Interview by Rebecca E. Carvalho
Photography by Ryan West
Styling by Bianca Agrusa
Glam by LuzBeauty
Cinthya Carmona is an actress known for her role in the movies The Tax Collector, and Badge of Honor. As well she has starred in shows such as The Green House Academy and Pretty Smart. Furthermore, she just wrapped production on Jenni, the biopic based on the iconic Mexican-American singer-songwriter, actor, producer and women’s rights activist, Jenni Rivera.
Your character, Solana, on Pretty Smart is quite the free spirit. Do you think you two have any similarities? How are you different?
Solana was so much fun to play! We definitely are similar in the sense that we are both a little neurotic/headstrong but also super free and spiritual. I definitely have that duality in me. I love yoga, meditation, breathwork, a very zen lifestyle. However, I’m also very disciplined and focused when I need to be, to a fault at times because I’ll become completely engulfed in work or a new hobby and get very serious about it! Solana and I are too similar actually haha! I think what really makes us different is that I am NOT a vegan!
Why did you decide to become an actress?
I really just love story telling! I am completely fascinated with people and their stories, their experiences and the psychology behind why they do what they do. It’s so much deeper than just learning lines and hitting your mark, it’s an opportunity to get to be a spy into someone’s life and learn so many new things. I also get bored easily, and I will say this career keeps me on my toes always. It’s always new: a different character, a different story, a different cast, a different location etc. I’m the little girl who has never stopped playing make believe and I really love that.
How do you feel about playing someone as iconic as Chiquis Rivera? Did you have any concerns or hesitation about taking the role?
Working on a project like this and getting to play Chiquis Rivera was wonderful. Jenni Rivera is such a legend that I’m truly honored to play a part in this story. A story that I believe will show a new audience and generation an incredible and empowering story of a woman that never backed down. Whenever you are telling a real story, or playing an actual person, you want to respect the integrity of who they are as much as possible. Because Chiquis is a public figure, I really was more concerned in playing her as a human being and relating to her as a young woman rather than trying to imitate her. I was always very conscious of that.
Diversity and representation have become central topics within entertainment, specifically TV and film. How do you see your new role in Jenni contributing to this conversation, and what changes do you hope come from this?
Continuing to, and creating the space to tell authentic, inspiring and uplifting Latino stories, by Latino writers and filmmakers, is what I believe will push the needle forward. This film was directed by a badass Latina Gigi Guerrero, that is what I want to see more of.
Did you do anything special or different to play Chiquis Rivera? How did you prepare for the role?
When it came to playing Chiquis, I play a very specific and difficult time in her young life. I didn’t try to focus on the fact that she is a celebrity and public figure. I really just focused on what it must have been like to go through what she was going through, to be as sensitive and empathetic to her experience and tell it in a very honest way. Sure, I watched interviews, read news articles, as much as I could to gather real information, but after a while I put the research aside and really just went with my intuition as a woman, to relate to her on a human level.
What kind of project would you like to explore next in your acting career?
I’ve been lucky to play a few different types of characters in my career that are very different from the next. Right now, after doing a sitcom for example, I really want to dive into darker and grittier roles. But there’s also a side of me that would love to do a really cool ROM-COM. Those need to make a comeback! Honestly, for me it’s more about just working with great people. I just wanna do cool stuff with super talented people.
Are there any directors or producers that you’re inspired by?
Oh man! The list for this is large. I really love Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, and Greta Gerwig for example. Because I am also producing, I want to work with more and am inspired by amazing female producers like Elizabeth Banks, Mindy Kaling, Oprah, Lynette Howell Taylor, Ava Duvernay, Eva Longoria and America Ferrara.
What’s on your current rotation right now (music wise)?
If you go on my Spotify, you’ll see Kali Uchis, Megan Thee Stallion, FEID, Hermanos Gutierrez, The Rolling Stones, Prince and old school Salsa classics.
What advice would you give anyone who’s interested in acting?
I’d tell them to really fall in love with the craft. To study the craft as much as possible. Read great plays, scripts, watch a ton of movies. Find the stories that really inspire you. Discover what kind of actor you really want to be and go for it fearlessly. A lot of people will tell you it’s difficult and crazy competitive and that you should do anything else, there is a lot of truth to this but if I would’ve listened to everyone who told me not to I wouldn’t be here. Follow your heart, the sky is the limit.
Outside of acting, what are some of your other interests and hobbies? How do you think they help or amplify your career as an actress?
I have a full life outside of acting, and that is so important. I’m not always on set and as actors that can make us a little stir crazy. I love to stay active and work out, really obsessed with pilates and tennis at the moment. Not only is it great for my physical but also my mental health. I never stop moving. One of my favorite hobbies is cooking, I see it as an incredibly creative activity, buying the ingredients and planning, the preparation and sitting down to eat a meal and feed the people I care about. I treat it with the same care I use when preparing for a role! It’s so meditative and sacred for me. When I can, I love to travel. I just got back from a few weeks in Sicily and Tulum, love exploring new cultures and places in the world. All of it, helps me build more experiences that I can bring into my work. All of it!
I saw that you shared your skincare routine on TikTok. Any products you can’t live without right now?
I always share the products I’m obsessed with on TikTok! I’m a skincare queen so I cannot live without a Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic Acid, Mandelic Acid, a solid moisturizer, an eye cream and a tinted sunscreen! Heavy on the sunscreen! At night, I’ll use retinol a few days a week. A double cleanse is a must! I could talk about this for days!
Thanks for having me Session, you guys rock!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
