(Photo: Lucas Dias)
From the girl who started dancing in a social project in the Andaraí favela to the actress who now works in film, television, and theater, Aline Prado is experiencing a moment of artistic renewal. At 38, after marking the popular imagination as Globeleza for eight years, she is consolidating her acting career and preparing for the premiere of the film Família de Sorte, in addition to joining the cast of the series Redoma and developing an original stage show. In an interview, Aline reflects on the challenges of breaking stigmas, the importance of artistic training, and the desire to expand her career by telling new stories in Brazil and abroad.
Your story begins with a social project in the Andaraí favela and today encompasses film, television, and theater. When you look back on this journey, what moments were decisive in making you realize that art would truly be the center of your life?
I think that, even if instinctively, I always knew that art was my path. I always dedicated myself fully to each opportunity I had and sought to study a lot. The interest was always so genuine that the more I studied, the more I wanted to learn about it, and it continues to be that way; I still feel the same and continue to set aside time to take courses and improve myself even more. My love and respect for my work have only grown with time.
For eight years you were one of the most striking faces of Brazilian Carnival as Globeleza. How did that experience shape not only your career, but also the artist and communicator you are today?
I literally became an adult as a Globeleza, so it’s impossible to separate everything I’ve done since then from that experience. I learned a lot during that period, I went through a time of social change, of growth in very important agendas and discussions, being in a very specific position. Furthermore, this work brought about a significant change in my economic reality at the time, allowing me to pay for my college education and all the acting courses I took. All of this together shapes me not only as an artist and communicator, but also as a woman.
You’ve mentioned before that you’ve “always been an actress,” including when talking about building the Globeleza character over so many years. At what point did this realization become clearer to you?
I don’t know if I can pinpoint that moment; I don’t think there’s such a clear turning point, but I always saw Globeleza as a character, even before I was the one playing her. I went into the role knowing everything she was responsible for representing and also knowing that I would need a little more than just my personality to bring it all to life, especially since I’m very shy, unlike her. I even think I learned to be more outgoing during that period. Globeleza, like all my characters, made me learn a little more about the world and about myself. So, if I had to say when that conclusion solidified in my mind, it was after I finished playing her.
Breaking free from the labels society creates isn’t always easy. How was it to deal with the challenge of being seen beyond the image of Globeleza and asserting your space as an actress?
This is a work in progress. The career transition at the end of my time as Globeleza was challenging. It was complex to make people believe I had the potential to do something other than dance. I needed to create a space to have a voice and from there forge a new path. Currently, I can move between being an actress, a presenter, and occasionally a dancer with a little more ease. I continue this struggle to establish myself more and more, and I feel I still have a lot to show in my profession. I feel ready to take on bigger challenges.
In the telenovela “Família de Sorte” (Lucky Family), your character Niara has a very specific personality and is set in a reality show universe. What most caught your attention about this character, and what did you want to bring that was different to her?
Niara is an influencer, she loves the spotlight and adores being the center of attention, so being on a reality show is the highlight of her life. She feels very comfortable in that context. I learned several TikTok dances back then so she could do her videos; it was nice to be able to put my dance talent to work for this character, but if you ask me now, I don’t remember anything I learned anymore. I wish I had learned to be more present on social media with her, but it didn’t really work out for me.
In the series “The Dome,” the tone seems more reflective and complex, discussing how far someone can go to achieve social advancement. What did this story evoke in you as an actress and also as a person?
The dome brought me face to face with what is non-negotiable, it brought limits to the surface, and I think this should be a constant reflection for all of us from time to time. I think it’s important that each of us knows with some clarity what our principles are and what in life we are or are not willing to negotiate to achieve our goals. Personally, I’ve had to face these questions a few times in my life; I think it’s natural in the maturation process.
You are also developing an original theatrical show alongside Shirley Cruz and Cibele Maria. What sparked your desire to create something of your own, and what themes do you feel the need to put on stage?
The biggest motivation for creating this personal project was a question from Shirley in an informal conversation. She asked me what I’d like to talk about. I think it was the first time anyone had asked me that; a door opened in my head and I allowed myself to walk through it. Now I see that writing is also part of artistic and personal growth, everything very aligned. I have so much to say, and I think it’s beautiful that art can be the vehicle through which I can express myself my whole life. And I’m incredibly lucky to have such powerful, talented, and creative friends who help me forge this new path. I’m so excited to see this project out into the world.
Today you move between acting, presenting, and dancing, and you talk about wanting to experience many more stories. What types of characters or narratives do you feel you would like to explore in the next chapters of your career?
Whenever I’m asked that, my mind wanders so far that I think I’d need hours to describe what I see, but to sum it up, I want compelling stories, complex characters, with intense emotions. I feed on good stories, and that’s what I want for my future. The sky’s the limit, and when I get there, I’ll discover where else I can climb.
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