Many Hollywood actresses get stuck playing dowdy or matronly roles once they pass a certain age — if they get any work at all. On the new NBC television series “Telenovela” — about the backstage drama on a Spanish soap opera — the mature diva Isabela Santamaria (brilliantly played by Alex Meneses) manages to maintain her sexiness despite constantly being overshadowed by her much younger co-stars.
“My character is an older girl, but the genius behind the show, and one of the things that makes it very different, is the fact that we aren’t victim to ageism. She’s bitchy and she’s crazy. She’s strong, sexy, unapologetic and is a force to be dealt with,” explained Meneses during an exclusive interview with Headlines & Global News. “I can identify with getting older in Hollywood; it’s tough. Hollywood is not easy on old broads.”
We’re very surprised that the ALMA Award-nominated Meneses has problems securing roles. The beautiful actress and former international model looks much younger than her real age, 50. In fact, she has to work hard to make herself appear older when playing Isabela, especially since the character’s exact age is unknown and a running gag throughout the series. “I age myself. I draw lines on my face, around my eyes, to make wrinkles,” she revealed. “We’re not really sure of Isabela’s age. She might be 53, she might be 112. Everyone has a stab at her age.”
The mystery surrounding Isabela’s age is just one of the many reasons that Meneses loves her new gig. “I’m just so lucky to get a part like this. It’s so wonderfully delicious,” she gushed.
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