What we learned from Sofia Vergara’s PR Tour for ‘Griselda’

Griselda became the series of the moment on Netflix. The series in which Sofia Vergara plays infamous Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco marks one of the biggest roles in her career. However, during the press tour for the show, Sofia had people talking about much more than the plot of the series.

Sofia Vergara on her accent

Sofia’s career has been predominantly marked by her portrayal of Gloria Pritchett on ABC’s Modern Family, whose Colombian accent was one of her main traits, so her role as Griselda means an opening into her acting skills. Breaking apart from the comedic style we were used to seeing her in, Sofia knew that becoming Griselda would be a before and after in her career, branching out to a more dramatic character.

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Talking about this to the Los Angeles Times, Vergara delved into the importance that her Latino accent has in the industry. “I’m always looking for characters because there’s not much that I can play with this stupid accent. I can’t play a scientist or be in ‘Schindler’s List.’ My acting jobs are kind of limited,” she laughed at herself.

“Eva Longoria doesn’t have an accent. Jennifer Lopez doesn’t have an accent. Jessica Alba doesn’t have an accent. Is it frustrating? Of course. In the beginning, more than now. And the frustration was towards me. How come I can’t get this right? I’ve been here for 30 years. How dumb can I be? I have to fight in English, act in English. It’s exhausting,” she added.

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Many Latinx actors have come out to talk about the racism and exclusion Hollywood and filmmakers make with them, claiming they are generally called just for specific stereotyped characters, or they just are never cast for a leading role. Not only that, but if they don’t look “Latino enough,” they are not even chosen to play Latino characters.

Even though Sofia said it in good talks and laughs, her statements are very much important. Having a career of decades, acted in one of the most viewed comedy shows in history, and dominating perfectly the English language, even though she was born in another country, is more than enough merit to deserve to be casted in any type of production. An accent is part of her and many other latinxs, she can’t change it, so it shouldn’t be an impediment and her jobs shouldn’t be “limited.”

Her divorce with Joe Manganiello

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País, the Colombian actress recalled her recent divorce with actor Joe Manganiello, with whom he parted ways back in July. After months of speculation, the actress finally addressed the reason behind the separation, and delving into maternity.

“My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids, and I didn’t want to be an old mom,” Vergara, who is 51 years old, told El País about Manganiello, who is 47. “I feel it’s not fair to the baby.” Sofia then said she respected women who choose to have kids at an older age, but it wasn’t for her.

“I had a son at 19, who is now 32, and I’m ready to be a grandmother, not a mother,” she added. In fact, Sofia already has a son, Manolo, with her ex-husband Joe González. Vergara and Gonzalez split in 1993, two years after their son was born.

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However, Vergara said that, even if she became a grandmother, her property would still be living her own life. “When my son becomes a dad, let him bring the baby to me for a while, and then I’ll give it back to him and go on with my life; that’s what I have to do.”

When talking about the possibility of being in a relationship again, Sofia added that a future partner “has to come” with his own children. “I’m almost in menopause; it’s the natural way of things,” she ended.

Sofia’s revelations bring the topics of empowerment and becoming a mother later in life into debate. Even though some people may criticize her and, surely, it must have been a tough decision to make, after seven years of marriage, the actress chose herself. Having had a child at a very young age, Sofia has other things in mind, such as becoming a grandmother and focusing on her career, now that it is skyrocketing into a different genre.

That being said, 50’s are still young and Sofia is very much thriving!