Having worked in television, film and theater, do you have a favorite medium to work in?I guess it would be theater. I worked in NY in theater for many years. The process is so intense and you get to work on a play from beginning to end with a character. Live theater is a great adrenaline rush. I’ve actually worked on Spanish soaps for many years, so I’m not new to soaps. I’ve always played the diva—like the Latin Erica Kane!
Do you want to see Pilar “let her hair down”?
I’d like to see Pilar happy. I think she’s too concerned with everybody else’s happiness. If you’re not happy—even if you think you’re helping everybody else--you’re cheating yourself. Then you wind up with regret, and I don’t want that to be the case with Pilar. Especially since she’s Hispanic, and I’m Latin, I want her to be independent and more aggressive.
If you were Pilar, would you light that candle for your husband every night?
That’s pretty admirable! Her argument is that he left for a good reason—to protect the family. But, he still left! He never gave Pilar a chance to decide with him. That part I can’t believe she can forgive. But maybe it’s fear too—she doesn’t want to face that maybe he is a rat that left. That’s scary to face.
What would be your dream storyline for Pilar?
Because I’m Hispanic and I play a Hispanic, I would like to see her go back to school and become a professional. I’d like her to be anything but the housekeeper. That’s my dream because I have such a conviction in my culture. I’m in this business to give something back. I want the teens who write to me to see me as someone they can look forward to becoming.
What makes the Lopez-Fitzgerald family click so well on-screen?
Lindsay (Theresa), Jesse (Miguel), and Galen (Luis) are special kids. We click because we have a good communication process as friends. I think they look up to me as an actress because I’ve been doing this for so long. Looking up to me as an actress translates on-screen into looking up to me as a mom. Plus, they are so committed to making it work.
If you were Pilar what advice would you give Theresa?
One of my strongest convictions in life, as a woman, is to give yourself your place in life. Don’t wait for a man to make you who you are. You are who you are first. Also, when somebody doesn’t want you, you have to give yourself respect and move on. It’s just a waste of energy when the other person doesn’t want you.
If you could play any other character on the show who would you play?
I’d like to play Pilar’s demented twin sister. I like to dig into my soul—we all have demons and I like to search that out in myself and in my characters. It makes you human. I’d love to come into town as her sassy twin, and say, “Pilar, come on! He’s not coming back! Put on a tight dress and let’s go out!”
If you weren’t an actress what would you be?
A child psychologist. I’m also always trying to become a better person. I’ve worked through a lot of issues. I’d love to take a small child and help mold them. That’s why I love being a mom. Anything having to do with children and psychology would really rock my world.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Faith, passion, and a toss-up between compassionate and forgiving.
You have an interesting collage on your wall. Can you talk about it?
It’s called an “Image Seeker” or a “Dream Chart.” In the center you put what you want most in life. I put inner strength. And around it you put everything else you wish for and want in your life. I did this chart with a group of actors I would get together with and I booked this job two weeks later.
If you had to write your autobiography tomorrow what would you call it?
I would call it “I survived.” In every sense of the word. If you don’t go through hard things, you don’t learn or grow. So, in a sense I’m happy I went through certain things. There’s a reason for everything you go through in life.
If you had one wish what would it be?
That I would see Cuba free before my father passes away. It’s very important to me.
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