Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez, Latina Stars Revel in Bicultural Experience Via 'Living Fabulosa' Initiative
Are you livin' la vida fabulosa?
Well if you're not, then you might want to take a cue from Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez, radio personality Angie Martinez, "Orange Is The New Black" stars Diane Guerrero and Selenis Leyva, Style Expert/TV personality Lilliana Vazquez and Entertainment Weekly Correspondent Nina Terrero, who are rocking their careers within the entertainment industry as driven and inspirational Latinas.
On Wednesday night, these beautiful ladies of all different backgrounds and ethnicities and P&G's Orgullosa program celebrated its newest initiative, 'Living Fabulosa' (living fabulously). It's a continuation of its Nueva Latina campaign, "which highlights the unique and complex experience of the modern, bicultural Latina -- the Nueva Latina." The fabulous event took place at The TimesCenter in New York.
Special guests and on-stage panelists included Guerrero (who also stars in "Jane the Virgin") and "OITNB's" Leyva, Founder of Vixen Workout Janet Jones, musician Raquel Sofía, and entrepreneurs and founders of My Wellness Solutions Indhira Santana, Violet Santana and Hilda Pichardo.
"I'm so excited to be here tonight to showcase how Latinas are living fabulosa and highlight all the amazing things we're doing as a community. Although there is no singular definition to describe the Latina experience, tonight's group of modern Latinas were united by passion, orgullo and our stories of rich history, blended cultures and aspirations," shared Rodriguez. "As Nueva Latinas, we are proud of where we come from and we are defining a new blended cultural life that is unique and inspiring."
These Latina trendsetters shared their stories of confidence, strength and success. Style expert and TV personality Vazquez worked her magic with a make-over, Jones got the panel and the crowd pumping with her Vixen Workout, and Puerto Rican-born singer Sofía, who has toured with Juanes and Shakira also gave the audience a special surprise performance. The ladies laughed, reflected on their obstacles and triumphs and shed tears over their resilient grandmothers and mothers who made them who they are today.
The humble and articulate Rodriguez also shared advice with an aspiring Latina actress who asked a question from the audience.
"I am driven by being able use my work to hopefully inspire and empower. I understand that volatile world...," she explained. "I would say as an actor get the best training. Be so good that they can't ignore you."
Rodriguez reflected upon her adulthood experience being in the industry.
"I have been faced with those volatile times that you aren't pretty enough," she said. "'You're not skinny enough' and 'Why can't you be more urban?'"
She also pointed out that it's understanding what you're facing and having "the tools to navigate the industry," which include having control over your training, your presentation, preparation and the people you choose to be around.
"If you want to be an actress, you have to give it a lifetime. I think just like anything in life, you have to give it a lifetime..." she added. "Like that great quote, 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.' There is so much that is out of your control. When you hear those things that break down your confidence at times or break down your drive because your fear comes into play...shut it out..."
When it comes to image in Hollywood she said: "I wear a happy size 4, size 6 and size 8 -- and if it's that time of the month, size whatever!" as the audience roared with laughter. "And I look damn good! I refuse for an industry to tell me the difference. What I am going to do instead is to redefine what they say and not play into what they say...'Jane the Virgin' was my opportunity to talk about my two cultures."
Rodriguez also shared a story of when she was a little girl and she asked her mother an innocent yet eye-opening question that was reflective of the times.
"I asked my mom as a kid, 'When did Puerto Ricans come about?'" Rodriguez explained. "She said, 'What are you talking about?' I said, 'Well, when did it happen? Was it in the '50s or the '60s?' She said, 'What are you talking about?!' I said, 'Well, because I don't see us anywhere. I don't see us on the TV. I don't see us in the movies I love. When did it happen?' She said, 'We've always been around, and you will tell those stories one day.'"
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