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body { background: url('https://posterspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/In-The-Heights-World.png'); repeat; } Can you both share what initially drew you to the project of "In the Heights"? NJ: Initially, I was just happy for Caroline. She’s on a career high right now, cuando ella y mi tia vinieron a decírmelo, I was happy. And just like Caroline, Lenore is my manager, she does everything for me. I had zero idea they wanted me to be in it as well. So, when they finally said I’m going to be Usnavi, it was really exciting. Especially with this being my first big role. I was ecstatic! This still doesn’t feel real. Se siente como un sueño. It still feels that way!CT:I knew that Lin was in the works of taking "In The Heights" from the stage to the big screen but I was really surprised when I got the call. Lin calls me and he's so excited because "In The Heights" is like his baby. So, he's like, "As long I have a job, you have a job. Do you want to be Vanessa in this movie?" And of course, it was an instant yes. este musical es mi sueñitos. To be able to embrace my culture, work with Lin again, and be a musical that I get to star in with one of my favorite humans, mi mayor logro hasta ahora. How does your real-life friendship influence your on-screen chemistry in the movie? NJ:Usnavi is a little awkward because he has such a big crush on Vanessa, but he can’t act on it. Or won’t, I should say. And so, having to flirt with my best friend definitely makes me a little awkward sometimes. It definitely helps with the cluelessness when it comes to anything romantic that happens between the two.CT:It works in our favor! I think, and it's a little fun to sort of have swapped places. I am way more shy than Nori in the real world. I'm much more awkward, but Vanessa isn't shy at all really. She's very much assertive about what she wants, for the most part, so it's fun to sort of have swapped. I think it makes for also a level of trust that we didn't have to build as strangers to be able to throw ourselves in head first. We didn't have to build that rhythm, chemistry is something you either have it or you don't, so we didn't have to sit through chemistry tests or anything. Trusting your co-star makes the acting so much easier, and makes every single day on set super fun. What was it like working together on a musical that celebrates Latin culture and heritage? NJIt felt very important to do! Especially because it’s what I do for myself already. Yo soy Boricua!I’m very proud to be Puerto Rican. I’m proud of my heritage and where I came from. And I’ve passed that on to my daughter as well. It’s also really important that Caroline gets to speak her truth. Every one just bypasses the fact that she is in fact Mexican, and that she keeps that dear to her heart because it’s how she keeps her mom’s memory alive and Noelle is half Mexican, so to have both her cultures being uplifted, represented, todo eso, it makes me happy.CT:It's both so meaningful for us and fun! I have always embraced who I am despite not getting the chance to do so. It's so fun to be able to work on a project where we're not cast as "a sassy best friend" or some stereotype. Latin music is superior and I love being able to dance with such passion. It's honestly so exciting that a musical about Latin culture is getting the opportunity to be a big-budget deal. It's long overdue. "In the Heights" is a story about community and dreams. How do these themes resonate with your own lives and careers? NJ: For me, it just reminds me of when I was growing up. I always grew up in areas that were similar to the connections in the movie. Even now, it’s a little different but my friends son como mi familia. And that’s exactly how it felt being on set. CT:I think the community is something that especially is super important to us. We are a village in our little family, and we rely on each other it's especially wonderful for me who didn't have a family growing up. As far as dreams, dreams are the reason I've done anything. I started dreaming up clothes for my dad to compete in, and I think dreams are the most powerful thing, we as humans do. Can you describe a memorable moment or favorite scene you both shared during the filming? NJ:My favorite scene, I think, would have to be during Champagne. That was like the most Nori and Caroline scene you’ll get from us. I’m just focused on opening the champagne bottle and the fact we don’t have cups, Caroline is trying to talk to me but I’m like yeah! Like I hear you but I gotta open this damn champagne. And then I apparently got really into it, and was like “how do you take this gold sh*t off?” we just busted out laughing. CT:I also really love the "How do you take this gold sh*t off?". I was so happy that they were going to leave it because it's just precious. But because I don't wanna be an imitadora. I love any scene that we got to do with Noelle, I was crying each time because I felt so honored to be in her first movie with her. But as far as like, funny moments, there's a scene in "Black Out," where we're sort of in a fight, and Nori has to say, "I've been tryin' all night, you've been shaking your ass for like half of the heights" and as soon as it ends, he's immediately like, "I'm so sorry!!! I don't think that!!!" because he felt so bad having to say something degrading. A sweet whittle Noris. Questions for Nori Jusino, Nori, as the "King of Modern Reggaeton," how did you incorporate your musical background into the role of Usnavi? NJ: I started taking vocal lessons, actually. Musicals are waaaay different, you gotta make sure everyone’s on point, and if you sing the wrong note, people will notice and you gotta start over. I started my music career just by putting myself out there and getting the right connections, and just pure luck. For this I HAD to really elevate my vocals, and while I think I still sound the same. I have better control of my voice now than I did when I started my career. Usnavi is a character with big dreams and a deep love for his community. How did you prepare to embody this role? NJ: It didn’t take much! Lin had a vision, and like Usnavi, I love my community, I love my people, where I come from. All of it. So in that aspect, Usnavi and I are the same, I just had to rep Dominican Republic instead of Puerto Rico. Pero mucho amor a la república dominicana. What challenges did you face transitioning from reggaeton music to performing in a musical? NJ:With reggaeton, it’s usually just me. I’ll do features here and there y ya. Pero, with musicals. You’ve got Caroline singing one thing, Corey’s signing his verse, Stephanie, Dashca, and Daphne are singing their verse, and so on and so on. But we’re all doing it at the same time. It’s easy to get lost in it when you’re not use to it, but you get use to it, and once it sticks it sticks. Another thing is performing it. Dancing, acting, singing. I can’t rely on the backing track. I can’t miss a word or it throws it off. When I’m on stage for concerts, if I stop singing I have the crowd screaming back at me. That’s not the case for In The Heights. How does it feel to represent Puerto Rican culture in such a prominent way through this film? NJ: It allowed me to explore como se dice? Different genres, the dancing is different. It’s got that urban vibe, but it’s still different than what I’m used to. You also get to see me acting, I had two cameos on Sky Rojo and The Queen of Flow, but nothing major. But this movie, I’m the main character. The story is following Usnavi, for the most part. So you really get to see my acting skills be put to the test. Questions for Caroline Tesfaye, Caroline, you've had a remarkable career in both acting and music. How did your experience playing Eliza in "Hamilton" prepare you for the role of Vanessa? CT:Honestly, I feel very lucky because this is my second Lin Manuel Miranda musical role, so I've already gotten used to the fast pace of it. But Eliza and Vanessa never really rap, so I didn't have to learn that I was able to throw myself into Vanessa and we sang all of the songs live, so I didn't have as much of a problem being able to keep my voice strong while dancing, I was already used to singing for hours, but I get to dance more as Vanessa and that's a lot of fun. I always joke that I make my career as being stingy Puerto Rican men's love interests. As someone who is white-passing but proudly Mexican, how important is it for you to embrace and represent your culture through this film? CT:It's so important for me. I have never pretended to not be Mexican, but people have always tried to shove me in this box and not listen to what I'm saying. My mom was an immigrant, and this culture feels like her. I feel like she's with me with him singing in Spanish, I feel like the world gets to hear her voice through me and immigrants are silenced so much, and my mom passed away, this is me doing something for her. I want to break out of the mold and just be Caroline. I have a platform and I don't want to abuse it by not forcing people to see who I am. You're very active in Nori's daughter's life. How does this close-knit bond influence your collaborative work on screen? CT:It's very easy for us to play parents because we do parent together. I don't say that lightly, Noelle is one of the most important people in my life. I am truly honored and I don't want to say blessed because it's more than that, but honestly, being able to be there for her in the ways that my mom was before she passed away and give her what I didn't have. Single dads are amazing, but every little girl needs a woman and I've never or will never will never hesitate to step up when she needs. Questions for working with Lin Manuel Miranda, Both of you have worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda in different capacities. How was it working with him on "In the Heights"? NJ: Lin is incredible! He’s one of the nicest people I’ve met since my career started. He feels familiar. Es como un tío para mí. Having him on set, everyone’s at ease. There’s no hostility. He’s just a guy you wanna be around. There’s no negativity. Anything is flipped to a positive. If you’re having a bad day, he’s there with a pep talk. Such a good dude to work with, I’m blessed to be able to work with him on In The Heights. CT:I think I have a tiny bit of an advantage because I've acted alongside him so I can sort of follow his train of thought and take direction in almost a shorthand because I have seen how his brain works. He's so positive and he's not arrogant enough to be like actually, I know I wrote it this way, but let's try it this way. It's a lot of fun. It's cool because we both have these different advantages to working with Lin. After all, Lin had originally played Usnavi, so he can come in with tips that only someone who's stepped into the role can give. What impact do you think Lin-Manuel's vision and creativity have had on the film and your performances? NJ:He’s super involved. He’d started writing this back when he was still in college! So this is like his baby. It’s almost like a passion project for him. Whenever he felt like we needed a little more oomph, he’s like well let’s try it this way and see if it works better. He’s on set day in and day out, in between takes he’s just making sure everyone is good, everyone is happy and having fun.CT:Lin is on set every day, this movie like we both said is his baby. He loves it. He's just so grateful to be able to see his vision in the grandest of ways. I'm not sure he ever truly thought he'd get to see this show performed to the max. We're out here with these huge dance numbers, it's crazy. Every day feels like a parade or something, and everyone's so happy to be there. It's such a positive fun set. Questions about the movie's impact, What do you hope audiences take away from "In the Heights"? NJIWe don’t have to sit back and conform to what people think we should be. Si tienes un sueño, go for it. Do what makes you happy! Never lose who you are. No matter where you go, or what people may think of you, you are always going to be you, don’t change that for other people, and never forget where you came from. CT:Never ever stop chasing your sueñitos. Don't let the world's harshness dim your light of dreaming and embracing your culture. I also think another message that you can find in it is about community and happiness. I think the best way I can describe it is to quote Lin, again, from Moana and say, "you must find happiness where you are." How do you think this film will contribute to the representation of Latin culture in mainstream media? NJ: It’s good to see us being represented in a positive and uplifting life. We tend to get type casted into these roles because of what we look like or how we sound. Lin bringing everyone together for this project goes to show you, you can look like me or Caroline and not be drug dealer number three, or the sassy best friend. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for representation of Latine culture. CT:I think it's nothing but positive for the Latin culture. A lot of times in movies we're casted a certain way, we've both mentioned that but it's also the real life prejudice that we and so many people like us have to face. In the Heights showcases how we are intelligent, talented, hardworking and joyful people. Immigrants can sometimes be labeled as lazy, and everything else under the sun, and it's simply not true. We need more media and entertainment that shares the truth of our people. We deserve to be able to pick up a feel good movie and see people like us, people like our families and kids can see themselves in us. It's important. Are there any specific messages or themes in the movie that you both feel are particularly timely or relevant today? NJ:There’s mentions of gentrification throughout the movie. That is a constant battle for a lot of people of color, not just Latine people. Our people are being pushed out of their neighborhoods and the rent is skyrocketing, it’s unfair. So I think that is one of the more important messages within the movie. Another one would be just being proud of yourself, your home, where you came from. Our culture shapes who we are and it’s best to embrace it, even when it feels like you’re sticking out like a sore thumb.CT:I think that the hamster wheel of working so hard for the Latin community to be continously ignored, put down and stereotyped. It's still a thing, this entire block is being screwed over and it happens so often. It's nice to see a story where these people still get a happy ending despite the fact that this country isn't always kind to us. The community, the family, these people are there for each other and want to see each other succeed. It's a love letter to the Latin community, and I'm so happy that little boys and little girls like our Noelle gets to see themselves in this movie. And Noelle gets to seriously do it because she's in it, but still, it's a project that has made me the most proud of anything I've ever worked on.