Michelle Rodriguez Shares Why She Leans into ‘Rebellious Energy’: I ‘Don’t Want to Be Pushed Around’ (Exclusive)

Michelle Rodriguez is all about strong vibes.

The actress, 46, born and raised in San Antonio, was inducted into the Texas Film Awards Hall of Fame in Austin on March 6. The event honors those in Hollywood who have paid tribute or given back to the Lone Star state throughout their career.

On the red carpet before the ceremony, where Rodriguez’s Fast and the Furious costar Vin Diesel and Machete director Robert Rodriguez later presented her with her award, the star told PEOPLE that she is drawn to bringing rebellious energy into her life.

“I think, ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s like being a salmon swimming upstream, and Hollywood always feels like the stream,” Rodriguez said, adding that she’s tried to surround herself with people who aren’t “trying to push their ideas and what you should be on you.”

“You don’t want to be pushed around or [let] anybody to tell [you that you] can’t get to the other side of the river. I’m going to get there one way or another. I don’t care which way everybody else is going,” she added. “That’s the rebellion. All it is is just sticking to who you are.”

According to Rodriguez, there are certain people in her life who she looks to specifically for inspiration.

“I think you have these strong characters that come along, and I believe Robert [Rodriguez] to be one of those characters, I believe Vin [Diesel] to be one, and Jim [James Cameron] as well. And myself,” she explained.

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When asked what projects she would be interested in doing in the future, as she continues to tap into her “rebellious energy,” Rodriguez told PEOPLE, “You know what’s intriguing? I’m really enjoying what those dudes are doing with The White Lotus.”

Highlighting themes seen within the HBO series, including “psychology” and “humanity,” the star continued, “I’d like to work with anybody rebelling in that direction.”

At the event, Rodriguez was honored alongside other 2025 Texas Film Awards Hall of Fame inductees, including Alamo Drafthouse founders Tim and Karrie League and screenwriter and director Noah Hawley. 

Jay Duplass, Zazie Beetz, Elijah Wood and Dazed and Confused director Richard Linklater were also in attendance as presenters.

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When Diesel, 57, presented Rodriguez with her award, he called her a “ride or die” friend and said, “I am so blessed to have her in my life, whether she lets my 14-year-old son DM her in Dungeons and Dragons or my 9-year-old son to show her one-arm push-ups. I will love her forever.”