{"id":259508,"date":"2021-05-26T17:55:28","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T14:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star\/"},"modified":"2021-05-26T17:55:28","modified_gmt":"2021-05-26T14:55:28","slug":"in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star\/","title":{"rendered":"#&#8217;In the Heights&#8217; star Melissa Barrera is 2021&#8217;s hot star"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f3bcc9fbb1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f3bcc9fbb1\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star\/#Fashion_Editor_Serena_French_Stylist_Anahita_Moussavian_Fashion_Assistant_Alejandra_Munt_Hair_Josue_Perez_at_Tracey_Mattingly_using_Frenchies_Hairpins_Makeup_Talia_Sparrow_Manicure_Ellen_Jin_at_The_One_Nail_Spa\" >Fashion Editor: Serena French; Stylist: Anahita Moussavian; Fashion Assistant: Alejandra Munt; Hair: Josu\u00e9 Perez at Tracey Mattingly using Frenchies Hairpins; Makeup: Talia Sparrow; Manicure: Ellen Jin at The One Nail &amp; Spa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star\/#On_location\" >On location<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#&#8217;In the Heights&#8217; star Melissa Barrera is 2021&#8217;s hot star<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cIt was July. It was supposed to be hot \u2014 but the pool was freezing,\u201d recalls Melissa Barrera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was raining the entire time, and we had 500 dancers and extras, and we kept having to stop because there was lightning!\u201d Barrera\u2019s face breaks into a grin at the pure chaos of shooting a huge, aquatic musical number outdoors. \u201cWe\u2019d all be on the sidelines cheering on the dancers. It was such a fun week!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That song, \u201c96,000,\u201d is one of several showstoppers from \u201cIn the Heights,\u201d the new movie musical in which Barrera plays the female lead, aspiring designer Vanessa, who falls in love with Anthony Ramos\u2019 bodega-owner character, Usnavi.<\/p>\n<p>Directed by Jon M. Chu (\u201cCrazy Rich Asians\u201d), the film \u2014 which is a love letter to the Dominican community in Washington Heights \u2014 is adapted from the Tony-winning Broadway show by Lin-Manuel Miranda (\u201cHamilton\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>Shot in 2019, its debut last summer was delayed because of COVID-19. It\u2019s already <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/decider.com\/2021\/05\/21\/in-the-heights-review-lin-manuel-miranda\/\">received advance rave reviews<\/a> and will open the Tribeca Festival on June 9, followed by a theatrical release on June 11. It will <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/trk.hbomax.com\/aff_c?offer_id=5&amp;aff_id=1020&amp;source=nyp\">stream at the same time on HBO Max<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" alt=\"The actress posing in a denim jacket. \" class=\"wp-image-18320727 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Jacket, $138 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lee.com\/shop\/womens-vintage-modern-oversized-trucker-jacket-35374.html\"><strong>Lee<\/strong><\/a>; Bandeau, $175, and pants, $345, both at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.BajaEast.com\"><strong>Baja East<\/strong><\/a>; 14-k yellow-gold earrings with diamonds, $825 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mateonewyork.com\/products\/one-of-a-kind-14kt-gold-baroque-pearls-and-diamonds-earring?_pos=3&amp;_sid=e515b24d3&amp;_ss=r\"><strong>Mateo New York<\/strong><\/a>; \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jenniferbehr.com\/products\/monica-necklace?variant=Pearl%20Multi\">Monica<\/a>\u201d necklace, $198, and \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jenniferbehr.com\/products\/janice-necklace?variant=Pearl\">Janice<\/a>\u201d necklace, $298, both at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.JenniferBehr.com\"><strong>Jennifer Behr<\/strong><\/a>; Choker, $88 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/electricpicks.com\/products\/lasso-necklace?_pos=2&amp;_sid=731bc6c19&amp;_ss=r\"><strong>Electric Picks<\/strong><\/a>; Bracelet, $66 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bonbonwhims.com\/products\/marshmallow-drops-bracelet?variant=37150197252278\"><strong>Bon Bon Whims<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cAda\u201d 18-k yellow-gold rings with diamonds, $3,950, both at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.melissakayejewelry.com\/collections\/rings\/products\/ada-ring-enamel-neon-blue\"><strong>Melissa Kaye Jewelry<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Ben Watts<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Packed with huge ensemble songs, New York City vistas, hip-hop swagger and old-fashioned romance, it\u2019s hard to imagine a more glorious reason for people to return to cinemas, says Barrera. \u201cI feel like this movie will make people yearn to go back to crowded places and busy streets,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd the music of the city, like Usnavi says in the movie \u2014 you don\u2019t realize that until you miss it. It\u2019s such a distinct soundtrack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On Zoom from Studio City in LA, Barrera says, \u201cIt\u2019s very quiet where I am. In New York, you\u2019re in it. You feel the energy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is a rare period of downtime for the Mexican actress.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike most of us, Barrera\u2019s been a whirlwind of activity during the pandemic. If you didn\u2019t catch her in the critically acclaimed <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/fave.co\/2HmvSe8\">Starz show \u201cVida\u201d<\/a> \u2014 and you really should have \u2014 just wait until the fruits of her labors over the past two years start to drop.<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019s the star of an upcoming adaptation of the opera \u201cCarmen,\u201d and she\u2019s also in the latest installment of the \u201cScream\u201d franchise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Melissa Barrera posing in the Hamptons.\" class=\"wp-image-18320798 lazyload\" width=\"618\" height=\"926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=618 618w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1236 1236w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 618px\"\/><figcaption>\u201cDina\u201d bodysuit, $420 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.robertaeiner.com\/product-page\/dina-bodysuit-blue\"><strong>Roberta Einer<\/strong><\/a>; Skirt, $473 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bevza.com\/collections\/ss21-collection\/products\/wrap-white-skirt-with-ceramic-duck?variant=32660736016435\"><strong>Bevza<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cBlossom\u201d sandals, $2,050 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rogervivier.com\/us-en\/Vivier-Blossom-Sandals-in-Suede\/p\/RVW62230990PXG425C\/\"><strong>Roger Vivier<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cStarlight\u201d earrings, $248 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lorenhope.com\/products\/starlight-earrings-in-hematite-light-sapphire\"><strong>Loren Hope<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cSmiley\u201d ring, $30 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bonbonwhims.com\/products\/smiley-charm-ring\"><strong>Bon Bon Whims<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cClaudia\u201d scrunchie, $230 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hermes.com\/us\/en\/product\/claudia-scrunchie-H211005GvOR\/\"><strong>Hermes<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Ben Watts<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Barrera\u2019s star may be rising quickly, but she\u2019s still geeking out over her own favorite actors. Working alongside Daphne Rubin-Vega in \u201cIn the Heights\u201d was particularly surreal. \u201cI\u2019m such a huge fan of hers from \u2018Rent,\u2019 \u201d Barrera says. Rubin-Vega, who plays salon owner Daniela in \u201cHeights,\u201d originated the \u201cRent\u201d role of Mimi Marquez on Broadway. \u201cWhen I met her, I was freaking out,\u201d Barrera says. \u201cAnd she\u2019s so oblivious to the fact that she\u2019s an icon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was like that on the set of \u201cScream,\u201d too, where Barrera\u2019s co-stars included Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette. \u201cI would be doing a scene with Courteney or Neve,\u201d says Barrera, \u201cand when the directors would cut, I\u2019d whisper to them, \u2018Take a picture, take a picture!\u2019 I would act all casual, so they could get a shot of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignleft\">\n<blockquote><p>I learned a lot about Latinx representation, and the lack of it. We had a nonbinary actor, so it was also about queer representation, and trans representation, and all these things that, in Mexico, I wasn\u2019t exposed to.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Barrera on \u201cVida\u201d<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cScream,\u201d which filmed last fall, features Barrera as a character named Sam Carpenter. This is, alas, all she\u2019s allowed to say. But the character\u2019s name, which she points out is non-Latina, tells its own story. \u201cThe role was written to be played by a white girl,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I feel like the studio was giving me a chance, and casting me and leaving the name as-is is a step in representation, and being open to giving the role to the best actor, not just casting an ethnicity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Barrera has been increasingly vocal about Latinx representation in Hollywood, and credits 2018\u2019s edgy \u201cVida,\u201d in part, with lighting that spark. \u201cI learned a lot about Latinx representation, and the lack of it,\u201d she says. \u201cWe had a nonbinary actor, so it was also about queer representation, and trans representation, and all these things that, in Mexico, I wasn\u2019t exposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These days she\u2019s making a point to push for nonstereotypical Latinx roles in Hollywood \u2014 a place where, not so long ago, she says Salma Hayek was the only Mexican actress Barrera had as a role model. \u201cI feel like, whenever I can, I want to raise my voice for my community, and present in a way that makes everybody proud. So little boys and girls growing up watching the stories I\u2019m doing see themselves, and can point to the character and be like, \u2018I can do that as well.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Melissa Barrera posing in a cardigan. \" class=\"wp-image-18320764 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=683 683w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1366 1366w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><figcaption>\u201cMiranda\u201d cardigan, $458 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nanajacqueline.com\/collections\/all-clothing\/products\/yellow-pink-mohair-cardigan-set\"><strong>Nana Jacqueline<\/strong><\/a>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/yanyanknits.com\/products\/cirrus-plaid-bra\">Bra<\/a>, $185, and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/yanyanknits.com\/collections\/bottoms\/products\/mabo-rib-pant-1\">pants<\/a>, $265, both at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.YanYanKnits.com\"><strong>Yan Yan Knits<\/strong><\/a>; Clutch, $5,795 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/judithleiber.com\/products\/cocktail-watermelon-margarita?_pos=1&amp;_sid=8f227daf5&amp;_ss=r\"><strong>Judith Leiber<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cLemon Drop\u201d earrings, $168 at <strong><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lorenhope.com\/products\/lemon-drop-earrings\">Loren Hope<\/a><\/strong>; \u201cValentina \u2018I Love NY\u2019 \u201d necklace, $4,500 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/larkspurandhawk.com\/products\/valentina-i-love-ny-riviere?variant=39293048520739\"><strong>Larkspur and Hawk<\/strong><\/a>; Ring, $30 at <strong><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bonbonwhims.com\/products\/smiley-charm-ring\">Bon Bon Whims<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>She doesn\u2019t have a problem pushing back on roles she sees as stereotypical or racist. \u201cA lot of the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">script<\/a>s I get, I\u2019m like, \u2018You don\u2019t understand how this is a negative portrayal.\u2019 But when I say no, I always explain why. I\u2019ve had a few people come back and go, \u2018I hadn\u2019t thought of that, thank you, and I\u2019ll work on a rewrite.\u2019 So that\u2019s a little bit of my contribution. Not just saying no, but explaining why that is damaging.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The 30-year-old Barrera, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, attended NYU\u2019s Tisch School of the Arts for two years before leaving to take a role in a telenovela back home. The four years she spent in Mexican soaps were like acting boot camp, an experience she wouldn\u2019t trade for anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would shoot 30 scenes a day,\u201d she says. \u201cI know the genre is looked down upon, but I would invite any actor to try to shoot a soap. It\u2019s a challenge, and a set of skills, and a lot of discipline. In Mexico, you rarely have two takes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her CrossFit-level acting muscles were put to the test in \u201cScream,\u201d she says, which can flip between comic and stabby in a single scene. They also came in handy for taking on the title role in \u201cCarmen,\u201d directed by ballet dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied in his feature-film directing debut.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Melissa Barrera posing with a camera in the Hamptons.\" class=\"wp-image-18320817 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=683 683w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1366 1366w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><figcaption>\u201cHurricane Cove\u201d shirt, $128 at <strong><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tombolocompany.com\/products\/hurricane-cove-cabana?_pos=1&amp;_sid=ed8735086&amp;_ss=r\">Tombolo<\/a><\/strong>; \u201cMeghan\u201d shorts, $338 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nanajacqueline.com\/collections\/all-clothing\/products\/black-meghan-high-waisted-shorts\"><strong>Nana Jacqueline<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cUrban\u201d sandals, $45 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ninashoes.com\/collections\/casual\/products\/urban-peony-buck-pu\"><strong>Nina Shoes<\/strong><\/a>; \u201cMostly Sunny\u201d socks, $24 at <strong><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motherdenim.com\/products\/baby-steps-mostly-sunny\">Mother Denim<\/a><\/strong>; Necklace, $48 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.victoriaemerson.com\/products\/paperclip-style-gold-necklace?_pos=8&amp;_sid=5a1ca3299&amp;_ss=r\"><strong>Victoria Emerson<\/strong><\/a>; Bracelet, $80 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.BonBonWhims.com\"><strong>Bon Bon Whims<\/strong><\/a>; \u201ci-Type\u201d camera, $100 at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/us.polaroid.com\/products\/polaroid-now?variant=31712404602952\"><strong>Polaroid<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Ben Watts<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt was the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever done,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of dancing, and I had to do the training for that. It was super rewarding. It felt like every day we were making art.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But that art required sacrifice. For the first time in her life, Barrera had to spend Christmas and New Year\u2019s Eve alone, quarantining in Australia for the shoot. She couldn\u2019t even be with her husband, musician Paco Zazueta.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, the couple got several months in lockdown, in their home in Sonora, Mexico. They didn\u2019t mind sheltering in place. \u201cIt was so fun to be a normal couple, because we\u2019re always apart. And so when we spend time together, it\u2019s like a honeymoon: Let\u2019s go somewhere, let\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a>! It was nice to have regular at-home time together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignright\">\n<blockquote><p>I don\u2019t want tight anymore. I\u2019ve been at so many events where I can\u2019t breathe, or sit down, or eat, because it\u2019ll give me a food belly. I don\u2019t want that in my life anymore.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Melissa Barrera<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Shortly after Australia, she was summoned back to New York by Ramos, who had waited to shoot a video for his new single until Barrera was available to be in it. \u201cSay Less\u201d sees the two stars in a sultry light, entwining to the sounds of Ramos\u2019 R&amp;B jam. \u201cWe hadn\u2019t seen each other in a year,\u201d she says, \u201cand it feels like being back with family, when we\u2019re together.\u201d As it happens, she\u2019s wearing the leather pants from that video while on our chat. They\u2019re a lot cooler than most Zoom fare I\u2019ve seen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Barrera is on a mission to carve out a red-carpet style that\u2019s both fashion-forward and pandemic-reminiscent. \u201cI don\u2019t want tight anymore. I\u2019ve been at so many events where I can\u2019t breathe, or sit down, or eat, because it\u2019ll give me a food belly. I don\u2019t want that in my life anymore.\u201d Her wish was granted recently: Armani loaned her a suit made of literal sweatpants. \u201cIt was cut like a striped navy suit,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was incredible!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Barrera thinks the word is out now to designers who are paying attention. \u201cEveryone who\u2019s been wearing loungewear for a year? We\u2019re not going back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Who can say what colorful creation she\u2019ll procure for the \u201cIn the Heights\u201d premiere \u2014 but she knows she\u2019ll be comfortable in the company of colleagues who\u2019ve become family. Even now, she says, the \u201cIn the Heights\u201d group-text chat is going strong, every day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Melissa Barrera posing on stairs. \" class=\"wp-image-18320827 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=683 683w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1366 1366w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><figcaption>Melissa Barrera is the star of \u201cIn the Heights,\u201d a new movie musical coming to theaters and HBO Max. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Ben Watts<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt feels like the movie is an arts high school we\u2019re all graduating from and going out to do other things,\u201d she says. \u201cIt feels awesome to be able to share in each other\u2019s successes.\u201d And to come back for class reunions of sorts.<\/p>\n<p>This is a practice Miranda has nurtured for his ensembles throughout his career. Ramos got his big break in \u201cHamilton,\u201d and you can catch cameos from both Miranda and Christopher Jackson, who played George Washington, in the new film.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s kind of like this fairy godmother,\u201d Barrera says of Miranda. \u201cWhen he loves you, he has your back. And I think that\u2019s so beautiful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fashion_Editor_Serena_French_Stylist_Anahita_Moussavian_Fashion_Assistant_Alejandra_Munt_Hair_Josue_Perez_at_Tracey_Mattingly_using_Frenchies_Hairpins_Makeup_Talia_Sparrow_Manicure_Ellen_Jin_at_The_One_Nail_Spa\"><\/span><em>Fashion Editor: Serena French; Stylist: Anahita Moussavian; Fashion Assistant: Alejandra Munt; Hair: Josu\u00e9 Perez at Tracey Mattingly using Frenchies Hairpins; Makeup: Talia Sparrow; Manicure: Ellen Jin at The One Nail &amp; Spa<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_location\"><\/span>On location<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-nypost-medium-post\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"322\" height=\"483\" alt=\"Melissa Barrera on the putting green at 36 Gin Lane. \" class=\"wp-image-18320699 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=322 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/alexa-barrera-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=644 644w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 322px\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/abacaxi-nyc.com\/shop\/verde-loro-linen-shirt\">Shirt<\/a>, $190, and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/abacaxi-nyc.com\/shop\/nasrin-skirt\">\u201cNasrin\u201d skirt<\/a>, $325, both at <strong>Abacaxi<\/strong>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/oseree.com\/collections\/two-piece\/products\/ss21-lumiere-90s-two-piece?variant=37279746687135\">Bikini top<\/a>, $265 at <strong>Oseree<\/strong>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lorenhope.com\/products\/primadonna-necklace-in-rainbow-multi\">\u201cPrimadonna\u201d necklace<\/a>, $498, and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lorenhope.com\/products\/arista-bracelet-in-cotton-candy-ombre\">\u201cArista\u201d bracelet<\/a>, $108, both at <strong>Loren Hope<\/strong>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lelesadoughi.com\/collections\/bracelets\/products\/https-www-lelesadoughi-com-pf21-58\">Bracelets<\/a>, $95 each at <strong>Lele Sadoughi<\/strong>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hermes.com\/us\/en\/product\/claudia-scrunchie-H211002GvJA\/\">\u201cClaudia\u201d scrunchie<\/a>, $230 at <strong>Hermes<\/strong><\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Ben Watts<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alexa cover star Melissa Barrera was photographed at Ocean Dream, an iconic 80-year-old Southampton estate on renowned Gin Lane. <\/p>\n<p>Built in 1940 by Henry Ford\u2019s daughter Anne Ford (the property was a wedding gift from her dad), the sprawling shingle-style nine-bedroom, nine-full-bathroom mansion is spread over more than 7,500 square feet of newly renovated living space. <\/p>\n<p>It boasts wide wraparound porches and amenities such as staff quarters, a gym, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a> room and sunroom. <\/p>\n<p>Set off a private road, the 3.7-acre grounds include a three-car garage, pool and accompanying house, golf putting green and an elegant grass tennis court. <\/p>\n<p>The estate at 5 Fair Lea Road (36 Gin Lane) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.corcoran.com\/hamptons-real-estate\/for-sale\/southampton\/5-fair-lea-road-36-gin-lane-southampton-ny-11968\/6098817?WebID=867591\">is asking $49 million<\/a> with Corcoran\u2019s Marcella O\u2019Callaghan.\n            <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/05\/26\/in-the-heights-star-melissa-barrera-is-2021s-hot-star\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#&#8217;In the Heights&#8217; star Melissa Barrera is 2021&#8217;s hot star&#8221; \u201cIt was July. It was supposed to be hot \u2014 but the pool was freezing,\u201d recalls Melissa Barrera. \u201cIt was raining the entire time, and we had 500 dancers and extras, and we kept having to stop because there was lightning!\u201d Barrera\u2019s face breaks into&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":259509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/in-the-heights-melissa-barrera.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=683","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[107329,72953,76703,640,107383,54644,70504,1361],"class_list":["post-259508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-5-26-21","tag-acting","tag-alexa-hamptons","tag-hbo-max","tag-melissa-barerra","tag-melissa-barrera","tag-mexico","tag-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}