Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Marianna Burelli Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Ming Zhao
Well, film and television play a role that goes far beyond entertainment. It is similar to storytelling, which is the most ancient way of learning and passing on knowledge. The stories we tell and watch are somehow the eye through which we understand the world. I would say that stories shape who we become, molding our belief system, our taste, and our perception of a world that most of the time doesn’t include a fairly diverse bunch. I hope that we are slowly moving away from the point where a Latinx actor is cast to emphasize their ethnicity and moving towards a place where someone with a Latinx background can play a person, with issues and conflicts unrelated to their ethnicity.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Marianna Burelli.
Marianna will make her U.S. debut this year in Disney Channel’s highly anticipated original series “Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion.” The comedy series follows Violet (Scarlett Estevez), an everyday Mexican American teen who is chosen by a magical luchador mask which transforms her into Ultra Violet, a superhero fighting crime. Marianna shines on the show as Nina, Violet’s mother (whom is kept in the dark about her daughter’s superhero powers) and principal of her middle school who masterfully juggles both responsibilities. The series marks an important moment for Disney, featuring a cast made up of a diverse group of all Latinx actors where Latinx culture is not only celebrated in front of the camera but behind as well with many of the writers being of Latinx heritage. Marianna may be best known in Latin America for her dramatic portrayal of “Natalia Velasco” for three seasons in the hit series “Paramedicos,” the show followed the lives of young paramedics on the scene in Mexico City.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Well, I was born in Venezuela, to a family of four, three of which are my younger brothers. I always dreamt of traveling and getting to know the world through my own eyes. Due to this desire at the age of 15 I applied to a scholarship for United Word College. The program was specifically in Eswatini (formerly named Swaziland in Southern Africa) to study International Baccalaureate. After a long selection process, I was accepted. My life changed significantly then. I moved to Africa by myself to discover a world that was foreign to me. I spent two of my teenage years immersed in one of the most fascinating environments where I was highly stimulated on a cultural, social and academic level. It is fair to say I continue to feel those ripples today. One of the many gifts from my life shaping years in Africa, was falling in love with Theatre. That’s where my journey as a performer began.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
At Waterford Kamhlaba I had to choose six subjects to study. I found that five out of the six were a very clear choice for me; but there was one missing. Chemistry, Biology or Economics did not catch my attention. I was left to choose between Art and Theatre, and I went for the latter, mainly because I considered myself not particularly gifted when it came to the arts. That moment was another turning point in my life. The choice I had to make allowed me to realize that I was starting to find my voice. It made me feel something I hadn’t experienced before. Once I graduated from IB, I went on and applied to the East 15 Acting Drama School in London. Immediately after I completed my BA in Contemporary Theatre, I went to Poland to study physical theatre. After my time in Poland, I found myself traveling back to London, where I created my own theatre company and started working.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Well, it’s hard to single out “the most,” but I’ll tell you what made me realize (very early on) the power of theatre. When I was in Africa, during our Theatre classes we used to do a lot of Boal’s techniques in order to tackle community issues, like HIV, which is very prominent in the country, poverty and domestic violence. In setting up a “fictional” scene, and getting the audience to intervene, allows that barrier between them and the actor would emerge. After the play was over the audience would leave the performance feeling as if they were creators, judges and ultimately problem solvers for their own community. Really powerful stuff.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The first short film I did as an actress, I played this magical, mystical, Bjork-like character who dies holding her brother’s hand as they walk into the ocean. All very poetic, sublime and ethereal. However, that was possible because I happily agreed to actually walk into the freezing English waters of the Atlantic ocean. I fully immersed myself head to toe for a long time in order to truly see us disappearing into the horizon. Believe it or not I was willing to do it not one but several takes.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Yes! I love this question. I might have to add another person to the story because they kind of go hand in hand. When I first thought about coming to the US, career wise it felt like walking into a pitch black cave, I had no idea where to start. At that point I was working pretty steadily in Mexico and the idea of jumping into such a vast industry without a guide was a little daunting. Hence, I called one of my best friends who had lived in LA for a long time. My best friend is a remarkable actor and an equally amazing friend. In one of my visits to LA she invited me and my husband to a classic Italian restaurant in Hollywood and reiterated “it’s not going to be easy”. She said “you have to put in the work but I can see you are willing to do it. I want to work with you because I believe in you”. We then drank Champagne and my life changed again after that.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
I’m still daunted by it! LOL. But don’t let that feeling paralyze you. Do the work, love the craft and the process, because it can truly be beautiful. If you fall in love with the path and the road won’t be painful. When the gifts begin to arrive you’ll be ready, and grateful to fully enjoy them. Be kind to everyone, including yourself and listen to the whispers of the universe.
What drives you to get up every day and work in TV and Film? What change do you want to see in the industry going forward?
I love creating characters. Digging into the psychology of what’s on paper and making it breath. I’m so fortunate to do what I love and to do what challenges me. I want to see stories that include us, stories that feel close to me. Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion is hilarious, endearing, exciting, and made with tones of heart.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I’m developing a project with my husband Roberto. It’s thrilling to be able to manufacture a story for us, that talks about belonging and identity which is a craved feelings of all time. It deals with the idea that Latinx identifying individuals that might not “look” Latinx enough, or “sound” American enough, or “speak” softly enough, or be “tall” enough or “short” enough. I see myself heading towards crafting stories that excite me, move me, and hopefully do that with others. I see myself doing comedy, which is what I love the most, and then diving into some dramas. I value working with people that inspire me, move me and give me the right kind of chills. Ha. The road is long and I’m excited to see what’s next.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Well, film and television play a role that goes far beyond entertainment. It is similar to storytelling, which is the most ancient way of learning and passing on knowledge. The stories we tell and watch are somehow the eye through which we understand the world. I would say that stories shape who we become, molding our belief system, our taste, and our perception of a world that most of the time doesn’t include a fairly diverse bunch. I hope that we are slowly moving away from the point where a Latinx actor is cast to emphasize their ethnicity and moving towards a place where someone with a Latinx background can play a person, with issues and conflicts unrelated to their ethnicity.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Lack of initial feedback does not always mean you are not performing to the best of your ability.
- Don’t compare your path to anyone else’s. It is a personal journey that will only be experienced by you.
- Don’t take anything personal, it usually has nothing to do with you.
- It’s a long road, enjoy the ride and breath.
- Remember the way things look aren’t always the way things are.
Can you share with our readers any selfcare routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I drink enough water.
I meditate and I practice yoga (both keep me sane).
20 years ago I chose to be vegetarian and a few years back I became almost fully plant based.
I love a celery juice in the morning, and if not I’ll drink warm water with lemon.
I wear sunscreen.
At night I basically drown my face in hydrating creams and potions.
I spend quality of time with my family (Ro and Sienna) who recharge me with the finest love ever.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
It’s not a quote, it’s a poem by Rudyard Kippling. I’ll share a part of it with you:
If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
Whenever I find myself stuck in a situation where I feel overwhelmed by an emotion and I start to lose perspective, that poem works as a clear and gentle reminder that sometimes we just need to “zoom out” to see the real size of things.
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Sustainability. We are at a point in time where a shift of consciousness is necessary in order to foresee a positive change in the way of life for future. We are running out of time and the consequences will be devastating if we do not implement significant change. It is important to have an understanding that we are just part of an ecosystem and not the owners of it. This would be key in learning about a new way of interaction with nature and technology. I believe the change starts at home. The change happens the moment you decide what to buy, what to eat, or where you put your attention. I’m a dreamer in that way and I believe that every single one of our choices has consequences. The changes starts with us, we have to pave the way instead of sitting around and waiting. That time is long gone.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Yes, Jane Goodall. Her humanity and work is an absolute inspiration to me. Her tenacity and relentless devotion to animal welfare and conservation, have changed the world and therefore my life. I would love to do a project about her.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
IG, Twitter @mariannaburelli
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
