October 11, 2022 • 39 mins
You don't need to count to Six to know who we're talking to this week. To close off Latinx Heritage Month, we're sitting down with Puerto Rican star on the rise Didi Romero. We talk about her experience touring with Six: The Musical, missing her family back on the island, and so much more. Right now the only thing you better wanna do is to tune in! Te invito.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Oh yeah, me hint. I just want to give you
a heads up. The program you are about to hear
may have some explicit language, it may not. It also
depends on where the vibes and the spirit leads us.
Hope you enjoy. Welcome to Morenita, a deep dive into
the Latin X experience. With more Anita, we want to
(00:22):
create a community and a shared space with you while
sharing knowledge and inspiration. This show is about celebrating our
culture with guests who exemplify the best of us. I'm
Darrylene Gastillo Ethane Beatle. Oh yeah, me hint. Okay. Today
(00:43):
we got the laughter. Today we got the joy, But
most importantly, we got the Queen La Hana. D d
Roto hailing from the infamous Tony Award winning musical six,
d D is currently playing Catherine Howard in the Bolen
North American Tour. On top of this, d D is
(01:04):
killing the TikTok's and content creating as well as the
acting game. Now you may also know d D's history
within her family. She comes from a family of notable
performers like her mother DEDI and Ded and I go
down her family line and she shares with us how
(01:24):
her family's presence in the entertainment industry has trained her
for her own path. D D and I talk all
things six, what it's like to be in a new
hit show, what it's like working with the cast of
all women, and how this is her first Broadway show
that has changed her life. We also discuss some of
(01:45):
the pressures this comes with, but d D has a
way of adding sunshine and laughter to anything. I honestly
don't think I laughed harder in any interview. So d
D gets our mon Anita Most Comedic Award congrat CD.
Now we also touch base on d D has been
touring and this is the second time that deed has
(02:08):
come back to her hometown after a crisis. Yes, Hurricane
Fiona girl, we are talking about you. We talk about
the effects of the hurricane, what it has had on her,
her family, and her hometown. But we also discuss how
the community has rallied together and how in these moments
we pull up and support each other. I want to
(02:30):
take this moment to share with you that we have
posted some relief programs on our Instagram page Morna Podcast
to help those in need in Puerto Rico and might
beloved by East Dominican Republic. So let's do what we
can and reach out to those in need. Same vehicle
(02:53):
D D Roto has entered. Cai asked, we are here, Okay,
I'm the wait where are you from the Dominicana? I
you're literally you're literally my brima, Like you're like right
around the corner. We're familia. We're fat. You know, there's
(03:15):
like this like back then, there was like this weird
like like there was like a weird like battle between
like Dominicans and Puerto Rigez, like because we're like really
similar or something. And I'm like, but like that's good,
Like why not a bad thing? I never even understood.
I was just like, Oh, that's my sister, Like that's
my my m're like Caribbean sisters. I think that's like
(03:39):
old school. I don't think that's the thing anymore. It's
a boomer thing, boomer a thing. We could sit here
all day and just like bullshit and talk. I love it.
Um d D my queen, my six queen, my ka
how word? First off, are you the first Latina Ka Howard?
And if I'm wrong, I'm sorry, Um, I would say,
(04:02):
I don't I don't know I'm not sure. I think
I am you are. I think I'm the first like
born and raised Latina like Puerto Rican. Hey, Howard, I
think that's the first of its kind. We are writing
you the first of its kind. Um, I mean, what
(04:25):
an epic musical to be a part of. Uh. We
were sitting here joking about about them, our auditions for
musical two seconds ago. It's good. I mean when they
say there's a lot of nose, they weren't lying. They
weren't lying, and it's um, it's basically like I think
(04:45):
there should be like a resume for your like credits,
and then there would be a resume for like all
of the things that they said no to, because honestly,
most like the most memorable auditions for me are the
ones that went the worst, and it's because they're so
funny and because it's like they're just so real and
you're like, you know what, Okay, we'll get him next time. Tiger.
(05:07):
I did my bed. I did my bed and it
was bad, but like I'm gonna remember, I'm gonna hold
it through my heart like till the end of time. Yeah, So,
how's your experience been, I mean, touring, is this here.
This is like your first tour, right, this is your
first my first ever broad Away anything? Yeah? Yes, so
welcome to the familia. Also, I mean, how has the
(05:34):
experience been? I mean, listen, I've I've done Lion King,
I've done Hamilton's, I've done touring, I've done No Town
a pretty woman. So sis, I understand everything. But you're
going through what you're feeling. The look you just gave me,
I understand it. So how are you? How are you feeling?
How are you doing? How is the road treating you? How?
(05:56):
How is six? I mean, I am grateful that it's
it's a seventy minute show, like eighty minute show. I
cannot put myself in someone in Hamilton's shoes because Hamilton's
is to acts, you know what I mean. And it's
literally NonStop, no pun intended. But you guys, come on.
(06:17):
I mean, it's a lot of Carrio. It's so much carrio,
so much work. I have never been like this fit
in my life. I think I'm at my peak right
now with the thumber bout it. But it's a lot
of work. I'm not gonna sit here and be like yo,
this is like easy peasy. Some days are good. Some
(06:39):
days are not, and and it's completely normal. Um, I
am so grateful. I am so happy because I get
to do what I love and not only that, but
I am literally doing it with extremely talented women who
I get along with. And I think we're so used
to being compared in this industry as women. They always
(07:01):
say it's a very competitive career, it's a very competitive environment,
and it's never felt this way with any of these girls,
and I don't think it should even like, I don't
think it should feel that way ever, Right, We're so
used to being compared as women because it's like, oh,
she's this type and I'm this type, and she's that
type of what makes me special and what makes other people.
(07:22):
And it's like, why not just focus on the journey
of the whole thing and and just um have fun
and and see what what like leads you to to this,
you know what I mean? So, yeah, it's a lot
of fun. You answered my question, because that was gonna
be My next one is like, how is it like
working with an entire team of women? And of course
(07:47):
there's a one side where it's like girl power, but like,
you know, you know what I'm saying, Sometimes you know,
we get you know, don't know what I mean. You know,
we're very emotionally driven, like we're literally like our we
are a more psychological being than like, I mean, let's
be real, man. Sometimes they don't think man truly, Like
(08:10):
they make some weird decisions, but I'm like, yo, let
me need to I don't know, stop think about it
for a second and then do your thing. Women are
more I don't know what like it's literally like they
do every single scenario first and then they do it,
you know what I mean. So yeah, sometimes we are
like a bit you know, not in the moment. Sometimes
(08:32):
we're not feeling it. Sometimes we feel weird. Um. But
what I love about this past is that we always
check up on each other and we're always like, girl,
I'm not feeling it today. I'm not period, I'm like
feeling really bad. I'm like, okay, girl, I got you.
I'll give you. I'll give you energy today on stage.
You know what I mean. It's like it's we always
like boost each other up. That's beautiful and it's rare
(08:55):
so to six for doing it right because it's not
all the time thing. And you guys, do you just
did uh the sixth posts. I want to let you
guys know that, um, d D you were you were
born into a family of entertainment. I mean, entertainment does
not stray far from you. It's something that you have
(09:16):
seen around you. You've breathed it, you've eaten it, you
lived it. Um how was that growing up for you?
And I'm always curious because I always it's like I
have friends that I meet who are born into the
industry and they're like it's either hot and cold, right,
it's like yeah, no thank you, or it's like yes,
thank you the no thank you once more. For like
(09:38):
my brother, My brother was like I don't have I
don't want to do anything that has to do with
like art. And now he's like working in like movies
and TV like kind of you know, so it's still
it's still got to do with art, you know. But um,
it definitely felt like I was born with like the
entertainment like just surrounding me, like just singing and then
(10:00):
music and and all that. It is like to be
in the business and it was so normal. And my mother, um,
she was she was called last that when she was
nine years old. Um, she was a nine year old
side assessinger. It was very hilaric. She had a unibrow
and it was very um and her mom's you're out
(10:23):
here calling your mom out. I love this, you know what.
I want to call her because because of her that
I got my unibrow. You know what I mean, I'm
being petty. Um. She she was in the industry since
she was nine. And my Aloila she was in the
industry as well since she was eight. Um, she was
the first, I want to say, she was one of
(10:44):
the first women, um, percussionists in Latin America. And UM,
we're talking like long ago, you know, like this is
like a while um. And she was basically like the
first woman that started the generation of like singers and
and all this entertainment stuff. The first one who started
(11:06):
was my Desauloo and he was a musical director, like
he was like the director of his orchestra. And then um,
it was my Ahuila, and then it was my mom,
and now it's me. So it's a home no pressure
for me, right, went off your back. Right, I'm like
my Auilla SA. So when you got kids, like I'm
(11:27):
I'm twenty three, Like calm down, like let let give
it a back in you know. I mean, yeah, I'm curious.
Do you do you feel pressure? Like do you feel
that sometimes? And how do you deal with that? I
actually never felt pressure. Now, you don't strike me as
you know, I don't feel that from you. I feel
like it's just like you're having fun. Yeah. The only
(11:48):
person that gives pressure to me is myself and that's it.
But my Ahuila and my mom always knew that I
was going to be, you know, really loud. Um. But
I usually was the one who put pressure on myself
and usually it is that way, like usually ourselves that
get pressure to us. So for you, when did it?
(12:23):
When were you like Broadway? Like I'm going to switch
into Broadway and like do the Broadway thing because you
could have been you could have been done it, Like
I already know that. It's like, um, but it's like,
what was the switch for you? Let's be real, everybody.
We don't see people from the Island coming to New
York or or whatever doing the thing and then doing
the Broadway thing. It's funny. I was talking about this
(12:43):
with a Mada on our on our first episode, and
I was like, Sis, why haven't you done Broadway? And
She's like, girl, I'm trying. I want to do Broadway.
Do Broadway, And I'm like, yeah, it's not the first thought.
You know what I'm saying. So what was that? Have
you always been a Broadway san? Um? How talked to
(13:04):
me about that? Love? Was? It? Was it? When did
you see Hamilton's when we went to Puerto Rico? Were
you there? What's popping? I was actually not there. I'm
actually really sad. I was in New York. I think
I was. I'm also like, why the hell were you
not in my cast away? In college? And I'm gonna
(13:24):
I was? I think I was. Yeah, I was studying
so I couldn't. My mom got to see it. I
was very mad, said Hamilton, And I said when I
said yesterday, I said, and you don't tell me nothing?
And she said, I thought you a shirt. I said,
I don't want your shirt, mom, I want a ticket.
(13:44):
Um So anyway, I'm petty. Anyway, So what's your sign?
Oh guess because people already get wrong, don't make me
do this. You're not a Gemini, no girl, no offense,
jem and I sorry, you're too in front of you?
Are you a Leo? That's so sweet? I am get out,
(14:09):
get out right now. My rising sign is in Leo.
People they're like you you fire and un like things.
But no, I'm actually an Aquarius. You're an Aquarious because
I'm a Libra. A Libra and Aquarius are like their
best days because they get each other. We're wind So okay, okay,
(14:30):
back to back to the Camaro. Sorry guys, he's Leo
and I'm like thanks, but anyway. Um so, I actually
knew that I wanted to do Broadway when I heard
Popular from Wicked and pan Pandora, Um, where are you at?
Where are you are you? Indicate non? Seriously? I heard Pandora.
(14:55):
I mean yeah, I heard popular in Pandora No points
like no and um. I was like, what's this? And
then I heard Wicked and I said, what's this? I
love this and I saw me and I said and
then it just went up from there and I started
discovering so many other musicals. And then Lynn came to
(15:16):
Puerto Rico when they did in the Heights, Oh yes,
the first thing, and all I remember was lin Manuel
within the Bows with Puerto Rican Flag. I saw um
Nina in Sunrise and I was like this, uh, this
is amazing, And I asked my dad, I said, Dad
(15:38):
was because my dad took me to see it, um
and he said, uh, this is musical theater. And I'm like,
you get paid to do this and and he's like, yeah,
you can get paid to do this. It's a good job.
And I'm like, so you can stay dance and act
at the same time and you get money and you
have fun. And he's like yeah. And I'm like, oh
(16:01):
my god, So this is what I want to do
because usually, like you, you do all these things, like
you you sing, dance and acts for like your family
for example, and then it's like it's so fun for you.
It's just like a game, you know, It's like it's
just fun. And then when you discover that you can
do it for a living, it's like that's crazy and
(16:23):
there's no other Like there's a lot of like satisfying
things in the world, and for me, one of the
most satisfying things is to live off of what you
love to do, Like, like, just make a living out
of your passion is actually something so so fulfilling and
so exciting to do. Yeah, and grateful that we're both
(16:45):
here doing it. Were we out here? Are we really
out here? I heard doing the name what we love
to do. And um. Also you did ask about like
there's not a lot of people like from the island
that are on Broadway right now. I that's actually very
interesting that you brought it up, because I know so
many people in the island right now and in that
(17:09):
went from the Island to go to New York that
they are hustling and doing it and trying. And I
always say, maybe time will tell, and it's just give
it time. Because I never thought I was gonna be
in six you know what I mean, Like, I didn't
think that that was a possibility for me, Like I'm
(17:30):
did not find myself like in like in dancer shoes.
You know. I never considered myself a dancer. I consider
myself like a mover, you know, like, and so it
wasn't like a like an option for me because I
never saw myself as that. And I'm here, you know
what I mean. So it's it's a very interesting, um
question because there I see a lot of people hustling
(17:52):
and doing it and trying, um, and it's just not
their time yet. Um. And I want to clarify that too,
because when I said it's like out of the people
who are doing it, and it's so weird like for
me to like for us to be sitting here and
like because we are part of the percentage that is
doing it, and it's like we we know people. It's
(18:16):
it's not like it's not that we're not out there.
We're out there, we are there. It's just yeah, it's
just sitting Okay. Um. My other thing is that do
you think that there's like do you think it's the industry?
Do you think that we're having still we're still going
through our struggles of um being allowed in the rooms
(18:39):
because there is Listen, we're out here, there's people out
there hustling. There's people out there doing it and lucky
but lucky that people are. We're here, we're ready, we're hungry.
But do you think that there's still that issue that
we're running into with And is this something that you've
been running into, especially now that you're in six What
are the opportunity duties that you're seeing now for yourself
(19:02):
and is there a change in a shift? Because I
haven't I have an answer for this, but it might
be a little different than yours. You know what. I
think it's gotten better, but um, I have auditions for
In the Heights five times. Yeah, and I usually never
got it because I was either I didn't have enough
(19:25):
credits or all all that stuff. But one that really
stood out to me that made me question my the
zeke and my culture and everything was you don't look
Labino enough. And that is it was heartbreaking to me
because do I need to show you my birth certificate?
(19:47):
Like do I need to speak Spanish to you for
for you to understand that I'm literally born and raised
in Puerto Rico, Like, it was difficult for me to
actually audition and for Latino rules, it was very weird.
So it's not a similar problem as like other women,
(20:09):
like for example, for Latina women, they are still not
getting the recognition that they deserve, you know what I mean.
And so about it, and it's like it's tricky. It's
a very tricky question because I just think it all
really depends on what eyes are seeing you, you know
(20:29):
what I mean. It's never problem with like Hamilton has
never been a problem with that because that is all
about being very like open minded about those things. Um,
I think now it's gotten a lot better, but you know,
there's always um room for growth, room for growth, and
(20:50):
we're going to continue growing. Yeah, exactly, exactly. We're gonna
continue doing our thing, showing up. You know, that's all
we can do to get to the day. But I'm
pretty I'm pretty I'm like maybe eight sure that it's
gotten better. It's like I can say about my cast,
we're all women of culture and um, and so it is.
(21:15):
It is very refreshing to have that in a room.
It is so nice to see something different, um, and
to just like learn about like different stories, different cultures,
different races. It's like so refreshing and it's so fulfilling. Yeah. Absolutely,
(21:44):
I'm gonna shift gears with you a little bit because
I just think it's important that we speak about it
and about it. And first off, we can't continue without
checking in on you. How are you? How is your
family in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. Well, we're tired.
(22:05):
We're not gonna lie. Um, we're very tired of just
the same thing over and over and over again. You know,
it's been decades of the same thing. Um, I'm okay,
I could be better. Um, that's me talking about my home.
It this is like the second time that I leave
my home in the middle of a crisis, and not
(22:27):
because I want to, you know, it's literally just because
I have to. And uh, it's tricky and it's it's
a little bit overwhelming sometimes. UM, but I can say
my home is very tired of just the same thing. Um. Now,
what we're doing is helping each other out, which is
what we've always been doing. UM. And you know, we're
(22:50):
a little mad. We're gonna be really honest, like we're
a little a little mad with what's going on. Um,
but I am seeing change a little by little. I
am seeing a lot of change. Um. That is literally
with the generation, with what we're saying, with what I'm hearing,
there is a lot of change. And I'm I'm excited
(23:11):
to see what the future holds for us and our
future generation, what they're gonna do. Um with my home
and I'm always going to support it. I'm always gonna
be pert, I'm always gonna be bigua I'm I'm born
and raised there. That's my home. I'm going to defend
it till the end, and I'm gonna do whatever it
takes to to make it a a a beautiful and
as as colorful and as powerful of an island as
(23:35):
it is. So I'm I'm excited for what's to come. Yeah,
for me being American Dominican and being somebody who is
not not in my home island right and not seeing
the the effects of the disaster and feeling it, you know,
full on and in that kind of way. Um. And
(23:58):
I speak to a lot of my friends who are
American first and American, American, Dominican, American, whatever it is,
And you know, there's always like this, like what can
I do? How can we how can we? How can
we from afar be connected? And you know obviously like
Instagram great, sharing stories great, but what are you seeing that?
(24:23):
I mean, listen, it's like if you see we've seen
it before, right, it's this, It's this repetitive thing that's
happening and then keep coming together, but it's exhausting within
the same time. Um. And you mentioned that this is
your second time being gone during a crisis. Yes, how
(24:45):
are you planning to leave for your next leg of
the tour? And what is that emotion and feeling that
you are experiencing? And I'm gonna say this like again,
and I know that that's very like sensitive and very
real and raw, but I just I'm just like how
I can't even imagine. Sadly, it's part of my journey. Um.
(25:10):
And so it's just like when you go to college.
You're eighteen and you're gonna go to college and you're
gonna leave your home. Um, you have to do it.
You have to write, you can't just dream, you have
to actually do it. So it is very painful to
like leave a huge chunk of you behind. It is
(25:31):
very sad, and it's very um you know, it's not
it's not fun to say goodbye. I actually hate goodbyes.
So you guys, we've reached d soft part. I'm an Aquarius,
but you know, my libre moon, my libre moon, you know.
So I am very sentimental. I'm a very you know,
emotional person. Um, I don't like to say goodbye. And
(25:54):
so when when you like leave such a huge chunk
of you behind, you know, it's not like you're not
gonna go back. You're gonna go back and you're gonna
go visit it and you're gonna you know, hold it
like very close to your heart. But it's um, I
think it definitely makes you stronger. It makes you also
just realize and appreciate so much for like, every time
(26:19):
I go home, I share a ship, Like when I left,
I didn't realize how amazing my home was until I left.
And that's what they always say, like you never know
what you have until you lose it, you know what
I mean. Um, And so it is difficult and it
(26:41):
is very heartbreaking, but it's just part of my journey
and I have to do it. Um, not like I
I want to, but I just have to. UM. But
that's why I'm so proud of being because that's what
I'm gonna do for the rest of my life. I'm
just going to do what I love to do, and
I'm going to make my little island proud. And I'm
just going to be a voice for them out here
(27:04):
whenever I can and whenever um they let me so.
And I think also like in these moments of crisis
that you know, and speaking also for d R as well,
like in those moments of crisis that we've gone through,
it's always like we come back stronger together. But it's
it's something that reminds me too of like our historical
trauma we're gonna go into it. Yeah, it's like we
(27:31):
just went through this traumatic thing. Let's like all become
stronger together, and like sometimes we're tired and exhausted and
like I'll just come to like those like random comments
like you're like like girl, Latina, you're Latina, but like
you don't have an accent, and I'm like, listen, listen
(27:58):
and even if I did, even if I did, why
would it matter what? He's like tiny? Like what do
you call them? Micro? MicroG micro? Yeah? And I'm like
why are we talking like this though? Because like yeah,
because I'm like trying not to explode, you know. So
(28:20):
it's like it's like you're trying not to explode and
you're like like it's like to do this crisis? Like
even like it's like I feel the microaggressions. It's like
why why must we struggle? Like the only thing you
have to say is like I'm glad you're here, You're good.
(28:42):
I'm sorry about what happened. I don't know how to help,
but tell me how all you need to know? You
don't need to be telling me like yo, like like
you good, bro, Like like that must be so hard,
like like yeah, like what do you want me to say?
(29:04):
You know what I mean? But you know what all
we can do is educate. All we can do is
direct people to the right places and how to help. Um,
everybody on you know, Okay, whatever we did on what
a podcast on Instagram, we posted how you can help.
If you want to learn how to help, go on
the podcast. Check the slides, y'all check the slides. Because
(29:25):
we are we got to support our people, Okay, And
unfortunately we are in a time frame where Instagram is
the only place that people get their news for real.
That's actually so true. So yeah, anyways, um, you know,
support our people, support the people boarding support him, ask
ask how they are and ask how they can help
(29:45):
d D. The next leg of your tour is hitting Florida. Um,
and then I believe you guys start jumping around a
little bit, right, God, we jumping. Uh. We go to
our land where on land? Right now? I am currently
out for the whole because I have coded lots of
lots of Vicks, lots of vendicionas. We go to Fort
(30:09):
Lauderdale next, and then Miami, then Tampa. That's our girl,
Florida stop and then we go to and then I
think we go to Oma and then and then we
go go to the Middle West. Yeah, and I've never been.
So it's gonna be a journey. It's um, it's different.
(30:34):
We're exciting. I'm excited. I'm gonna be like, yo, like
tell me in history and then I'll be like anyway,
So the best thing is to try to find the
Latinos in the area, because that's what I would do
every time. So I would try to find the Puerto
Rican restaurants Dominican restaurants like I would, and then you
would find because we're everywhere, right, let's be let's be
very real, You'll be finding us in Ohio, Minnesota, Mississippi, Alabama. Girl,
(30:59):
I'm like, what are you doing here? I'm like, what,
just look for your people? Yeah, like I think we
go through I think, oh yeah we do. We go
to um, San Francisco. That's our last. Are you guys
gonna be the last in SF? Oh? I'm gonna come.
You know we were out there for a year, are
(31:21):
you well? We were at the Orpheum. Are you guys
gonna be at the Orpheum? Yes, I'm coming. I'm gonna come.
Say hi, I like this to our life, bestly life? Yes,
um my love? What do you see next for you?
What do you see? What do you feel for you.
(31:43):
I know you're enjoying this moment. I used to hate
this question, by the way, So I'm sorry. I'm asking
this because I know. I know. I'm sorry. It's the
people they're making me do it. Like, Okay, you're asking
it like a like a Frank Converse station. Yeah, but
it's like, you know what, Okay, Like I have like
my inspiration wall over there with like my hits and
(32:05):
my goals that I want to do, Like what do
you what's your next saying that your heart is going
to be seeking after six? Um, I'm not even gonna
say after, because who knows. You could be moved to
the Broadway Company and doing six at the same time
they're doing a TV show and while filming a movie.
I don't know, manifesting things for you. Oh my god,
I'm accepted, accepted, except what do you that's coming out?
(32:27):
What do you feel for yourself after after or while
doing six? Are there other things that you want to
get into, you know, like love, love the process of
film and TV? I love it so much? Can we
show together? Can I be your cousin? Can I be
(32:48):
your long lost cousin? From d R? My god? And
then we find each other, and then it's like, wait,
I have family, it's long lost fan. I love this.
It could be a great thing. Um, and then we
have magical powers. Oh my god, I think we need
a called Rafael Josie Carrafa. We're doing we just had
(33:12):
him Alexa Alexa called Rafa. Now I'm about to text
it off and be like, uh, we're ready. Um yes,
TV love to, I would love to. I want to
play like a psycho girlfriend. DD. This is the moment
(33:32):
we've all been waiting for. This is the speed questions moment.
Are you ready? But let's do it. I'm excited. You
have a TV show coming out with Disney. Plus. If
you could have a guest role in any TV show
aeron right now, what would it be? Wh White Lotus.
(34:00):
I want to be like a waitress. You want to
be a waitress. Like a waitress, but like the waitress
that like got like secrets anyway, but you know everything,
like the relationship. I just wrote the script, give it
call her. Okay. Favorite memory from being on the road
(34:21):
with six so far, Oh my god, I literally said
sometimes men put women in chambers and it was supposed
to be um. Oh yeah, apparently some guys just put
women in their private chambers. And I literally said some
men women and Jim verse because I panicked and I
completely forgot what I had to say and what role
(34:42):
I was playing in what date it was. We love
that for you. What's a Broadway show you would love
to bring to Puerto Rico and what role would you play?
I want to bring m hm. That's a great question.
I really love Heathersky like a Latin I version, like
a Latino cast like, I think it would be very funny. Uma.
(35:06):
Puerto rican has got a great sense of humor, and
I think Heathers would be a very funny show and
I would love to bring also either Heathers, I think
mm hmm oh. I was just listening to Hunchback. Yeah.
(35:27):
The orchestration and that musical, it's really good. What are
we talking about? Like, hasn't it it hasn't had never
it never came. It never came to Broadway, right, I
never did a beautiful orchestration like it makes me want
to cry all the time. Our last question, what reminds
you of home or makes you feel at home? Definitely
(35:52):
music makes me feel at home. I go to my
dressing room and when I'm homesick, I turn on and Margano, Okay,
I get it, and it's the best thing. It makes
me like I'm literally the most Puerto Rican woman in
the world. When I hear in. Everyone transforms when that
(36:15):
voice comes on with your what's your pre show ritual?
You know what? I get there two hours early. I'm
the same way. Really, I used to not be that way.
I used to be really really bad. I used to
be like half hour like ready, and then after that
doing that for a year and realizing that wasn't cute
(36:36):
and that wasn't the way the way to go. I
wasn't cute. You have to put yourself in check sometimes,
you know. Um. Then I started going two hours early
and I was like, this is lit, Oh, this is
I get it. Yes, yes, I get there two hours early,
and I think the most, Like I get so zen
(36:56):
when I do my makeup, Like I just put on
some like nice music whatever I'm feeling that way. You
don't want to rush, you want to have like your process,
like where are you feeling today? Sometimes I'll be putting
medication music on. Sometimes it's Mark Anthony. Sometimes it's Mark Anthony.
Sometimes I'm feeling like Zan and I put that Apple
music Apple Apple Music meditation, and then some I'm like,
(37:19):
I'm feeling like laosaliya tonight. You know, like you gotta
be careful for those nights. I'm like, yeah, I'm like,
I'm like coming out and make up looking popping, popping
the false lash up to my eyebrow, my eyebrow. The
(37:39):
girls like I like your make up today. Sometimes like girl,
you're pink today. You know who created the color pink? Me? Okay, Howard, Hey,
Howard definitely created the color pink. Did. I don't think
I've had this much fun on any episode. I thank
you for or Sunshine. I thank you for your for
(38:03):
your energy. I needed it. I needed it, and you're
for giving me something to do this COVID week because
I have been feeling so lazy and like a couch potato.
And literally when I saw your text, because I'm horrible
at replying, I apologize. I saw your text. I just
(38:26):
want to say it took it took like a four
months here months for me to be here, Like it's
not like it's not a lie. I literally I am
so bad at replying text messages because I'm a Westaple.
I feel you know, I'm a Westat queen, so when
I receive a text, I'm like, it's so weird. Yeah,
(38:57):
and it's like I forget, but I replied this time
and we're here. So I'm so happy that I got
to actually do this interview with you. Was so much fun.
It had a great cackle and um, yeah, it won't
be the last. It won't be the last. I'm gonna
right now and I'll see you in Florida. I'll see
(39:17):
you in Florida. Sis. Thank you for your time, thank
you for hanging with us, thank you, thank you family.
I mean so much. I think it's because I'm happy.
Monamita is a production of Sonato and partnership with I
Heart Radio's Michael Luda podcast Network. For more podcasts from
(39:40):
I heart Radio, visit the I heart Radio app, Apple podcast,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Oh yeah, me hint. I just want to give you
a heads up. The program you are about to hear
may have some explicit language, it may not. It also
depends on where the vibes and the spirit leads us.
Hope you enjoy. Welcome to Morenita, a deep dive into
the Latin X experience. With more Anita, we want to
(00:22):
create a community and a shared space with you while
sharing knowledge and inspiration. This show is about celebrating our
culture with guests who exemplify the best of us. I'm
Darrylene Gastillo Ethane Beatle. Oh yeah, me hint. Okay. Today
(00:43):
we got the laughter. Today we got the joy, But
most importantly, we got the Queen La Hana. D d
Roto hailing from the infamous Tony Award winning musical six,
d D is currently playing Catherine Howard in the Bolen
North American Tour. On top of this, d D is
(01:04):
killing the TikTok's and content creating as well as the
acting game. Now you may also know d D's history
within her family. She comes from a family of notable
performers like her mother DEDI and Ded and I go
down her family line and she shares with us how
(01:24):
her family's presence in the entertainment industry has trained her
for her own path. D D and I talk all
things six, what it's like to be in a new
hit show, what it's like working with the cast of
all women, and how this is her first Broadway show
that has changed her life. We also discuss some of
(01:45):
the pressures this comes with, but d D has a
way of adding sunshine and laughter to anything. I honestly
don't think I laughed harder in any interview. So d
D gets our mon Anita Most Comedic Award congrat CD.
Now we also touch base on d D has been
touring and this is the second time that deed has
(02:08):
come back to her hometown after a crisis. Yes, Hurricane
Fiona girl, we are talking about you. We talk about
the effects of the hurricane, what it has had on her,
her family, and her hometown. But we also discuss how
the community has rallied together and how in these moments
we pull up and support each other. I want to
(02:30):
take this moment to share with you that we have
posted some relief programs on our Instagram page Morna Podcast
to help those in need in Puerto Rico and might
beloved by East Dominican Republic. So let's do what we
can and reach out to those in need. Same vehicle
(02:53):
D D Roto has entered. Cai asked, we are here, Okay,
I'm the wait where are you from the Dominicana? I
you're literally you're literally my brima, Like you're like right
around the corner. We're familia. We're fat. You know, there's
(03:15):
like this like back then, there was like this weird
like like there was like a weird like battle between
like Dominicans and Puerto Rigez, like because we're like really
similar or something. And I'm like, but like that's good,
Like why not a bad thing? I never even understood.
I was just like, Oh, that's my sister, Like that's
my my m're like Caribbean sisters. I think that's like
(03:39):
old school. I don't think that's the thing anymore. It's
a boomer thing, boomer a thing. We could sit here
all day and just like bullshit and talk. I love it.
Um d D my queen, my six queen, my ka
how word? First off, are you the first Latina Ka Howard?
And if I'm wrong, I'm sorry, Um, I would say,
(04:02):
I don't I don't know I'm not sure. I think
I am you are. I think I'm the first like
born and raised Latina like Puerto Rican. Hey, Howard, I
think that's the first of its kind. We are writing
you the first of its kind. Um, I mean, what
(04:25):
an epic musical to be a part of. Uh. We
were sitting here joking about about them, our auditions for
musical two seconds ago. It's good. I mean when they
say there's a lot of nose, they weren't lying. They
weren't lying, and it's um, it's basically like I think
(04:45):
there should be like a resume for your like credits,
and then there would be a resume for like all
of the things that they said no to, because honestly,
most like the most memorable auditions for me are the
ones that went the worst, and it's because they're so
funny and because it's like they're just so real and
you're like, you know what, Okay, we'll get him next time. Tiger.
(05:07):
I did my bed. I did my bed and it
was bad, but like I'm gonna remember, I'm gonna hold
it through my heart like till the end of time. Yeah, So,
how's your experience been, I mean, touring, is this here.
This is like your first tour, right, this is your
first my first ever broad Away anything? Yeah? Yes, so
welcome to the familia. Also, I mean, how has the
(05:34):
experience been? I mean, listen, I've I've done Lion King,
I've done Hamilton's, I've done touring, I've done No Town
a pretty woman. So sis, I understand everything. But you're
going through what you're feeling. The look you just gave me,
I understand it. So how are you? How are you feeling?
How are you doing? How is the road treating you? How?
(05:56):
How is six? I mean, I am grateful that it's
it's a seventy minute show, like eighty minute show. I
cannot put myself in someone in Hamilton's shoes because Hamilton's
is to acts, you know what I mean. And it's
literally NonStop, no pun intended. But you guys, come on.
(06:17):
I mean, it's a lot of Carrio. It's so much carrio,
so much work. I have never been like this fit
in my life. I think I'm at my peak right
now with the thumber bout it. But it's a lot
of work. I'm not gonna sit here and be like yo,
this is like easy peasy. Some days are good. Some
(06:39):
days are not, and and it's completely normal. Um, I
am so grateful. I am so happy because I get
to do what I love and not only that, but
I am literally doing it with extremely talented women who
I get along with. And I think we're so used
to being compared in this industry as women. They always
(07:01):
say it's a very competitive career, it's a very competitive environment,
and it's never felt this way with any of these girls,
and I don't think it should even like, I don't
think it should feel that way ever, Right, We're so
used to being compared as women because it's like, oh,
she's this type and I'm this type, and she's that
type of what makes me special and what makes other people.
(07:22):
And it's like, why not just focus on the journey
of the whole thing and and just um have fun
and and see what what like leads you to to this,
you know what I mean? So, yeah, it's a lot
of fun. You answered my question, because that was gonna
be My next one is like, how is it like
working with an entire team of women? And of course
(07:47):
there's a one side where it's like girl power, but like,
you know, you know what I'm saying, Sometimes you know,
we get you know, don't know what I mean. You know,
we're very emotionally driven, like we're literally like our we
are a more psychological being than like, I mean, let's
be real, man. Sometimes they don't think man truly, Like
(08:10):
they make some weird decisions, but I'm like, yo, let
me need to I don't know, stop think about it
for a second and then do your thing. Women are
more I don't know what like it's literally like they
do every single scenario first and then they do it,
you know what I mean. So yeah, sometimes we are
like a bit you know, not in the moment. Sometimes
(08:32):
we're not feeling it. Sometimes we feel weird. Um. But
what I love about this past is that we always
check up on each other and we're always like, girl,
I'm not feeling it today. I'm not period, I'm like
feeling really bad. I'm like, okay, girl, I got you.
I'll give you. I'll give you energy today on stage.
You know what I mean. It's like it's we always
like boost each other up. That's beautiful and it's rare
(08:55):
so to six for doing it right because it's not
all the time thing. And you guys, do you just
did uh the sixth posts. I want to let you
guys know that, um, d D you were you were
born into a family of entertainment. I mean, entertainment does
not stray far from you. It's something that you have
(09:16):
seen around you. You've breathed it, you've eaten it, you
lived it. Um how was that growing up for you?
And I'm always curious because I always it's like I
have friends that I meet who are born into the
industry and they're like it's either hot and cold, right,
it's like yeah, no thank you, or it's like yes,
thank you the no thank you once more. For like
(09:38):
my brother, My brother was like I don't have I
don't want to do anything that has to do with
like art. And now he's like working in like movies
and TV like kind of you know, so it's still
it's still got to do with art, you know. But um,
it definitely felt like I was born with like the
entertainment like just surrounding me, like just singing and then
(10:00):
music and and all that. It is like to be
in the business and it was so normal. And my mother, um,
she was she was called last that when she was
nine years old. Um, she was a nine year old
side assessinger. It was very hilaric. She had a unibrow
and it was very um and her mom's you're out
(10:23):
here calling your mom out. I love this, you know what.
I want to call her because because of her that
I got my unibrow. You know what I mean, I'm
being petty. Um. She she was in the industry since
she was nine. And my Aloila she was in the
industry as well since she was eight. Um, she was
the first, I want to say, she was one of
(10:44):
the first women, um, percussionists in Latin America. And UM,
we're talking like long ago, you know, like this is
like a while um. And she was basically like the
first woman that started the generation of like singers and
and all this entertainment stuff. The first one who started
(11:06):
was my Desauloo and he was a musical director, like
he was like the director of his orchestra. And then um,
it was my Ahuila, and then it was my mom,
and now it's me. So it's a home no pressure
for me, right, went off your back. Right, I'm like
my Auilla SA. So when you got kids, like I'm
(11:27):
I'm twenty three, Like calm down, like let let give
it a back in you know. I mean, yeah, I'm curious.
Do you do you feel pressure? Like do you feel
that sometimes? And how do you deal with that? I
actually never felt pressure. Now, you don't strike me as
you know, I don't feel that from you. I feel
like it's just like you're having fun. Yeah. The only
(11:48):
person that gives pressure to me is myself and that's it.
But my Ahuila and my mom always knew that I
was going to be, you know, really loud. Um. But
I usually was the one who put pressure on myself
and usually it is that way, like usually ourselves that
get pressure to us. So for you, when did it?
(12:23):
When were you like Broadway? Like I'm going to switch
into Broadway and like do the Broadway thing because you
could have been you could have been done it, Like
I already know that. It's like, um, but it's like,
what was the switch for you? Let's be real, everybody.
We don't see people from the Island coming to New
York or or whatever doing the thing and then doing
the Broadway thing. It's funny. I was talking about this
(12:43):
with a Mada on our on our first episode, and
I was like, Sis, why haven't you done Broadway? And
She's like, girl, I'm trying. I want to do Broadway.
Do Broadway, And I'm like, yeah, it's not the first thought.
You know what I'm saying. So what was that? Have
you always been a Broadway san? Um? How talked to
(13:04):
me about that? Love? Was? It? Was it? When did
you see Hamilton's when we went to Puerto Rico? Were
you there? What's popping? I was actually not there. I'm
actually really sad. I was in New York. I think
I was. I'm also like, why the hell were you
not in my cast away? In college? And I'm gonna
(13:24):
I was? I think I was. Yeah, I was studying
so I couldn't. My mom got to see it. I
was very mad, said Hamilton, And I said when I
said yesterday, I said, and you don't tell me nothing?
And she said, I thought you a shirt. I said,
I don't want your shirt, mom, I want a ticket.
(13:44):
Um So anyway, I'm petty. Anyway, So what's your sign?
Oh guess because people already get wrong, don't make me
do this. You're not a Gemini, no girl, no offense,
jem and I sorry, you're too in front of you?
Are you a Leo? That's so sweet? I am get out,
(14:09):
get out right now. My rising sign is in Leo.
People they're like you you fire and un like things.
But no, I'm actually an Aquarius. You're an Aquarious because
I'm a Libra. A Libra and Aquarius are like their
best days because they get each other. We're wind So okay, okay,
(14:30):
back to back to the Camaro. Sorry guys, he's Leo
and I'm like thanks, but anyway. Um so, I actually
knew that I wanted to do Broadway when I heard
Popular from Wicked and pan Pandora, Um, where are you at?
Where are you are you? Indicate non? Seriously? I heard Pandora.
(14:55):
I mean yeah, I heard popular in Pandora No points
like no and um. I was like, what's this? And
then I heard Wicked and I said, what's this? I
love this and I saw me and I said and
then it just went up from there and I started
discovering so many other musicals. And then Lynn came to
(15:16):
Puerto Rico when they did in the Heights, Oh yes,
the first thing, and all I remember was lin Manuel
within the Bows with Puerto Rican Flag. I saw um
Nina in Sunrise and I was like this, uh, this
is amazing, And I asked my dad, I said, Dad
(15:38):
was because my dad took me to see it, um
and he said, uh, this is musical theater. And I'm like,
you get paid to do this and and he's like, yeah,
you can get paid to do this. It's a good job.
And I'm like, so you can stay dance and act
at the same time and you get money and you
have fun. And he's like yeah. And I'm like, oh
(16:01):
my god, So this is what I want to do
because usually, like you, you do all these things, like
you you sing, dance and acts for like your family
for example, and then it's like it's so fun for you.
It's just like a game, you know, It's like it's
just fun. And then when you discover that you can
do it for a living, it's like that's crazy and
(16:23):
there's no other Like there's a lot of like satisfying
things in the world, and for me, one of the
most satisfying things is to live off of what you
love to do, Like, like, just make a living out
of your passion is actually something so so fulfilling and
so exciting to do. Yeah, and grateful that we're both
(16:45):
here doing it. Were we out here? Are we really
out here? I heard doing the name what we love
to do. And um. Also you did ask about like
there's not a lot of people like from the island
that are on Broadway right now. I that's actually very
interesting that you brought it up, because I know so
many people in the island right now and in that
(17:09):
went from the Island to go to New York that
they are hustling and doing it and trying. And I
always say, maybe time will tell, and it's just give
it time. Because I never thought I was gonna be
in six you know what I mean, Like, I didn't
think that that was a possibility for me, Like I'm
(17:30):
did not find myself like in like in dancer shoes.
You know. I never considered myself a dancer. I consider
myself like a mover, you know, like, and so it
wasn't like a like an option for me because I
never saw myself as that. And I'm here, you know
what I mean. So it's it's a very interesting, um
question because there I see a lot of people hustling
(17:52):
and doing it and trying, um, and it's just not
their time yet. Um. And I want to clarify that too,
because when I said it's like out of the people
who are doing it, and it's so weird like for
me to like for us to be sitting here and
like because we are part of the percentage that is
doing it, and it's like we we know people. It's
(18:16):
it's not like it's not that we're not out there.
We're out there, we are there. It's just yeah, it's
just sitting Okay. Um. My other thing is that do
you think that there's like do you think it's the industry?
Do you think that we're having still we're still going
through our struggles of um being allowed in the rooms
(18:39):
because there is Listen, we're out here, there's people out
there hustling. There's people out there doing it and lucky
but lucky that people are. We're here, we're ready, we're hungry.
But do you think that there's still that issue that
we're running into with And is this something that you've
been running into, especially now that you're in six What
are the opportunity duties that you're seeing now for yourself
(19:02):
and is there a change in a shift? Because I
haven't I have an answer for this, but it might
be a little different than yours. You know what. I
think it's gotten better, but um, I have auditions for
In the Heights five times. Yeah, and I usually never
got it because I was either I didn't have enough
(19:25):
credits or all all that stuff. But one that really
stood out to me that made me question my the
zeke and my culture and everything was you don't look
Labino enough. And that is it was heartbreaking to me
because do I need to show you my birth certificate?
(19:47):
Like do I need to speak Spanish to you for
for you to understand that I'm literally born and raised
in Puerto Rico, Like, it was difficult for me to
actually audition and for Latino rules, it was very weird.
So it's not a similar problem as like other women,
(20:09):
like for example, for Latina women, they are still not
getting the recognition that they deserve, you know what I mean.
And so about it, and it's like it's tricky. It's
a very tricky question because I just think it all
really depends on what eyes are seeing you, you know
(20:29):
what I mean. It's never problem with like Hamilton has
never been a problem with that because that is all
about being very like open minded about those things. Um,
I think now it's gotten a lot better, but you know,
there's always um room for growth, room for growth, and
(20:50):
we're going to continue growing. Yeah, exactly, exactly. We're gonna
continue doing our thing, showing up. You know, that's all
we can do to get to the day. But I'm
pretty I'm pretty I'm like maybe eight sure that it's
gotten better. It's like I can say about my cast,
we're all women of culture and um, and so it is.
(21:15):
It is very refreshing to have that in a room.
It is so nice to see something different, um, and
to just like learn about like different stories, different cultures,
different races. It's like so refreshing and it's so fulfilling. Yeah. Absolutely,
(21:44):
I'm gonna shift gears with you a little bit because
I just think it's important that we speak about it
and about it. And first off, we can't continue without
checking in on you. How are you? How is your
family in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. Well, we're tired.
(22:05):
We're not gonna lie. Um, we're very tired of just
the same thing over and over and over again. You know,
it's been decades of the same thing. Um, I'm okay,
I could be better. Um, that's me talking about my home.
It this is like the second time that I leave
my home in the middle of a crisis, and not
(22:27):
because I want to, you know, it's literally just because
I have to. And uh, it's tricky and it's it's
a little bit overwhelming sometimes. UM, but I can say
my home is very tired of just the same thing. Um. Now,
what we're doing is helping each other out, which is
what we've always been doing. UM. And you know, we're
(22:50):
a little mad. We're gonna be really honest, like we're
a little a little mad with what's going on. Um,
but I am seeing change a little by little. I
am seeing a lot of change. Um. That is literally
with the generation, with what we're saying, with what I'm hearing,
there is a lot of change. And I'm I'm excited
(23:11):
to see what the future holds for us and our
future generation, what they're gonna do. Um with my home
and I'm always going to support it. I'm always gonna
be pert, I'm always gonna be bigua I'm I'm born
and raised there. That's my home. I'm going to defend
it till the end, and I'm gonna do whatever it
takes to to make it a a a beautiful and
as as colorful and as powerful of an island as
(23:35):
it is. So I'm I'm excited for what's to come. Yeah,
for me being American Dominican and being somebody who is
not not in my home island right and not seeing
the the effects of the disaster and feeling it, you know,
full on and in that kind of way. Um. And
(23:58):
I speak to a lot of my friends who are
American first and American, American, Dominican, American, whatever it is,
And you know, there's always like this, like what can
I do? How can we how can we? How can
we from afar be connected? And you know obviously like
Instagram great, sharing stories great, but what are you seeing that?
(24:23):
I mean, listen, it's like if you see we've seen
it before, right, it's this, It's this repetitive thing that's
happening and then keep coming together, but it's exhausting within
the same time. Um. And you mentioned that this is
your second time being gone during a crisis. Yes, how
(24:45):
are you planning to leave for your next leg of
the tour? And what is that emotion and feeling that
you are experiencing? And I'm gonna say this like again,
and I know that that's very like sensitive and very
real and raw, but I just I'm just like how
I can't even imagine. Sadly, it's part of my journey. Um.
(25:10):
And so it's just like when you go to college.
You're eighteen and you're gonna go to college and you're
gonna leave your home. Um, you have to do it.
You have to write, you can't just dream, you have
to actually do it. So it is very painful to
like leave a huge chunk of you behind. It is
(25:31):
very sad, and it's very um you know, it's not
it's not fun to say goodbye. I actually hate goodbyes.
So you guys, we've reached d soft part. I'm an Aquarius,
but you know, my libre moon, my libre moon, you know.
So I am very sentimental. I'm a very you know,
emotional person. Um, I don't like to say goodbye. And
(25:54):
so when when you like leave such a huge chunk
of you behind, you know, it's not like you're not
gonna go back. You're gonna go back and you're gonna
go visit it and you're gonna you know, hold it
like very close to your heart. But it's um, I
think it definitely makes you stronger. It makes you also
just realize and appreciate so much for like, every time
(26:19):
I go home, I share a ship, Like when I left,
I didn't realize how amazing my home was until I left.
And that's what they always say, like you never know
what you have until you lose it, you know what
I mean. Um, And so it is difficult and it
(26:41):
is very heartbreaking, but it's just part of my journey
and I have to do it. Um, not like I
I want to, but I just have to. UM. But
that's why I'm so proud of being because that's what
I'm gonna do for the rest of my life. I'm
just going to do what I love to do, and
I'm going to make my little island proud. And I'm
just going to be a voice for them out here
(27:04):
whenever I can and whenever um they let me so.
And I think also like in these moments of crisis
that you know, and speaking also for d R as well,
like in those moments of crisis that we've gone through,
it's always like we come back stronger together. But it's
it's something that reminds me too of like our historical
trauma we're gonna go into it. Yeah, it's like we
(27:31):
just went through this traumatic thing. Let's like all become
stronger together, and like sometimes we're tired and exhausted and
like I'll just come to like those like random comments
like you're like like girl, Latina, you're Latina, but like
you don't have an accent, and I'm like, listen, listen
(27:58):
and even if I did, even if I did, why
would it matter what? He's like tiny? Like what do
you call them? Micro? MicroG micro? Yeah? And I'm like
why are we talking like this though? Because like yeah,
because I'm like trying not to explode, you know. So
(28:20):
it's like it's like you're trying not to explode and
you're like like it's like to do this crisis? Like
even like it's like I feel the microaggressions. It's like
why why must we struggle? Like the only thing you
have to say is like I'm glad you're here, You're good.
(28:42):
I'm sorry about what happened. I don't know how to help,
but tell me how all you need to know? You
don't need to be telling me like yo, like like
you good, bro, Like like that must be so hard,
like like yeah, like what do you want me to say?
(29:04):
You know what I mean? But you know what all
we can do is educate. All we can do is
direct people to the right places and how to help. Um,
everybody on you know, Okay, whatever we did on what
a podcast on Instagram, we posted how you can help.
If you want to learn how to help, go on
the podcast. Check the slides, y'all check the slides. Because
(29:25):
we are we got to support our people, Okay, And
unfortunately we are in a time frame where Instagram is
the only place that people get their news for real.
That's actually so true. So yeah, anyways, um, you know,
support our people, support the people boarding support him, ask
ask how they are and ask how they can help
(29:45):
d D. The next leg of your tour is hitting Florida. Um,
and then I believe you guys start jumping around a
little bit, right, God, we jumping. Uh. We go to
our land where on land? Right now? I am currently
out for the whole because I have coded lots of
lots of Vicks, lots of vendicionas. We go to Fort
(30:09):
Lauderdale next, and then Miami, then Tampa. That's our girl,
Florida stop and then we go to and then I
think we go to Oma and then and then we
go go to the Middle West. Yeah, and I've never been.
So it's gonna be a journey. It's um, it's different.
(30:34):
We're exciting. I'm excited. I'm gonna be like, yo, like
tell me in history and then I'll be like anyway,
So the best thing is to try to find the
Latinos in the area, because that's what I would do
every time. So I would try to find the Puerto
Rican restaurants Dominican restaurants like I would, and then you
would find because we're everywhere, right, let's be let's be
very real, You'll be finding us in Ohio, Minnesota, Mississippi, Alabama. Girl,
(30:59):
I'm like, what are you doing here? I'm like, what,
just look for your people? Yeah, like I think we
go through I think, oh yeah we do. We go
to um, San Francisco. That's our last. Are you guys
gonna be the last in SF? Oh? I'm gonna come.
You know we were out there for a year, are
(31:21):
you well? We were at the Orpheum. Are you guys
gonna be at the Orpheum? Yes, I'm coming. I'm gonna come.
Say hi, I like this to our life, bestly life? Yes,
um my love? What do you see next for you?
What do you see? What do you feel for you.
(31:43):
I know you're enjoying this moment. I used to hate
this question, by the way, So I'm sorry. I'm asking
this because I know. I know. I'm sorry. It's the
people they're making me do it. Like, Okay, you're asking
it like a like a Frank Converse station. Yeah, but
it's like, you know what, Okay, Like I have like
my inspiration wall over there with like my hits and
(32:05):
my goals that I want to do, Like what do
you what's your next saying that your heart is going
to be seeking after six? Um, I'm not even gonna
say after, because who knows. You could be moved to
the Broadway Company and doing six at the same time
they're doing a TV show and while filming a movie.
I don't know, manifesting things for you. Oh my god,
I'm accepted, accepted, except what do you that's coming out?
(32:27):
What do you feel for yourself after after or while
doing six? Are there other things that you want to
get into, you know, like love, love the process of
film and TV? I love it so much? Can we
show together? Can I be your cousin? Can I be
(32:48):
your long lost cousin? From d R? My god? And
then we find each other, and then it's like, wait,
I have family, it's long lost fan. I love this.
It could be a great thing. Um, and then we
have magical powers. Oh my god, I think we need
a called Rafael Josie Carrafa. We're doing we just had
(33:12):
him Alexa Alexa called Rafa. Now I'm about to text
it off and be like, uh, we're ready. Um yes,
TV love to, I would love to. I want to
play like a psycho girlfriend. DD. This is the moment
(33:32):
we've all been waiting for. This is the speed questions moment.
Are you ready? But let's do it. I'm excited. You
have a TV show coming out with Disney. Plus. If
you could have a guest role in any TV show
aeron right now, what would it be? Wh White Lotus.
(34:00):
I want to be like a waitress. You want to
be a waitress. Like a waitress, but like the waitress
that like got like secrets anyway, but you know everything,
like the relationship. I just wrote the script, give it
call her. Okay. Favorite memory from being on the road
(34:21):
with six so far, Oh my god, I literally said
sometimes men put women in chambers and it was supposed
to be um. Oh yeah, apparently some guys just put
women in their private chambers. And I literally said some
men women and Jim verse because I panicked and I
completely forgot what I had to say and what role
(34:42):
I was playing in what date it was. We love
that for you. What's a Broadway show you would love
to bring to Puerto Rico and what role would you play?
I want to bring m hm. That's a great question.
I really love Heathersky like a Latin I version, like
a Latino cast like, I think it would be very funny. Uma.
(35:06):
Puerto rican has got a great sense of humor, and
I think Heathers would be a very funny show and
I would love to bring also either Heathers, I think
mm hmm oh. I was just listening to Hunchback. Yeah.
(35:27):
The orchestration and that musical, it's really good. What are
we talking about? Like, hasn't it it hasn't had never
it never came. It never came to Broadway, right, I
never did a beautiful orchestration like it makes me want
to cry all the time. Our last question, what reminds
you of home or makes you feel at home? Definitely
(35:52):
music makes me feel at home. I go to my
dressing room and when I'm homesick, I turn on and Margano, Okay,
I get it, and it's the best thing. It makes
me like I'm literally the most Puerto Rican woman in
the world. When I hear in. Everyone transforms when that
(36:15):
voice comes on with your what's your pre show ritual?
You know what? I get there two hours early. I'm
the same way. Really, I used to not be that way.
I used to be really really bad. I used to
be like half hour like ready, and then after that
doing that for a year and realizing that wasn't cute
(36:36):
and that wasn't the way the way to go. I
wasn't cute. You have to put yourself in check sometimes,
you know. Um. Then I started going two hours early
and I was like, this is lit, Oh, this is
I get it. Yes, yes, I get there two hours early,
and I think the most, Like I get so zen
(36:56):
when I do my makeup, Like I just put on
some like nice music whatever I'm feeling that way. You
don't want to rush, you want to have like your process,
like where are you feeling today? Sometimes I'll be putting
medication music on. Sometimes it's Mark Anthony. Sometimes it's Mark Anthony.
Sometimes I'm feeling like Zan and I put that Apple
music Apple Apple Music meditation, and then some I'm like,
(37:19):
I'm feeling like laosaliya tonight. You know, like you gotta
be careful for those nights. I'm like, yeah, I'm like,
I'm like coming out and make up looking popping, popping
the false lash up to my eyebrow, my eyebrow. The
(37:39):
girls like I like your make up today. Sometimes like girl,
you're pink today. You know who created the color pink? Me? Okay, Howard, Hey,
Howard definitely created the color pink. Did. I don't think
I've had this much fun on any episode. I thank
you for or Sunshine. I thank you for your for
(38:03):
your energy. I needed it. I needed it, and you're
for giving me something to do this COVID week because
I have been feeling so lazy and like a couch potato.
And literally when I saw your text, because I'm horrible
at replying, I apologize. I saw your text. I just
(38:26):
want to say it took it took like a four
months here months for me to be here, Like it's
not like it's not a lie. I literally I am
so bad at replying text messages because I'm a Westaple.
I feel you know, I'm a Westat queen, so when
I receive a text, I'm like, it's so weird. Yeah,
(38:57):
and it's like I forget, but I replied this time
and we're here. So I'm so happy that I got
to actually do this interview with you. Was so much fun.
It had a great cackle and um, yeah, it won't
be the last. It won't be the last. I'm gonna
right now and I'll see you in Florida. I'll see
(39:17):
you in Florida. Sis. Thank you for your time, thank
you for hanging with us, thank you, thank you family.
I mean so much. I think it's because I'm happy.
Monamita is a production of Sonato and partnership with I
Heart Radio's Michael Luda podcast Network. For more podcasts from
(39:40):
I heart Radio, visit the I heart Radio app, Apple podcast,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
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