About JOSÉ RODRIGUEZ
Beauty isn’t something to chase, it’s something to reclaim. And for José Rodriguez, reclaiming beauty begins with reclaiming voice. As the founder of High Point Agency, José is reshaping the media landscape by centering stories rooted in truth, culture, and identity. With over a decade of experience in entertainment publicity and talent relations, he has worked with some of the most influential Latin voices across film, music, and media.
Before launching his own agency, José led transformative campaigns as Head of Publicity at Pantelion Films, Hollywood’s first major Latino film studio, and helped establish Pantaya, the first Spanish-language streaming service in the U.S. He later served as VP of Communications and Talent Relations at ViX (TelevisaUnivision), the world’s leading Spanish-language streaming platform. Through each role, his mission has remained constant: to challenge stereotypes, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive cultural transformation through storytelling.
In this powerful Beauty Voices, José opens up about how years of silencing himself as a young immigrant shaped his journey—and how breaking that silence through storytelling became a radical act of liberation. He shares his personal rituals, his grounding mantras, and his philosophy that beauty lives in vulnerability, not perfection.
For José, beauty is not an aesthetic; it’s an act of resistance. It’s found in the rituals that keep us centered, the communities that reflect our truth, and the courage it takes to speak with your whole voice. His legacy is one of reclamation—of voice, space, and visibility for a new generation of creators.
This is more than a conversation. It’s an invitation to honor your story, own your narrative, and find the beauty in showing up fully as yourself.
Your agency amplifies powerful narratives. What role has beauty—personal, cultural, or conceptual—played in shaping your own identity and the stories you choose to tell?
Beauty, both personal and cultural, has always been central to how I understand identity and storytelling. As a Latinx creative, I’ve seen how beauty is often defined for us, not by us. But I’ve also seen how reclaiming it through our language, heritage, bodies, and stories becomes an act of power.
Whether it’s a pop anthem of self-expression and empowerment, an indie film on family conflict, or a brand campaign rooted in cultural pride, we seek stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate authenticity. Beauty isn’t just about aesthetics but truth, vulnerability, and representation. And that’s what drives the stories we choose to tell.
At Beauty Unscripted, we believe beauty can be a catalyst for change. How do you see your work at High Point Agency as a vehicle for cultural transformation or industry disruption?
At High Point Agency, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural reclamation and representation. Our work exists at the intersection of visibility and authenticity, especially for Latino and underrepresented creators, often left out of mainstream narratives.
We are not just chasing headlines, we’re shifting perception. We aim to disrupt outdated industry norms by spotlighting voices that challenge the status quo, celebrate lived experiences, and expand the definition of who gets to lead culture. In that way, our agency isn’t just a PR firm; it’s a creative amplifier for change.
As someone at the forefront of storytelling and representation, how do you define ‘authentic beauty’ in today’s evolving media landscape?
To me, authentic beauty is truth that resonates even when it’s raw, imperfect, or uncomfortable. In today’s media landscape, where filters, trends, and algorithms often shape perception, authentic beauty is what cuts through the noise. It’s found in real voices, lived experiences, and stories that don’t ask for permission to exist.
Finding your voice and championing your voice is central to our mission. When did you first recognize the power of your voice, and how do you continue to protect and project it in an industry that often demands conformity?
The power of our voice is everything. It’s not just about what we say, but how it lives in our bodies, how it feels to speak, to be heard, to be understood. For me, that truth came after years of silencing myself.
When I migrated from Mexico, I was bullied at school and beyond because of how my voice sounded. Its softness, warmth, vulnerability… what made it unique also made it a target. That experience left a scar. I learned to disconnect from my own sound, believing that muting it might keep me safe.
Many years later, I went on a four-day silent retreat, which changed everything. After days of intentional silence, the moment I spoke again, I heard myself. I cried my heart out. That moment reminded me that my voice belongs to me. It carries my history, my emotions, and my culture. People connect with me not just through my work but through the sound of who I am.
From that moment on, everything shifted in my life, my confidence, and my career. By accepting and honoring my voice, I realized I could create impact. When you own your story fully, tone, accent, vulnerability, and all, you give others permission to do the same. That’s when storytelling becomes transformation.
Diversity in media often gets reduced to surface-level inclusion. What does true representation look like to you, and how do we keep pushing for deeper, systemic change?
True representation isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being heard, respected, and in control of our own stories. Putting diverse faces on screen is not enough if the people behind the scenes all look the same.
To me, real representation means showing the full range of who we are—our joy, our struggles, our culture, our everyday lives. It means Latino stories that aren’t based on clichés, and creators who get to lead, not just participate. We must demand more than surface-level diversity to keep pushing for real change. We need to support the next generation of storytellers.
What advice would you give to emerging creatives and entrepreneurs trying to align their purpose with their platform, especially in a world where beauty and branding are so intertwined?
Start by asking yourself: What excites you? What makes you nervous? What do you truly enjoy? For me, those questions are the doorway to discovering your passion. When you work from a place of passion, the journey becomes more fulfilling and more sustainable. Passion drives purpose.
We’re all different, and that’s exactly where beauty lives. Your life experiences, ideas, and vision are what make you unique. That’s real beauty—not perfection, but authenticity. And always leave space to evolve. Life is unpredictable, and that’s okay. Trust the process.
Every mistake teaches you something, and every failure creates more space for growth. Most importantly, lead with kindness toward others and yourself. Your heart will thank you for it.
Let’s talk about personal rituals. What beauty or self-care practice helps you feel most centered, especially during high-pressure moments as a founder and creative leader?
My personal ritual revolves around stillness and connection. When things get overwhelming, I make time to sit in quiet meditation, allowing my mind to reset and clear out the noise. I also listen to music that helps me ground myself or brings me peace. Music has this incredible power to center me, to remind me of my purpose, and to bring me back to a state of calm.
As a founder and creative leader, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush, but taking those moments of quiet reflection is key to staying grounded and maintaining clarity. In those moments, I reconnect with my intentions and realign myself with the bigger picture. Above all, I believe self-care is about being present with yourself and treating your mind with the same care you give your work and your body.
Do you believe there’s power in routine when it comes to cultivating confidence or clarity? What are some non-negotiables in your self-care rhythm that help you stay aligned?
Yes, I believe routine plays a huge role in cultivating both confidence and clarity. For me, the rituals I put in place are all about grounding and honoring what matters most. A non-negotiable for me is time with my family. That time together on the weekends centers me in a way nothing else can, and it’s the most beautiful and grounding routine I have.
Before I start my workday, I have my mantras that honor my ancestors and set the tone for my day. I take a moment to show kindness to myself, my body, my heart, my soul, my team, my clients, and everyone who is part of my present. These mantras help me align with my purpose, ensure I approach my work with love, and remind me of the power of connection.
Starting the day with calmness, intention, and gratitude is what allows me to face challenges with clarity, and that routine keeps me aligned, especially in high-pressure moments.
Beauty has often been used as a limitation tool, but at Beauty Unscripted, we see it as liberation. What does empowered beauty look like to you, and how do you embody that in your personal or professional life?
One of the most beautiful ways I’ve come to understand beauty is through the lens of vulnerability. To me, experiencing and accepting vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s power. It’s what allows us to speak honestly, ask the hard questions, and show up fully as ourselves.
In my life and work, vulnerability has become a foundation. It’s shaped how I connect, create, and lead. When we stop performing perfection and start embracing truth, beauty becomes something much deeper, something real, strong, and liberating.
If you could leave a lasting legacy in the beauty space, what would you want it to be? What truth or vision do you hope others carry forward?
If I could leave a legacy in the beauty space, I’d want it to be a reminder that our stories, our whole, imperfect, evolving selves, are enough. I hope that when people reflect on their own journeys, they realize the beauty in their uniqueness and the power in owning every part of it.
To me, legacy isn’t about perfection or recognition; it lives in the memories we leave behind. If my work can encourage others to be more compassionate with themselves and each other, then that’s the kind of beauty I want to leave behind.