The talented Lilly Melgar began her diverse career in television as the charismatic host on shows such as, “Tu Musica“, “Desde Hollywood” and “Ritmo Internacional“.
She made her mark in TV history alongside Ricky Martin, as the first Latin leading couple on Daytime, playing the role of mob daughter/wife Lily Rivera Corinthos, starring opposite Maurice Benard.
After “General Hospital“, she went on to play Claudia Cortez on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
In 1998 Lilly was nominated for an ALMA Award as Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Soap Opera for “The Bold and the Beautiful”.
After the overwhelming demand for her return by her loyal fans, she returned to “General Hospital” in 2003.
Melgar left television to pursue her film career, with credits including, “Last Call”, “Seasons of Life”, “Americanizing Shelley” and “Hollywood Familia”. Melgar’s latest production is the feature film entitled “When the Cobra Strikes (Black Cobra)”. She will begin pre-production on “Loteria”, which she will also co-produce.
Currently she is playing the role of Janice Ramos on “The Bay The Series“, a television show which was recently nominated for a 2012 Emmy in the category of Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime Program.
This one on one interview which was finalized on July 8th is a question and answer format.
Lilly Melgar = LM Esteban Escobar = EE
EE: Can you please tell us a little bit about your background, starting when and where you were born, what city you grow up in the most, and of course your ethic background?
LM: I was born and raised in LA, and grew up in Downey CA. I’m 100% El Salvadoran and consider myself an Americanized Latina.
EE: Who introduced you the entertainment industry? Is this something you wanted to do from a very young age?
LM: I remember being 6 or 7 years old and saying I wanted to grow up and be a Charlie’s Angel. That dream later blossomed into wanting to grow up and be on General Hospital. A dream that would actually come true.
EE: How? When did you start in the entertainment industry and what was your first gig?
LM: I had won the Ms. El Salvador in LA pageant when a UCLA film graduate offered me the lead in his short film. That was my first opportunity and experience as an actress. The film won best short film that year.
EE: You started working in the Latino/Hispanic media networks and then you decided to cross over to the American Market? Why did you did it? Do you feel you have been accepted by them? Is that something the anyone can do? Do you feel you have crossed over yet?
LM: I got very Very Lucky. It was truly the case of “being at the right place, at the right time” or FATE. I went to my friend’s concert, you may have heard of him, Ricky Martin? He had just signed on to do General Hospital (my dream!).
I went backstage to see him and the producers saw us together and wrote me in, making us the first Latin leading couple ever on daytime. We both felt incredibly blessed to have been used to open the doors for Latin actors on daytime.
EE: How was your experience working on The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital TV Series?
LM: Working on General Hospital as stated above was my biggest dream. It was a beautiful and fulfilling experience which I will forever be grateful for. I very much enjoyed my time on The Bold and The Beautiful as well.
EE: What about working on The Bay The Series, the TV Show with Director Gregori J. Martin?
LM: I Love working on The Bay. We have an incredible team that’s in it to co-create from a positive and supportive place. We all love what we do and put so much heart into it. I believe it is because of everyone’s hard work and passion that we are getting better and better as a whole.
We were nominated for a Daytime Emmy this year and I can not tell you how GOOD it feels to have been the only web series acknowledged this year. To know that we have been working so hard collectively to create a quality series and for that to pay off is such a blessing.
EE: Can you please tell us what are you currently working on? What are your future projects?
LM: I recently sold my first film production “Black Cobra” which I also co – directed to Lionsgate. It was released May 22nd, 2012. I have also been directing video content for major concert tours.
I began with directing the opening video for The Spice Girls Reunion Tour. That led me to directing the short films shown throughout the Britney Spears Femme Fatale Tour and directing some video content for Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil.
This year I directed some video content for the Que Viva Vegas Show and worked on two major concert tours that I am not allowed to speak of yet due to confidentiality agreements.
EE: Now let’s talk about family. Do you still live at home? I think I read that you have a child but I’m not sure if you got married? Can you share with us?
LM: I have my own home and have a 7 year old angel named Sofia Elizabeth. I am now happily engaged and getting married in November of this year.
EE: Can you please give an honest and helpful message to inspiring young actresses/hosts that may be reading this interview and why they should never give up and continue to work toward their dreams?
LM: I sincerely believe that the impossible becomes possible when one believes 100% and takes positive action towards creating the life of their dreams.
To keep up with Lilly Melgar career and life visit her official IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0577668/ Also for the exclusive interview you can visit Diversity News Magazine for more details on how this interview was made possible. Visit them at http://diversitynewsmagazine.com/2012/07/exclusive-one-on-one-interview-with-actress-director-and-producer-lilly-melgar/
Sources: Imdb.com, Emmyonline.tv, Diversity News Magazine
Photos credit to: Lilly Melgar Collections, Carlos Zeron, Marek Glaser, Steven Bergman, Alex Linares and Anthony Isambert.
Story was proofread by Linda Krongold, our New York, NY Special Correspondent, you can contact her at andmeljar@aol.com
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