed them most.....I’ll never forget that moment. The moment I realized that the art I was putting out in the world was truly impacting the life of one girl, in one corner of the world (which is all I’ve ever wanted). I felt so moved, so grateful. I‘m so happy. Me and Noelia are still in touch, today.
“My sister is my best friend”- Sofia Carson
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
Composer, dancer, actress, singer ... In which role are you happiest? Are there more than one?
SC: I love them all, with all my heart. I’m a storyteller, in love with telling stories through music, or through film...whether that means losing myself in a song or losing myself in a character. It fulfills me in the most beautiful way. I truly am the happiest when I’m performing.Performing, whether that means singing or acting or songwriting or dancing, is so much more than what I love... it’s truly who I am. It runs through my blood, and fuels the beating of my heart. Although, I would like to add that philanthropy, and my role as a UNICEF AMBASSADOR, has been my most fulfilling and life changing role of all....
Where does your center come from? Where do you land when difficult days come?
SC: My mom. My mom is my everything. She is my whole entire world. My ground. My heart. You and your sister are inseparable. What do you most admire about her? My sister is my best friend. I admire that she carries her heart on her sleeve. I admire her fire and I admire her strength. I admire that she always has been and always will be, unapologetically herself.
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
How are you similar and how are you different?
SC: Pau and I are different in so many ways....and I think that is precisely one of the reasons we are so close. It’s as if, together, we balance each other perfectly. But, in our hearts, we share so much more: we share the same values and morals, passed down to us by our family. We share the fire that we inherited from our extraordinary Mom. She taught her daughters to be fearless, independent young women, for whom nothing is impossible. And she taught us to believe that the most important thing we can do with our lives, is to GIVE. Because of her example, we’ve dedicated our hearts to giving. I’ve dedicated my heart to being a UNICEF ambassador, as well as an ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, and my sister has been dedicated to The Cameron Boyce Foundation. And most of all, we share a deep love of our family and of the relationship between the two of us. We cherish it deeply and we recognize how truly lucky we are..
What have you learned from her?
SC: From Pau, I learn something everyday. But, one of the greatest lessons is that I have learned to live more. To live and to be present in the moments we are given...because every moment truly is a gift.
You are very attached to your family. What is the best personal and career advice your parents have given you?
SC: First and foremost, that family is everything. Truly nothing matters more in the world. Through the beautiful examples set forth by my family, I have learned the true meaning of discipline and determination, and passion. From my mother, I have learned that life is a journey lived in moments; the present is the only gift that is promised. And we must cherish it....and live it with grateful hearts. I have learned from her that happiness is a choice...a choice that we must choose everyday.
Photographer: Nunu | Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru | Makeup: Karan Mitchell | Hair stylist: Caile Noble
Credits:
- Photographer: Nunu @nunupictures
- Fashion stylist: Nicolas Bru
- Makeup: Karan Mitchell
- Hair stylist: Caile Noble
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