LIVIN’ LA VIDA LOCA!
Mexican-born Melissa speaks from the heart
New drama series Vida follows two estranged Mexican-American sisters who are reunited following the sudden death of their mother. Confronted by the past and uncertain of the future, their eyes are opened to a surprising truth about their mother. Melissa Barrera, 28, who plays Lyn Hernandez, chats to Woman’s
Day about her character.
What is Vida about?
I feel like it’s about a lot of things, but primarily it’s a show about family and rediscovering your roots and where you come from. It centres around two sisters, Emma and Lyn. They are second generation Mexican-American, and they grew up in Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles, which is an area that’s very LatinX oriented. A lot of LatinX people live there and have lived there for a while.
What is LatinX?
I can try to define it. LatinX is a term of inclusion. Instead of saying Latinos or Latinas, it basically has an X at the end to include anyone who doesn’t identify with those genders. So it includes non-binary people, trans people, bi, queer, gay, lesbian, heterosexual – anyone.
Why is it important that these marginalised people have avoice now?
Well, it’s important now because it’s been important forever – and it’s about time. We’re in a really good place and time where the conversations are starting.
Tellus about your character Lyn?
Lyn is the youngest of the two sisters. She’s a very vibrant person, social and very optimistic in her outlook on life. But at the same time, I feel like all of that outward energy is covering a lot of her insecurities of always feeling that she was not the smartest or that she had to rely on her looks to get ahead in life. She’s constantly looking for love and approval from the people around her. Lyn is a complicated person, like we all are.