Paola Almendarez

I am a Communications student at Northeastern Illinois University and a cohost of Not in Distress with my friend Leslie Hurtado. I was born in Mexico and raised in Little Village, and my passion for horror began early. Growing up, I was surrounded by cultural legends like El laberinto del fauno, and later I dove into iconic films like The Silence of the Lambs. Those stories sparked a deep fascination with the unsettling and the unexplainable. A horror, music, and art enthusiast, I see fear as a powerful form of storytelling, one that connects culture, emotion, and imagination. I’m drawn to everything from psychological thrillers to folklore, always chasing that adrenaline rush while exploring the deeper meaning behind what scares us. I enjoy a blend of cultural perspective, artistic passion, and fearless curiosity. I bring high energy, thoughtful insight, and a love for the darker side of storytelling creating a space where horror fans can celebrate the thrill, the mystery, and the beauty within the macabre.