Conversations with Karen Larrea

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Larrea. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Having been in the entertainment world and the public eye since she was 15 years old, Karen Larrea knew she would always return back to the spotlight. Karen started her entertainment career in the music industry at the age of 15 years old as part of the all-girl musical trio Carrousel who were signed by Sonotone Latin Record the US subsidiary of Songraphica Discos in Venezuela and produced by the A-Team (Alejandro Jaen, Manny Benito & O. Valdes). Karen spent her teen years touring with Carrousel throughout North, Central, and South America and sharing musical stages with legends such as Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Luis Miguel, and Menudo. After Carrousel broke up and guided under the direction of her musical Godfather “El Caballo Mayor” superstar icon Johnny Ventura, Karen recorded an EP and was a spoke model for Coca-Cola International and FIFA World Cup in Ecuador, South America but shortly retired to start and raise her family. Having gone through a divorce in 2013 Karen returned to the entertainment world but this time behind the scenes as a Music Manager in the Circuit Music World. 

2022 has brought Karen back to the front of the spotlight once again as she was presented with the opportunity and cast along with her daughter Breana Symone, 20 years old as one of the main “original 7” cast members and the only Hispanic cast member for the new HBO Max “unscripted” reality hit series “My Mom, Your Dad”. The show follows a group of single parents who have been nominated by their college-age kids for a second chance at love. The parents move into a house together, unaware that their adult children are right down the street living in a second house, watching their every move through hidden cameras, and manipulating their encounters. From humorous cringe moments to heartwarming confessions, the kids will see their parents in a whole new light as they are presented with opportunities to select who they’ll be matched with on one-on-one dates, and who may join the family Thanksgiving for years to come. Executive producers are Greg Daniels (“The Office,” “Parks and Recreation”) and his daughter Haley Daniels for their first unscripted series; and produced by ITV Entertainment (“Love Island,” “Queer Eye”). Hosted by Emmy®-nominated actress and stand-up comedian Yvonne Orji. 

Karen broke out as the female lead cast member as well as with the series most celebrated love storyline. Karen is looking now towards the future in representing Latina women over 40 being able to find love again, have a career, make a comeback, and representing worldwide American Latinas with speaking engagements, appearances, aligning with reputable brands, hosting, and other TV Projects. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely had its share of up and downs but that is what makes life. Even the hard times I never take for granted and always look at the lessons it taught me; it shapes us as a person. It was a huge struggle being divorced after 15 years of marriage and becoming a single mother. I had to reinvent myself at that point especially since I lost all of who and what I identified with. I absolutely am enjoying this time right now being cast along with my daughter Breana Symone on the HBO/Max reality dating series “My Mom, Your Dad” I never would have thought that in my 40’s I would return to the entertainment world in front of the cameras. The biggest adjustment because I would not call it struggle is that things have changed so much since I was in the spotlight in my teenage years. We now are so easily accessible because of social media and the internet. Though I’m loving every opportunity this has brought my daughter and I. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Never would I have thought that my daughter Breana Symone and I would be reality TV stars! You can catch us on the new HBO/MAX reality dating series “My Mom, Your Dad”. As for me I am so grateful and will be using the platform the show opportunity has given me in everything that has to do with “Women over 40”! Dating, health, career, family life, reinvention, friendships, traveling, inspiring, entrepreneurship, self-love, beauty, etc. so many things to cover the list goes on and on! 

I am going to be launching my own platform on social media and talk show debuting in May just on us. There really is no dedication to this beautiful time in Women’s lives. The media, advertisers, and society kind of thinks “okay women are done after 40”. That’s not the case this is actually our best time and I am so proud of making sure we will shine many women who are making it in their world brightly! 

We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking?
Risk-taking is a HUGE YES in life! If you don’t take the risk, you will never know. I took a huge risk in going on a major network reality show, being vulnerable and allowing myself to been seen by America in my most intimate emotional state. Because I took this risk, I now have been given a public platform that I will use to launch my brand and represent women over 40 in all areas of our lives. My advice to you everyone is TAKE THE RISK!!! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karenlarrea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmlm21/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenMLarrea
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@karenlarrea_1

Image Credits:
Mary Grey
Warner Media