Many Chileans are already aware with Sebastian Solorza because he has won national acting prizes and acted in a famous Netflix series. The 43-year-old actor with Down syndrome now hopes to run for president in this year’s Chilean national election.
In order to run as an independent, Solorza must collect 35,000 signatures by August 18. He is working against the clock to meet this goal. He presents himself as a mediator in the bitter ideological conflict that rages in Chile between the extreme right and the far left.
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According to Solorza, who told The Associated Press that his illness enables him to communicate more softly, “I listen with my heart.”
If he runs for office, his campaign would emphasize increased security, better healthcare and education, and greater inclusion—all of which are top priorities for the populace, which has been dealing with an unparalleled violent issue in recent years.
The campaign has been characterized by back-and-forth assaults between the two main contenders, Jeannette Jara, the communist nominee of the ruling coalition, and Jos Antonio Kast, a far-right candidate who lost to current leftist president Gabriel Boric in 2021. Chile will elect a new president on November 16.
According to polls, Kast and Jara are fighting for the top two positions with three months to go until the election. According to this scenario, they would meet on December 14 in a second-round runoff.
Solorza contends that while striving for a more open nation, his campaign offers a compromise between political extremes.
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When he announced his intention to run as an independent last month, he stated, “As an actor, as a worker, and as a citizen, I’ve spent my entire life breaking down prejudices.” Everybody is entitled to the same possibilities.
Through his candidacy, the actor seeks to raise awareness of individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Even though he is unlikely to get the support he needs to run for president, he considers his political endeavor a success because he has gathered just over 600 of the 35,000 signatures needed.
Demystifying myths and prejudices
Solorza maintains a rigorous schedule, working a day job at a construction company and pursuing an acting career. He uses his little free time to meet with people, speak with members of the Parliament, and tour Congress in order to further his campaign.
Supporters, fans, and employees of the cafes and restaurants where Solorza frequently dines greet him in the streets of Huechuraba, a peaceful and green area in the northern portion of Chile’s capital. He always has a smile on his face and takes his time walking, giving everyone who wants a picture or a quick conversation time.
Chileans gather at the Parliament in Valpara, a seaside town roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Santiago, to show their support. Last week, one supporter said, “Good luck with the signatures.” Let the people make the final decision on our future.
According to Carolina Gallardo, director of the Chilean nonprofit Down Up Foundation, which provides community and support for families with children with Down syndrome, Solorza’s political goals pave the way to elevate the voices of individuals with the condition and aid in dispelling myths and prejudices that persist in society.
Fueled by the arts
The attempt to make her political debut is only the most recent obstacle Solorza has surmounted.
He grew up in the 1980s, when there was far less information available regarding Down syndrome than there is now. His mother, Jenny Solorza, remembers his early years as being quite gloomy since they had to look for information on their own because the physicians were never able to give their son a definitive diagnosis.
We always supported him with music and wanted to give it our all,” she remarked. Sebasti n has a highly diverse musical culture as a result, and he was raised in it.
Instead of concentrating on conventional academics, Solorza attended special schools where he cultivated his love of the arts, which was stoked by music. He started performing frequently on stage and making appearances on well-known TV discussion shows after being awarded a scholarship to attend a drama school at the age of 18.
Later, his portrayal of Tomy in the Chilean thriller Chromosome 21 catapulted him to national prominence. Two days after its 2022 premiere, the series, which centers on a detective attempting to identify whether a young guy discovered at a murder scene is a suspect or a witness, was ranked second on Chile’s Netflix.
At the 2023 Caleuche Awards, one of the most significant events in the Chilean cinema industry, Solorza won the Best New Actor prize for the role.
He says he won’t be discouraged by criticism on social media that he isn’t ready or has the political expertise to run for office.
I am aware that many people would find my candidacy awkward,” he remarked. However, I’m here to help minorities.
