Paula Garcés is the undisputed queen of binge-worthy TV programs. Having kickstarted in 1999 with the soap opera The Guiding Light, her career is best described as a series of home runs. Since her debut, Paula has been featured in countless acclaimed TV series, spanning crime dramas such as CSI: Miami and Law and Order to comedies such as her most recent Netflix project, On My Block, a savvy coming-of-age story. But Paula’s talent extends far beyond acting; the beauty of her career rests in its dynamic diversity. Paula isn’t afraid to take on new challenges. In 2021, Aluna: Sentinel of the Shards was released, a video game that Paula co-produced to tackle the lack of Latin American representation in the gaming industry. Much like Geny Martinez, the fierce mother of four she plays in On My Block, Paula is driven yet gentle. She buzzes with energy and enthusiasm and her radiant optimism is both infectious and a breath of fresh air.
Which director or actor did you most enjoy working with?
In my entire career? Oh wow, that’s a tough question. There's just been just so many directors that have been so great to me. I've been very lucky to work with a lot of directors and actors. I can name a recent one because I just think her work is so amazing and she's a woman. She's a true ally and mentor. Her name is Lauren Lungerich, and she is the creator, showrunner, writer, and director of my show On My Block.
Which director or actor do you want to work with in the future that you haven't already worked with in the past?
The first person that comes to mind is Penelope Cruz, to be either directed or in any type of a scene with her would be amazing. Every time I see her, whether the movie is good or bad, she's always consistently amazing and just super creative and versatile.
Which character are you most tied to?
Gosh, I've been extremely lucky to play so many different characters. I really loved playing a scientist/astronaut on a show called Defying Gravity. At that time, you didn't see many Latina actresses portraying that type of role on TV. But I also love playing a mom, and right now in On My Block, the show I’m currently doing, I play a mom that's very close to what I grew up with and to who I think I am sometimes. The role is actually being extended; there’s going to be a spin-off of the show, and I’ve just been told that my character will be featured in it. I just received the news so you're the first reporter that’s getting this. So, I'm proud, I'm proud of Geny [Paula’s character in On My Block].
When did you decide that you wanted to be an actress? Did you always know? Or did you find out later on?
So, when I was little, I was always acting, but I guess that's a very Latina thing to say. My mom would always tell me to get over myself and stop acting. But my first passion was actually dancing. When that became too demanding and I started feeling like it wasn’t flexible enough for my personality, I moved on to acting. My mother is actually the one that pushed me to act and researched free programs and scholarships for all kinds of acting schools. She was very savvy; an economically challenged single mom in Spanish Harlem.
What challenges did you face whilst breaking into the industry as a Hispanic actress and woman?
God, your question is hitting home because I've been thinking about this a lot, about what I would say to my younger self, and I would say so many things. But I guess the first thing I would say is just “Paula, relax, don't worry, everything's going to be okay.” There were so many obstacles for me: from being a woman to being Latina. When I started, nothing was specifically written for Colombian Americans. Even though I had a lot of lucky breakthroughs, I still experienced a lot of lows. It's been a constant struggle but a beautiful journey. I've been very lucky. I've worked with a lot of people, and I have been part of a lot of industry firsts. I was part of the first Latin American family to be featured in an American novella, and I was the first Latina to headline a sci-fi movie for Paramount. At the time, I just really wasn't aware that these were breakthroughs. But despite the industry’s positive changes, there are still not enough of our stories being told. So many Latino actors and actresses that are so talented simply aren’t given enough opportunities. So, whenever I can, I always try to voice that there should be more opportunities for Latino actors. Progress is definitely being made but it's a little slow. Sometimes I'm too impatient and I just think “I want it now!”.
Which project are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of Aluna, the comic superhero that I co-created. It's been more than 12 years in the making, and there were a lot of times when I wanted to give up because everyone around me was telling me it was impossible. I feel like it's a really good lesson for my own kids and other kids as well; it doesn't matter what color your skin is or what culture you’re from, all stories deserve to be told. But I've also been part of a lot of shows that I'm very proud of. The Shield is one of the shows that I’m most proud of. I wasn't invited to audition on that show; I kind of forced my way into it. It was an amazing experience and I still have so much love for all of the show’s actors.
How did you audition for the show?
I was a true fan and so I called my agents and managers and told them I wanted to audition but they told me I wasn’t right for the show, that I was too pretty or too soft. I was always ‘too’ something. I thought it was ridiculous, so I flew myself from New York to Los Angeles and, by some miracle, I got the audition. The casting director was such a huge help. Throughout my career, there have always been a lot of women that were my guardian angels. This particular casting director supported me throughout the entire audition process. She told me to go wipe off all my makeup, wear a man’s shirt, and put my hair in a bun. I just needed someone to be honest with me. It was very refreshing, and it changed the course of my career because, after that, I was seen as someone that could actually act and didn't have to rely solely on her looks.
Why did you decide to move into the video game industry? How is working with video game characters different from working with real-life characters?
The video game industry contacted me. I had been going to comic book conventions like the San Diego Comic-Con which was very welcoming to both me and Aluna. When I was there, I got approached by an online video game developer who worked on a successful online video game called Heroes of The North, and I immediately agreed to collaborating with him; you don't have to ask a Latina actress twice if she wants to be a superhero in a video game. What was really cool is that these developers actually really wanted me to voice my opinions and help them create Aluna’s avatar. It was actually my first time voicing a video game character. We thought it was going to happen in the blink of an eye, but it took more than 10 years for Aluna to have her own video game. My big dream for Aluna is for her to have her own TV series.
You also worked as an executive producer. What were the most challenging aspects of producing? And how is it different from acting?
Oh, gosh, producing is really very hard. It entails everything from raising money—that's the obvious one—to calming down creatives when they don't agree and being a publicist. You wear so many hats. A producer is basically someone who’s willing to be flexible, be a team player, and do whatever it takes to get a project done. This versatility is one of the main reasons why I'm really enjoying directing. I also really love that directing requires you to work so closely with so many actors. I appreciate actors so much and I admire how hard they work. I love and appreciate all actors out there, even the difficult ones. Directing is such a collaborative job, more so than people think. I think the best directors are the ones that know that. At the end of the day, directors get all the credit but it's really a team effort. So, I think that's why my career is taking this direction right now. Because of my love for collaboration and acting.
Do you hope to transform Aluna into a TV series or movie?
Um, well, you know, since we're big on manifesting these days, let's say both. Why limit yourself? Let's do a film. Let's do a TV show. Let's do animation. A motion comic? Let's go!
Creative credits
- Written by
- Gaia Stanzani Ghedini
- Senior Editor
- Jessica Catignani
- Lighting direction
- Rielle Oase
- Retouching
- Brianna Kish
- Hair & Makeup
- Jean Ramos
- Fashion direction
- Katie Schuppler
- Creative Credit
- Paula Garcés
