In Jess, Olivera finds a brave, intelligent and ambitious young woman. She said: “What I love most about her is that she has so much courage in all aspects of her life. “She showed courage in life because of the circumstances she was in. She has never had a relationship with her father. She is going through a grieving period after losing her mother. She’s a Dreamer, so she’s a DACA recipient, so that in itself is another form of courage she must have. But she is also courageous in her friendships. She is not afraid to be wrong. She has courage in that she is always with her friends no matter what. And she has the courage to believe in herself, and I think that’s really beautiful.”
Olivera’s character approach comes from their shared interest in their family and Mexican heritage. Although Jess is the first generation and Oliviera is the second, they both have very close ties to Mexico, which allows the actress to get closer and understand Jess better.
While stepping in to lead a beloved series (and taking the place of Nicolas Cage) was no easy feat, Olivera took the responsibility seriously and felt safe in the hands of creators who believed thought of giving her this role. It also helps her have co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones to lean on. The legendary actress, who played black market antique dealer Billie Pearce, was like a mother on set. “She was very willing to put me under [her] and I really felt like she was going to take care of me,” Olivera said. “She definitely got me through in moments where I felt like certain days were tougher. It was a really tiring filming process. The TV was very fast and I was in almost every shot, so it was exhausting. Every time she came to the set, she kept checking on me. She was like, ‘How’s my princess?’”
For an early actress, that mentoring proved invaluable. Zeta-Jones also gives Olivera the peace of mind to speak up about her needs and spend time with her. “She gave me a lot of encouragement and that helped me feel less stuck in the process,” she says. “It’s great to know that she’s been through similar experiences herself and to learn that… In a scene, don’t rush. Take your time. We can get it back if need be.”
It’s powerful women like Zeta-Jones as well as the likes of Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and Sandra Oh and their diverse acting résumés (moving from television to film and from comedy to comedy). drama) continues to be an inspiration for Olivera. “They have had such a long life in their careers, and what more could I want from my career when I started? I admire them,” she said, her eyes starting to light up. Olivera’s exposure to the world of cinema began at an early age when she became obsessed with cartoons. Totoro My Neighbor (“I watch it every weekend”) shows her that there is something in the world from which she can escape, feel certain emotions, and become part of a story that is not her own. And it is that transformative factor that continues to fuel her passion for the profession.
So is Olivera’s fashion philosophy. “I never wanted to be forced to dress one way,” she says of her ever-evolving aesthetic. When asked if she has any current style icons, she was quick to name Janelle Monáe — with whom she shares a stylist, Alexandra Mandelkorn. “She kept showing up to show off!” She talks about actresses and musicians. “For her, even when she shows up at the Met or any look in general, it’s just that she’s so unique. And she can also do a lot of different looks.” Similar to acting, the red carpet gives Olivera a sense of escapism.
For National Treasure: Edge of History press, Olivera and Mandelkorn have some tricks up their sleeve. She couldn’t tell me much but said to expect some smart nods to the project and maybe some Latin American designers. “giver me, i love so many samples. All in all, I think the color is really vibrant and if it’s done in a way that works for me, then I think we’re making money,” she added.
