Rafaela Salomao
Height: 5’9
Hometown: Montréal, QC
Languages: Portuguese BR (native language), English and French
Occupation: Actress, Model and Cultural Producer
Rafaela Salomão is a multidisciplinary artist, actress, filmmaker and cultural producer originally born in Brazil and currently based in Montreal, Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from the University of Brasília and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, a combination that reflects her lifelong commitment to people’s lives—whether through care or through art. Rafaela is also a postgraduate in Executive Production for Creative Industries at McGill University. A passionate advocate for the democratization of the arts, she has dedicated her life to making art accessible and empowering young artists to thrive in the competitive cultural industries.
At just 14 years old, Rafaela helped to found Grupo Teatro Faces, a decolonial theatre collective that emerged in a remote agricultural city in the country of Brazil with the objective of making art accessible to everyone, especially marginalized communities. The group continues to offer free theatre classes for all ages, fostering inclusion through art. Rafaela has since dedicated herself to empowering new generations of artists from underserved backgrounds, helping them build creative careers and claim space in the cultural industry.
Rafaela is also an award-winning filmmaker and graphic artist. Her directorial debut short film O Menino do Quarto received the Best Debut Director and Best Screenplay awards at the Creation International Film Festival in Ottawa and had its international premiere at the 14th LA Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles. Her artistic expression moves fluidly across film, visual arts and storytelling that provoke reflection and inspire change.
As a film activist, Rafaela uses cinema as a powerful platform to fight the “darkness” and put focus on emerging social issues, to amplify the voices of marginalized and vulnerable communities. This year, she is producing her first feature film as Executive Producer and Co-Director, an ambitious project that promises to promote inclusion and to challenge dominant narratives.
As a passionate philanthropist and cultural activist, Rafaela’s platform focuses on the democratization of information and access to the arts, believing that cultural expression is a human right and a powerful tool for transformation. Her mission is to inspire others (especially women, immigrants, and underrepresented voices) to create, lead and write their own stories.
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I’m passionate about the arts and physical activities in general. I love visual arts, music, books, content creation, running, hiking, and dancing.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Theater and performed in professional theatre for about 10 years. I’m also a graphic and visual artist. I love to sing and to play the guitar as well.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I’ve never focused on a specific sport, but as a child and teenager, I explored various activities like soccer, volleyball, and handball. As I grew older, I found my true passion in the arts, with intense theater rehearsals becoming my main form of physical activity, almost like a “sport”. Now as an adult, I love running. It’s my favorite way to explore new places when I travel. I also enjoy skipping rope and CrossFit-style workouts. In Canada, I’ve had the pleasure of learning how to snowboard. Winters here are long, and what I missed most were the daily sunsets. Snowboarding has become a wonderful way to stay connected with nature and enjoy the outdoors, even on the coldest days.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My mentor and theater director, Wanderson Lana, taught me so much. Most importantly, he taught me to believe in myself. He was the first person to invite me to attend a pageant and later became my first supporter when I started competing. He shaped me as an actress, guided me as an artist, and valued me even when I couldn’t yet see my own worth.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
One of my proudest accomplishments was creating my first short film. At first, I never believed I could be a film director. But in 2017, during my final year in Brazil, I received my first film grant, and that opportunity changed everything. I had once considered going into debt to study cinema at university, but after that experience, I realized the most valuable knowledge was knowing how to fund my own project. With the right budget, I could hire the professionals needed to bring my ideas to life. In 2023, I directed my second short film, and now I’m in pre-production for my first feature film as an Executive Producer and co-director.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I was born in a small town in the countryside of Brazil. I’m 34 years old, and the city I was born in just turned 39yo. I had never eaten sushi or McDonald’s until I was in my 20s. Because the city was so new and remote, we had to build everything from scratch. At 14, I co-founded with a group of friends an important actors’ association that is still active today, offering 100% free theater and art classes. My life mission is to make art and knowledge accessible to everyone and to guide young artists, so they can build a sustainable artistic career anywhere in the world.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My biggest ambition is to become a strong executive producer, especially in the audiovisual field, although I’m passionate about all forms of art and entertainment. My dream is to help other artists and producers bring their projects to life, strengthen the creative economy, live off my art—and maybe, one day, walk the red carpet at the Oscars (let me dream!). I also aim to facilitate international co-productions between different countries.
I’ve been actively working to develop a variety of creative projects, supporting other artists in shaping their ideas, and planning not only for the coming year but also for the next five years. Working with art and creativity offers endless possibilities. With patience, resilience, grounded determination, and consistent hard work, I’m confident I’ll achieve my goals.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
Right now, my dream job would be to become “Miss Universe”, at least for that one magical year! It’s the perfect mix of everything I love: photoshoots, video campaigns, events, travel, beautiful dresses and makeup, the real dream. Outside the pageant world, my lifelong dream job is to be a successful actress. Acting is like having a superpower, it allows me to transform, live different lives, be someone else and do anything I can imagine.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in a small town called Primavera do Leste, in the state of Mato Grosso, just beneath the Amazon Forest. During my childhood, I had very limited contact with anything beyond my city. The only different culture I had access to was that of the local Indigenous population. Primavera is now 39 years old, and everything was still being built as I grew up, from the pavement on the streets to the installation of public lighting.
I was passionate about reading, but I didn’t have many books. I used to secretly pack books in my bag during vacation time because I was afraid of running out of things to read. When I had nothing else, I would even read dictionaries, inclusive the English ones, which later helped me teach myself the language on my own
I grew up playing in the streets, without video games and I learned tough life lessons early on. As soon as I was old enough to travel, I set out to explore the world. I came from a small agricultural town that didn’t even have a single stage, but ever since I was a child, whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always answer: I’m going to be an artist!
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I also hold a diploma in nursing, though I’ve never worked in the field. I started my career as a theater teacher and I was a permanent employee of the Brazilian government as a Tax Auditor. To finish university and save up for my move to Canada, I often worked late-night shifts as a Municipal Agent, handling anonymous calls, conducting inspections and apprehensions.
List any volunteering you have done.
I’ve always worked with children and youth in vulnerable situations. As a teenager, I helped to found an association that offers free artistic training and develops young leaders. Recently, I taught a class on content creation and held my first AI Art Exhibition, where I spoke to over 120 students (ages 9–13) about creativity and artificial intelligence.
What is your most unusual talent?
I learn quickly and have a great memory. I completed two bachelor’s degrees while working a 40-hour-a-week job. My secret? No secret. I barely slept, getting maybe 3 hours a night. But my memory helped me absorb a massive amount of content. I graduated in Theater just six months after finishing my 4,5 years of Nursing.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
One of the most breathtaking places I’ve visited was Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. It was fascinating to witness how our planet changes over time—what is now a vast “natural mirror” was once a massive lake.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In 10 years, I hope to have many of my life goals fulfilled, with exciting projects lined up, getting ready for the Cannes Film Market or New York Fashion Week. I want to keep looking fabulous, inspiring new generations, and learning from the fresh minds coming up.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I want to be Miss Universe Canada because I truly believe that anything is possible through hard work and consistency. I hope to inspire other girls from diverse and unique backgrounds to write their own stories and never settle for less than what they deserve.
I come from a remote place where many things often seemed impossible. But I never let that distance limit me. In fact, I see my origins as something that makes me unique and special. My life experiences and perspective have given me a genuine appreciation for living fully and finding joy in the journey.
Like many immigrants, I faced significant challenges throughout the immigration process, including losing my rights to health care, education, and work. That’s why being able to compete for the Miss Universe Canada crown is more than just a dream, it’s a blessing, a symbol of resilience and a celebration of how far I’ve come. I just want to thank the universe for the opportunities and enjoy this journey as much as I can.