'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (2024)

Former Desert Hot Springs resident and actress Noemí González has a new role in"Selena: The Series" premiering Friday on Netflix about the late Latin pop singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. González plays Selena's sister and drummer, Suzette Quintanilla.

To celebrate the premiere, Westfield Palm Desert will throw a watch party at 6 p.m., Friday on the third level of the parking garage.González said she "may or may not" attend the event.

The 32-year-old actresshas an impressive resume with roles in the Amazon Prime series "Dark/Web" andthe soap opera "The Young and the Restless." According to IMDB, she'll also be in the upcoming film "Traces" with rocker Rick Springfield and "13 Hours" actorPablo Schreiber.

'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (2)

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Selena will be played by Christian Serratoswho is best known for roles in "The Walking Dead," "The Twilight Saga" movies and the Nickelodeon show "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide."

Gabriel Chavarria, who appeared in "The Purge" and "Freedom Writers,"will play Selena's brother A.B. Quintanilla,and Ricardo Chavira, from "Telenovela" and "Desperate Housewives"will play her father, Abraham Quintanilla.

Selena, who was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, rose to fame on the Tejano music scene(a regional sound based in Texas that bridged Spanish and English music listeners)in the 1990s. She was fatally shotbyYolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, in March 1995.

"Selena: The Series" is the secondHollywood production of Selena's life since the 1996 film "Selena" starringJennifer Lopez in her breakout role.

González discussedhow she received and transformed into the role ofSuzette Quintanilla, learning how to play drums and aspiring to play a female spy in the future. The following interview was edited for length and clarity.

THE DESERT SUN:How did you receive the role ofSuzette Quintanilla in "Selena: The Series?"

Noemí González: My manager has a really good understanding of me, my essence and what I've done before. He said, "I read the breakdown for Suzette and I think it's you."I went in for the initial audition, it went well and I got a call back then an interview process. The most fun and interesting experience was doing an at home camera test so I can prove my likeness to Suzette.It was a lot of fun to the creative acting craft portion that I'm used to when it comes to the casting process, but then also to do the physical creative work of matching my likeness to my future character was a cool opportunity in this process. It was a blessing to have that opportunity come my way.

Did you get to meet with Suzette before you played her?

Unfortunately COVID-19 createsa lot of restrictionsand I wasn't able to meet her ahead of time, butI did get to meet her over Zoom. It was two weeks before we wrapped the series. It was abeautiful and much anticipated connection.

'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (3)

You are playing a drummer in the series, did you have to learn how to play drums?

I did have to learn how to play drums for the series with no previous knowledge or awareness. I'm thankful the production gave me lessons and I supplemented those lessons with dedication and discipline rehearsing twice a day every day, and even before my rehearsals with a production team. It was a lot of fun but it was a challenge, and it is a very demanding instrument.

Sometimes when an actor or actress learns how to play an instrument for a role they continue with it and do something with music. Do you picture yourself doing that?

Yes, I totally have started to conceptualize something drumming related. I already know what it is and how I'm doing it. I'm creating a playlist for it and I'm excited for if and when that project gets the love and attention it needs for me to honor that I learned an instrument for my craft. I'd like to share that with you all in a very fun and connected way.

What was it like to bring these characters to life on set?

It was surreal to embody Suzette, to be in her wardrobe and be behind a drum kit. I look at Christian Serratos in the signature looks of Selena and my brain would be like, 'Are theretricks being played on you?' I love Selena and and I'm a huge fan and I wasexcited.

'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (4)

How did you become a fan of Selena?

My mom is a wonderful strong Latina who loves to stay in the know and loves music. She connected me to Selena early on and we would watch Selena before her mainstream success. We were watching her when she was on Mexican variety shows. I remember my mom screaming my name and I thought maybe I broke something and it was because Selena was on the TV and we had to watch the evolution of this star get brighter and brighter. I watched her story before the "Selena" movie came. I had the opportunity to bring all that love and apply it to this role. It's been a beautiful full circle.

Did you ever think you would be an actress while growing up in Desert Hot Springs?

I think the universe was giving me a hint, because I did perform (the Selena song) "Dreaming Of You" with five girls. I clearly had a connection to the arts. Did I think I was going to be an actress? No. I knew there was something different in store for me. I knew that I was going to be propelled to do very different things. I just learned into that and stayed comfortable in the arts.

Acting found me when I went to University of California, Santa Barbara. Even then, I was thinking modestly that I know I can make it as an actress, but I wasn't thinking about fame. I was just thinking about making a living doing what I love and that's all I had to do. I didn't need any more than that. I think the fact I've stayed focused in the craft, the work and the passion I have for it has gotten me here today. I'm thankful to be where I'm at, but I didn't have any clue.

Is there a role you haven't played yet that you would like to take on?

I would love to play a spy. Originally, I thought I was going to be a (actual) spy at7 or 8 years old. When I found out that you're most likely going to be an orphan to be a spy, I said "Well, I can't do that. I love my family." So what better way to still have my childhood dream come true than to play a badass female spy? I think that'd be really cool to represent that with tiger intelligence, physical capability and it's a lot of fun to get challenged in that way. But there's definitely some other profound opportunities and dream roles I have.

'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (5)

If you go

What:"Selena: The Series" Watch Party Premiere

Where:Westfield Palm Desert,72-840 Highway 111, Palm Desert. Third level of the parking garage.

When: 6 p.m., Friday, December 4

How much: $15, tickets available on tixr.com

Information:(760) 346-2121,westfield.com/palmdesert

Previous reporting by Corpus Christi Caller Times reporter Alexandria Rodriguez was used in this report.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers artsand entertainment. Hecan be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye. Support local news,subscribe to The Desert Sun.

'It was surreal': Desert Hot Springs actress Noemí González on her role in Selena series (2024)
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