Ivonne Coll – Jane The Virgin

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) The show continues to receive such great accolades.

A) I am a little superstitious. I get a little scared with all of the accolades. I think don’t get too comfortable and believe it too much because tomorrow people will forget about it. I’m a little bit older now so that’s how I see things. I think enjoy it now because tomorrow it might not be here now.

Q) The finale has just aired. How does it feel to be on hiatus?

A) It is bittersweet because I think I don’t have to drive out to the studio! You get there and it is like family, even the crew and the security guard at the front gate. It’s a great experience! I’ve been doing this for forty-two years of my life and I am still very impressed. I am joyfully going to work every day I go to work. “Jane The Virgin” is a very important show in terms of all the things we are touching on. Especially my character, we are dealing with things that are socially important in regards to the US like immigration and illegal immigration. We already expressed the importance of Alba getting her green card and us finding out she was here illegally for so many years, but never the less contributing to this society with her work and the family she created. Now, with what is going on with the Presidential election, I hope and I think that for the third season we might be addressing that in another color and in another way. It’s a problem in our country that has to be addressed and having the venue of a show with which to do it to reach people’s heart and mind is a great luxury we have in our hands.

Q) What do you think it is about the Villanueva that keeps them together even when things fall apart?

A) I think it is cultural because in Latino families, family is first. Family is first, no matter what! Even when you break the stereotypes of family – somebody might be in the family that is doing something not within the realms of the family values, but still they will be seen as family. Family is the glue that binds them together and that holds them. Alba is a single woman that brought up these two other girls – her daughter and granddaughter – singlehandedly because she didn’t have a male figure in the house. So, I think it speaks more than just three people, but that it is a woman who made it possible for this family to survive. She is the one who even if she has to invent a lie to keep that family together, she will. (Like she invented he lie about virginity.) It’s fascinating to see Alba (as I imagine many immigrants who come to this country) have to reinvent themselves because they are starting anew in a new country and new society where nobody knows them. It speaks to the strength of women. Jane inherits that strength because that is what she has learned in her household. She has learned from the example she has garnered. Even though her mother is crazy and so free, her mother is still responsible with her. Her mother had her and has brought her up the best way she can.

Q) We have seen Alba evolve throughout the seasons. Talk about her change and progression.

A) It’s very interesting is because what I’m finding out is that Alba reinvented herself in this country and I think many people do that when they arrive here. Also, television writing is very interesting because your character can change from one week to the next and you didn’t even know! The actor finds out at the table read and I think it is very interesting how Jenny [Snyder Urman] and the writers are evolving Alba into the person she could be looked upon as a hypocrite because she has imposed herself as a moralist for so long. Then, all of a sudden, she was the one who was not a virgin when she got married. And you will find out more about her in the season finale and the lies she had to create in order to survive and reinvent herself. She recreates this image of herself for her daughter and her granddaughter. We have never seen her family and you never know if I have sisters or brothers. Where is my family? What did I do in Venezuela? What was my profession? How did I earn a living? All of these things are up in the air. It’s lies of survival and trying to create a better reality for her daughter and granddaughter. I think many immigrants do that. Why not? Maybe she is trying to escape from a shady past. Who knows with what they will come up with for Alba? She has created a life around all of the lies she weaved for her daughter and granddaughter to believe she is who she is. She is unfolding herself as we go along and I hope in season three that the whole truth will be revealed.

Q) You have such a great extensive cast. What have you learned or taken away from working with each castmate?

A) I’m not a mother in real life. But I will tell you what, Gina [Rodriguez] and Andrea [Navedo] are like daughters to me. I love them with all of my heart. Their generosity goes beyond our work. Gina is a special kind of human being and such a brilliant artist and so is Andrea. Not only is she a brilliant artist, but she is always looking to better herself. Always! She is always reading, asking and getting herself in a position. She is a mom in real life and she is a great example to her kids. Her kids are the example of who she is because they are so well behaved and good kids. That goes to show you the kind of parents she and her husband, Richard, are. Jaime Camil is what we say in Spanish when someone is very fine and a real gentleman, we say he is “a lady.” It’s because he is so refined. He’s such a fine man and a gentleman. He is aware of every single detail of gentleman-hood. He is fit and such a good, generous person. What can I say about Justin [Baldoni]? His life is dedicated to the service of humanity. He is an example and I do so admire him. He’s got that energy! He was brought up to be like that by his parents, to be of service, ever since he was a kid. Brett Dier is one of the most beautiful human beings that you will ever meet in your whole life. He is pure. His heart is so clean and his mind. He’s still like a young boy! Yael Grobglas is such a classy lady! She is intelligent, educated and comes from such an incredible background. Also, she’s not speaking in her original language. She lived in Israel all her life and now she has to speak English! For me, I speak Spanish. It’s very hard for me to speak Spanish on the show because nobody else knows Spanish except me. So, if I make a mistake, I’m the only one that can correct myself. No one knows if I am making a mistake so it is hard to listen if someone is speaking to you in English and you have to respond in Spanish. Your brain has to do a double take on that and accommodate. Sometimes if we improvise I answer in English since I’m listening to them speak to me in English. But I’m Puerto Rican and we can do anything! I am so grateful for this opportunity and this show.

Q) What are the other recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m going to be shooting a movie in November. I’m doing the preproduction on that now. I’m going to be directing, producing and acting in it. I feel I have to tell the story of some people that I have met in my life that have never been addressed. It’s about Latina women and breaking stereotypes and defying their culture. This show has brought about opportunities for all of us. Gina is in London doing a sci-fi movie. Andrea will be giving a speech at Stratford about Latina women empowerment. Jaime is doing a doing the play Chicago in New York. So, all of us are flying high with all the energy the show leaves us with during the hiatus when we are supposed to be resting!

Q) Is there anything else you want to share about the finale?

A) Well, the wedding is beautiful! Unfortunately, we had to do some scenes without Alba. We had to cut what would have been a bookend to the first scene from the pilot. But we kind of get it in what happens in the church. There is a big cliffhanger so nothing is back to our world of normality on “Jane the Virgin.”