Interview by Emiliano Perez, Gainesville High School Senior and Abernathy Cochran Intern
We want to thank Emiliano Perez for spending time with us recently and sharing more about his life, passion for the arts, and deep love for the Hall County community. Emiliano is a senior at Gainesville High School and the son of Pepe Perez and Abigail Guzman, he has one sister, Victoria. He will be attending Kennesaw State University in the fall and will be studying Musical Theatre. He has been a member of Troupe #2445 while at Gainesville High, a state champion for duo interpretation and two time all state theatre participant, among many other awards.
Question: Please tell us a bit about your family.
Answer: “My family owns Consuelo and Centro on the square. My mom is also on the City Council, which is pretty cool. I have a sister, Victoria, who is currently a 7th grader at Gainesville Middle School East Campus. And my dad is Pepe Perez.”
Q: Tell us about your current job. What do you love most about it?
A: “I work as a host at Consuelo. What I love most about my job is working with my friends. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “Chick-fil-A and Mr. Teriyaki are definitely my top picks.”
Q: How long have you lived in Gainesville?
A: “I’ve lived in Gainesville for about 12 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in our community?
A: “That would be Jaden Hinshaw—one of my peers at school. He’s the most confident and secure-in-his-identity person I’ve ever met. Plus, he’s the king of stats, haha!”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “New York City, no question. It’s my absolute favorite place to visit because I love seeing Broadway shows.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies or TV shows?
A: “’The Good Place.’ I could watch it on repeat and never get bored.”
Q: What local business makes you feel most nostalgic?
A: “Even though it’s no longer around, Skate Country brings back some of my best memories of this community.”
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone alive today (non-relative), who would it be and where would you take them?
A: “Maria Bilbao—my favorite Broadway actress. I’ve met her briefly at the stage door, but I’d love to have a real lunch with her. Maybe we’d go to Consuelo for something special.”
Q: What’s something on your bucket list?
A: “To be part of a national tour for a show. That would be a dream come true.”
Q: What’s something you’ve already checked off your bucket list?
A: “Performing in front of 4,000 people! That was unforgettable.”
Q: What’s your go-to music when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “Show tunes or Sabrina Carpenter—they always hit the spot.”
Q: In hard times, who in our community stands out as a local shining light?
A: “Hilda, an employee at Chick-fil-A. I see her most mornings when I grab breakfast, and she’s always smiling and so kind.”
Q: What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?
A: “Not a traditional ‘place,’ but the Bill Heard Theatre in Columbus, GA. Performing there in front of a big crowd felt like home.”
Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? Best day on the calendar?
A: “June and November are my favorite months. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and November 2nd is the best day of the year!”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “Chick-fil-A’s well-done nuggets—absolutely a 10/10.”
Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie?
A: “Marcel Ruiz would be perfect for that.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “The people I’ve met through All-State Theatre. Being surrounded by such talented, passionate individuals constantly pushes me to grow.”
