It was great television, her obsession, and, later, helped inspire her career path pursuing two passions — television and entertainment.
With zero connections in the industry — her parents waited 13 years to come to the US from Argentina and eventually did so with three kids “and a bit of a prayer” — she had no shame in “playing the student card” to get people to meet with her and discuss her ambitions.
“During my first internship, which was unpaid, I would commute four hours every day to the Fox lot, but I wanted it so badly, I was like, ‘I don’t care.
Executives in positions to decide — unilaterally or, as in Garcia’s case, as part of a team — what projects are purchased or what writers, directors and actors are hired.
“I love it when people of our culture shine,” Garcia said.
Pride and joy.
“We are a joyous bunch,” she said.
This debate — for example, whether only Latinx creators should tell Latinx stories — is a complex one with heated opinions on both sides.
“I think if someone comes in and is telling a story about a Latino family and they are not themselves Latino, that’s ok.
Latinx actor/actress I think will a huge star one day: “Olga Merediz, who plays Abuela Claudia in ‘In the Heights’ because I love seeing people in mid-career finding new success.
What I think all executives could do to better Latinx representation on television: “We can be more intentional about where we look for writers and where we uncover and discover talent.