In the final stretch of history, the telenovela “Mar do Sertão” ended up marking the debut of actress Giovanna Figueiredo in Brazilian teledramaturgy as a fixed cast. Debuting on the right foot, the actress had already made some appearances in projects of the house, such as the series “Desalma”, from Globoplay, and today she plays the cool Jessilane. She is the daughter of Mayor Saba Bodo (Welder Rodrigues) and political heiress to her father, whom he considers a political puppet. At least at the beginning of the plot. Gradually, the young woman develops her own conscience and reveals her strength. Check out the interview!
How did “Mar do Sertão” come into your life? How was the testing and preparation process?
Due to the pandemic we were still making selftapes, I didn’t get to audition in person for Jessi, but it was a long months process where I even auditioned for other characters.
What references did you look for when building the character?
I was greatly inspired by mayors of small towns in the northeast, such as Talita Fonseca, mayor of camiranga – PE, Bia Numeriano, deputy mayor of Floresta – PE. And my scene partners, Titina Medeiros and welder rodrigues, who are comedy geniuses
What is it like to work alongside Welder Rodrigues and Titina Medeiros?
Very calm, the two are very generous and intelligent, they welcomed me as their real daughter, I have a very loving relationship with the two, also because the three of us are all a little crazy and we complete each other in our madness.
What’s your favorite Jessilaine scene?
It’s a very difficult question to answer, I have a few. But I think that in my top 3 I have the scene of Pif-Paf’s game with Sabá where I run after him across the table, the scene where Jessi is asking her mother to hold her because she was taken from the city hall and the scene where Jessi orders to arrest all the powerful in the city.
“Mar do Sertão” has been a hit with audiences and repercussions. What personal/professional balance do you get by participating in a production like this?
It was a present “Mar do Sertão”, I had never done a soap opera, the rhythm is totally different and the experience is very different. I’ve learned a lot in these months, I’m certainly a different woman and a different actress, different from the one who started the soap opera.
The plot is in the final stretch, what do you want as a “happy ending” for Jessilaine?
May she feel more and more comfortable being herself and have the privilege and wisdom to feel free because she is an incredible woman.
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