There’s almost nothing that I enjoy more than being alerted to an up and coming actor, and when it happens to be a beautiful, strong woman like Leticia Jimenez, I become rather ecstatic. Even though I have not seen any of her past works, it is a joy to get to know a little bit about her and help promote her current and upcoming works.
RH: Please tell us a little about your experiences as you were growing up and how that led to your decision to pursue your dream of being involved in the entertainment industry.
LJ: I started dancing and the age of four. I have been dancing all my life. I started off with Ballet, Flamenco, Spanish dance, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Modern, and Tap. I grew up on stage performing in theatres, so the change for me was very natural and organic. Instead of expressing my emotions through dance, I now use words.
What kind of training and experience have you had that has helped to prepare you for the profession in which you now find yourself?
I have performed theatrical dance plays, as well as taking acting lessons and classes. I have also taken a hand-to-hand combat training class for film.
Dance continues to be a passion of yours. How has that helped you in pursuing a career in the film/TV industry?
I believe dancing will always be a part of me. It gives me the confidence to know how to move in certain scenes and situations. I never feel awkward with any kind of movement. I trust my instincts and rely on my body to guide me. Dancing has made me very in tune and aware of my body and also has helped me in developing different characters and certain physical traits they might have.
What was your first film/TV role, and what are your memories of that?
With Orlando Jones
My first role was actually a stunt /acting role! I played Maybel, the wife of Orlando Jones’ character, in the horror thriller Seconds Apart. In one scene you see Orlando Jones’ character caring me out of a burning house as soon as it explodes. It was a great experience and I worked with many awesome people, including Orlando Jones and the director, Antonio Negret.
You have had the opportunity to work on some significant projects in the past few years. What do you consider to be your most significant and/or well-known past projects, and what are your special memories of those?
Jake’s Road
Oh, that’s a tough one! I have enjoyed all the projects that I have worked on! I guess Jake’s Road, which I played Kay, one of the lead roles, and helped produce. That was an amazing experience! Learning how a film is made and produced from the ground up! Everyone was amazing and super talented. We became a little family that bonded though the filming.
The Fosters
I also would have to say my role as Maria Theresa Sinfuego in The Fosters. I played an illegal immigrant who is captured by ICE and has to deal with the chance of deportation and leaving her two daughters alone here in the U.S. It was an honor to play this part and have the chance to express all that this family was going through and how relevant it is now in the present situation in the U.S.A.
You have some incredible upcoming works, one of the most-anticipated being Bronx SIU. What can you tell us about this show, your role, and why you believe this show is going to resonate with the viewers?
I play Miriam Carter, an Internal Affairs investigator. I love this character! She is a no-nonsense who is all about the facts and evidence. Very by the book. It is a very gritty urban cop/drama show. I feel that this show will resonate with viewers because of the real-life drama that is going on throughout the whole season. It deals with real-life stories and people that we can all relate to. There is no right or wrong; in every story, there are truths and lies, entangled in a web of misunderstandings and consequences.
You are also involved with Assassination Nation. What can you tell us about this upcoming film and your involvement with it?
Assassination Nation is a story about how the all-American town of Salem absolutely lost its mind. I play the role of Diamond’s Mom, one of the teenagers involved in all this. It comes out in theaters September 21, 2018.
Any other upcoming works and/or works in the process that you can tell us about?
I have a couple of projects in pre-production right now, but other than that just keeping busy. I also have some short films that I am writing right now and pet projects. I plan on shooting them this August!
As a Latino woman in the business, have you ever had experiences with cultural and/or gender bias? How have you seen views on diversity change in the business?
I feel as a whole, the answer is “yes.” There is a definite cultural/and gender bias. I think we are actually in a great time for change. We are seeing more women, actresses, directors, leads but we still have a long way to go as far as equality in this industry. I think that we all need to just get out there promote and be advocates for this change.
As far as being a Latina in the film industry, it’s very challenging. There are not as many parts for Latina women, but I feel that it is up to us to change that! We need to be present in this industry and write our own stories from our own perspectives. Make our stories be heard. Make the parts the, write the scripts that get us the jobs.
If you could give advice to other young girls who are looking to pursue their dreams in any facet of society, what would you say?
I would say never give up on your dream! Believe you can and you will! We are often our own worst enemy and get in the way of our own success. Never stop and always keep pushing yourself because one day it will happen and all that struggle will make your victory all the sweeter!
I couldn’t have asked for a more informative interview than this one, and Leticia’s experiences within the industry are varied and intriguing. I appreciate her candor about cultural and gender bias, and I am grateful that she is as resolute about this issue as I am. I appreciate the fact that Hollywood’s views are changing, and I am hopeful that gifted, influential, and outspoken women like Leticia are the ones who will be proactive in correcting outdated stereotypes and conceptions. If you have not had a chance to check out her previous works, I would invite you to visit her links below and consider following her where applicable. Additionally, if you are so inclined, visit UMC and stream her new show Bronx SIU beginning today (July 19th)! I have no doubt that women with the determination and the passion like Leticia undeniably possesses are the wave of the future, and as she continues to make her mark in this business and in the world as a whole, I wish her nothing but categorical success!
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