LIFE

 

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month and to celebrate, we sat down with one of our favorite Nickolodeon stars, Maria Quezada. Nominated as "Best Young Actor" for an Imagen award for her leading role on the show Talia in the Kitchen, Maria  shared with us why she's proud of her Latino roots—and why our differences make us special. Check out the interview below:

Girls' Life: Can you tell us a little about your show Talia in the Kitchen?

Maria Quezada: Talia in the Kitchen is an amazing show because for the first time, it depicts both the Latino culture and the American culture on one screen. And I think that's really cool because growing up I never really had a show that I could identify with in that way and it just shows my heritage and what I'm proud of.

It's about this 14 year old girl named Talia who's living with her grandma in Miami for the summer and just got tasked with running her family's restaurant with the help of her brainiac little sister. She runs into some trouble here and there but discovers she has this incredible passion for cooking and she has the ability to infuse emotion into her cooking with her father's magical spices. So it has comedy, magic, drama, something for everyone.

GL: Are you like your character Talia at all in real life?

MQ: For sure. Actually once we started filming, the writer was inspired by who I am and took some elements of my life and incorporated them into my character's. Talia is also very positive and upbeat and loves a challenge. If something is impossible, she takes it as "I'm possible" which I'm a lot like in my own life. I've also learned from her because she's very confident and doesn't doubt herself. 

GL: The show is a lot about cooking...what's your favorite meal that you used to eat growing up?

MQ: My family is from the Dominican Republic so anything my grandma makes is just magical to me. I love our traditional rice and beans and fried plantains. So good!

GL: What makes you proud to be a Latino?

MQ: Latinos are fighters—we're hard workers and I just love how even strangers get treated like family. Latino all the way! *laughs*

GL: What do you wish other people knew about your culture?

MQ: Our culture is just so amazing...I wish everyone would learn about it and become involved. There's a lot of misconceptions out there, and in all honesty, we're just ordinary people who have a dream and are fighting for that dream to become reality. If we set our mind to anything, we can do it. And I want to deliver that message to other Latino kids too. There are no limits—if you work hard, anything is possible.

GL: Why do you think it's important for girls to embrace who they are and where they came from?

MQ: Diversity is beautiful. And although it makes us stand out and be different, it also unites us so embrace who you are. Because who you are is beautiful. Stand up and say, "This is who I am and I love myself." 

What makes you unique that you're proud of? Let us know in the comments! 

Photo credit: Instagram.

by Amanda Tarlton | 10/9/2016