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Jackie Guerra: A Rising
Star
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jackie has always been the center of attention. She has lived in Mexico and Brazil and is fluent in three languages. She graduated from college with a degree in political science. After graduation, she continued concentrating on and supporting causes she believed in. One of those causes was working with Cesar Chavez, the leader of the farm worker's union who boycotted grapes and fasted many times in support of his causes. Jackie had the privilege to work with Chavez for several years in supporting La Causa. It wasn't until 1992, when she went on stage at a West Hollywood club on the spur of the moment, that Jackie discovered the power of performance. Following this debut, things started happening for her as she began touring the college circuit, talking about about her experiences as an organizer and political activist, her own personal difficulties with bulimia and obesity, overcoming prejudices about Mexican-Americans and her strong, loving, but dysfunctional family. Jackie's success on the college circuit led to her appearance on shows such as Comedy Central's "2 Drink Minimum," "Short Attention Span Theater," "Comedy Compadres," and "HBO's Comedy Showcase." But it was a guest starring role on the CBS sitcom, "Dave's World," that gave Jackie her break with Columbia Pictures Television, which signed her to a development deal. Jackie became the first Latina ever to star in her own sitcom, "First Time Out," which aired in 1995 on the WB Network. It was a breakthrough show that focused on a Latina living in Los Angeles and dealing with love, work, roommates and life in general without resorting to stereotypes. Guerra then portrayed Selena's drum-playing sister, Suzette, in the Warner Bros. film, "Selena," which was released in March 1997 and is currently available for rental on video. In this biography of the slain Tejano singing sensation, Selena, Guerra stars opposite Jennifer Lopez of "U-Turn," Jon Seda of ABC's "Homicide," and Edward James Olmos. The film was directed by Gregory Nava and it grossed over $35 million domestically. "Selena" was a breakthrough movie for many Latinos in the industry, because it opened many doors and brought Latinos into the mainstream. Guerra feels that Latina actresses should be considered for a broader range of roles. "The natural tendency is for casting directors to call me in for Latina roles...They're looking for someone with an accent or somebody who looks like the Latinos of our pop culture understanding," she says. "I think that, as a country, we still have a border mentality." Currently, Guerra is the host and producer of the upcoming "Jackie Guerra Show," a pilot talk/variety show that she is producing with Dick Clark and which will be distributed by Buena Vista. "I want to provide the availability of mass media for those who do not have the opportunity," she says of her new show. I had the privilege to stop by the production office of "The Jackie Guerra Show," to see Jackie at work. She greeted me with her wonderful smile and introduced me to her entire staff. She then gave me a brief tour and then I got to watch her in action. She is incredible. Her energy fills any room with her presence and her talent. I watched as she talked with her producers about new story lines, and this made me realize how much a rising star Jackie is. Because of her natural irresistibility, both on and off stage, Jackie Guerra is a star that is quickly rising. As she climbs higher and higher into the realm of stardom, she is never far from her roots, and that is what is most endearing about her. As busy as she is, she continues to be an avid supporter, role model, and source of inspiration to her community and many Latinos. |
qvMagazine recently sat down with
Jackie Guerra to talk about growing up in Los Angeles, her work
on "Selena," the paucity of roles for Latina women
in Hollywood, and her upcoming new talk show, "The Jackie
Guerra Show."