CW Network's Jane the Virgin has made quite an impression among critics. A loose adaptation of the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la Virgen created by Perla Farías, the serial comedy-drama turned heads during the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. Yahoo TV also had praises for the show that is set to premier on October 15 saying "one of the most delightful new shows coming to TV this year."
It's not just the show that many TV pundits are raving about. They are also smitten with its lead star, Gina Rodriguez. The 29-year old actress has been tabbed as the breakout actress of the year by Yahoo TV. That accolade is just one of many things that the Puerto Rican actress dreams for herself. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Rodriguez bared his great ambition, to become the Latina Meryl Streep.
Rodriguez, who was previously known for her roles as Beverly in "The Bold and the Beautiful, talked about the development of her career as an actress.
"I saw an interview that Rita Moreno had done very early on [while I was] in high school before I started getting into theater. She had refused to play certain roles because of they way they made her feel and the way they made younger girls feel about her. I found that interesting because my parents never thought that change was possible through art. I could see this gorgeous, Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar winner tell me that I can do something with my art other than just the fancy dresses and the playing pretend."
On the same interview, she said Jane the Virgin is more than just a job for her but a way to change the way women see beauty.
"This is not specific to one ethnicity. We're going to represent the human story with a new face that hasn't been seen before. I want little girls to be able to see that their uniqueness is what makes them special; they're imperfectly perfect like everybody else. What's so beautiful about Jane is that she's the every-girl. Jane is not specifically Latina; she's a very specific girl who is a type-A who wants her dreams to come true. I want to change beauty norms."
This is not the first time that Rodriguez talked about her agenda. Talking with Rebecca Taras of Refinery 29, Rodriguez discussed the Beauty of Diversity In TV & Film that give Latinos and other race chance to shine.
