It’s the year 2013 and Tinsel Town has expanded it's idea of what interesting is. So much so, that the whimsical, sometimes clumsy, blond bombshell, damsel in distress, lead female role is finding much needed competition.
Although there are a few hurdles to leap in order to integrate more relatable roles for women in the film industry, recent movies and prime time television programming have definitely pooled talent from a slightly bigger ocean, which includes edgy, strong, complex and character driven roles for women of color and older female leads. Take the hot new series, Scandal, starring Kerry Washington or the gripping, Body of Proof starring Dana Delaney.
At one time, these women could have been boxed into character or supporting actors, but in a world where Hollywood is competing with independent film-making, reality television and the internet, well...there is a fine line between talent and marketability.
It is a breath of fresh air when you have multi-talented, multi-ethnic women carrying the torch for others, seeking better roles, better pay, and much better opportunity in the cinematic world--on and off screen--, such as the incomparable actress, model, host, and filmmaker, Alisa Reyes.
Even actors with the variety of talents that Alisa exhibits can run the risk of being typecast. In the case of this charming and innovative Latina, she's has had her share of the tough girl, single mom, or gang member roles. Regardless of what Hollywood decides is "normal", Alisa has a solid stance in her optimism.
“I can play anything! I am Irish, Italian and Dominican mixed with Caribbean Indian…I’m like the United Nations,” Reyes laughs. “But choice is a great power to have. You have to know what you want and choose the best roles for you. I don’t mind playing edgy roles, where they teach a lesson and ones where I can be a role model for my ethnicity.”
However, getting respect an actress still proves a challenging task. Alisa admits that having a TV and film career is not the way it used to be. She continues that women, of course, have always had a presence in Hollywood, however, procuring diverse, lead roles for this demographic has been a new, but welcomed trend.
With the movies and now television going mobile, and finding homes on the information superhighway--the internet--performers have to re-educate themselves about digital branding, and work from various platforms of social media and filmmaking. They must embrace technology without losing the authenticity of their craft.
“Everything has changed…,” Ms. Reyes continues, “…it’s hard to remember what old Hollywood was like. That is why the movie “The Artist” was so amazing. I was so happy to see it win for best picture this year. We tend to lose what Art is and are caught up in actuality.”
The sassy brunette, should know since she started modeling and acting at the age of eight when she acquired a national commercial ad for Honey Nut Cheerios.
“That was the best day ever,” says Reyes. “It was amazing to be on set doing what I loved. It was amazing that I was able to pursue my career at such a young age and have the support of my mother, who was my rock.”
Reyes continued her career and eventually attended The Professional Performing Arts School, where she focused on musical theatre. Best known for her role on Nickelodeon's All That, this outdoorsy and versatile beauty has guest starred in award winning television shows such as NYPD Blue, Law & Order, ER, Without a Trace, Six Feet Under, and the controversial Trina on Boston Public. She is best known for making families laugh across America as the voice of LaCienega Boulevardez in the animated series and film, The Proud Family.
“My dream role is to act in a time period piece where I get to speak with
an English accent like in the Tudor era. I love films that take us to another time. To play the queen of Spain or someone with royalty or even a simple farm girl would be incredible. In fact, I would have loved to act in episodes of The Tudors, The Borgias, or even the American Horror Story. OMG, I love that show! I am glad it was picked up for another season.”
Alisa has great projects coming up and a new music! Stay tune to learn more in Part 2 of this exclusive interview coming soon!
WATCH ALISA'S ACTOR'S REEL
FOLLOW ALISA ON TWITTER @alisareyes, INSTAGRAM or visit her website at www.alisareyes.com
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