Ana Bárbara Malaquias , from Minas Gerais , who began her career as a dancer and selling sweets to finance dance competitions, now shines on the big screen alongside Giovanna Lancellotti and Gabriella Saraivah in the film “Tudo Por Um Pop Star 2”, based on at best seller by Thalita Rebouças. In the film, which premieres on October 10, Ana plays Grazielle, a character with the air of a villain, marking another significant step in her career, which also includes acting in theater since the age of 8 and a solid background in dance.
What was the experience like playing Grazielle, a character with such different nuances, transitioning from a caring friend to a villainous kidnapper? What were the biggest challenges you faced?
Playing Grazielle was an incredible and challenging experience. The biggest challenge was bringing to life a character with such a wide range of emotions and behaviors. Being immersed in such a complex role led me to explore emotional places I wasn’t used to, requiring constant and profound adaptation. It was a real learning experience, which allowed me to grow as an actress and explore new horizons.
You mentioned that you always imagined yourself in the movie “All for a Pop Star” before getting the role in its sequel. What’s it like to see this dream come true and be alongside such a renowned cast?
I’ve always dreamed of being on television, recording films and soap operas, and seeing this dream come true is simply incredible. Being next to people I admire and who I previously only saw on screen is a wonderful and indescribable feeling. It’s such a special feeling that it’s difficult to express in words!
How did you build your relationship with Maitê Padilha and Bárbara Maia on and off camera? How did these friendships influence your performance in the film?
My connection with Maitê and Barbara was so natural that, from the beginning of preparations, even online, we already felt an incredible harmony. Over time, our friendship only grew stronger, which certainly helped us build a completely true chemistry in fiction. And the best of all is that, in “real life”, we continue to be great friends. This was a true gift!
You started in theater as a child and have a long career in dance. How did these experiences in different artistic areas contribute to your performance in cinema?
Dance shaped who I am and I am immensely grateful for it. It was with dance that I began my artistic journey, and the end-of-year performances, with their musicals, sparked my interest in theater. Since then, I haven’t stopped. Art is the essence of my life; it shaped my way of thinking, acting and living. My soul vibrates with art, and I can’t imagine my life without it.
You had your first prominent role in the feature film “An Unforgettable Year – Spring”. How did this initial experience in audiovisual influence your career and what did you learn that you took to this new project?
Participating in “An Unforgettable Year – Spring” was like a dream come true, one of the greatest gifts of my life. That’s when I really thought, “Yes, it’s happening! I’m on the right track!” Recording my first feature film was a magical experience that taught me a lot and made me realize that every moment of work is a new learning opportunity. I’m excited to continue on this journey because I feel like I’m exactly where I always dreamed of being. It’s as if each step brings me even closer to my dreams!
With Taís Araújo as a great inspiration, how do you see the impact of black protagonism in Brazilian audiovisual today, and how has this influenced your own career and future goals?
Black protagonism in audiovisual is proof that we are conquering important spaces and, even more, that we can occupy these spaces with full confidence. Taís Araújo is a source of inspiration, not only for me, but for thousands of black actresses who want to make their dreams come true. More and more, I see that this space is, in fact, for me… it always has been. This gives me confidence to continue, study and prepare for the next big things in my career. I increasingly believe in my ability and my place in this scenario.
Do you have plans to follow in the footsteps of Taís Araújo and invest in a career in soap operas? What are your next dreams and goals as an actress?
Following in the footsteps of Taís Araújo is definitely an inspiration for me. I dream of building a solid career in soap operas and I see myself getting closer and closer to achieving that goal. My next steps include continuing to study and prepare, seeking new opportunities and challenging roles that will allow me to grow as an actress. I look forward to exploring new projects and contributing my work to remarkable stories. Every day is a new chance to move towards my dreams and career goals.
Unfortunately, racism is still a reality in the artistic world. How do you deal with these situations and how do you hope to contribute to a more inclusive and egalitarian scenario in the future?
I always imagined myself in a prominent place, where I could be seen and positively impact the people around me. This is what we call representation, and today, more and more, we see people who represent us in all sectors, especially in art. My hope is to contribute in the same way, representing those who find themselves in situations of inequality, frustrated dreams and, above all, without opportunities to achieve and achieve their goals.
Racism is still a challenging reality, but the only way to combat it is to show who we are and what we are capable of achieving. We are here to dream, achieve and occupy the space we deserve. I believe that we can achieve anything and be anywhere we want, and that is exactly what I want to demonstrate with my work and my presence.
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