He's savoring the success of "Sabor a Tí".
With his perfect smile and his nice guy looks, Miguel de León emits
charm and spontaneity. Qualities that are sometimes not apparent when he
interprets the classic leading man of the rose-colored telenovelas.
Inside the filming of the network's production of "Sabor a Tí", De
León takes a break in order to converse by phone with "Gente de
Farándula".
He asserts the work, in the telenovela where he interprets Leonardo Lombardi, is
very demanding and that it requires his presence in the network from "sunup to
sundown". Nevertheless, it's obvious he's satisfied with the public's
acceptance of the novela and he's clearly very pleased with the quality of
his character.
An eternal protagonist in Venezuela who's appeared in novelas such as
"Sueño Contigo", "La Millonaria", "Fabiola", "La Revancha", "Caribe",
"María Celeste", "Como Tú Ninguna" and "Sol de Tentación",
De León is at a good moment in his career. After a long stay in
Mexico where he has a fairly widespread popularity base and where
he's gained untold recognition, the leading man of the small screen returns
to demonstrate that one can be a prophet in one own's land.
Obsessively sought after in fiction but lonelier than the
number one in real life?
If by lonely you mean I don't have a steady girlfriend, then yes... I am
alone right now. But I have plenty of company, that is to say friends,
whom I go out with.
What do you lose sleep over [what worries you] at this
moment?
My novela.
What similarities does Leonardo Lombardi have with Miguel
de León?
That unconditional love towards family. We're also alike in our
kind-heartedness. Leonardo is a bit more violent than I am. For
example, when I have problems, I tend not to tie myself down to alcohol.
So you're saying you're alike in the good things?
Not really. Leonardo has some good things I don't have. I wish I had
all the businesses and money he has.
How do you perceive Venezuela after having lived so long
in Mexico?
I came two years ago in the middle of an oil production shutdown, and I found a
Venezuela that was very depressed. Things have improved a bit now, and
I find a Venezuela that's as beautiful as ever. You can't help but notice
the colors in this country. The greens are so vivid and so beautiful.
They're difficult to find in other places. I also refound my
happiness here. I don't have as many acquaintances in Mexico and I would
mostly get together with a few friends at home. Meanwhile, here in
Venezuela, I'm able to enjoy Caracas's night life. I relish the food more,
especially the arepas.
What's the difference between the Mexican soap operas and
the Venezuelan ones?
I tend to star in rose-colored novelas and as such, there are many similarities in
both countries. The majority of the plots are based on traditional
storylines from Latin American writers such as Delia Fiallo: Rich boys who
fall in love with poor girls. In the technical aspect, there are many
stringent requirements, as much in Venezuela as in Mexico. In the case of
photography, there are certain differences. In Venezuela they work
with cinema-style photography, whereas in Mexico, it's more of an American-style.
I particularly like our [Venezuelan] photography. In Mexico, they
invest more capital in the novelas. Things are changing here though, and
proof of that is the novela "Sabor a Ti", where you can see great visual
quality, spectacular locations and a huge attention-to-detail in the scenes.
Is "Sabor a ti" a throwback to the novelas of the
'80s?
The traditional rose-colored novela isn't real, so they'll always be the same.
The things that take place in them don't happen in real life. They
are specifically made to entertain the public.
What's your shoe size?
Laughs... And that's because you wish to guesstimate my waist size? My
shoe size is 41.
Would you be willing to work for the "beautiful
revolution"?
I work for my country. I don't work for any political process. In
reality, if I were to have a political leaning, I would try not to mix
it with my profession. Art is eternal whereas politics is momentary.
What role would you like to interpret in "Amores de Barrio
Adentro"?
None, as I've already commented. I like working in rose-colored novelas and
not in politically-based stories.
[Are you] rigid?
No.
Stiff?
That's the same as rigid, but if it helps you in any way... only when it's
necessary.
Affectionate?
Yes.
Friendly?
Always.
Boring?
Every now and then. I sometimes enjoy my own boringness.
Are you a Mexican Charro (Mexican cowboy)?
Noooooooooo!
The arepas (Venezuelan food) or the tamales (Mexican
food)?
Definitely the arepas.
What have you heard about Gabriela Spanic?
Only what comes out in the press.
Are you still a "prisoner" of love? [Gabriela Spanic once
starred in a novela called "The Prisoner".]
No, at this moment in time, I'm no one's prisoner; but I'd like to be.
What question have you always wanted someone to
ask you?
What I would like to die from. In which case, I would answer:
from love.
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