On Diversity in Hollywood
“It certainly isn’t an even playing field, however, I feel so fortunate to be coming up at a time where we’re now seeing opportunities where we are being offered roles that once weren’t possible. It’s because of previous generations and the work that they’ve done. I’ve benefitted from being Latina in some ways, it made me stand out; it set me apart and gave me an edge.
When I arrived in Los Angeles, I was encountering less stereotypical parts, but the parts were still very sexy and fiery. And while there’s nothing wrong with being seductive and sultry, I already knew that link to the Latina stereotype and I didn’t want to indulge in that. I didn’t want those two- dimensional roles. I turned down a lot of good paying roles because I didn’t want to be boxed in. That’s not to say that I haven’t played sexy parts, but there has to be something more than just an image, a snapshot of a person. Perhaps it took me longer to make a name for myself, because the choices I was making were important to me. I didn’t want to lose myself and my belief system.
Photo by: Jeff Lorch & © 2016 Fox Broadcasting Co.
“Know who you are and what you want out of it. It’s one thing to do plays and be in a contained artistic, nurturing environment. It’s totally different when you’re in the industry and money is the bottom line. It’s easy to lose sight of it all. There are a lot of distractions and a lot of opinions on what you should be doing with your life and career. Know what you will do and what you won’t do. Know what makes sense to you. Don’t make concessions on it – I’m not saying don’t be flexible because it’s important to get out of your comfort zone, but just make sure that you’re not forsaking your core beliefs and values.”
ALSO: Are You Less of a Latina If You Don’t Speak Spanish?
