Karlee Perez – Lucha Underground

By: Lisa Steinberg

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

A) We’re just at the beginning of pilot season so I do have different projects in the process of reading for and being looked at. They are keeping me busy, that’s for sure! We’re done filming season two of “Lucha Underground” and it will probably begin airing within the next six months.

Q) Who will we see you wrestle this season?

A) I can tease a lot of it! It’s definitely raised the bar, compared to season one. We’ve taken it to another level production and character wise. I’m kind of all over the place in this one. You’ll see me dealing with a lot of people, as of right now.

Q) What is the most challenging aspect of filming “Lucha Underground?”

A) It’s always raising the bar. I put a lot of pressure on myself, which is good and bad. But I’m always trying to get better each time so I’m bringing something different. I don’t like to be the same. This season we came back totally different, different looks and different attitude. I think it was needed being a new season for a fresh start.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) The look itself, was my idea. Starting season one the look Catrina. These were all ideas that I got to pitch to the writers and they loved it. The new Pulp Fiction look is the newest thing for Catrina.

Q) Who are some of the new villains we’ll be seeing this season?

A) There are plenty! You are going to see all kinds of crazy stuff happening.

Q) Who is your dream opponent?

A) I am not sure who my dream opponent would be. I’m more of a set it up, make my battles for me, person. That’s the smart way to do it!

Q) You always portray such beautiful empowered women on TV. Do you think that’s how women of wrestling have to be or should be?

A) I don’t think there is enough of them in the entertainment or wrestling world. There have been more and more over the past year and two, which is great for TV series and films. More and more women are being empowered and having very strong roles, which is wonderful. In this industry, it wasn’t always that way. Most of the women were thought of as sex symbols and that was it. It’s okay to do both. Hopefully, it will change for women coming into this industry and hopefully it gives me more of a chance outside of this industry.

Q) What are some of the struggles you have faced from being a part of this series?

A) We all face struggles. I tend to stay as positive as possible. Every day I get up and work. I’m lucky I get to work on projects, go out for roles and work on things I love. I’m just happy to do that!

Q) What can fans take away from this season of “Lucha Underground?”

A) We have such a large audience of wrestling fans. This is a TV series that happens to have wrestling in it. So, for the wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans, I just want them to be entertained and awed. A lot of people have put a lot of work into the show. So, if we can do that then we are doing our jobs.

Q) Is there anything else you want us to be sure we share with your fans?

A) Any fans can follow me on social media at @KarleeLeilani and stay updated on this season, projects, shows and films I’ll be doing this year!