Interview: Aurora Cossio On Starring As Estela In Netflix’s Griselda
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9 months ago
Everyone’s talking about Griselda, aka the new Narcos
Netflix‘s smash hit drug crime series Griselda has been dominating the top of its rankings globally. So if you haven’t tuned in yet, where have you been? The series follows the titular Griselda Blanco (Sofía Vergara), based on the real Colombian drug lord in the underworld of Miami in the 1980s, aka the ‘Godmother of Cocaine’. As notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar is quoted on in the opening moments of the series, ‘The only man I was ever afraid of was a woman named Griselda Blanco.’ Starring as Estela is Columbian actress Aurora Cossio, who we sat down with to get the inside scoop on the juicy series.
Interview: Aurora Cossio On Griselda
Hi Aurora, how’s life going at the moment?
I feel enthusiastic and connected to the frequency of happiness. Open for miracles of love, abundance and prosperity to happen this year.
You can currently be seen in Griselda on Netflix – how do you feel about the show now that it has been released?
Extremely happy that the Latin community in the USA is seen and honored by the talent of all of us who are part of this production that is currently the most watched worldwide. I see several nominations looming in the future, we deserve it.
You play Estela – how did you like her role in the show?
Estela is a character with different faces, dual women characters attract me a lot. Women who have necessarily had to be strong because life has given them no other alternative but who, inside, are fragile.
What was it like playing her?
It was fun, Estella admires and wants to be Griselda because she represents the power, she needs so she can resolve her internal conflict. My dream role is playing a super hero, women in whom other women can see themselves reflected and who can take inspiration for their lives.
How did you get into character/prepare for the role?
I worked with my Colombian acting coach Ana Maria Sanchez who helped me understand the world Estella came from, her emotional wounds, her difficulties and her need to rescue herself. Estella is supremely loyal to Griselda because she believes that she saved her from an even worse world in which she lived.
Any funny stories from rehearsals or filming?
I don’t know if this is a funny story but here it goes: I fell off a bicycle and I didn’t know I had broken a rib so I went to record my scenes like that and the pain was persistent. I had to ask for my costumes to be changed for some scenes, after a couple of weeks I knew for sure that my rib was broken, and it was better that I didn’t know before because not knowing helped me concentrate on my work.
Perhaps a more fun or scary story to tell is that one of the makeup artists talked to a ghost during the shootings we had inside the Queen Mary Ship, Boh! Haha!
Any parts or scenes that were difficult from filming?
For me, the one I was topless in, but when I remembered that Estela is not Aurora and that Estela is not ashamed to show her body, everything changed for me.
How was working on Griselda compared to previous projects you’ve been a part of?
I admire Sofía [Vergara] a lot, and that same admiration I have for her helped me create the connection that Estela has with Griselda. Estela sees Griselda as her idol.
Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)
I am already receiving some proposals and auditioning for some important projects. I’m excited for everything God has planned for me this year.
Who has been your favorite actor to work with in the past?
Cole Hauser is one of them but, Sofía Vergara is ‘La Madrina’, the ‘God Mother’, so all my respect, support and love for her journey and her great Performance in Griselda.
Which co-star did you learn the most from?
I consider I have learned something from all the actors I have worked with so far. But my favorite actors at the moment are all my colleagues from the series Griselda. I was delighted with the performance of my colleagues.
What’s your dream role?
My dream role is a kick-ass, bold, super-hero women. I think of these as different versions of the Bond Girl!
What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?
I am a storyteller so it doesn’t really matter the genre if I like the story and, of course, the character. Even though, I confess, I prefer a comedy than a horror movie. I practice laughter therapy in my daily routine.
What’s your interior design style?
I love plants and open spaces. I love old wooden furniture, very Italian style.
How did you balance your personal life with work life while working on Griselda?
On several occasions I had to get up at 3am. I’m not very good at getting up early in the morning, so I continually tried to find balance in my conscious breathing.
Did you learn anything new while working on Griselda?
I strengthened my patience and my willpower. Nobody said that achieving your dreams was easy, but you can find happiness along the way. Griselda is without a doubt the most important project I have worked on so far. I am grateful to Andy Baiz, the producers, the entire cast and crew and, of course, to Netflix for this great experience and the warm welcome.
Any future plans in the pipeline – professionally or personally?
I have just completed the treatment of a story based on true events that I plan to produce. I am excited to continue making dreams come true and inspire others. The sky is the limit.
Quick Fire
I’m currently watching… May December
I’m currently reading… The Healing Self by Deepak Chopra
The last thing I watched (and loved)… Griselda, ha!
What are you looking forward to seeing most… Stories of real women
Greatest inspirations… My great inspiration right now is called @goodmorning.happines
Favorite project you worked on… An Italian comedy called Faccio un salto all’avana
Favorite film of all time… The Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite song of all time… ‘Oh sole mio’ by Pavarotti
Song I always have on repeat… ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus
Your ultimate cultural recommendation… Travel to visit Colombia and Italy
Cultural guilty pleasure… Colombian’s Buñuelos, and an original Italian ice cream.
WATCH
Aurora Cossio stars as Estela in Griselda, streaming exclusively on Netflix.