CAMILA PEREZ
about her role in
Apple TV series
ACAPULCO
Photography Alvin Kean Wong
Colombian actress Camila Perez stars alongside Latin TV legend Eugenio Derbez in Apple TV’s Acapulco. Her breakthrough role as Julia takes us back to a gleaming 80’s resort life, making us both laugh and cry while she and the rest of the hotel staff pursue their dreams of a better life and attempt to escape the mundane. The actor sits down in conversation with ContentMode reflecting on her roots, her budding acting career and her experience filming the series.
Dress and clip-on earrings: Shrimps, Stockings: Falke, Boots: Valentino, Gold ring: Living Pearl
Dress: Alemais, Boots: Valentino, Earrings and choker: Timeless Pearly
JMT: Can you share a bit about your background as an actor and your Colombian roots?
CP: I was born in Medellin, Colombia, best known as the city of eternal spring. Although I was raised in America, I still keep my roots very close to my heart. I still make arepas for breakfast and eat pretty much Colombian food every day! I also still have the thick Colombian accent as if I never left haha. Growing up I was never interested in acting. My life consisted of swimming classes and art classes here and there. It all started when I moved to NYC at the age of 16 where I attended my very first Broadway show.
Chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
JMT: As someone born in the 90s in Latin America, you also saw Eugenio Derbez on TV growing up. How was it to start the show with him?
CP: Growing up in the 90s, I believe everyone and their mothers knew who Eugenio Derbez was at least in Colombia. I grew up watching ‘La Familia Peluche’ also best known as the name of my family’s group chat on Whatsapp, ha!! Eugenio was my first introduction to comedy. Starting the show with him was an honor because it’s hard to believe you will ever work with people you admire. It was definitely a pinch me moment.
Dress and clip-on earrings: Shrimps, Stockings: Falke, Boots: Valentino, Gold ring: Living Pearl
Dress: Richard Quinn, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Castlecliff
JMT: We don’t get many bilingual TV shows like Acapulco. How was it to prepare for such a script?
CP: You are right! We don’t! Preparing was absolutely amazing because I live in a very bilingual environment so bringing that essence on screen was fun! Most of the world is bilingual so being able to be a part of a show that was relatable to so many people that like me switch from English to Spanish depending on the moment was really exciting.
Dress: Alemais, Boots: Valentino, Earrings and choker: Timeless Pearly
JMT: How do Spanish and English differ for you? Which one do you feel like you express yourself best in?
CP: Mhm. Interesting question. I definitely express my vulnerable side in Spanish. When it comes to English, I think I feel comfortable in most settings, especially having formal conversations. I use both languages in different situations. Sometimes I even mix them and end up speaking Spanglish! I think a lot of bilingual folks could relate haha.
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
Dress: Louis Vuitton, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Timeless Pearly, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
Dress: Richard Quinn, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Castlecliff
JMT: There’s a refreshing humanity in Julia that we don’t usually witness in Latin worker roles. How do you connect to the character?
CP: I agree. I think we share the same passion for our dreams. Similar to Julia, I’ve also had to sacrifice a lot to make my dreams come true. She is her own cheerleader and I think that’s something we totally have in common. We are both strong, independent women. I love her! I really hope people get inspired by her.
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Pumps Gianvito Rossi, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
JMT: What are some of your interests besides acting?
CP: I have a few interests… I like music, cooking and learning about neuroscience. I actually took a free Harvard course on Neuroscience during quarantine!
Dress: Richard Quinn, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Castlecliff
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
JMT: What are some of your interests besides acting?
CP: I have a few interests… I like music, cooking and learning about neuroscience. I actually took a free Harvard course on Neuroscience during quarantine!
Dress: Richard Quinn, Earrings: Castlecliff
JMT: Can you tell me about one of your favorite scenes from the show?
CP: My favorite scene is in episode 4! The scene where I confront Maximo about the Rodolfo situation. I think that was a very empowering moment for Julia as a woman, especially in the 80s.
Dress: Alemais, Boots: Valentino, Earrings and choker: Timeless Pearly
Chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
JMT: What’s most special about Mexican culture to you?
CP: I was able to experience a lot of Mexican culture through our crew while we filmed in Puerto Vallarta. I was in awe of their hard work and dedication every day on set and the sacrifice they all took to film the show while being away from their loved ones. They also have delicious food!!!
Dress: Louis Vuitton, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Timeless Pearly, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
JMT: What would you like the audience to take from the show and Julia?
CP: I would love the audience to watch our show with an open heart and to learn about love, equality, and family. We are going through so much in the world right now that I just hope our show could bring a smile to everyone who joins us every week for 30 minutes. With Julia, I hope a lot of young girls can see themselves on screen. Especially my Latina ladies who like me, are not very often called to play characters in a very positive light. Julia, like us, is here to stay and to make all of her dreams come true despite what the world tells her.
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Pumps Gianvito Rossi, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
Dress: Richard Quinn, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Castlecliff
JMT: What kind of roles do you see yourself playing in the future?
CP: I love drama and complex characters very much. I hope I can dive into that a little more in my career. I would also like to be a part of the DC Comics universe again or Marvel. Let’s see, let’s see…
T-shirt, chokers and bracelet: Chanel, Tights: Fogal, Pumps Gianvito Rossi, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
Dress: Louis Vuitton, Tights: Falke, Pumps: Schutz, Earrings: Timeless Pearly, Enamel rings: Fry Powers
Rika Watanabe
Deborah Ferguson
Juan Marco Torres
Nick Sgaglione
Location
Cafe Studio NYC
Hair
Billy Schaedller
Makeup
Keiko Takagi using Chanel
Stylist Assistant
Saki Tanigawa
