The petite actress relaxes at her Monterrey home on a quiet afternoon, quickly apologizing for her thick Mexican accent, which resembles more like a quiet purr. After gushing over her “baby,” (a pet ferret), she whimpers over the idea of possibly leaving him behind. Despite the bleak news, Diana Garcia explains that she’s determined to have a fresh start in Hollywood, the city of celebrities and silver screen dreams. While Garcia’s fame has dramatically grown over the years in her native Mexico, with films such as Drama/Mex and Sin Nombre, she insists that it’s time to move on and explore American cinema instead. Unlike other up-and-coming actors, Garcia is already ahead in line, all thanks to a brief role in The Air I Breath, where she mingled with Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, and Kevin Bacon. In addition, Sin Nombre premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival with positive reviews and on that same year, Casi Divas was favored by film critics from New York City’s Village Voice and the Los Angeles Times. Nevertheless, Garcia must deal with the challenges of making it in a new country, such as taking English classes and possibly being replaced in an upcoming movie after a successful audition. Regardless, the young beauty has her eyes on the prize: a new life in Hollywood. Just before she says adios to her homeland, she speaks with nocheLatina about her new journey, on being a sex symbol, and whether she really enjoys taking it off in front of cameras.
nocheLatina: Your film Casi Divas, which recently opened in the US, touches a lot on telenovelas and what happens behind the scenes. Tell me a little bit about your character Catalina.
Diana Garcia: She’s different from the other girls, a difficult lady. She’s in this crazy situation, so she’s trying to protect her friends. Catalina feels that if she has a voice in our country than she might change this problem for herself and her friends. So, she’s trying to get a part in a telenovela. The other girls are more interested in fame. Catalina is running from her life.
nocheLatina: Just like you mentioned, Casi Divas does touch on serious themes, such as race, gender, and women being kidnapped in Mexico. Do you agree with the message that the film makes regarding telenovelas and Mexico?
Diana Garcia: I think it’s just funny to see soap operas. For me, it makes a joke out of everything. I think it’s hilarious on how Mexicans move in that atmosphere. It’s what we produce more, rather than film and theatre. That’s out biggest industry. It shows how girls can follow their dreams and what happens after that. But I don’t think this only touches on Mexican soap operas. It happens in every industry.
nocheLatina: It was revealed not too long ago that you were going to star in an American film that’s inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
Diana Garcia: Actually, I’m not sure if I’m still doing that movie. They gave me the green light like a year ago, but I just received notice that they’re casting again, so I have to go through that whole process and see what’s going to happen. It’s sad because I thought I was in. I never expected to go back to a casting. If it’s for me I’ll be in it, but if not, then it’s fine. I’ll make different plans with my life.
nocheLatina: Do you know why they started casting again?
Diana Garcia: I think they’re producing with different people now. So they’re still opening their doors. Honestly, I have no idea. I’m just really sad about it. It was something that I thought I had.
nocheLatina: Weren’t you taking classes to help you in English specifically for this film?
Diana Garcia: I was, but it’s pretty difficult in Mexico because there aren’t a lot of Americans giving classes and if so, they cost a lot. The best thing that I can do is talk in English and be around American people. That’s the thing I’m doing now. I’m moving to Los Angeles so I think that that’s going to be a better thing for me to do than taking classes in Mexico.
nocheLatina: How do you feel about the move to LA?
Diana Garcia: I love it! I’ve wanted to do this for a while, but it’s been so difficult because of timing. I still had a lot to do in Mexico. It’s not like I’m super settled in Mexico, but I think it’s time for me to go to LA, work on my accent, and do more castings.
nocheLatina: When did you realized that you were ready to do more American films?
Diana Garcia: I just feel it more right now. Having Sin Nombre out in the states and Casi Divas, it’s a good push. It’s not like everybody knows me now, but these two films have been around the US market. It’s just timing. I have to move on.
nocheLatina: It’s no surprise that you’ve done some nude scenes in several of your films. Is there an actor that you wouldn’t mind having a steamy scene with?
Diana Garcia: No. I don’t think about that. When I’ve done them, they’re very selective and I talk to the directors about those scenes. They have to make sense in the movie. It’s not like I’m going to have a fling with the actor. I’m very professional. During the set you’re just thinking about being in that situation where there’s more than 10 guys working on the film. I do those scenes because love and sex are part of our daily lives. I’ve been rejecting a lot of projects that don’t make sense to me. It’s great to have a sexy scene, but I also want to talk about immigration and gangs.
nocheLatina: In addition to film, you’ve also hosted ‘Big Boutique’ where you took viewers to your favorite shops. What are some must-haves that every woman should have in their closets?
Diana Garcia: Underwear and flat shoes.
nocheLatina: I know that you have a huge male following. Would you consider yourself a sex symbol?
Diana Garcia: Not really. It’s funny, because I don’t care about being a sex symbol. That’s not my point in this job. My role is to tell good stories and have fun. It’s really flattering, but it’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m a simple woman who loves jeans and sneakers.
nocheLatina: Talk a little more about your upcoming series for Fox Latin America that you’re currently filming.
Diana Garcia: I can’t really talk about it except that it’s going to be amazing. I also have a film called Labios Rojos and it’s about a marriage and the problems that couples face. It also talks about sex in a marriage. My character works in the same office as her husband. Again, I can’t really talk about it, but let’s just say that my character faces a lot of temptations.
