Yris Palmer on Soft Power, Smart Risks, and the Latina Legacy
In L.A., where reinvention is practically an art form, Yris Palmer is doing it in her own rhythm—through ambition, motherhood, and the kind of authenticity that doesn’t read like a highlight reel. In this season of “The Girls” on Hulu, she opens up about what fame can’t control: staying grounded, learning in real time, and protecting her “soft life” without dimming her drive. From her first-gen Latina upbringing and the sacrifice behind it, to the lessons she’s had to relearn at every new level, Palmer shares what it really means to grow—boldly, privately, and on purpose.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What does this season of “The Girls “reveal about who you are when the cameras are on, and what you’re still learning as you grow?
I think people are going to see a much more personal side of me. Social media is usually the highlight reel. You see the businesses, the events, the cute family moments but I’m still figuring things out in real time. I’m a mom, I’m building businesses, I’m navigating relationships and friendships, and I definitely don’t have all the answers. I think people are going to see that I’m really just trying to grow through every season of my life.
How do you protect your “soft life” while still pushing hard for success, especially in LA?
I’ve had to learn that success is a balance. When I was younger, I felt like I had something to prove, so I was constantly working. Now, success to me also means being able to be present with my kids, having dinner with my family, taking care of myself and actually enjoying what I worked so hard to build. I still work hard, I just don’t want my ambition to cost me the parts of my life that matter most.
What do you hope people understand about your Latina identity and first-gen upbringing?
I want people to understand the sacrifice behind it. Being first-generation, I watched my parents come here from El Salvador and work incredibly hard to create opportunities for us. They didn’t necessarily have connections or a blueprint to hand me, but they gave me work ethic and the belief that I could create something bigger for myself. So when another Latina looks at me and feels like, ‘If she did it, maybe I can too,’ that means everything to me.
What’s your definition of smart risk, and what’s one early decision you’d rewrite?
Smart risk is betting on yourself while still understanding what you’re risking. I’ve always been willing to take chances, especially when I believe in something. But if I could go back, I would have learned the business side earlier, understanding contracts, ownership, equity and protecting what you’re building. I was learning as I went. Now I’m much more intentional about asking, “What do I own? What is my value? And does this make sense long-term?”
What’s a lesson you’ve learned as your platform has gotten bigger?
That you can’t skip the hard seasons just because you’ve reached a certain level of success. Every new level comes with a new version of adversity. I’ve had moments where I’m like, “Wait, I thought I already learned this lesson!” But I’ve realized growth isn’t about never struggling again. It’s about handling those moments differently because of what you’ve already been through.
How do you stay grounded and selective about who you trust while enjoying the surreal parts of fame?
My circle is actually pretty small. I’ve learned that access doesn’t automatically equal friendship. I’m friendly with a lot of people, but the people who truly know me and have access to my personal life are people who have been consistent. At the same time, I am a people person and I love connecting. Sometimes I’ll be somewhere or meet someone and I know they think, “How did this little Salvadoran girl from LA end up here?” And that always keeps me humble and grateful.
What does Latina sisterhood mean to you?
For me, sisterhood isn’t just supporting each other publicly. It’s what happens privately. It’s recommending each other for opportunities, making introductions, celebrating someone’s win without feeling like it takes anything away from yours, and also being able to tell each other the truth. There’s room for all of us. I think the more doors we hold open for each other, the bigger the impact becomes.
What roadmap would you give your younger self and a Latina girl watching?
I’d tell her: Don’t wait for someone to choose you. Start with what you have. Learn as much as you can. Don’t be embarrassed to start small. Don’t compare your timeline to anyone else’s. And when something doesn’t work out, don’t automatically assume it means you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes the ‘no’ is redirecting you to something bigger.
What’s next for you?
I feel like I’m stepping into a completely new chapter. “The Girls” is allowing people to know me in a different way, my podcast “Against All Odds” lets me have deeper conversations and tell stories that matter to me, and I’m also building my new brand “SIIIBA”, which is really personal because it was inspired by my experience as a mom. Everything I’m doing right now feels different, but it all connects back to storytelling, entrepreneurship and creating things I wish existed.
Talk to us about the philosophy behind “SIIIBA”.
“SIIIBA” really came from being a mom and watching my daughter grow up. As we started having conversations about hygiene, body changes, and growing up, I realized I couldn’t find products that felt right for us, clean ingredients I trusted, but still cool enough that she’d actually want to use them. Everything felt either too childish, too clinical, or made growing up feel awkward. I saw an opportunity to create something different: products that work, ingredients parents feel good about, and a brand that meets teens where they are and makes growing up feel empowering.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer & Creative Director: David Avalos (@theedavidd)
Wardrobe Stylist: Stephanie Marcela (@vintagemarcela)
Assistant Wardrobe Stylist: Kasey Bernal (@kcaasey)
Hair Stylist: Luca Ala (@delucaloco)
Makeup Artist: Amber Perry (@theamberperry)
Public Relations Agency: Agencia de Publicidad (@decastromedia) , (@dcmhouse)
Publicist: Andrea De Castro Ayala (@andreadecastroayala)
