From a very young age, Camila Bordón discovered that music, audiovisual media and theater awakened a range of emotions in her that were difficult to ignore. “I saw myself reflected in the characters that appeared on screen and in the theater, as well as in the songs that played in my house, and somehow I wanted to be a part of it all,” she recalls.
Raised in an artistic environment thanks to her parents, Jacqueline Arenal and Mijail Mulkay, Camila had an early exposure to art, which prompted her to express her emotions and thoughts through acting and music, a language she says will remain hers forever.
Having such renowned figures in the artistic world as parents could be intimidating, but for her they were, above all, an example and a source of inspiration. “During my childhood, my parents weren’t Jacqueline the actress and Mijail the actor, but simply Mom and Dad: who told me stories and created a magical world for me through tales, songs and games,” she confesses.
Her professional relationship with her father has also marked important moments in her career. During the production of the play El Crédito, where she shared the stage with Mijail Mulkay, Camila had an enriching experience: “It wasn’t the first time we acted together, but I enjoyed it as much as if it were. I always learn a lot from him; he’s an extremely generous actor and working alongside him was very easy,” she says. Their relationship combines affection, respect and constant learning.
Jacqueline Arenal’s influence on her artistic development has also been decisive. The young actress fondly remembers her first play, El octavo color, by the Okantomi puppet group, directed by her aunt Marta Díaz Farré, where she performed alongside her mother.
“Since then, I haven’t had the opportunity to perform with my mother again, but I always ask her for advice, listen to her opinion and, many times, she’s been like my coach,” she comments. They both dream of doing several projects together, including a play they hope to perform in the near future.
What types of characters appeal to you most and why? Do you look for roles that challenge your limits or that reflect your personality?
I don’t think there’s one profile that appeals to me more than another, but I can say that I’m very interested in characters with contradictions, with a rich inner world. I’m not so attracted to the “very good goodies” or the “very bad baddies.” I think people have a little bit of everything, and that’s what makes us human: complex, full of nuances. That’s what I love most about a character: one that represents a challenge and allows me to learn to think and feel things I didn’t know before.
Your participation in the series Paraíso Blanco was much talked about. What personal lessons or discoveries arose during this project?
Paraíso Blanco is a project I will always be grateful for, because it brought me back to Colombia, my second homeland; because it allowed me to work with my father and a wonderful team of whom I have very fond memories. It was, without a doubt, a great challenge for me: I had been doing a lot of theater and this was my first encounter with an important character in the audiovisual medium. They are different languages, but I learned a lot and felt very supported.
What differences do you find between acting in front of a camera and on stage, and which do you enjoy more?
In theater, there’s the immediacy of the audience’s reaction; the rehearsal process is longer and each performance is usually different from the last. On the other hand, the camera offers the possibility of expressing a lot through subtlety and restraint, a true gift for any actor. It also allows you to enter the intimacy of people’s homes through the television: it’s not the audience who travels to see the story, but the story that reaches them, thus creating a very magical connection with the viewers. I couldn’t choose between the two languages; both allow me to feel and explore great emotions, each in a different way.
In addition to acting, you sing and share music on social media. How do you decide which musical projects to take on and what message you want to convey with your music?
With my music, I try to be as honest as possible with what I feel and think, and I believe that through that honesty someone will be able to identify with it. I make music because I need to, because it’s my language and my way of expressing myself and existing. But once the song is born and reaches the public, I feel like it ceases to be mine and becomes part of whoever listens to it and appropriates it.
How do your Cuban identity and culture influence your way of creating, performing and communicating emotions through art?
My roots are and will always be my greatest inspiration. All the music I grew up with has influenced me, and that’s why I couldn’t define myself in a single style: I draw from many cultures, rhythms and experiences, although Cuban culture is always and will always be present. In my most recent single, “Me da la gana,” I talk about exactly that: “I continue dancing with my Cuban rhythm, even though now I sound more like a Colombian.” I am what I am, and my identity isn’t limited to an accent or a country; I am everything I’ve experienced and the places that have welcomed me and made me grow.
Today, digital platforms play an important role in your career. How do you manage your social media presence to balance your professional and personal lives?
The truth is, I feel like my social media is, as you say, a work tool. Of course, I share part of my personal life there, but I take great care of my privacy. I often post messages of love for my family, friends and loved ones, although I also think there are things I prefer to keep to myself.
Are there any artists or creators you deeply admire and consider role models in your artistic journey?
My parents, as I mentioned before, are my first and greatest role models in every sense. Besides them, I deeply admire Joaquín Sabina, Pablo Milanés, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Rita Payés, C. Tangana, Nathy Peluso and many other artists in the world of music. As for acting, the list would be equally extensive, but I’m fascinated by Cate Blanchett’s work; I follow and admire her greatly.
New projects you can share.…
On September 1, I released my first professional single, “Me da la gana,” a mixture of Cuba, Colombia and Spain. It’s now available on all platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, among others. I invite you to listen and dance to it!
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome it?
I think the biggest challenge of my career has been staying grounded: learning to wait, to trust and, at the same time, not stop working, studying and learning. It’s a path where “no” is always present, and where you have to remind yourself every day that it’s part of the process, that life places you where you need to be, and that you should never take anything for granted. It’s essential to continue training and working hard so that when opportunities come, you’re as prepared as possible.
In 10 years, how would you like to see yourself professionally?
Look, the truth is that a few years ago I might have answered this question very differently, but today I’d simply tell you that I see myself happy: telling stories, touching people’s hearts and, hopefully, inspiring others to be themselves, to pursue their dreams, to respect and understand others, to be empathetic and to always act from a place of love, which is the force that moves the world.
Camila in a sigh
To close our conversation, I want to ask you to answer with the first thing that comes to mind. Small questions, small answers, that allow us to discover your essence.
First artistic memory from your childhood.…
El octavo color, a play by the Okantomi puppet group, 2004, Havana.
A character you would like to play one day.…
Adela from The House of Bernarda Alba, Federico García Lorca.
A series or film you love.…
Volver, Almodóvar.
Best advice your mother ever gave you.…
Trust your intuition.
Best advice your father ever gave you.…
Always be grateful and trust.
Quote that defines your philosophy of life…
“The essential is invisible to the eyes.”
City where you would like to live for a year.…
Paris.
Theater or television scene you remember most fondly.…
The forest scene from Blood Wedding, performed in Madrid 2021.
Song that represents you now.…
“Me da la gana.”
Actor or actress you dream of working with.…
Ricardo Darín.
The most fun part of your day.…
No day is the same as the last; the constant is change.
Hidden talent that few know about.…
I love accents and I think I have a knack for learning them.
Something you would never stop doing even if you had limited time.…
Reading.
A word that describes your relationship with Cuba.…
Family.
