Was it hard for you to say goodbye to this character and this world?
Did you go through a mourning period, at all?
MELISSA BARRERA: Actually now that I think about it, I did go through a mourning period.
Every weekend, we would plan things to be with each other.
And then, after it was over, we just kept partying.
It was all of us being in denial.
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We didnt want it to end.
We just wanted to keep celebrating instead.
I think that was the mourning period for us.
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It doesnt feel like its really, really over, just yet.
Im still holding on to every last thread that I can.
I think itll probably hit me when the last episode airs.
Image via Starz
How do you feel that this show most changed you, as a person and as an actress?
Do you feel like it really had an effect on you?
BARRERA: Yeah, it definitely did.
Image via Starz
I feel like Im another human being now.
Three years later, after three seasons shooting this show and being Lyn, I am changed.
Im completely changed, in a lot of ways.
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Personally, I learned a lot.
I feel like I came into my own, during these three years.
BARRERA: We were very fortunate.
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It was like all of the stars aligned for us.
When you have good writing, it just makes the job easier, so were very lucky.
Its the first time in my life that Ive spent three years with the same character.
Its like breaking up with someone.
Its a love story of sisters.
Thats what it this show is.
BARRERA: Yeah, and I think its a beautiful thing.
But with family, you dont really think about it too much.
Youre like, Oh, theyre there, and I love them.
And yes, we talk and its cool.
We get along, and thats awesome.
But you dont really think about the depth of our relationship with a sibling.
That happens with Lyn and Emma.
They dont really think about their relationship.
Theyre like, We dont get along.
Weve never gotten along.
Thats a realization that they come to, in this third season.
They need each other and theyre the most important thing in each others lives.
They give themselves to that space, finally.
Whats it been like for you to have Mishel Prada as your co-star, throughout this journey?
BARRERA: Its been amazing.
Mishel and I are really became sisters.
We are sisters now, for life.
She was my go to person, and I was hers.
That kind of support is rare.
Thats why the relationship between the sisters is so compelling and so believable.
Do you feel like, by the end of this season, Lyn just might end up being okay?
BARRERA: Yeah, I think she does.
For the first time in her life, shes fighting for something.
Even though we see her relationship with Johnny come to a closure, thats not the end for her.
The end is with her sister.
I feel like shes finally coming into a place where she knows what her priorities are.
She knows whats important in her life, and shes gonna fight for it.
The last time I spoke to you, last season, you were rehearsing for theIn the Heightsfilm.
Youve since shot and finished the film, and the trailer is absolutely gorgeous.
Had you gotten to see the finished film, before the release date got pushed due to COVID-19?
BARRERA: Yes, I saw it.
It wasnt the finished cut.
It wasnt the last final cut, but it was close to being done.
I saw it, and it was overwhelming.
Its everything that I could have dreamed of.
Its beautiful, and Im so excited to share it with the world, whenever that time comes.
What were the biggest challenges in pulling off a movie musical, especially on such a large scale?
BARRERA: Its crazy.
Ive done theater before, and you rehearse for a month, and then you do a run.
With movie, you dont have that run.
I didnt think about the difficulty of the process because I was unfamiliar with making a movie musical.
This was my first movie musical, so I was new to it.
And then, I realized that its just like shooting a movie, except that youre singing and dancing.
Its the exact same process.
Its just way more fun cause theres always music playing on set.
Its like a party, every day, and thats amazing.
And you get much more rehearsal time.
I needed that time, at least.
SinceVida, your career has really been taking off, in a big way.
How does that feel, on a personal level?
Is that something that motivates you, even more?
Im so motivated right now, more than ever.
Im excited about the future and the endless possibilities.
Im excited for the world to seeIn the Heights.
Im excited to go on and shootCarmen.
Ive been doing that, and I feel like this is the beginning.
Carmenis a re-imagining of a classic story.
What is it that most excites you about that, and what makes you nervous about it?
I was the first one on, and Ive seen the script and story change a lot.
Working with (director) Benjamin [Millepied], as a choreographer, hes brilliant.
People dont know how much of a visionary he is, with photographer and his films that hes done.
You dont wanna put yourself in a box.
And this is a completely different world.
This is more of a tragedy with music.
Its feels more organic.
And Carmen is an actual dancer.
She doesnt break out into song and dance.
Shes an actual performer.
Its a different vibe.
Im very excited because its the story of an immigrant.
Sometimes you just need to find a new way into the story to get through to people.
Vidaseries finale airs tonight, Sunday, May 31, on Starz.
