Files: The Art of Reinvention

Modeled by Experience, Designed by Vision

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

JAN 29th, 2025

“No matter how fast things are moving, it can all disappear in an instant. You can’t get comfortable,” Files says, his words cutting through the noise of the industry, offering a glimpse into a mindset that thrives on urgency and authenticity.

Files, a rising star in the Houston music scene, has been shaking up the game with every track, every show, and every move. His work ethic is undeniable, but it’s what’s behind his ambition that sets him apart. He’s not just playing the game—he’s rewriting the rules. Recently, he’s expanded his reach, modeling for Saks Fifth Avenue and collaborating with Hard Rock, proving that his influence goes far beyond the music scene.

But it’s not just about staying visible. Files is also making his mark in creative direction, working with some of the biggest names in the industry like Lil Uzi Vert. His ability to craft vision and push boundaries is what makes him a force in music and fashion. Beyond that, he’s investing his time and energy into working with upcoming artists like Molly Santana, proving his dedication to helping the next generation of talent rise to the top.

In this conversation, I catch up with Files as he balances the highs of success with the relentless pursuit of greatness. We dive deep into his mindset, the weight of ambition, and how he’s shaping his own lane in an industry that demands everything.

Emily Arauza: “Okay, so let’s get started. Do you want to introduce yourself? As far as what you do & who you are etc”

Diego: “I go by Files but my real name is Diego, what I do is basically a little bit of everything as in, modeling, videography, and creative direction in helping artists find their look and sound but I mainly do modeling now.”

EA: “That’s cool, Files. Sounds like you do a little bit of everything. What made you focus on modeling the most?”

D: “I’m not too sure that’s a good question, I think because I was just tired of being behind a camera that I wanted to see what it felt like to be in front of a camera, and I really wanted to do modeling for a while now so that kinda gave me the confidence to do it. Plus so much opportunity came to me after I did my first shoot with glass cypress that I didn’t really think of stopping anytime soon.”

EA: “That makes a lot of sense. Sometimes you just have to take that first step and see where it leads. Sounds like that first shoot with Glass Cypress really opened a lot of doors for you. What was that experience like?”

D: “Shout out Adrian, he was the guy that I guess you can say scouted me after I walked a show for Ryan knew, he kinda just saw it in me and I don’t know how cause I was od nervous; my first ever shoot and after that, he started hitting me up for shoots with glass then I did my first campaign with them and since then have kinda just been their muse in a sense.”

EA: “You’re blessed, shoutout to Adrian for seeing the potential in you. It’s crazy how one opportunity can lead to so much. How did that first campaign with Glass Cypress feel? Did it change the way you saw yourself as a model?”

D: “Naw for real, and yeah for sure just gave me more confidence as a person and in what I’m doing, gave me a whole lane to take over, like there’s a lot of models in Houston, and if I’m being real I don’t see anyone doing what I’m doing modeling wise in Houston and that’s facts, from Sacks Fifth website, Sacks catalog, so much more stuff I’ve been featured on like I really wanna thank Saber and Adrian for putting me on like I dead owe them the world. Plus I’m really paving a way right now for my Latinos that wanna do what I do.”

EA: “That’s incredible. Confidence truly changes everything, and it’s inspiring to see you carving out a distinct path in the industry, especially for Hispanic people in general, I feel like we don’t get enough recognition. Your work with Saks and other projects is a testament to your talent and dedication. Huge credit to Saber and Adrian for recognizing your potential early on. What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or long-term goals you’re focused on?”

D: “Well what’s next? I don’t even know honestly I’m just going with the flow of things, definitely wanna lock in with more artists and help them define their sound and esthetics because I wanna do modeling full-time at a certain point in my life, but I still wanna def help out diff artist with their music, I love music and feel like that’s what got me into everything I’m into now and also helped me so much through my hard times that I can’t let music go like that.”

EA: “That’s a great mindset to have—sometimes going with the flow leads to the best opportunities. Music is a huge part of your journey, not just as inspiration but as something you genuinely want to contribute to. Balancing modeling with helping artists refine their sound and aesthetics sounds like the perfect way to stay connected to both worlds. Do you see yourself expanding into a creative direction more seriously, or is modeling still the main focus for now?”

D: “Definitely will be taking it more seriously as of right now I basically do Guapos creative direction work and help him with video work and more stuff behind the scenes, that’s like my brother so I’m grateful and lucky to be a part of his journey in his music career but as well as Hardrock and more like Sixbill, Broadday, Ffawty, and Loe Shimmy, I personally know these guys so would definitely wanna lock in this year more with them and do some cool projects. The thing with me is that I bring the art creative scene to the hood, that was basically my plan from the jump to show and embrace another side of music these artists have never really seen or experienced, so as long as they can trust me with what I do then I  definitely still wanna do creative direction work.”

EA: “That’s really impressive. It’s one thing to work in a creative direction, but it’s another to truly bring a new perspective into spaces that haven’t fully embraced it yet. The fact that you’re bridging the gap between the artistic and the raw, unfiltered energy of the streets makes your work even more unique. It’s also great that you’re building with artists you personally know—it makes the collaborations more authentic. Locking in with Guapo, Hardrock, Sixbill, Broadday, Ffawty, and Loe Shimmy this year sounds like a solid plan. Do you have any specific projects in mind, or are you just seeing where the creative process takes you?”

D: “I have a project/film I’m gonna be doing with Guapo soon for his upcoming tape that definitely is gonna be crazy, definitely something all should be on the lookout for, also have other stuff planned with some more artists, but that’s all gonna be a surprise for when we do the actual project, just grateful to be able to work with real raw talent.”

EA: “That sounds incredible & it’s exciting to hear that you have more in the works with other artists too—keeping some things under wraps makes the final reveal even more impactful. It’s clear you’re not just working with talent, but with artists who have a real, unfiltered presence in the industry. On a more personal note, what keeps you motivated through all of this? Whether it’s modeling, creative direction, or music, what’s the driving force behind everything you do?”

D: “My family  has always been my motivation, wanna be able to take care of my parents/ sisters and my kid’s kids with what I’m doing, plus heartbreaks, that’s a different type of motivation though.”

EA: “I completely agree, and honestly, I feel the same way. Family is everything, and making sure they’re taken care of is a huge motivator. And heartbreak? That’s a different kind of drive. It just pushes me to be the most successful woman they could ever wish they had. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’re building something they’ll never have access to again. Do you feel like that kind of motivation changes the way you work and move in the industry?”

D: “Definitely, shows you who was there for you at your lowest and who was there for you only when you came up, I definitely just try to keep my circle as small as possible now that I’ve achieved so many things just to not have problems with people but I still want to thank the females and guys that aren’t here with me anymore because they showed me much by not believing in me that it really just made me numb to a lot of messed up things that would break a regular human.”

EA: “Success really has a way of revealing people’s true colors—who was there when you had nothing versus who only came around once you started making moves. Keeping your circle small is smart, especially when you’re navigating an industry where trust is everything. And honestly, those people who didn’t believe in you? They probably did you a favor. That kind of doubt either breaks you or makes you unstoppable, and clearly, it just makes you stronger. Do you think that sense of numbness changed the way you approach life and your work now?”

D: “Yeah actually and I’m not gonna lie, your questions are good, but yeah for sure just because if a label or artist screws you over in any way you won’t take it to the heart you’re just gonna charge it to the game and keep it pushing, the industry is full of jokers and you gotta be the ace. It’s a crazy game you have to know how to play cause it can cost you your whole career if you’re very egoistical, personally, I see everyone as a human, you bleed how I bleed so, therefore, I’m not gonna fan out over anyone or just mess with anyone because of the status there’s gotta be real chemistry and a real relationship for it to work for real. And it’s the same with the fashion industry, a lot of people don’t talk about it because they don’t know about it, but the music and fashion industry are literally brothers and sisters, they can both mess you up or make you the greatest at what you do.”

EA: “I appreciate that, and you’re spot on—the industry is full of people who will test you, so you have to be smart about how you navigate it. Charging it to the game and not letting your ego get in the way is key because the second you take things too personally, you lose. And I completely agree about music and fashion being connected. They influence each other so much, but a lot of people don’t realize how deep that relationship runs. Just like the music industry, fashion can either elevate you or break you, depending on how you play it. Since you’ve got your foot in both worlds, do you see yourself bridging them even more in your work? Maybe bringing more of that creative direction into fashion or merging the two in a way that hasn’t been done before?”

D: “Well with modeling shoots I’m planning on doing this year I’m definitely gonna be incorporating more of my direction in it don’t know exactly what, but we’ll definitely see when the time comes like my goal for this year is to direct and model my own campaign with an established brand so hopefully if all goes well and I go through the doors I’m supposed to than that will happen. I also wanna walk a show because I’ve never done that so this year I’m for sure gonna be walking a show.”

EA: “That’s a solid vision. Directing and modeling your own campaign with an established brand would be a huge step, and if you stay on the path you’re on, I don’t see why that wouldn’t happen. Walking a show for the first time is also a major goal, and it makes sense to want that experience since you’ve already built such a strong presence in the industry. But looking at everything you’ve said—creative direction, modeling, working with artists, bridging music and fashion—you’re involved in so many different things. If you had to narrow it down, what’s the one thing you truly want to master? Do you see yourself as more of a creative director, a model, or someone who seamlessly blends both into something entirely new?”

D: “This might be an answer not everyone really likes thinks of but being happy, is something I want to master, other than that I’d say modeling, I’m just a real fashion geek like a real fashion geek.”

EA: “That answer says a lot about you. Most people would’ve listed accomplishments or status, but you just want to master being happy. That speaks volumes because happiness isn’t something you just stumble upon—it’s something you have to work for, especially in an industry that’s always moving, always demanding more from you. So what does happiness actually look like for you? Is it financial freedom? Being surrounded by the right people? Waking up every day feeling at peace? Chasing happiness is one thing, but knowing what it actually means to you is what makes the difference.”

D: “Waking up every day feeling at peace, there’s so much I go through on a daily basis that I just wanna wake up in peace, I have a pure heart and soul but I give it to so many people that take advantage of it and I rely on the wrong things to make me at peace, but I’m slowly working on changing that and helping myself mentally and physically.”

EA: “That’s real. Waking up in peace is something a lot of people take for granted until they realize how hard it is to actually achieve. When you have a good heart, it’s easy to give too much of yourself to people who don’t always deserve it. And when that keeps happening, it’s natural to start relying on the wrong things just to feel okay—even if deep down, you know they’re not really helping. But the fact that you’re aware of it and actively working on changing says a lot about where you’re headed. Growth isn’t easy, especially when it means unlearning habits and distancing yourself from certain people or coping mechanisms. What’s been helping you the most in that process? Is it just time, or have you found something—music, certain people, or just shifting your mindset—that’s making a difference?”

D: “Hanging out with different people because they don’t lie when they say you are who you hang around with so learning to balance hanging out with the right people is something I’m trying to learn right now, but also just getting out my own head to where I don’t fall into stuff for feeling a certain way, just definitely people have to put there mind and body first because that’s what keeps you moving and understanding good from bad.”

EA: “It’s clear you’re in a transformative place right now—balancing your passions, surrounding yourself with the right people, and learning to put yourself first. Growth isn’t always easy, but it sounds like you’re moving with real intention. Before we wrap up, is there anything else on your mind? Anything you want to share—whether it’s upcoming projects, words of advice, or just something you feel people should know?”

D: “To keep a clear head and healthy body, and be good to your people because everything I named is all you have for real in the end shout out my guys and my people that look out for me on my bad days y’all always on my mind and don’t do drugs it messes up everything you have going on Nobap.”