Jess Val Ortiz
Oct 15, 2025
1 min read
Updated: Apr 20
Full Episode:
Episode Description:
Content creator, actor, and Broadway hopeful Jess Val Ortiz joins Erik Zachary for a conversation that’s as funny as it is heartfelt. From viral sketches to real-life auditions for Wicked and Moulin Rouge, Jess opens up about her journey from musical theater student to digital powerhouse — and the grind behind chasing a Broadway dream.
She talks about meeting Lin-Manuel Miranda (yes, it was just as wild as you’d imagine), the balance between authenticity and brand work, and why she uses her platform to speak on serious issues even when it’s not “on trend.” Plus, Jess shares how therapy, her golden retriever, and the hustle of New York keep her grounded while navigating rejection, social media, and self-belief.
https://casinoaconfronto.com is where I ended up after the episode, still thinking about how Jess described auditioning for Wicked while keeping her content career going. What stuck with me was the honesty about rejection and how therapy and her dog keep her steady through it, which feels like a healthier model than the usual "grind until you break" narrative. It's refreshing to hear someone treat brand work and serious topics as compatible rather than something to separate.