The Backstage 30

30. Daniella Pineda

Twitter:@maniella
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Representation: Innovative Artists; Kirsten Ames Management
Credits: “Homeland” (TV); “Midnight Sun” (TV)
First professional job: “Men of a Certain Age.” I played a barista, and I was scared shitless. They put so much makeup on me I looked like a drag queen. It shot in Los Angeles, and I didn’t have a car, so I had to carry around a bag of clothes. I took the bus, ate at 7-Eleven, and planted it on benches or random porches. It was fun and ridiculous.
Most exciting moment: Alex Gansa, one of the creators of “Homeland,” came up to me and told me how impressed he was with my work I did on the show. The more he spoke the harder I tried not to scream like a ’60s girl at a Beatles concert. I was jumping inside. It feels good to please someone like him.

Photo Source: Eve Reinhardt