Interviewing actress Leni Rico
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your acting career?
I'm Leni Rico, a Spanish actress and producer from Linares, Andalucía. My journey has been anything but conventional. Before pursuing acting professionally, I spent 11 years playing professional basketball, becoming a two-time champion of Spain's First Division. That experience taught me discipline, resilience and the importance of believing in yourself.
Eventually, my passion for storytelling led me to pursue acting. I trained in Spain and later moved to Los Angeles, where I spent over 13 years developing my career, working in film, theater and television, and learning from an incredibly diverse industry. Today, I work internationally, moving between Europe and Los Angeles.
2. What inspired you to become an actress?
I've always been fascinated by human behavior, emotions and the stories behind people. I remember watching actors and paying close attention to how they expressed emotions. I was fascinated by how they could make you feel something just through their performances. At one point, I even considered becoming a psychologist or a journalist because I was so interested in understanding people and their stories.
But, looking back, I think acting was always part of me. I was performing on my street with my friends when I was little, and we would even charge the neighbors to come and watch our shows!
Later, I discovered how much I enjoyed entertaining people while working for a hotel chain in Marbella. But I truly fell in love with acting when I joined ESAEM, the acting school in Málaga. That's when I realized this was what I really wanted to do.
Acting allows me to explore different lives, perspectives and realities. I love the idea that, through a character, you can make an audience feel something, question something or see the world differently. For me, acting is not just about performing; it's about connecting.
3. Which role has been the most challenging for you so far, and why?
Psychologically complex characters have always been particularly challenging and rewarding for me. One of the experiences that stands out is playing the lead role in Wahnsinnig (Insanity), a psychological thriller. It required me to explore a very intense emotional landscape and find the truth behind a character whose reality is not always what it seems.
What made the experience even more challenging was that the director was continuously developing and changing the story while we were filming. I had to constantly adapt my performance, rethink certain aspects of my character and adjust to new situations as they unfolded. It pushed me to be flexible, spontaneous and fully present in every moment.
Those are the kinds of experiences that take you beyond your comfort zone, and that's where I believe real growth happens as an actress.
4. How do you prepare for a new character?
I start by understanding the character's psychology: who they are, what they want, what they fear and what drives their decisions. I study the script carefully, but I also try to discover what isn't written on the page. I work on the character's physicality, rhythm, voice and emotional circumstances.
My training with the Chubbuck technique has also influenced the way I approach objectives and emotional truth. Ultimately, I want to make every character feel like a real person, not someone I'm simply playing.
5. Is there a particular performance that you are especially proud of?
I'm proud of several projects because each one represents a different chapter of my journey. Being part of The Poison Rose, alongside Morgan Freeman and John Travolta, was a wonderful experience. I also cherish my work in Knight of Cups with Antonio Banderas.
More recently, playing the lead in Wahnsinnig has been particularly meaningful because of the emotional depth of the role and the recognition the film has received at international festivals. I'm also very excited about my latest television project in Munich.
6. What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced in the entertainment industry?
One of the biggest challenges is learning to navigate an industry where talent and hard work are not always enough. You need resilience, patience and the ability to reinvent yourself constantly.
Working internationally also brings its own challenges, from different languages and cultures to building professional relationships in multiple countries. But I've learned not to see these things as limitations. My international background is part of what makes me who I am as an actress.
7. How do you balance your personal life with your professional career?
It's not always easy, especially when your work takes you between countries. And at this particular moment in my life, I'm also taking care of my mother, which adds another important responsibility.
I've learned that balance is something you have to create consciously. I try to stay connected to the people and things that ground me, take care of my physical and emotional well-being, and make time for myself.
Having been a professional athlete, I understand the importance of discipline, but I've also learned that listening to yourself is just as important.
Something people don't always realize is that we're not actors only when we're on set. There's so much work that happens behind the scenes, every single day, just to get there. We have to study, prepare, attend auditions, work on our craft and constantly keep ourselves ready for the next opportunity, all while maintaining a normal personal life. That's a balance in itself!
8. Have you ever learned a valuable lesson from a character you portrayed?
Absolutely. Every character teaches you something, even when you don't agree with their choices. Acting allows you to develop empathy because you have to understand people from the inside, including their contradictions and imperfections.
I've learned that there is always a reason behind human behavior, and sometimes understanding that reason is more powerful than judging the action. So, if there's one lesson acting has reinforced in me, it's that empathy and the ability not to judge others are essential, not only in acting but in life itself.
9. Who are some actors or actresses that have inspired you throughout your career?
I've always admired actresses who have the courage to take risks and completely transform themselves for a role. Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Charlize Theron are wonderful examples of versatility, intelligence and commitment to their craft.
I also admire actors who have built international careers without losing their individuality. What inspires me most is authenticity and the ability to keep evolving.
10. What do you enjoy most about working in film and television?
I love the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Bringing a story to life with a director, other actors and an entire creative team is something very special.
I also love the variety. Every project takes you into a different world, introduces you to new people and challenges you in unexpected ways.
And there's something truly magical about taking a character that exists only on paper, bringing that person to life through your imagination and emotions, and then seeing that creation on screen. That's one of the most rewarding parts of being an actress.
11. How has the industry changed since you began your career?
The industry has changed enormously, particularly with the growth of streaming platforms and international productions. There are more opportunities for stories to travel across borders, and audiences are increasingly open to different languages, cultures and perspectives.
I'm also happy to see more opportunities for actors of different ages and backgrounds. The industry is gradually becoming more inclusive, and I think it's important that we continue moving in that direction.
Ultimately, we have to embrace these changes while never losing sight of the craft itself.
12. What advice would you give to young people who dream of becoming actors?
Train, work hard and never stop learning. But most importantly, don't wait for someone to give you permission to pursue your dream. Create opportunities, make your own projects, build relationships and develop your individuality.
And don't compare your journey to anyone else's. I came from professional basketball, moved to Los Angeles and built an international career through different stages of my life. There is no single path to success. Your differences can become your greatest strengths.
13. Are there any upcoming projects that you are excited to share with your fans?
Yes! I'm currently involved in an exciting television project in Munich, Germany, where I play the protagonist in a new series. The pilot has already been filmed, and production is continuing.
I'm also very excited about Wahnsinnig, a psychological thriller that is currently making its way through the international festival circuit and receiving recognition.
I love projects that challenge me creatively, and I'm looking forward to sharing more with everyone as they develop.
14. What would you like your legacy to be as an actress?
I'd like to be remembered as an actress who wasn't afraid to take risks, cross borders and reinvent herself. Someone who brought depth, strength and authenticity to every character she portrayed.
I would love to inspire other women, particularly those who believe it's too late to start something new or pursue a different dream.
I believe we are never defined by one chapter of our lives. We are always capable of becoming something more. And if my journey can inspire even one person to believe that, then I will have left something meaningful behind.
Thank you so much for this interview!
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