Although telenovelas have been part of my world since childhood, I always felt like I had to be something that I wasn't. I had to put on so much makeup and wear a push-up bra and have huge hair with blond highlights. I was falling into a mentality where "more" was more beautiful.

A director once told me, "You need to act like you're on mute and speak as though the viewer is in the other room doing the dishes." You become a part of the house. We can make fun of telenovelas, but not to the point where we're mocking them.

I want people to consider talent without a last name or a race attached to it. I knew it would be a long path but also worth the struggle. That's when I got my confidence and when I started to figure out what beauty is.

Telenovelas have been part of my world since childhood, I always felt like I had to be something that I wasn't.

As soon as I came to L.A., I was told that I was exotic. I'd think, But I'm from Miami! I'm as American as a cheeseburger!

I loved that people loved my dad. He never said no to an autograph but didn't make fame a "thing" or act any differently. And it was beautiful to have that support from his fan base when I started to study acting.

Being by the ocean is the greatest thing.