Actress Aryè Campos , who won over Brazilian audiences as a child on Silvio Santos’ show, shares emotional moments as she recalls the departure of the host, a key figure at the beginning of her career. In a career that includes major productions such as “Rio Connection”, “Two is Too Many in Orlando” and the hit series “SWAT”, Aryè reflects on her evolution as an actress, the challenges of moving between Brazil and the United States, and reveals the nuances of playing a complex character that led her to the cast of “SWAT”.
How did it feel for you to receive the news of the death of Silvio Santos, such an important figure in your career?
It was very sad, but it wasn’t a big surprise. Silvio was already 93 years old, so a part of me was already waiting for this day, but I didn’t want it to come. I had even asked my mother a few days ago how he was doing, since she follows the media more in Brazil. So, even though it was something that had already crossed my mind, it still touched me deeply… as if a part of me and my childhood had gone.
Do you have any special memories or advice that Silvio Santos gave you that you still carry with you?
I was very young when I participated in his program, so unfortunately I don’t remember many details. But what sticks in my memory are not words, but actions, which, for me, are more important. He was always an important, famous, busy person, but when he was with me, it was like he was part of my family. I always felt on the same level as him, like I was that cool old guy, you know? The respect he always showed, not only to me, but to everyone who worked alongside him, is something I will never forget and that I will carry with me forever.
How was the transition from your career in Brazil to major international productions like “SWAT”?
The transition was long… I came to the US when I was 11 and a half years old, and in the first few years I focused on learning English and studying. After I mastered the language, I went back to acting, participating in musical plays at school and university.
But it wasn’t until many years later, when I was 22, that I moved from Florida to Los Angeles and was finally able to return to the audiovisual industry. And even then it took a while, because the industry in Los Angeles is very competitive. I spent years studying at various schools, while doing small projects, theater, and working as a financial consultant. Until there came a time in my life when I decided to leave finance and dedicate myself 100% to acting.
But to get to this point, it took many years of effort, struggle and a lot of studying. And even when I was able to dedicate myself more to my career, it still took time for the right opportunities to come along. And even today, I study constantly and continue to fight for the next project. As I said, there is no shortage of talent here in Los Angeles, so to continue getting great opportunities like SWAT and other important projects, I always need to stay focused, study and evolve as an actress.
What do you think caught the attention of the directors of “SWAT” about you being cast?
Oh, if I had known … but I think what caught my attention was that I didn’t play the character as a villain, but rather as a mother desperate to see her son again. I humanized her, and I believe that was important in the casting process.
What was the biggest challenge in playing your role in the series “SWAT” and how did you deal with it?
The biggest challenge was precisely what I think helped me get the role: finding the humanity of the character and not seeing her as a villain, but as a victim of the system. Having to threaten a lady (in this case, her mother-in-law) and almost dying in the process, all in order to talk to her son… someone has to be very desperate and have a lot of love to do something like that. Since I’m not a mother yet, it was a challenge to understand that kind of love and desperation. I dealt with it by remembering that, even if the circumstances are different, certain feelings are universal. So, even though I’m not a mother, I am a daughter, and if something similar happened to me, I would do the same to see my mother. I believe that understanding this human and loving side was essential to face this challenge.
Do you feel that your experience in Brazilian productions prepared you in any way for international projects?
In fact, I think it was the opposite. I left Brazil very young, so most of the professional work I did as an adult was in the US. It was with Passport to Freedom that I finally returned to Brazilian productions, and it was thanks to many years of study and the various films and series I made here in the US that I prepared myself to be able to open doors and return to acting in Brazil.
How do you balance your career between Brazil and the United States, and what are your next ambitions in film or TV?
My balance between the US and Brazil varies depending on the market. Since my life, home and husband are in the US, I prioritize work here, because being close to my family is important. But ultimately, I go where the most interesting opportunity is. In the case of Passport to Freedom, working with Jayme Monjardim again after so many years brought me back to Brazil. For the second time, the role of “Amanda Singleton ” and her story brought me back to do Rio Connection, among others. My next ambitions are varied; I want to continue working on global projects with worldwide reach and continue acting in several languages, such as English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. The most important thing is to tell stories that move and inspire the audience in a positive way.
After acting in productions such as “Rio Connection” and “Two’s a Crowd in Orlando”, how do you see your evolution as an actress over the years?
I believe I am growing and evolving as an actress. Rio Connection was one of the biggest roles of my career and with it I was able to open many doors in the US for projects like She’s Obsessed with my Husband , SWAT, Death Valley Abduction , as well as the opportunity to act in Portuguese again in Two and Too Many. At the same time, all these characters are completely different from each other, which for me is a great sign of evolution as an actress. I want to keep doing this: different and challenging roles to keep growing and evolving in my career.
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