Join a fascinating chat as an actress shares the sacrifices her parents made for her education and the career hurdles she overcame. Discover the transformative journey that led her to portray Detective Amy Santiago on a hit show. Dive into insights about her new NBC series, which skillfully mixes comedy with drama, including a riveting murder plot. She offers valuable advice for aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of versatility and personal growth in their careers.
Melissa Fumero highlights the sacrifices her parents made for her education, which fueled her determination to succeed in acting.
She emphasizes the need for young performers, particularly Latinas, to pursue diverse roles in writing and directing to create their own opportunities.
Deep dives
Overcoming Obstacles in Pursuit of Dreams
Melissa Fumero shares her journey of overcoming significant challenges on her path to becoming an actress. Her parents invested their savings in her education at NYU, which initially seemed impossible due to the financial burden, but their unwavering support made it a reality. After graduating, Fumero faced several years of struggle in an industry that offered limited opportunities for Latin actors, which led her to consider alternative career paths, even contemplating real estate. Ultimately, a move to Los Angeles opened new doors for her, culminating in her iconic role as Amy Santiago on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a job she scored with a unique confidence during the audition process.
Shaping a Career and Creative Voice
Throughout her time on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fumero not only embraced her role but also developed her skills as a director, recognizing the need for more diverse voices in comedy. Her experience working on the show, where personal and professional lives intertwined—such as being pregnant while filming—shaped her deeply and solidified her love for the craft. Now, as she transitions to new projects like the NBC show Grosse Pointe Garden Society, she emphasizes the importance of versatility, encouraging young performers, especially young Latinas, to explore writing and directing. Fumero's advice highlights the proactive approach required in today's entertainment landscape: creating content and not waiting for opportunities to arise.
On this episode of “The Drink,” Kate Snow sits down with Melissa Fumero for a candid conversation about the sacrifices her parents made to send her to college, the setbacks that almost ended her career, and how she landed the role that changed everything: Detective Amy Santiago on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” She also discusses her new NBC series, “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.”
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