The new season of Yo Soy Betty, la fea is on Amazon Prime, and I'm back as Maria Beatriz Valencia...
It's the last Wednesday of August in 2023 when I see a text from RCN Network, asking if now was a good time to talk. I use WhatsApp to chat with relatives in Bogota and Ibague so I only check the app every so often. I text back 'yes.' Five minutes later, my phone rings.
"We're rebooting 'Betty La Fea' and we'd like you to come to Bogota to film an episode.'
"When?"
"Next Wednesday." I gulp and frantically search my mental calendar. I had a voiceover session the next day and had to deliver a few radio spots by Friday. That was it. I was actually off the following week.
"I can get there," I find myself saying.
"Great." I hang up and start jumping up and down - I feel like Tim Robbins in Bull Durham - I'm going to the show! I get to play one of my all-time favorite characters again...Maria Beatriz Valencia.
These writers are (chef's kiss) brilliant!
After a flurry of work calls, I get the script and scan it quickly. Ooohh...Maria Beatriz has evolved! They've updated her - she's got more depth than she used to have, and this is going to be so much fun to play. For me, it's always been about the writers and the incredible things they're able to do to bring scenes and stories to life; this time around is no different. They've given a crazed, plastic-surgery obsessed, almost pathetic character some real movement here...I LOVE IT!!!!
Five days later I'm on a plane to Bogota, memorizing my lines and drawing stares from fellow passengers. I get to the studio Tuesday for wardrobe tests and am transformed into a fire-engine redhead. That night I go over lines with Maria Elvira, a lifelong friend who I was staying with, and I'm ready to be her again - bring on Maria Beatriz.
It feels wonderful to be in her skin again, all fabulous in red
Wednesday morning, the car picks me up, and two hours later I get into character. We start rehearsing - my old cast mates, Julian Arango, Natalia Ramirez, Jorge Enrique Abello, Ana Maria Orozco - just like I never left. It's familiar, the teasing and ribbing, the laughter. I get choked up and hide it as best I can. It's been tough the past few years, working alone from home in my voiceover booth, rarely seeing anyone face-to-face. Here in Bogota, everyone hugs each other and it's so friendly...how refreshing!
And it's all over too quickly. Time to say goodbye and head back to Maria Elvira's house. I stay a few extra days, seeing family and friends, keeping mum about the whole thing until the show is released. Can't wait to be back in Colombia sometime soon...
