Puerto Rican–American actress Adlih Alvarado continues her rise in television and film as she joins the cast of Ryan Murphy’s highly anticipated Hulu series “All’s Fair.” In the star-studded legal drama, led by Sarah Paulson alongside Naomi Watts and Glenn Close, Alvarado takes on the role of Esperanza Torres, marking another major step in her career while reinforcing her dedication to authentic storytelling and culturally resonant representation on screen.
Your journey spans three places that shaped who you are — Puerto Rico, Orlando, and Madrid. How do these cultures live within you when you create a character?
It’s almost like playing The Sims. you have everything there ready for you so when the time comes to create a character you start to add little bits and pieces that you picked up from friends and family. I have a big family and every member is its own character and archetype. When it comes to dialect, and slang, that’s where it can change.
In This Is Us, you portrayed young Beatriz Rivas in a series known for its emotional depth. What did that experience leave with you as an artist and as a person?
It was interesting to do this role, I didn’t get to meet the actress who portrayed the older version of Beatriz prior to filming so I had to basically trust myself and my instincts. What’s crazy is that I could relate a lot to Beatriz because we both have a sister with special needs and my sister is older, but I almost had to grow up fast and help my mom take care of her and we moved a lot from Puerto Rico to Orlando and later on to Spain. So in a way this role just healed me and reassured me that I was always where I was meant to be, and I consider myself blessed to get to share that with people.
Your new role in All’s Fair places you alongside icons like Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Glenn Close. Was there a moment on set when you looked around and thought, “Wow… I really made it here”?
I think it happened during the middle of one of the takes, when I was sandwiched between them. Nothing like realizing you made it when you’re being sandwiched by icons haha. It’s very interesting because I remember freaking out during the fittings and also while getting ready for set, but when it came time to act it was like my body knew what to do. I just wanted to showcase that I too belong to be here with legends. and even if it wasn’t a clear thought on “I really made it here” it was more of a “welcome home, we saved you a seat, grab a plate and get comfortable”. I aspire to be like each one of them in my career and in life.
Esperanza Torres exists in an intense, competitive, and emotionally layered world. What drew you to this character, and what challenged you the most in bringing her to life?
I think what happens a lot is, when we “actors” get sides to a new audition and immediately see that it’s a “housekeeper” or something along those lines where from the outside it might seem something small, right? so we automatically go to the first idea and roll with it. When I got Esperanza, it wasn’t the role of the main character but that’s because it wasn’t focused on her story or day to day life, she was serving a bigger picture. and there wasn’t a previous season or spinoff to base off the vibes of where the story is going or the tone, so I went and watched the first season of Devious Maids, because I wanted to see, with the little time I had to prepare, what a housekeeper in Beverly Hills or a very wealthy home would be like. There were so many layers to uncover. She’s strong, loyal and a tough cookie but underneath that she has a lot of love to give and is very sensitive. It was tough to see her go through the finale of All’s Fair but I look forward to seeing if we explore the heartbreaking decisions she had to make.
Your Puerto Rican heritage is a core part of your artistic identity. When in your career did you feel that representation truly made a difference — for you and for the audience?
I think it was when I booked This Is Us. Even for lunch they had Puerto Rican cuisine and it was the best day ever. I try to incorporate it in every project I do. I recently did a Play called Fernandomania! and I got to perform both in English and Spanish, and I was able to bring some Puerto Rican seasoning to the characters. I take inspiration from my family members and incorporate their little nuances, so I have Puerto Rico with me everywhere. Hopefully I get to make an impact like Bad Bunny did with his music, I wish to do the same with Acting.
Ryan Murphy is known for creating bold, emotionally rich storytelling universes. What was it like stepping into his creative ecosystem for the first time?
A dream come true. I’ve been following his work and when I lived in Spain I binged watched AHS and just last year I was watching Grotesquerie and the Menendez brothers Monster season, and I kept telling my friends “I’m gonna work with him one day. I’m gonna be in that world.” When I got the audition, it had a codename , so it was just a new show and I think that’s what liberated me from the pressure of being perfect in the audition, but when my manager told me it’s for the new Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian show, I freaked! I had a migraine that night and was getting ready to go to work but nothing mattered because I was going to be on a Ryan Murphy show! I would LOVE to work with him in a crazier setting, I want to be a killer or a monster of some sort.
If you could send a message to the Adlih who was just starting out in student films, what advice would you give her now, living this milestone moment in your career?
I would say to younger Adlih, keep pushing through. No matter how things play out, it is a blessing in disguise. To never feel like you’re left behind or you’re late in your success. Absorb everything. Keep being your kind self even when it feels dark in the world, you are the light so keep shining. And when you get told to dim it because it’s bothering others, add more fuel and shine even more. Glenn Close is waiting for you, and it’s only the beginning.
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