Episode Report Card Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Jalapeno speaks
By Gustave | Season 1 | Episode 14 | Aired on 03.07.2002
I mean, there's a part of me that feels like I can't do this because I'm not savvy like that. I don't enjoy being a part of the "industry." But it's my passion, so I found a way to be in it without being in it.
That's amazing.
Thank you. It took a long time for me to figure how to work in an industry where there are a lot things in it that I don't agree with. But at the same time, what I do love about it is that sometimes you get to produce some amazing art. Like, I went to see Monster's Ball the other day and I thought, "Okay, this is what's good about the industry."
So what is your favorite movie?
I wouldn't see it over and over again or anything, but I loved Schindler's List. I don't know of any other movie that knocked the wind out of me the way that Schindler's List did. And I have to say that Monster's Ball is pretty high up there too. That's the best movie I've seen in a long time.
Who is your favorite actor or actress?
Billy Bob Thornton and Meryl Streep. Especially Meryl Streep. She's just so good.
I don't even know how to phrase this question intelligently, but what is it like being a Latina actress when you're not a total diva? I mean, you work, so obviously you're not being shut out of the industry completely but…
It's been very limiting. [thinks for a moment] I mean, it doesn't seem like it's been limiting. It seems like it's been helpful.
Because you have a "niche"?
Yeah. Although I get really infuriated when people say that, because it hasn't been helpful at all. For every -- I'd say -- twenty projects, there's only one I could go in on. But if I was more, um, "mainstream," I'd have a lot more opportunities.
Do you still keep in touch with anyone from the 24 cast?
Mostly Carlos. He's great. He's just a very real guy. There's nothing "actor-y" about him. That's why I like him so much.
Do you watch the show? Do you sit down on Tuesday nights and watch it?
Honestly? I can't watch it. When I was on, I'd watch. I mean, I had to because I'm always trying to evaluate my performances so I can try to do better. Now it's too hard. It's too painful. I had to move on. I wish I could watch it. I'd like to know what's going on, but it's tough for me. It's kind of like a divorce, do you know what I mean? You can't just keep seeing each other. [laughs]
Well, maybe Jamey has a twin sister…