MJ Rodriguez FAULT Magazine Covershoot & Interview

Photographer / Producer: Raen Badua

Stylist / Creative Director: Raytell Bridge

Hairstylist: Jenni Wimmerstedt

Makeup: Camille Thompson

Style Assistant: Zach Lindsey

Photo Assistant: Angelo Agojo

Interview: Miles Holder

MJ Rodriguez’s masterful acting and singing skills have garnered her accolades and praises far beyond what she could have once ever imagined for herself. Nevertheless, she has stayed focused on her creative journey, determined to prove to those that follow through the doors she is opening, that no dream is beyond their reach.

This week, fans of the much-loved series POSE will have to say goodbye to a show which has shone a light on a community arguably still yet to receive its flowers. Given the hard task of channelling the stories of so many previously unheard women – through her portrayal of Blanca, MJ Rodriguez expertly displayed the humour, love, community and crushing lows faced by those living through the 90s LGBTQI+ community.

As MJ steps into this new chapter of her career, we caught up to discuss her creative journey, her process and, of course, her FAULTs.

Blanca is a character that means so much to so many different people. As the show draws to an end, have you had a chance to let her go and close that door or does she still linger?

I have had some really beautiful moments with Blanca. I’ve loved being able to build her at the beginning of the show and find that this woman is more similar to me than I first thought. I will say that a part of me has just let her go. It was an extremely emotional process to separate myself from Blanca and to let her story land where it needed to land, but it’s the perfect way to send her off into her future because her future looks very, very bright.

When you’re in the process of filming the more painful scenes, are you able to leave those emotions at the studio, or does it weigh on you even after the cameras have stopped rolling?

A lot of the occurrences of that time do weigh heavy on me. Sometimes I have to really watch my emotions, wash myself of those memories and historical events that happened because they do take a toll on you, especially when you’re an actor trying to embody a character living through it. I built Blaca on my mother’s experience and researched many trans women I saw in the ballroom scene and in documentaries like Angie Xtravaganza. She was this sweet and caring person, and I would see a lot of the resemblance between Blanca and Angie, so their fight and shared struggle would really weigh on me.

Moving on to ‘Loot’, your new apple series is so different from anything we’ve seen you in either on stage or television, is that change of direction by design or chance?

I’m blessed with my team, we have had many conversations about what I want to delve into in order for people to see that other side of me. I think this was the perfect opportunity to show the range that I have as an actress. I think the show is the best choice because I get to do it with Maya Rudolph – an icon who’s been in the business for a long time. I love that I get to work alongside her and learn the ropes of comedy from her. I mean, I’m a funny girl myself, but it’s always good to be tagged alongside an icon like Maya Rudolph.

When reading about your work or talking with friends, “Icon” and “groundbreaking” are descriptors that are often used, which may be true, but do you ever feel burdened with the cultural responsibility you now have to live up to?

As far as the responsibility goes and me feeling burdened, no, because it was something that I’ve always asked for. I knew what came with a platform like this, and I was ready. I’m someone who’s built on love. I’m someone who loves to promote love, hard work and a strong work ethic. I’m trying to change the narrative, not only me being an Afro Latina, but also a trans woman and ensuring I’m showing people what a different kind of role model looks like.

As far as an “icon”, I don’t think that about myself just yet; I still have dues to pay. As much as people have called me “icon”, I always make sure I let them know ‘chile, no, that’s not me yet.”

Do you ever fear that your creative decisions might be at odds with what people feel that you should be doing?

Everyone is entitled to say or feel how they want to feel, but I have the right to make decisions for myself at the end of the day. I’m going to make the decisions as an actress that feel comfortable. If my fans or my supporters, friends, and family feel the opposite, that’s for them to feel, and I’m completely accepting of it, but it’s not going to change my perspective or deter me. I see that there’s a bigger picture as far as what I’m doing with my craft.

What about your life hasn’t a journalist asked about, but is something that’s important in your day to day?

I always want people to get the realist answer, so I think simply about what I do when I’m not working and when I’m not a workaholic because chile I’m a Capricorn, you know, we’re all workaholics and perfectionists. [laughs] More than my work life, I love to draw and play games like the nerd that I am. I like to escape and delve into the digital world.

You like sci-fi and adventure games, is there a movie from those genres (even if it’s already been made) that you’d love to bring to life on screen?

My boyfriend and I are writing something now set in the sci-fi realm. I would love to have been a part of a Lara Croft movie or portray a lead in Indiana Jones or a James Bond movie. I love that there’s an action-packed storyline but also nuance in the fashion and sexiness of it all.

You’ve been working non-stop all of your career. Do you feel you’ve taken the time to stop and reflect on how far you’ve come, or has it passed in a blur?

I think most of the time; it’s a blur for me. I’m a perfectionist and a workaholic, and sometimes it’s the worst parts of me because I don’t know when to stop. I don’t know when just to have time for Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to embrace and enjoy life. Some things are left as a blur but not in a negative way – I am just focused on all the future achievements I still have to hit. The real drive behind me working so hard is knowing there are people out there who need to see a face like mine and know that it is possible.

When you look back on your career, what do you want your portfolio to say about you, the person?

I hope my portfolio says, “She’s a philanthropist, a humanitarian. She did all of these amazing things. She opened doors for young people. She also just, most importantly, instituted love and taught people how to love again.” That’s my main goal in this world, as cheesy as it sounds, but I’m going to say it until I die. I’m going to make sure I encourage people to love even through the worst, most confusing, uncertain times, challenge yourself, or challenge someone else to love and have a good heart.

If you could return to the start of your career and leave yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

“You better keep pumping, keep pumping until the stardust trickles off that heel.” I had to do so much work on myself, knowing that there was a world that was against me. As a child, I was always rambunctious, always confident, but still got knocked down. For me, if I could speak to myself at that time, I would make sure to instil all of the confidence into that person so that when they grow up, they won’t have anything to worry about.

What’s the biggest fear you have as it pertains to your art?

That I won’t accomplish what the directors or the producers may want, I’m an overachiever, and a lot of people don’t see it because I’m very quiet on set. Professional focus is key, especially when someone is speaking, but even when I’m listening, and I’m receiving, and I don’t give them what they need, I feel like I’ve let them down. And I never ever want to do that because I always want to make sure that the team is always feeling good because, after all, even if I’m number one or number two, or even number five on the call sheet, we’re still doing it together.

What is your FAULT?

My FAULT is overthinking. I think every human goes through this, but for me, I can be insecure in my overthinking, and sometimes I spiral. That’s another reason why I make sure my mental health is up because overthinking can get the best of you. And sometimes, it can lead you down a crazy and stupid path. It shows me how human I am because I’m not perfect, and I don’t strive to be perfect. I know I’m imperfect, but it’s the best parts of me to find that out about myself. And I’m glad I can actually speak about it and talk about it because for a while, I couldn’t.