By: Xavier Garcia
Helena officially moved to Los Angeles one week after her 19th birthday to pursue Acting for Film at the prestigious New York Film Academy. Within two weeks of arriving, she booked her first lead role in the student short film Hallucination, an emotional story about a couple coping with the loss of their first-born child. From that point on, Helena worked steadily on a series of projects, taking on both lead and supporting roles. One standout was El Bajo, a comedic short film in which Helena played the lead role and, for the first time, explored her natural comedic timing, an experience she describes as “liberating and confidence-building.” She graduated from NYFA in April 2024.
Just weeks after graduation, Helena achieved a milestone that many young actors only dream of: she was cast in her first feature film, a Disney production. Selected among thousands of applicants, Helena secured a role in Freakier Friday, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved 2003 hit Freaky Friday. The film, starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, is set to be released in Summer 2025.
For Helena, the experience was both surreal and career-defining. “I grew up watching Freaky Friday,” she shares. “Being part of its sequel felt like a dream come true, especially so early in my career. Being selected to join such a major Disney production among so many other talented people was a huge honor. Also It was amazing to see a female director in a major Hollywood production”
Working on the Disney set provided Helena with invaluable insight into large-scale film productions. She spent approximately 12 hours filming multiple scenes, observing the professionalism and precision that goes into a project of that caliber. “Every moment on set confirmed my passion for acting,” she explains. “It was inspiring to see the level of dedication from everyone involved, from actors to crew, and it motivated me to continue growing as an artist.”
Helena describes every set she has worked on as a masterclass in acting. She believes that observing other performances, collaborating with directors, and embracing vulnerability in front of the camera are essential to refining her craft. “Acting isn’t just a career for me; it’s a passion that drives me every single day,” she says. “I’m constantly learning, pushing my limits, and connecting deeply with the characters I portray. Each project is an opportunity to tell meaningful stories and inspire others.”
With her combination of natural talent, rigorous training, and growing experience on both independent and major studio sets, Helena Jauregui is establishing herself as a promising new voice in the film industry.
As she looks ahead, Helena remains committed to expanding her range and taking on roles that challenge her both artistically and personally. She hopes to explore projects across genres, from intimate indie dramas to large-scale studio productions, always with the goal of telling stories that resonate. Her ability to move seamlessly between emotional depth and lighthearted charm positions her as a rare talent capable of captivating audiences in any format.
Industry peers and casting directors alike are beginning to take notice, and with her career momentum building, Helena Jauregui is poised to become one of the standout talents of her generation. Whether on a bustling studio lot or an intimate independent set, she approaches each role with a blend of humility, curiosity, and fearlessness. It is this dedication, combined with her innate screen presence, that signals she is not just fulfilling her dreams, she is steadily building a body of work that will leave a lasting imprint on Hollywood. For Helena, this is only the beginning of a journey guided by passion, purpose, and an unwavering love for the art of storytelling, destined to touch hearts and inspire audiences across the world.