EXCLUSIVE: Edy Ganem Remembers Her ‘Down to Earth’ Co-Star Elizabeth Peña
BY LEE HERNANDEZ EXCLUSIVE
In the upcoming movie Ana Maria in Novela Land (in theaters February 27), Devious Maids star Edy Ganemmakes her feature film debut opposite Elizabeth Peña, the late Cuban-American actress who passed away last October at the age of 55.
Ganem — who plays the title role of “Ana Maria” and Peña’s daughter in the film — has nothing but fond memories of working with the beloved actress. “It was a blessing having worked with her,” Ganem tells EXCLUSIVLee.com, adding that she and Peña hit it off right away on set.
‘When I first met her, I had my hair piece on (the bangs) for the Ana Maria look and she was very pleased to see that we shared an aesthetic trait since we were playing mother and daughter,” Ganem says, referring of course to Peña’s trademark bangs. “I thought that was adorable and I liked her right away.”
Ganem says one of the things she liked most about Peña — whose credits included roles in La Bamba, Rush Hourand about 100 other projects — was how much she seemed to enjoy her work as an actress and her great sense of humor.
“You could just tell she really enjoyed being on the set — she was always in a good mood {and} laughing and joking with everyone,” Ganem tells us. “There was one day when Mercedes Mason — who plays my sister — and {Elizabeth} started this silly thing where they just couldn’t look at each other because they would go on uncontrollable laughing fits in the middle of the scenes we were trying to film! It was ridiculously fun,” recalls Ganem.
“But what I really admire and respect about her is the fact that she was so down to earth,” she says.
Ganem, who is also shooting season 3 of Lifetime’s hit series Devious Maids, dished to EXCLUSIVLee.com about what drew her to the film — about a young girl who magically switches places with the main character of her favorite telenovela — in the first place.
Ganem, who is also shooting season 3 of Lifetime’s hit series Devious Maids, dished to EXCLUSIVLee.com about what drew her to the film — about a young girl who magically switches places with the main character of her favorite telenovela — in the first place.
“Ana Maria is a little lost and her family doesn’t really get her. She’s at that critical time of her life where she’s just trying to figure out who she is and what she really wants to do or pursue — I felt like I could really relate to that feeling of not knowing what’s next,” says Ganem, adding that she also loved the character’s independent spirit.
“Even though she’s got her problems and flaws, she’s brave and she follows her instincts. She doesn’t care about having to fit in. More importantly, I love the fact that Ana Maria goes though a crazy adventure that ultimately teaches her a big lesson {and} helps her get a better and more mature perspective on life,” she says.
Ana Maria in Novela Land hits theaters February 27.
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