“Milly challenged me in everything”, Sandy Hernández on her leading role in the film “Milly, Queen of Merengue”

The Dominican actress Sandy Hernandez He discovered that playing a living music star requires much more than knowing how to stand in front of a camera; after assuming the responsibility of embodying Milly Quezada In the film “Milly, Queen of Merengue”, he delved into the intimate life of an artist whose voice has made several generations dance.

During an interview, the actress confessed that when she played Minerva Mirabal in the series of Disney+“The Scream of the Butterflies”, he thought that would be the great role of his life. And she was, until Milly arrived and challenged her in every way.

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What was the biggest challenge of playing Milly?

Since it was a musical film and she was not a professional singer or dancer, the process required her to unfold herself to find the exact balance between the woman and the artist.

For Hernández, the objective was to find the merengue singer’s voice in his own. “Something that we were always clear about, Leticia (the director) and I, was that It was never about imitating Milly. It was always about finding its essence and transmitting that,” he said.

“Milly is unique and irreplaceable and, thank God, we still have her alive and well, super active, with her concerts and with a career at the top.”

Learning about the obstacles and losses Milly overcame to reach the top changed the actress’s perspective. Now, more than seeing her as an icon, he is inspired by her “as a wonderful human being.” what is it.

what did you discover about her?

According to Sandy, Milly’s greatness lies in her authenticity. When analyzing her, she realized that “that same person you see on stage is the person she is.”

Milly Quezada showed him that “you can be genuine, a good person and still become a queen and become an icon”that there is no need to go around with “devices, divisms, or anything”, because, in his opinion, “simplicity is its most lethal weapon.”

What was it like working with Leticia Tonos?

Regarding his experience working for the first time with the director, Hernández described her as “a genius” and “every actor’s dream.”

He highlighted that Tonos is a super collaborative person who lets you explore, but at the same time “is very clear about what he wants” and whose notes always seek to elevate what the artist proposes.

The actress fully trusts the filmmaker’s talent and highlighted: “We are making the first Dominican musical in her hands. I am only a part, but Leticia is the artist; she knew how to unite all the elements so that the film would be spectacular.”

How did you manage to connect with the character?

The actress assured that, although “you would believe at first glance that it is only about merengue and Dominicanness,” the film also deals with complex themes such as migration, sacrifices and family.

As a Dominican living in USASandy connected immediately, since she also migrated to New York to prepare and pursue her dreams.

This connection brought her closer to the artist, who from the first day spoke openly to her about “her experiences, her experiences, her loves, her disappointments, about everything she had to go through.”

“Every time I see it, the film, when I talk to Milly and continue receiving her support and that she is so happy with her film too, it is the greatest satisfaction,” he revealed.

What was Milly’s reaction after seeing the film?

Sandy said that that night, during the screening at the 18th edition of Santo Domingo Global Film Festival (FCGSD), sat like another spectator, and cried, sang and laughed while watching her work on screen.

At the end, while different press groups approached them separately, they gradually got closer throughout the night. Visibly moved and in tears, Sandy went to greet her and asked: “Did you like your movie?” The artist’s reaction was unforgettable: she hugged her and exclaimed “Oh, my God, I loved it!” assuring him that she was very proud and that this job would change her career.

“Milly is a dream. She is the most humble queen I have ever met,” reflected the actress, adding that, although they hope the public will enjoy her, “she is happy with her story and that fills me with great satisfaction.”

Which song had you the most fun?

The production recorded an entire album, which required months of vocal preparation.

Sandy thanked Mery Cepedathe vocal coach, for the great work done with the cast to achieve a wonderful soundtrack. And although he confessed that the challenge was great, he also had fun. He revealed a curious fact about the youth of the merengue singer portrayed in the film: “Milly wanted to be a rocker when she was young. One of her idols was the rocker Janis Joplin”.

It was when performing Angelitos Negros that the actress felt the greatest connection, because in the story that is where the character finds her voice for merengue.

“It’s very interesting to see that transition… Angelitos Negros, I think it’s the most special song for me on the soundtrack,” said the actress, who invited the public to go to the movies because “Hey, I’m talking about that song, it makes my hair stand on end.”

How was the work dynamic with Juan Carlos Pichardo?

His on-screen co-star is comedian Juan Carlos Pichardo Jr.who assumes the role of Rafael VasquezMilly’s husband. Hernández acknowledged that it was a challenge for him to go from humor to dramatic register, “but he was very excited to take on that challenge and make it his own and break through. And he did it.”

Although they had not worked together before, they had chemistry from the beginning. He described him as an “extraordinary being” and a “super talented guy: comedian, singer, dances, gets crazy, well, everything.” The experience of working hand in hand was spectacular, and he highlighted that he is super professional, which allowed them to have a highly collaborative process where they talked a lot and “we consulted things with each other in scenes and at an acting level as well.”

What scenes from the movie happened exactly like this in reality?

Outside of the musical numbers typical of the genre, there are intimate scenes that faithfully respect what happened in real life.

Hernández recalled the scene where Milly and Rafa discover their feelings: she fell in love when she saw Rafa’s sensitive side while he cried about a breakup. The actress confirmed that this moment is faithful to reality, as the merengue singer has mentioned in past interviews.

How did you work on emotional transitions?

The film also addresses the deep depression and mourning that the singer faced after the death of her husband. This stage, according to the protagonist, “is like the common thread of the film,” where Milly remembers details from her entire life.

Hernández used the filming schedule to his advantage, which consisted of five weeks in the country and two weeks the following year in New York.

“Milly’s depression process was my last week of recording. So, I was saying goodbye to Milly, Rafael Vásquez, my family and the project,” he confessed. That emotional charge helped her identify with the suffering of losing the love of her life in fiction when living her “own mourning with the project.”

Sandy, what would you say to your quarantine self who only played small roles?

“Keep preparing. Nothing is easy in life, but you already have time away from home chasing your dreams. Get ready, what’s coming is good.”

Path

Although he was born in the United States, Hernández trained in National School of Dramatic Arts in the Dominican Republic. He then moved to New York and finally Los Angeles to study film and television.

Upcoming projects

He recently finished filming in Atlanta under the direction of the iconic David Mamet the film Speed-the-Plow, a project where he shares credits with Hollywood stars such as Anthony Mackie and Sharon Stone. “It’s a huge step in my career,” said the actress.

BILLBOARD

“Milly, Queen of Merengue” will hit movie theaters starting this Thursday April 16. The film, directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, is a 118-minute musical feature film that narrates the artist’s emotional journey from her migration to New York to her consecration as a cultural icon.

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