Ugly Betty 3 A quick chat with Ugly Betty's America Ferrera
Jun 30, 2009
Ugly Betty star America Ferrera talks about series three of the US drama, a show that brings a whole new meaning to the term 'fashion craze'
Following the love dramas of the last series, Betty took a trip across the US to find herself. Now she is back in New York and concentrating on the job that she loves – being a PA at fashion publishing house Meade. America Ferrera, who plays the style-challenged PA, reveals what's in store in the new series...
Can you tell us what's happening with Betty this year?
"We have taken away the love triangle that was there for most of series two and become really focused on the thing that she wanted, which was her work. She wanted to move to the city, grow up a little, find some independence from her family and not let her social life get in the way."
Ugly Betty now films in New York rather than Los Angeles. How has that affected things?
"I think it's made the show more interesting to look at. We have the gorgeous New York skylines, the beautiful parks and all the energy that comes from being in Brooklyn or Queens. You get to see that this is the world Betty is from, walking down the street in Queens with almost all Latin people and Latin music blasting out of a barber shop, and people going about their days. You just can't replicate that anywhere else."
How has the move been for you personally?
"I've lived in New York before and I really enjoy it. I'm lucky to get to live there as a working actor, and there are lots of ways to stay in touch with family and friends in LA."
Lindsay Lohan is back playing Betty's old nemesis Kimmie. What's she like to work with?
"They wrote a great character and it was fun to hang out. We're a very real, down-to-earth cast and she was lovely to everyone."
Is actress Salma Hayek, the show's executive producer, still as involved in the series?
"We don't see her on set as often as we used to, but she's working on a lot of things. She was such a big part of the beginning of the show, of the casting and of creating its tone, so her presence is always there."
Is Betty ever going to glam up?
"There is a slight change in her fashion and the way she dresses, but Betty's sense of style, or lack of sense of style, is such a fun thing about her character. I don't think we ever want to lose that individual touch. She's been working at a fashion magazine for two years so she's going to pick up things, but she is going to do it her own way. I don't know if it's ever going to get to black Prada suits."
Do you long for the day when you can give up the braces and the glasses?
"By this time they just feel like an extension of myself, and I don't even feel them anymore. I probably spend more time as Betty than as me."
Betty's trying to balance her work life with her personal life. How do you do that?
"At some stages in your life it's OK to be self-centred. It's OK to work like a dog to build something, and then you find balance because you want a family or whatever. I'm 24 years old. I'm sure that all of that stuff will come in its course and its time."
How do you stay in shape?
"As much as I would love to be the person who's up at 4am doing Pilates, my sleep is very valuable to me. I work very long hours and have very full weeks. So I sleep a lot and I try to eat healthily."
Following the love dramas of the last series, Betty took a trip across the US to find herself. Now she is back in New York and concentrating on the job that she loves – being a PA at fashion publishing house Meade. America Ferrera, who plays the style-challenged PA, reveals what's in store in the new series...
Can you tell us what's happening with Betty this year?
"We have taken away the love triangle that was there for most of series two and become really focused on the thing that she wanted, which was her work. She wanted to move to the city, grow up a little, find some independence from her family and not let her social life get in the way."
Ugly Betty now films in New York rather than Los Angeles. How has that affected things?
"I think it's made the show more interesting to look at. We have the gorgeous New York skylines, the beautiful parks and all the energy that comes from being in Brooklyn or Queens. You get to see that this is the world Betty is from, walking down the street in Queens with almost all Latin people and Latin music blasting out of a barber shop, and people going about their days. You just can't replicate that anywhere else."
How has the move been for you personally?
"I've lived in New York before and I really enjoy it. I'm lucky to get to live there as a working actor, and there are lots of ways to stay in touch with family and friends in LA."
Lindsay Lohan is back playing Betty's old nemesis Kimmie. What's she like to work with?
"They wrote a great character and it was fun to hang out. We're a very real, down-to-earth cast and she was lovely to everyone."
Is actress Salma Hayek, the show's executive producer, still as involved in the series?
"We don't see her on set as often as we used to, but she's working on a lot of things. She was such a big part of the beginning of the show, of the casting and of creating its tone, so her presence is always there."
Is Betty ever going to glam up?
"There is a slight change in her fashion and the way she dresses, but Betty's sense of style, or lack of sense of style, is such a fun thing about her character. I don't think we ever want to lose that individual touch. She's been working at a fashion magazine for two years so she's going to pick up things, but she is going to do it her own way. I don't know if it's ever going to get to black Prada suits."
Do you long for the day when you can give up the braces and the glasses?
"By this time they just feel like an extension of myself, and I don't even feel them anymore. I probably spend more time as Betty than as me."
Betty's trying to balance her work life with her personal life. How do you do that?
"At some stages in your life it's OK to be self-centred. It's OK to work like a dog to build something, and then you find balance because you want a family or whatever. I'm 24 years old. I'm sure that all of that stuff will come in its course and its time."
How do you stay in shape?
"As much as I would love to be the person who's up at 4am doing Pilates, my sleep is very valuable to me. I work very long hours and have very full weeks. So I sleep a lot and I try to eat healthily."
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