June 12, 2024

Hola familia! For this blog, we have una Latina Colombiana who's not just a talented actor, but also someone who's breaking down stereotypes and advocating for more diverse representation on Aussie TV screens (much-needed)– the incredible Paula Garcia!

Many of you know Paula from her role as Rosa Hernandez in the Australian Stan Original series "Bump," but her journey began del otro lado del Mundo. Colombia is where her roots are. Paula opens up with a hint of nostalgia, "Well, growing up in Colombia, like every Latino….. I have great memories from my childhood, great memories from Christmas." But Paula is also a global citizen, shaped by her experiences in different culturas. "You know," she continues, "after I studied industrial design in Colombia, I actually moved to Paris to learn French!"

Paris, the romantic city as most call it turned out to be a career in fashion for Paula. "I ended up working in fashion for several years," she reveals. “Worked with a lot of Colombian and Latin American brands…… I used to help brands to go to the fashion trade shows in Paris.” However, fate had other plans. While in Paris, she decided to pursue acting. Paula shares “I decided to do a workshop in acting. And it went so well..”. Her dedication and following her intuition (very Latina behaviour) led her to her first major role in the French film "Little White Lies."

Picture of Paula with friends in Paris on the left. Picture of Paula with the cast of Little White Lies in France on the right.

Fast forward Paula a few years, her family moved to the sunny coast of Queensland, Australia three months before the pandemic hit. During this hot mess, she saw a casting call for a Latina for a TV show in Sydney and decided to try it out….. and she got it! Paula landed the audition as Rosa in "Bump." "There were initial doubts," Paula admits. "This stereotypical Latina character... I wasn't sure if it was the right fit for me."

One of the things I admire most about Paula is her dedication to authenticity. "So," I asked her, "Are you able to improvise a bit on set, or do you have to stick strictly to the script?".

"Well," Paula explains, "ideally you should say things as written. The writers spend a lot of time crafting the dialogue, and it should flow naturally." However, Paula recognises the limitations of a script that doesn't account for real-life nuances. Paula uses an example from season one, "'I remember scenes where they had me speak all in Spanish and then all in English. She said, 'Who talks like that?' “When I speak with my friends, I jump between languages! It's very rare to stick to just one." This experience sparked an explanation. "' We don't make mistakes out of nowhere,'" she emphasises. "'Our mistakes happen because we're translating from Spanish. It's not random.'" She follows this with admiration for the screenwriters, "They were really receptive," Paula says. "'Okay, say it how you want to say it.'"

One of the most exciting things about chatting with Paula is her passion for representation. "There just aren't that many shows with Latino families in Australia," she points out. "'Bump' is kind of unique in that way."

She stresses the importance of seeing more Latino representation on the big screen, especially as Australia's Latin community grows. But Paula isn't just advocating for more Latino representation; she's calling for a shift in how Latinos are portrayed. "'We need more,' she insists, 'and not just stereotypical stories about being Latino. Yes, we are Latino, but we're also normal people with regular jobs.'" She urges to cast Latinos with accents in everyday roles. "'Their identity shouldn't just be 'Latino,'" she explains. "'They're people with jobs, dreams, and everyday lives, just like everyone else.'"

Pictures of Paula with cast members of Bump

Filming "Bump" wasn't just about work for Paula. "A memorable moment for me was filming the wedding episode," she recalls. "The entire cast came together, the energy was electric. We really became a family on that set." And speaking of familia, Paula has a funny story to share: "Can you believe it? My husband actually played the stripper in a season four episode!" Let's just say, that's one behind-the-scenes Paula won't forget!

One of the things I wanted to ask Paula was about her identity. I love asking this pregunta to gente de la comunidad. After all, her journey has taken her across continents, and her heritage is a beautiful blend of cultures. "Well," Paula says with a laugh, "it depends on the situation and what suits me at the moment." This adaptability is a key part of who she is. "I'm very Colombian when it comes to music," Paula declares. "I love my Colombian music. We always say, you have a Colombian in a party, he's going to take over the music. We are going to take over".” La comida (the food) is another area where Paula's Colombian roots shine through. "I love my Colombian food," she emphasizes.

But Paula's not just Colombian. Her time in Paris has shaped her as well. "I'm very French when I want things done," she explains. "I want people to be honest with me and straight with me, and you know, and things on time." That Parisian directness is a refreshing change sometimes. However, Paula has also learned to appreciate the laid-back Aussie attitude. "I'm very Aussie when I'm laid back and no worries," she confesses. "I love the 'no worries,'" she adds, mimicking the iconic Australian expression. There's something to be said for taking a step back and not getting stressed about the little things.

Paula Garcia is more than just an actress; she's a role model. She's using her platform to challenge stereotypes and advocate for a more inclusive television landscape.

Listen to the Spanglish Talks episode below.