The Mexican actress’ crossover has been years in the making. Raised in Monterrey, Melissa attended NYU, then found fame back home as a telenovela star. But even as she built a career in Mexico, Melissa knew that her future was in the States. She reveals why she almost passed on auditioning for the Starz show Vida, shares how her immigration status nearly cost her the role, and explores the tension between being a “good Mexican” and the demands of playing a self-assured, sexually-liberated Latina.

Follow Melissa on Twitter and IG: @MelissaBarreraM, @Vida_Starz and @Starz. If you loved this episode, listen to Aimee Carrero, Gina Torres and Mishel Prada for more on the art of acting and navigating Hollywood. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!