Seidy Lopez

A talented Latina actress in Hollywood talks to qvMagazine about her life, her childhood, and her gay fans.

Interview by Celebrity Writer Danny de la Paz

Seidy Lopez' film career began in Alison Ander's "Mi Vida Loca" when she starred as "Mousie," a female gang member. Since then, she has appeared in "Mi Familia," "Selena," and more recently in the acclaimed film "Luminarias." Her next movie, due out Valentine's Day 2001, is "Gabriela," a passionate love story set against the backdrop of a mental health clinic. Danny de la Paz, Seidy's co-star in "Gabriela," sat down with the Latina actress and spoke with her in this exclusive qvInterview.

DANNY DE LA PAZ: You've had quite a lot of experience in film. Give us an idea of what you've learned so far. Seidy Lopez: The most important thing I've learned is that where you are in your personal life affects where you are in your career. When I started in this business, I always thought, "Oh, you can separate it-the characters have nothing to do with who you are." But you are definitely more likely to bring more dimensions and more qualities to the character if you're more focused and more together personally.

DDLP: How about when you're not feeling happy personally? How does that affect your work? SL: I think that when you're not feeling happy personally, the kinds of roles that you book tend to be a little bit sadder. They reflect where you are. When you're dealing with issues, when you're solving things in your life, and when you get the opportunity to work, you have somewhere to put that energy, somewhere to express it. It's kind of like group therapy.

DDLP: "Mi Vida Loca" was your breakthrough film. Did things change dramatically after its release? SL: Yes. I was19 or 20 when I did "MVL." When you're a teenager, the way you carry yourself and your energy is totally different. The older you get, the more mellow you become. The way that you see life, your goals, and your whole persona changes. My experience with "Mi Vida Loca" wouldn't be the same experience for me now. As a woman, it would be totally different.

DDLP: Do you think that you draw different kinds of projects to you as a result of your changing energy? SL: Definitely. I think that where you are in your mind, your spirit, and your life changes your surroundings, who you attract, and the projects you attract.

DDLP: You seemed as though you were enjoying yourself in "Luminarias." Tell us about that experience. SL: The great thing about that project was that I got to do it on stage for a few months. Every single night was different. The character changed and grew with every performance. By the time I did it on screen, all I had to do was tone it down for the camera. My main concern was not to be theatrical. I told myself "I've done it on stage, I know what it's like to do it BIG. How can I give her the same spirit, the same conflicts, the same inner life without being theatrical?" The camera picks up everything. The more expressive you are with your face, the bigger you're going to be. You have to learn to be more internal and more intimate.

DDLP: Tell me about your childhood. SL: I was born in Merida, Yucatan (Mexico). My parents moved here (to the US) when I was 4, and I lived most of my childhood in Hollywood. We moved to Echo Park (where "Mi Vida Loca" was filmed) when I was 14. That's where my acting experience began. In junior high, I took a drama class. They gave us an assignment to write a one-act play. I've always been dramatic, so I showed up with a play about a woman trying to cope with a teenager who was doing cocaine. It was a very dramatic piece and my teacher was like "Oh my God! How are things at home?" The funny thing is, I've never done coke, and I'm not one to do heavy drugs, but I ended up writing about it. I've always been one who loves to observe different kinds of people-the stranger, weirder the person, the more I want to talk to them.

DDLP: How do you feel about fame? SL: It took me a long time to accept it and to believe that somebody would want my autograph or whatever. At first, I felt very uncomfortable. I wasn't comfortable with the idea that people admire what you do and consider you a role model. The role model aspect was very hard for me because I didn't want that responsibility. People think that you live this glamorous life 24/7 and to live up to those expectations is a huge pressure. Eventually, I realized that celebrity, fame, or whatever you want to call it, isn't about what you can get, but rather what you can give to people in a spiritual sense-that's what it means to me.

DDLP: You have a lot of gay fans. How do you feel about those gays who are in your corner supporting you? SL: Gays have always been a big part of my life. My best friend came out to me when we were in high school. I was the first person he ever came out to. It was kind of fun because everyone thought I was his girlfriend. We'd go back to school after the weekend, and everyone would ask us what we did. Of course, the whole weekend were at Studio One in West Hollywood dancing and drinking margaritas! He was the homecoming king and a huge role model. He was very popular so it was very difficult for him. It wasn't until well after high school that he was able to come out and be himself. But it was a wonderful experience for me to have him come out to me-to know that he trusted me, and that I could help him. He was part of my development and my growth. He gave me a lot of strength. Gay men give women such an honest and strong confidence that you can't get from other men. Gay men aren't afraid to be honest with you-they'll tell you straight out, "You better fix those roots, girl!" But at the same time, they're the first to give you praise when you do well. They're very encouraging.