YENIFFER BEHRENS AND THE QUIET POWER OF BECOMING
BY EBBY MAGAZINE
Actress, director, and producer Yeniffer Behrens reflects on Her Choices, creative sovereignty, and the quiet power that unfolds.
“HER CHOICES HAS BEEN A SELF-HEALING EXPERIENCE, ALLOWING ME TO TELL MY TRUTH AND STEP INTO MY BIRTHRIGHT POWER, FREE OF SHAME AND GUILT.”
YENIFFER BEHRENS, ACTRESS, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
There isn’t always a moment that announces itself as a turning point. No spotlight. No grand reveal. Just a quiet certainty that it’s time.
For Yeniffer Behrens, that certainty arrives at a moment of creative expansion. In December, she returned to screens in a recurring role as Consuela in Ángel Studios’ Homestead, while Final Vow, the feature film she produced and starred in alongside her husband and producing partner Mauricio Mendoza, completed its theatrical run earlier this fall. And now, Her Choices, the deeply personal film she both directs and stars in, is officially picture-locked and entering post-production phase.
After decades of bringing nuance and humanity to characters on Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and Sons of Anarchy, this season marks a shift. Not away from performance but toward authorship.
Born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Behrens has never followed a prescribed path. She has built her career by carving space where none existed, a sensibility that now extends beyond acting into storytelling with intention. As a filmmaker, mother, and co-founder of True Form Films, she is creating work rooted in lived truth while opening doors for others to do the same.
This conversation is about power, the quiet kind. The kind that comes when a woman stops waiting for permission and begins trusting her own voice.
“I NO LONGER NEED THE EXTERNAL VALIDATION I SOUGHT IN MY YOUNGER YEARS. I’VE COME HOME TO MYSELF.”
Her Choices is a deeply personal film. What made you feel ready, emotionally and creatively, to tell your own story now?
Being ready to tell my story has been a lifelong journey, twenty-five years in the making. Her Choices has been a self-healing experience, allowing me to tell my truth and step into my birthright power, free of shame and guilt. The readiness took this long because it’s not just my story; it’s also the story of my family. With their blessing and their own individual healing journeys, now is the perfect time in history to share it.
You’ve been in front of the camera for years. How did stepping behind it shift your perspective on storytelling?
I’ve been blessed to work in front of the camera since 1989. That experience gave me the confidence and insight to step into directing and producing. As actors, our job is to be the best listeners on set, to help bring the director’s vision to life. As a director, your responsibility is to guide everyone toward a shared vision, using their creativity, passion, and skill. That collaborative spirit is what makes the Herculean task of filmmaking easier and more joyful.
What was the most challenging part of directing yourself, and what was unexpectedly beautiful about it?
The most challenging part was trusting the process during emotional scenes. Stepping in and out of character to give direction, especially during intense night shoots, was difficult. But the most unexpectedly beautiful part was having cathartic moments while playing my mother. The depth of understanding and love I felt for her during filming was palpable and more healing than even writing the story. While Her Choices is based on true events, much of it is commercially heightened for storytelling. Still, the emotions were real.
Was there a scene that took you by surprise once you stepped into it, not just as a director, but as the woman who lived it?
There were many scenes that hit me with unexpected waves of emotion. I couldn’t control it; the tears just poured out. My heart would burst with joy as I felt the pain release and witnessed these brilliant actors bring my real-life characters to life. The purge was real, and it continues, even now as I edit. One scene at the end of the film, in particular, stands out. Without giving any plot details, it was my opportunity to blend what really happened with what I wished had happened. That’s what makes storytelling so magical and so healing.
You wear so many hats—director, producer, mother, mentor. How do you stay present in all of it without losing yourself? What have your children taught you about creativity, and what do you hope they’re learning from watching you lead?
I was taught from a young age to dream big, adapt to change, and be responsible. As the firstborn daughter, I took care of my baby brother and did my homework on my own. My mother didn’t know English, so I became the household translator. I was raised to be a leader. Wearing many hats comes naturally to me now, but the feeling of losing myself in the process is very real sometimes. Staying present and enjoying the journey is a daily practice. I credit my mom and abuelita for teaching me to believe in God and to trust in blind faith that we are always provided for. Todo pasa por algo. (No hay mal que por bien no venga.) Everything happens for a reason.
My spiritual practice keeps me grounded and grateful for my family, and for my peace of mind. My children are my greatest productions. Being their mother is the most fulfilling experience of my life. I see them learning to become leaders in their own lives. My son Adrian just graduated from Princeton and is adulting in New Jersey, supporting his younger sister’s education. Julianna, who just turned 13, is taking initiative with chores, school, and family planning. They inspire me every day.
As a woman in this industry, what boundaries have you had to set to protect your energy and your purpose?
I’ve set boundaries around how much time I spend on social media, and I’ve learned to say no without guilt to invitations and opportunities that don’t align with my purpose. I’ve come to understand that not everyone will like me or love me, and that’s okay. I am perfect, whole, and complete with or without anyone’s approval.
You’ve called this season of your life a “quiet revolution.” What does that mean to you?
This season of quiet revolution means I’m working from the inside out. I’ve given myself the gift of time with myself. Not “alone time” because I don’t believe we’re ever truly alone. That illusion can trick us, but I’ve learned to embrace it as sacred “Me, Myself, and I” time. I no longer need the external validation I sought in my younger years. I’ve come home to myself.
Is there a small daily ritual, something simple, even private, that grounds you when everything else feels loud?
When my heart feels excited, and life gets loud, I pause and breathe. I inhale for four counts, hold for six counts, and exhale for eight counts. This simple breathing practice regulates my nervous system and helps me feel present and grounded again.
Finally, what does “living your best life” look like now—not just on paper, but in your soul?
Living my best life means being deeply connected to my inner voice and honoring my truth. When my thoughts, words, and feelings are in alignment, I feel at peace. That’s when I’m truly living, not just existing. It’s no longer about chasing approval or perfection. It’s about alignment, authenticity, and inner joy. That’s bliss.
“MY CHILDREN ARE MY GREATEST PRODUCTIONS. BEING THEIR MOTHER IS THE MOST FULFILLING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.”
HER CHOICES
A coming-of-age story based on true events. Written, directed by,
and starring Yeniffer Behrens. Produced by True Form Films.
