Thursday, February 5, 2026

Extra Than a Face: Myrna Cabello on Rediscovering Identification After Bell’s Palsy


Once we face adversity at totally different factors in our lives, it usually builds character and divulges interior power we didn’t know we had. Few perceive that higher than actress Myrna Cabello. In 2007, she confronted a daunting medical disaster when she was recognized with Bell’s Palsy—a situation that causes momentary facial paralysis. Although she has since recovered, the expertise left a long-lasting impression, educating her highly effective classes in gratitude, acceptance, and the significance of valuing interior qualities over outward appearances or materials possessions.

Myrna Cabello is well known for her performing profession, singing, and extra—and it was really an honor to sit down down together with her for Social Way of life Journal. Right here’s what she needed to share in our interview:

Meghan Forte: You confronted Bell’s Palsy in 2007, which briefly affected your potential to sing. Are you able to stroll us by way of that have and the way you stayed motivated throughout your restoration?

Myrna Cabello: Completely! It was an everyday morning and I wore contacts. As I used to be placing them in, I observed I couldn’t really feel my eyelids. I began touching my face and thought, “Absolutely I’m nonetheless half asleep.” And as I continued, I found that all the half of my face was numb. I had by no means heard of Bell’s Palsy, so I talked to my husband, and he instantly thought I may be having a stroke and dialed 911. I used to be high quality, however the medical doctors felt it was Bell’s Palsy—which it was.

It was stunning to have my physique abruptly act by itself—to not be in management. And my physician instructed me it was going to progress much more… Hastily, there was no motion on one aspect of my face. After I accepted it, I discovered myself fascinated by the modifications and would observe myself within the mirror. Sadly, I had some bookings which I completely couldn’t do as a result of I couldn’t speak. So, I needed to cancel all my bookings, and my agent was extraordinarily involved. I believed, Oh no, what will occur now?

From what I learn, some folks get better shortly and a few don’t. Some take a very long time, and I didn’t know what my journey was going to be. I’m very a lot a analysis individual, so I researched all that I may and discovered that the primary factor folks had been saying was that acupuncture was a extremely good therapy for it. So, I discovered an acupuncturist who took me in, and after 3 weeks, I had a bit of little bit of motion—so I used to be very hopeful. I truly videotaped myself, speaking about how I felt and what it was doing to me psychologically. That helped as a result of I felt like I used to be creating one thing—one thing significant and expressive.

I additionally bear in mind simply praying and singing. Singing simply made me really feel actually linked. It’s actually a tremendous feeling to sing. After I prayed, I stated, “Please God, don’t take my voice.” I simply didn’t know the place it was going to go or what would occur subsequent. We had been taking part in a celebration somebody had employed us for, and my husband needed to cancel—however I felt like I needed to sing. I wore huge sun shades to cowl up most of my face so no one would discover. However folks did discover, and the gorgeous half was that it opened the door for others to share related experiences. One man had a fall from a motorbike, however sadly his situation was everlasting. The celebration made me really feel superbly linked.

As a result of there may be a lot focus on the planet on being stunning on the surface, it made me mirror on doing extra work on myself—internally. Oddly, trying on the movies, I really feel much more stunning than I ever felt. After that occurred, I felt extra in contact with the deeper, extra significant components of my life. The video journal was actually useful to me, and I felt blessed that my household and husband had been so supportive.

Lastly, after a few yr, I felt like I had some management over my face. Nevertheless, if I turned confused or drained, I may really feel the lack of motion in my face. It’s actually such a wierd illness. I nonetheless needed to do regular issues, like going out to dinner—regardless that meals would fall out of my mouth. And there have been numerous really great folks that I met whereas going by way of this.

Meghan Forte: How did dealing with Bell’s Palsy form your perspective in your profession and your artwork, particularly your music and voice work?

Myrna Cabello: It made me perceive that what I had perceived as my life may change at any second. It made me be taught to be versatile. And it made me additionally dig deeper into the music and songwriting. I used to be writing plenty of songs at the moment. I wrote a tune known as “Solutions”, which is about this. And it brought on me to shift extra in the direction of the music… I can write, I can sing… and I didn’t have to fret about being on digicam or really feel self-conscious about trying totally different. I delved extra into my music. As soon as I recovered, I felt I didn’t should restrict myself.

Meghan Forte: You earned a BA in Studio Artwork earlier than diving into performing. How do you’re feeling your background in visible artwork informs your work as an actress and a artistic?

Myrna Cabello: That’s a extremely good query! I feel one of many issues that’s all the time good in performing is having a well-rounded life so you may draw on totally different sides of your self. I feel my expertise with artwork college actually helped me in that regard. I truly thought going by way of artwork college was wonderful! I bought to do printmaking, illustration, portray, and watercolor. I bought to discover so many mediums round folks that liked artwork a lot… Having that neighborhood opened up one other aspect of me… like I’ve an entire different perspective from folks that have a special purpose and love for one thing.

Even stepping into creating my very own web site… bear in mind the times once we had enterprise playing cards? I designed my very own enterprise playing cards and postcards. These are issues that helped me business-wise as a result of I didn’t have to rent anybody. I did the whole lot myself. I went to artwork college and thought this is able to be my backup in case I didn’t succeed on the performing arts. It’s humorous—I simply thought, “Oh, it’s one other artistic job.” I’ve all the time thought it was good to have a well-rounded ability set.

Meghan Forte: Are you able to share a bit about your connection to Austin, Texas, and the way your hometown continues to form your id and profession?

Myrna Cabello: Born and raised a Texas Lady! “Hold it bizarre” is their slogan! I feel it has left an enormous imprint on me, and I simply like to convey that to the desk. I nonetheless have all my buddies in Austin. Numerous them are so glad and excited for me that I made the leap to go to New York—particularly when lots of my classmates had been on the level of getting married and beginning households. So I’ve an enormous love for my hometown.

Highschool formed me—I did plenty of theater in highschool, elementary college, and grade college, in order that helped me. I really feel fortunate that I used to be in a position to hone my craft in Austin, the place there wasn’t the stress and stress of an even bigger metropolis. I’ve performed plenty of TV/movie right here in Austin. That have gave me my resume once I got here to New York.

Meghan Forte: What does it imply to you to be acknowledged as one of many high 100 influential Latinas in Austin’s historical past?

Myrna Cabello: There are not any phrases! It’s such an honor. It’s an honor to have my exhausting work acknowledged. My path, I imagine, serves a larger good—not only for me. I’m serving to different Latinas to really feel courageous and highly effective… like that they’ll do something. And that applies to any younger girl, not simply Latinas. After all, my neighborhood is essential to me. The outreach that I can have may be very highly effective. I get emotional fascinated about how I as soon as looked for individuals who appeared like me, hoping to really feel that very same connection—understanding that in the event that they’re doing it, I can do it. I hope younger girls can visualize themselves in these roles and know: YES! They will do that.

Meghan Forte: The extra illustration in our society additionally brings extra alternatives… and it additionally brings our communities collectively.

Myrna Cabello’s journey is a strong reminder that resilience usually results in reinvention. From navigating a sudden well being disaster to rediscovering her creative voice, she has emerged not solely as a gifted performer however as an inspiring advocate for interior power and authenticity. Her story serves as encouragement to anybody dealing with adversity—proof that with ardour, assist, and a deep sense of function, we will rework life’s challenges into gas for artistic and private development. Whether or not on stage, in entrance of a digicam, or behind a microphone, Myrna continues to uplift and empower—particularly for girls and Latinas who dare to dream huge.

Myrna Cabello is understood for her roles in: Your Buddies and Neighbors, What We Do In The Shadows, FBI: Most Wished, and extra. Thanks, Myrna, in your insightful and highly effective interview; it’s inspiring to so lots of our readers!

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