EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Carolina Gaitán:
The Voice That Moves Worlds

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself for those who are discovering you?

I’m Carolina Gaitán. Many know me as Pepa Madrigal in Encanto, but I’ve always been an actress and singer drawn to stories that can transform us. Second Chance came into my life as an opportunity to keep telling truths that resonate deeply with all of us.

2. Audiences worldwide know you as Pepa Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto. How does stepping into Marianna in Second Chance compare to that experience, both emotionally and professionally?

Pepa is such a beloved character who taught us to embrace vulnerability and to allow our emotions to shift like the weather. Marianna, on the other hand, is a woman shaped by displacement and the pursuit of justice. Playing her took me to a more grounded and raw place. As an actress, it was a gift to move from an animated, musical world to one filled with very human dilemmas.

3.Second Chance brings forward themes like immigration, LGBTQ rights, and women’s equality. What drew you most to this project, and what message do you hope viewers take away from Marianna’s story?

Second Chances speaks about immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality. I was drawn to it because these are issues that affect millions and, while they can be painful, they deserve to be told. I hope audiences see in Marianna not just a character but a voice calling for dignity and compassion.

You share the screen with Denise Richards and AnnaLynne McCord. What was the dynamic like on set, and did you learn anything new from collaborating with them?

Working with Denise and AnnaLynne was inspiring. Each of them brings a different energy to the set, and that diversity enriched every scene. I loved feeling that we were truly listening to each other and pushing one another to take risks.

4. You performed “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” at the Oscars, a performance that reached millions. How did that moment change the way the world sees you, and how did it change the way you see yourself?

That moment changed my life. Seeing millions of people connect with the song was a powerful reminder that art transcends borders. I’ll always be grateful to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and the entire Encanto team for trusting me with that voice. On a personal level, it reaffirmed the importance of representing my country with joy and authenticity.

Actress, singer, and force of nature — Carolina Gaitán has built a career on emotion, authenticity, and transformation. From giving life to Pepa Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto to portraying the raw and powerful Marianna in Second Chance, she moves effortlessly between music and cinema, fantasy and truth. Named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Powerful Women in Colombia, Gaitán embodies resilience, using her voice — both spoken and sung — to champion women, equality, and the stories that unite us all.

INTERVIEW

5. Topping the Billboard charts for five weeks as a Colombian artist is historic. What does that achievement mean for you personally, and for Colombian artists on the global stage?

. It was unforgettable. To see a song from Encanto reach the top of the Billboard charts for five weeks was bigger than any personal milestone — it felt like a celebration of Colombian culture on the global stage. For me, it was a reminder of the power of authenticity and storytelling through music. And for Colombian artists everywhere, I think it showed that our voices, our rhythms, and our stories can resonate with the world. I carry that pride with gratitude, and it pushes me to keep opening doors for the next generation of artists coming from our region.

6. From Narcos on Netflix to Sin senos sí hay paraíso and now Second Chance, your portfolio is incredibly diverse. How do you choose your roles, and what kind of stories do you want to tell next?

. I’ve always chosen roles by instinct — I’m drawn to characters and stories that feel urgent to tell. I love projects that explore the complexity of being human and that create a bridge between audiences and realities they may not know.I’m especially inspired by stories of brave women who find the courage to raise their voices — and when that voice can also sing, it feels like pure magic to me. Being able to integrate my singing into a character’s journey makes me feel complete as an artist. Whether it was Narcos, Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso, or now Second Chance, I’ve looked for roles that carry truth and offer an emotional journey. Moving forward, I want to keep telling stories that challenge perceptions, spark empathy, and give voice to women and communities that deserve to be heard.

Marianna’s journey highlights resilience in the face of violence and social struggles. In what ways do you personally connect to her resilience, and how do you hope her story resonates with audiences?

Marianna’s resilience is born from hardship, but also from an unshakable hope — and that’s something I deeply connect with. I’ve had to reinvent myself at different points in my life and career, and I know what it means to keep going when the odds feel stacked against you. What I admire most about her is that she refuses to let her circumstances define her spirit. I hope audiences watching her journey see their own strength reflected in her story, and feel encouraged to keep moving forward even in their most challenging moments. I also hope her voice brings attention to the realities faced by so many women in similar situations — and inspires empathy and action.

7. Being named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Powerful Women in Colombia is a remarkable honor. How do you view that responsibility, and how do you hope to inspire other women in Latin America and beyond?

That recognition was both humbling and motivating. I see it less as a title and more as a reminder of the responsibility we all share to lift each other up. I hope to inspire other women to be fearless — to trust their own voices, to step into spaces where they might have felt they didn’t belong, and to know that their stories matter.I’ve always seen art as a powerful and transformative force — it can open minds, heal wounds, and spark change. As a Latina artist, a mother, and a woman in the public eye, I believe that authenticity and courage, combined with the impact of art, can help shift perspectives. If my journey encourages other women in Latin America and beyond to dream bigger, to lead with heart, and to use their own creativity as a tool for transformation, then that recognition truly finds its meaning.

Photographer: BRIAN RODRIGUEZ PH

8. You are equally recognized as a singer and actress. How do these two forms of expression feed into one another, and do you see yourself leaning more into one in the future?

For me, singing and acting have always been like two languages of the same soul. That’s why I’m so in love with musical theatre — it lets those two languages meet in one living, breathing form of storytelling. This conviction is also what inspired me to create Vida, Porque Solo Hay Una, a project that blends theatre and music in a way that feels deeply personal and alive. I never want to stop doing theatre, especially now that we’re entering an era where AI can replicate performances. Theatre reminds us of the irreplaceable human presence at the heart of storytelling.

9. With Second Chance making its debut and your international career expanding, what are your biggest dreams and goals moving forward?

My biggest dream is to keep telling stories that move people and bring them closer to each other’s realities — stories that awaken empathy and spark meaningful change. want to continue building bridges between Latin American voices and the global stage, whether through film, TV, theatre, or music. I hope to keep creating characters that are fearless, complex, and deeply human. Above all, I want to keep growing as an artist who uses her craft to transform, to celebrate life, and to remind people of the power of art to connect us. That’s the path that excites me most for the future.