What is the first thought that comes to mind when you wake up?

My long list of things to do. I’d love to say that I wake up feeling completely calm, but Monday through Friday, there’s usually a little bit of anxiety about getting as much done as possible.

Shower or bath? Which of these rituals helps you reconnect with yourself?

I love taking baths. There’s something about being in the water that usually brings me a lot of peace.

How do you stay in shape while moving between cities, sets, and different projects?

By doing my best and prioritizing the things that matter. Exercise is definitely high on that list because it gives me so much energy, clarity, and an overall sense of well-being.

What is always playing on your phone? What music tends to find its way onto your playlist as you move between cities, sets, and everyday life?

Bad Bunny, Karol G, Elena Rose, Rels B, Tini. I like music that gives me positive energy, mostly in Spanish and with a touch of Latin rhythm.

You started acting at eighteen. What initially made you want to enter that world?

It was something inside me, even though I didn’t really know what it was or what it meant at the time. Ever since I was a kid watching television, I always knew I wanted to be there. I also think that, at eighteen, I was attracted to the idea of fame.

What does success mean to you today, and how do you think you can pursue it without losing yourself along the way?

To me, success means being happy. It means being able to enjoy life, connect with people, be grateful for the good things that happen to us, and overcome the obstacles along the way. I think it’s very important to maintain a balance between your professional and personal life and to make time for both. Whenever I’ve neglected one of them, I’ve always ended up feeling incomplete.

What is taking up your time at the moment?

Training, putting a lot of love into Lonchería Carisma, and creating content for social media. There’s also been a lot of traveling for me this year. I really enjoy discovering new places and having new experiences.

In Zumbido, the short film directed by acclaimed actress Kate del Castillo, what first caught your attention about Federico when you read the script?

His duality. The fact that he could be incredibly loving and then, from one moment to the next, become violent toward his partner.  I find those kinds of contradictions within a character absolutely fascinating to play.

Would you consider Alex Peralta, your character in Pact of Silence, one of the most complex roles you’ve played?

Honestly, no. I think he’s one of those characters to whom I lent quite a lot of Martín Barba, so working on that project actually felt very relaxed. It was funny because the look I proposed for the character during the audition was exactly what they already had in mind.

We loved watching Smiley on Netflix, so we have to ask: what was it like playing Bruno and Alex in the stage adaptation? Was bringing both leading characters to life a particular challenge?

Smiley taught me that theater is one of the best things that can happen to an actor, and I absolutely loved this play. It was a huge challenge because I had the opportunity to play both characters. It was complicated because you have to create very clear differences between them and completely reprogram yourself depending on which one you’re playing. The production also gave me the opportunity to work alongside incredibly professional people who taught me so much.

When you work, do you rely more on instinct, discipline, or a combination of both?

I think it’s a combination of the two, and maturity has gradually brought me to that point. When I was younger, I was much more about playing and experimenting. Then I went through a phase of being much more structured, and now I’m trying to find a balance between the two.

What has been the most challenging role of your career so far, and what did it demand from you?

I think there have been two.  Jaime in Manual Básico De Lengua De Señas on stage, because learning sign language was incredibly challenging. And Leonardo in Quebranto, because the role forced me to confront some personal insecurities, especially with the action scenes, and because Leonardo was very different from me.

Is there a filmmaker you still hope to collaborate with? What is it about their work that continues to draw you in?

I’d love to work with Manolo Caro and Los Javis. I really connect with the essence of their projects, from the visual language to the themes they explore.

As an actor who is also gay, have you ever felt limited by the way others perceive you or by the roles they assume you can play?

Of course. It’s sad to realize that judgments and labels still continue to limit us.

Professionally, what do you think you’re better at today than when you first started?

I’m much more disciplined, organized, and dedicated.

Are you instinctively drawn to risk?

Yes. In some way, it makes me feel alive. But I also think it’s important not to become addicted to that feeling.

If acting hadn’t chosen you, what other life do you think you would have chosen?

I’d probably be designing furniture, working as a graphic artist, or practicing architecture.

What’s your last read, and why?

They have an important place in my life.  I love the way they allow me to disconnect from my routine and take me into other worlds. The latest one, which I haven’t finished yet, is by Argentine writer
Gustavo Yuste. It’s  called Todo Es Desamor Hasta Que Se Demuestre Lo Contrario.

What things, if any, have the power to make you angry?

Injustice. People who treat others badly. Lazy and bitter people.

Do you wear glasses?

No. I had eye surgery a few years ago, and honestly, it was a great investment.

What do you admire most in a man?

His ability to live in the present and enjoy life.

DIGITAL COVER

Photography LUIS DE LA LUZ, Talent MARTÍN BARBA

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