Yany Prado: "In 'Sky Rojo', Lali and Verónica opened my eyes and I became aware of feminism"
When Yany Prado (Cuba, 1991) bursts into the room where you are, you realize everything. It is impossible for her laughter to go unnoticed. Her self-confidence and her confidence are her calling card, although the final blow that makes you want to know more about her comes when you try to detect where her enigmatic accent comes from. Normal, currently the actress is divided labor between Mexico and Spain, although the beginning of her days goes back to Havana. Bearing this in mind, it would be almost supine idiocy to ask her where she intends to settle next. Today, far from telling me about his plans for the future, I'll settle for him telling me in depth about the 'Sky Rojo' series, the new hit from Netflix –devised by the creators of 'La casa de papel'– where he plays Gina and shares the bill with Verónica Sánchez, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, a perfidious Asier Etxeandia —not him, his character— and Lali Espósito, a pop phenomenon from Argentina (if you haven't seen her dance with Silvestre in 'El Hormiguero' yet, don't you can lose). A priori, nothing can go wrong in this adrenaline-pumping fiction that, even before its premiere, already amasses a huge fan base around the world and of which there are already details about its second season. Seen this way, it is normal that our interviewee is eager for the project to be released. And a little nervous, why not? We can finally sink our teeth into Netflix for the eight episodes that make up the first season, as well as learn a little more about the person behind Gina. Nice Friday.
How long have you been in Spain and how long do you want to stay?
I've been here for a year and a couple of months and I would like to stay much longer because of the people and the culture (which is very similar to that of my country), but as the priority is my career, which allows me to combine my two passions which are to travel. and interpret, I'll have to go.
What has caught the attention of the Spanish?
Maybe it's because I come from another country, but here all the Spaniards I've met have a lot of respect for women. They know the place that she has of her and treat her with all respect and equality. I think it's great because we have to continue promoting hegemonic feminism.
And the main difference you have noticed between working in Latin America and Spain?
The passion. They are very professional people here and they have also been very committed to the issue of the pandemic this year. The commitment I have seen here is impressive.
Lali Espósito had to learn 'pool dance' for the shoot. Did you have to give a class to play Gina in 'Sky Rojo'?
Since I was little I do stunts because my mother was my own 'coach'. Thus, when I got to the series I commented on it, and also that I knew how to sing and that I dominated the American bar, although all these skills did not go with my character. I think they did well by giving Lali and Verónica Sánchez classes to do everything they do. I'm saving these skills for maybe another season of the show.
You act, dance and sing, do you think that women are required to be much more versatile in the entertainment industry?
No, I think it has to do with what you do. If your character has to do stunts or needs to sing, prior preparation is implied, which speaks to the professionalism of the performer.
Do you consider that the world of interpretation is a sexist business?
I used to think it was. Man prevailed as hero and protagonist. Luckily, that has changed a lot thanks to the testimonies of actresses who have presented their cases, have made themselves heard and we have empathized with them. We have all become aware and there is a positive evolution that gives us feminine power. Women can be heroines, mothers, murderers, secretaries and businesswomen in fiction. And you begin to notice that we are all the same.
And if you could change something about the profession, what would it be?
That, that they give a little more weight and place to women in the interpretation. That she continue to promote herself because there is much to be done, the fight does not end.
Do you think that 'Sky Rojo' brings an implicit feminist message?
Obviously. They are three women who fight for their freedom while facing many difficult and even catastrophic situations. And they are still standing strong, with their heads held high and fighting for the right that we all have to be free.
Lali is Argentine, Veronica is Spanish and you are Cuban… what do you toast with when you celebrate?
It depends, normally we had a delicious tea that Verónica made and when we went out for 'girls' night' we had a little red wine, representing Lali. In fact, she was the one who guided us and told us if the wine was good or not and if she paired with the food.
What's the best thing you've gotten out of that cultural mix?
They have awakened me because during my childhood in Cuba I lived and grew up in a totally patriarchal system. When I got to 'Sky Rojo', with these 'superwomen' who are Verónica and Lali, they opened my eyes, I became aware of feminism, that we have a voice and that we have to fight. They told me: 'Yany, no matter where you were born, enough of stereotypes and classism'. Equality was instilled in me and I became much more committed after the series, when I really got to know these superheroines who are my companions.
You were previously a telenovela actress, would you return to this format or what are your current goals?
I always tell my mother that she won't stop until she gets to Hollywood (laughs). In general, I would like to continue with all the branches of acting: theater, cinema, series and novels, in the latter case it would be if the role goes with me and defends a message. But I am not marrying any branch, I will do what comes. Whatever makes me have a connection to the character.
Gina's life in 'Sky Rojo' is pure chaos and adrenaline, is your life also a constant adventure?
Forever! Just having left Cuba, going to live in Mexico and from there having come to Spain is a constant adventure for me. Everything is new and I am like a little girl. Like when it snowed in Madrid, it was an impressive thing and an unforgettable experience. For some it will sound basic, but for me it was something wonderful because I had never seen it before.
How are you when you finish filming, you go home and disconnect?
I am very hyperactive. When I came home after playing Gina, who is a woman with the weight of the pain of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, to disconnect from that deep-rooted emotion that she transmitted to me, I chose to put on music, dance, jump and sing. At first I thought she was bothering my neighbors, but then it turned out that they congratulated me when they saw me (laughs).
It's funny that you took your character home, when this could even be toxic for you. Have you ever been sad about Gina?
If that happens. We are human beings who lend our bodies and souls to our characters. She sometimes hugged myself to ask her to leave my body and the next day she would receive her again. There is a certain divine madness that we actors have that happens when we get into a role. There were days that she would come home to me and even though she would take off my wig she would say 'wow'. She even talked like Gina, with her sweet voice, because I'm not that sweet! When I finished shooting I shed my skin and went back to being Yany.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
With the Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu because I think she has broken down the stereotypes of Latinos.
STYLING: Shirt tied at the waist and striped shorts, from Pull&Bear. Leather effect pants, from Weekday. Jewel earrings, by For AnnEtte. Golden ring, from Tous. Double ring, from Barokah Jewels. Bershka white sandals; black dress with tulle ruffles, by Candelas and Felipa. Bradhy 'animal print' sports bra. Earrings, ring and golden bracelet, from Tous; Pull&Bear cow print denim jacket and skirt. Bershka high waist bodysuit. High mesh boots with rhinestones, by Jimmy Choo. Choker necklace, by For AnnEtte; Pink ribbed top, by Pull&Bear. Snake earring, from For AnnEtte. Golden ring, from Tous.
