Interview: Paulina Chavez Gets Candid on Life, Her Big Break + Starring in Netflix’s ‘The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia’
Actress Paulina Chavez stars as Ashley Garcia in the Netflix series, The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia, a multi-cam Latinx comedy series co-created by Mario Lopez and Speechless producer Seth Kurland. Paulina’s character, Ashley, is the world’s only 15-and-a-half-year-old robotics, genius engineer and rocket scientist. In the series, she gets the chance to work for a prestigious company and moves across the country to live with her fun-loving Uncle Victor, a pro football player turned high school coach who’s never met a responsibility he can’t shirk. Netflix has ordered 16 episodes of the series (with Eva Longoria directing several episodes) which just premiered on February 17th. Glitter sat down with Paulina to discuss her role, what it was like working with Eva Longoria, the best advice she was ever given, and her favorite things to do throughout the day.
GLITTER: How long have you been acting?
PAULINA: I’ve been acting since I was seven and began focusing on film acting at eleven-years-old.
GLITTER: What was your big break?
PAULINA: The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about Netflix series The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia and your character, Ashley Garcia?
PAULINA: The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia is about 15 ½-year-old Latina who is the youngest person to ever earn a Ph.D. in both robotics and applied mathematics. She gets her dream job in southern California making robots for the space program! Ashley moves in with her uncle Victor (Jencarlos Canela) in Pasadena far away from her over-protective mother. Ashley is hoping to get a chance to have a fun normal teenage experience by fulfilling her bucket list. Ashley is an extraordinary teen who has focused on her studies all her young years, now that she landed her perfect job, she’s ready to enjoy life as a teenager and learns how to deal with new emotions and situations she has never felt/dealt with before.
GLITTER: How are you like your character?
PAULINA: I am similar to Ashley in several ways; We are both Latinas who have been focusing on training to pursue our careers. In order to be able to follow my dreams, I was homeschooled and missed out on the high school experience. Ashley focused on school and earning her Ph.D. Ashley moved across the country to work as a robotics engineer and I also moved from Texas to Los Angeles to work on the Netflix series and follow my dreams. Also, our moms are very overprotective just like every Latina loving mom!
GLITTER: What was it like working with Eva Longoria?
PAULINA: It was an honor to work with Eva Longoria. She is an amazing role model. To watch her do acting, producing, and directing is inspiring. She’s so knowledgeable, extremely passionate, and involved with helping the community. I look forward to following in her footsteps.
GLITTER: How do you prepare for your roles?
PAULINA: I try my best to learn about them with the sides they give me if I’m lucky they send the whole script. I also like to add a little bit of myself in the character – even if it’s the complete opposite of me, I like to make them relatable, not perfect.
GLITTER: What is your approach to auditioning?
PAULINA: Preparation is key. I write down my lines and make notes on the side of the script focusing on key feelings. Depending on the role, I do a character analysis where I write a couple of pages as the character.
GLITTER: Can you share highlights from some of your past roles?
PAULINA: One of my absolute favorites was when I was in an episode of RoosterTeeth’s Day 5. It was about an apocalypse: if you would fall asleep, you would die. The episode I was a part of was pretty gory and I loved it.
GLITTER: How do you use your voice for change?
PAULINA: I believe it’s important for the Latinx community to have n opportunity to see themselves in positive roles in TV and films in Hollywood. I want to represent latinos and inspire them to follow their dreams. I am looking for ways to help my community and give back by continuing to volunteer. I am currently working on offering a scholarship to graduating high school senior class of 2020. My goal is to establish a yearly scholarship fund for Latinos in Texas.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
PAULINA: You are enough. Don’t doubt your talent.
GLITTER: Who is your mentor?
PAULINA: Anyone who is willing to help me. My biggest mentor in my career is Jencarlos Canela.
GLITTER: Who are you looking forward to working with next?
PAULINA: I don’t know who I’m going to end up working with, but I would love an opportunity to work with Saorise Ronan, Joaquin Phoenix, Jaime Camil, Eugenio Derbez…I have too many to mention.
GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign, and we want to know, what’s self-love mean to you?
PAULINA: Self-love means knowing it’s okay to be selfish, putting you and your health first. Take the time to self discover and love yourself the way you are.
GLITTER: What would be a dream role for you?
PAULINA: I’m open to anything that’s challenging. I’d love to tell inspiring true stories and also raise awareness about human trafficking.
GLITTER: What’s on your playlist right now?
PAULINA: So much! I listen to a variety of music, my favorite song today is: “Sometimes People Suck” by Ashe.
GLITTER: Social Isolation has become the new normal for now. What are your favorite things to do right now throughout the day?
PAULINA: I’m learning how to play the piano – music is a big part of my life, I also wanted to get into reading again so I’m reading books suggested by my oldest sister, and of course I love eating and watching TV/movies.
GLITTER: Favorite ways to center yourself and relax?
PAULINA: A nice warm shower accompanied by music.
GLITTER: Favorite foods to snack on?
PAULINA:Hot Cheetos with lime and Valentina, quesadillas with chorizo, and repollo salad.
GLITTER: What are your top 5 binge-worthy shows?
PAULINA: Hmmm… Gilmore Girls, Friends, I Am Not Okay with This, Sex Education. Oh and…The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia. 😉
GLITTER: Coffee or Tea?
PAULINA: Tea with cream and sugar.
GLITTER: Favorite fashion indulgence?
PAULINA: Vintage jeans….
GLITTER: Name your top 5 beauty products.
PAULINA: Neutrogena Acne Stress Control toner, Neutrogena Hydro Boost, facial oils, Glossier’s Boy Brow, and Chapstick.
GLITTER: Any projects you can tell us about that you’re working on next?
PAULINA: Working on music and auditioning – there is a possible project in the works.
GLITTER: Any special talents outside of acting?
PAULINA: I’m a really good note-taker.
GLITTER: Best social platform for fans to find you?
PAULINA: @paulinafchavez on Instagram.
Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
