Brazilian actress, singer and songwriter Isabela Souza is leaving her mark on the international scene, being the first Brazilian to star in a Disney series outside the country. Since her professional debut in the series ” Juacas ” in 2017, Isabela has won over the public with her talent both on screen and in music. Fluent in English and Spanish, she stood out for voicing Disney’s first Latin American princess in the series “Elena de Avalor ” and performing the Latin versions of the song ” Speechless ” from the live-action Aladdin.
Her series “Bia”, shown in more than 40 countries, made her an international star, receiving individual awards and collective nominations for her production. Now, Isabela is preparing for new challenges, playing her first antagonist in “Uma Garota Comum” on Disney+ and confirmed in the series “Amor da Minha Vida” on Star+. With her passion for fashion and sports, she seeks to explore different roles and themes relevant to young audiences, showing herself as a multifaceted artist committed to bringing Brazilian culture to the world through audiovisual media.
In “Uma Garota Comum”, you play the story’s antagonist. What was it like preparing for this role and exploring a different side of your career?
It was a dream come true. I had already had a brief experience as an antagonist in “Bia, Un Mundo Al Revés” which left me feeling like “I want more”, you know? I had very deep moments of preparation and study of the character’s motivations, and I managed, together with our casting coach, to find many nuances of Victoria. I’m super excited to share more details with the public!
Can you give us an overview of “Uma Garota Comum” and what audiences can expect from this new Disney+ series?
“UGC” tells the story of Alana, a very famous Colombian singer who dreams of a “normal” life. That’s why she runs away to Sete Montes, where her father lives, and there she meets Arthur, who inevitably touches her heart… except that Arthur is Vic’s childhood sweetheart, a university student who already has her whole life planned out and doesn’t think about to change. It’s a story full of twists, incredible music and characters we can all relate to. I believe the audience can expect a beautiful and lively plot!
When playing an antagonist, how do you approach building a character that can awaken different emotions in the audience?
Vic is a different antagonist than we usually see… She is not only the villain, but she also does a lot of good things for the city where she lives. Furthermore, she shows a lot of vulnerability in her relationships and will not be afraid to learn and mature from her mistakes. I think it will be a very interesting story to follow, I’m looking forward to knowing what fans of the series will think of it!
What’s it like to work on a series that breaks away from stereotypes and addresses more complex themes, like ” Uma Garota Comum “?
It’s a huge honor to be able to tell a story so full of details and emotions. The most beautiful thing is knowing that many viewers will be able to identify with the characters. The series addresses many everyday topics and I believe this is super important nowadays. It’s going to be beautiful!
You’ve already built a solid career on Disney Channel and are now involved in projects like ” Uma Garota Comum ” on Disney+. How do you see the evolution of narratives aimed at young audiences over the years?
I believe that the industry is increasingly attentive to the public’s desires and this is wonderful because we can tell stories that really fit with the daily lives of those who watch it, you know? I am particularly moved when I remember my first job at Disney, in 2016, and observe my evolution and growth — along with the evolution of the team that I have known for so many years and who have become great friends.
Is there a specific scene or moment during the filming of ” Uma Garota Comum ” that was particularly challenging or memorable for you?
I had a new experience in “Uma Garota Comum” that I loved — doing driving scenes! I had never done it before and I always really enjoyed watching it. I remember that the first time I went to record driving I was a little nervous before getting on set , because I would need to juggle everything: giving the text, concentrating emotionally and parking the car in the indicated spot, lol . But everything went well and it was super fun . The scenes were beautiful!
Her previous role in “Bia” was very well received globally. How has the success of this series influenced your choices and approach to new projects?
“Bia” really changed my life and made me grow in every aspect — as a person and as an artist. I was able to mature deeply and this helped me (and still helps me) to make the best decisions about my career, castings and projects. Furthermore, I was able to meet incredible and much more experienced people who advise me to this day and help me always make the best professional decisions.
“Amor da Minha Vida” is another series in which you are involved, this time on Star+. Can you tell us a little about your role and what attracted you to this project?
Making a special appearance in “Amor da Minha Vida” was something simply unforgettable. I can’t tell you many details about the character, but I can say that many people will be able to identify with her. I was very excited when I found out about the possibility of being in a project starring and co-directed by Bruna Marquezine, so when the opportunity arose, I didn’t think twice!
Considered a versatile artist, both in acting and music. How do you balance these two facets of your career and is there one you prefer?
I started working with music in 2018, when we started rehearsals for recording the “Bia” albums — until then I had never studied music in depth. I had an incredible vocal coach, Ezequiel Fernánz , who brought out the best in me and made me grow a lot, in a very short time. After the end of recording the series, I started to have a lot more desire to continue my musical career and release my own album one day. But I confess that acting has always been my biggest dream, since I was a child. What makes me happy is knowing that many productions have been made in the “musical” format, so I have always managed to combine the two things, haha .
You are confirmed in “Amor da Minha Vida”, a new series on Star+, where you will also act alongside Bruna Marquezine. Can you tell us about the dynamics of your partnership with her and what fans can expect from this collaboration?
I can only say that the meeting of the two characters in the series will “change their lives”. It was a wonderful experience to be able to act with Bruna and at the same time be directed by her. Fans will be able to identify a lot with the story of the series as a whole, and with the story of our characters as well.
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