Colombian actress Carmen Villalobos talks success, culture and love.
Any thoughts on El Señor de los Cielos having a fourth season in 2016?
When a series gets to its fourth season, it can only mean one thing: total success! It’s pure joy to know that you are part of the most highly viewed show of the moment.
What do you think about the evolution of Leonor Ballesteros in this series?
Leonor Ballesteros is a character full of love and hate. I have enjoyed giving life to such a strong and imposing character, and it has really solidified me as an actress. In this third season we saw a very sensitive, more feminine Leonor than in previous seasons.
How have you evolved as an actress since the telenovela Amor a la Plancha, and the role of Catalina in Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso?
A lot. That is what life is all about, to evolve every day. I have been lucky enough to play many different roles that have challenged me as an actress. I’ve had the opportunity to be able to create a series of subtleties for each character that I have played, and this has been very interesting and very good for my career. Thanks to Leonor, people no longer see me as just the girl with the sweet face. They have realized that I also have a lot of character to lend to my roles.
What inspires you about being an actress?
I love my job and respect it a lot. I am very focused on my work, disciplined as well as very hard on myself. I enjoy preparing for scenes and breathing life into a character who is totally different from me. I have enjoyed each role that I’ve played. You get under the skin of a different person for several months and you begin to play with that personality. It is not easy being an actor. Sometimes people think it is very easy, but the truth is that it involves some complexity, like any other profession.
Do you watch yourself on-screen?
Yes and when I do, I respect what I did and if I don’t like something, I say, ‘OK, I’ll keep that in mind next time’ and that is that. I don’t have any problem with that. I don’t think it is good to criticize yourself after the fact because when I did that scene, I gave it my all.
Telemundo has taken a chance on producing series such as La Reina del Sur, El Señor de Los Cielos, Señora Acero, among others. What do you think about that?
Telemundo has always taken risks when it comes to innovation and it has paid off. Television is changing and you have to be on the cutting edge, which Telemundo knows very well. That is why it produces more than telenovelas. It also makes series with more realistic stories.
It is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. Do you think it should be celebrated and why?
Of course it should be celebrated because every day more Latinos are coming to this country pursuing a dream! We are a great community sharing the same language. And for me, as for many of us, it is a matter of great pride to hold our cultural legacy in high regard.
During your free time, what do you do?
I am very family-oriented, so I try to spend time with my loved ones. I love to go to the movies, go out to eat, and work out.
How has the Internet and social media impacted you?
I love that social networks are so well-positioned right now because, thanks to them, I am in constant communication with my fans and also with my loved ones. It also helps me keep up with the news. I confess that I love to respond to messages sent to me by my fans, and the people who follow me know that! But it also has its downside—
I think that people nowadays don’t enjoy their surroundings because they are glued to their cell phones.
What is the secret of your success?
Consistency. I think that when you really love what you are doing, it shows. Success is part of any profession. However, when you really put everything into your job and do it from the heart, then you are successful.
The post Carmen Villalobos: Star of El Señor de los Cielos appeared first on Nexos Latinos.