Belle Vie February Issue 2 Belle VIe February Volume 1 Issue 2 | Page 39

When asked what was the motivation behind creating the Tierra Blanca Arts Center, Blanca explained a very noble and important cause attached to it: “It was found under the firm conviction that the arts have the power to break down the invisible barriers that often keep multicultural communities from truly living in harmony” she said. “Our mission is to instill in our community a sense of pride, identity and unity.”

So when she was asked how was her experience working in Disney Pixar’s COCO, she said: “I know that this is something that is going to stay in my heart and my memory as one of the best experiences in my career. The director, the producer and the cast were so wonderful! I had the chance to meet the whole cast including the writers and the people who created the music for the film at the premier in Hollywood, as well as the rest of the team who was also part of this film. It was a great feeling to know that “You” are part of this amazing and talented family!”

Blanca feels very fortunate to have an amazing manager named Jaime Ferrar. He has been working in the industry for a long time and always is looking out for opportunities for her in the industry. After she got the COCO audition, it took some time for her to know that she got the part. “This is a very well thought film that took almost seven years to make, so I believe that many people auditioned for this role. I feel so blessed to know that I was the one who gave life to the lovely character of Emcee.” she said.

Blanca feels that the experience hasn’t ended just yet, as people continue to show her their love and great admiration for having been part of this wonderful movie.

In addition to playing the role of Emcee in the film, Blanca has been working in theater, television, and films for the past 25 here in Los Angeles.

She knows that for a Latina in Hollywood the chances to get into a great project are not something that comes that easy. “There is a long way to go before we start seeing more opportunities for Latinas with great roles in Hollywood”, she said. “But with COCO, this wonderful movie from Disney Pixar, things have changed dramatically for me. It has been an amazing experience to be part of this great movie.”

When asked about her character, Blanca

expressed that she fell in love with her character

and described her as being “full of life even

though she lives in the land of the dead.” When I

she read the part, she thought that Emcee was so

greatly amazing and fun! Definitely a character

who loved the stage. In regards to giving life to

the voice of Emcee, she said that: “As a Latina, I

imagined that this wonderful character loved

music, parties, and people, therefore she had to

walk onto the stage with lots of energy and a

great personality.”

Since its release, COCO has already won a Golden

Globe ® for Best Motion Picture-Animated and

was also nominated in the ceremony for Best

Original song. So far, Blanca is now part of the

team that created one of the greatest movies

contenders this award season. As a Latina

participating in one of the biggest films of 2017

and that is still going strong in early 2018,

Blanca expressed her delight by saying that “It

has been so wonderful to know that you are part

of such of wonderful project. We definitely need

more stories about Latinos in Hollywood!”

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