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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