Maritza Rodríguez has taken her place in the Telemundo Hall of Fame as a firm favourite on the channel.
We've seen her in multiple novelas including Cruel Love, The Face of Destiny and Behind Closed Doors, where she played twin sisters Pilar and Raquel. She also flexed her claws as Griselda's arch enemy on Husband for Hire earlier this year and right now she's starring on
Manuel & Silvana.
I caught up with her to find out what makes her tick and to chat about Silvana...
(Lookout for the cool stuff she says about societal norms in the question about the similarity between herself and Silvana):
Tashi: How different was it playing Silvana in contrast to Pilar and Raquel in Behind Closed Doors?
Maritza: Well, Silvana is very different from Raquel and Pilar. Although Pilar was a housewife and caretaker to her kids, she was not happy. She was constantly afraid and had low self-esteem.
This woman was physically and psychologically abused by her husband. She wasn't free and didn't have much of a say over her decisions. On the other hand, Raquel was very bitter over the fact that her twin sister Pilar had a better life than hers.
She had a hard time accepting her mother’s preference over Pilar. This woman was bad, capable of committing murder. Silvana is the opposite. While Pilar was also good, and Raquel is her opposite, Silvana is not surrounded by the same reality. Their lives are very different.
Tashi: Can you relate to Silvana, or is she completely different to who you are?
Maritza: I believe Silvana is not too disconnected from Maritza. We have many things in common. One example is that I have learned to allow my children to make their own mistakes, like Silvana.
Of course, my children are still very little, but I too believe it is important that they learn from their own choices and that they develop their own processes. Silvana and Maritza are similar in that. After I had children, another woman was born, and yes, I changed.
Also, when it comes to practicality and simplicity, we are also similar. I believe it is important to carry little baggage, and to let go of the things that weigh us down, paying little regard to the preset norms imposed by society and social stratospheres.
I am Maritza, a human being, regardless of my career. I do not separate myself from others. I love to be close to others and appreciate them for their humanity and do not judge. I don’t discriminate, like Silvana.
Tashi: What do you love and hate about the character?
Maritza: I believe Silvana is deserving of much love. I would say there is nothing to hate. Even if the character is unlikeable, as an actor, one cannot condemn one’s character. Because, in doing so, one becomes a spectator, and it becomes extremely difficult to carry out his or her role, with all its negatives and positives.
I always choose to love my characters and not hate them. For these reasons, and because of all the reasons stated here, there are many reasons to love Silvana.
Tashi: If you could play any other character in Manuel & Silvana, who would it be?
Maritza: Well, without a doubt I would pick Trini, my mother, because she is a very funny, witty and loveable character, and I enjoy characters like that because you can get a lot out of them, making it possible to improvise, for example.
Even though she has love in her heart, she is the opposite of what a person should be, yet she is a very humorous and entertaining character.
Tashi: What three words would you use to describe your co-star Carlos Ponce?
Maritza: He is a loving person, he is happy, and his energy is contagious to all around him. I could also say he is very responsible, gentlemanly, and a good work partner.
Tashi: Out of all the telenovela’s you’ve starred in, which has been your favourite and why?
Maritza: Many of my roles have been villains, and many of these roles are personal favorites of mine. It is very hard to pick, but a leading role that I played, that I liked very much was Marido y Mujer (Husband and Wife), which I starred in many years ago, alongside Robinson Diaz.
It was my first leading role, which allowed me to play four characters - all a challenge for me. That is why this is my top choice. In second place, La Casa de al Lado (Behind Closed Doors), because of its suspenseful story, which allowed for me to play a double role as a leading character and a villain.
Tashi: What are your hobbies outside of work?
Maritza: I love to read, listen to music, dance, enjoy the company of friends, and go out to a nice restaurant for dinner, but, reading is my number one enjoyment.