Actress Juliana Aidén Martinez played a central role in the new Netflix series, Griselda. Here are some facts about Martinez and his career.
Griselda focuses on the real-life character Griselda Blanco, a powerful drug kingpin in 1980s Florida. Blanco amassed so much influence in the state’s drug trade that she earned herself the nickname “The Godmother of Cocaine.”
5 facts about Griselda star Juliana Aidén Martinez
Juliana Aidén Martinez graduated from Yale
Martinez attended the prestigious Ivy League Yale University and graduated from the institution’s School of Drama in May 2020.
On the day of graduation, he remembered the event on Instagram and published a picture in his cap and suit with the following text:
“From a solar eclipse to a secular pan. Mom, I finally graduated from Yale!!!”
Yale’s David Geffen School of Drama was founded in 1924, and alumni include Dan Ackroyd, Angela Bassett, and Paul Giamatti.
Juliana was selected for Hillman Grad’s mentoring lab
In 2021, Juliana Aidén Martinez was part of the production company, Hillman Grad’s Mentorship Lab. The program provides opportunities for members of marginalized communities working in the entertainment industry.
In another Instagram post, Martinez shared her excitement about being accepted into the program, noting that she was “Totally on the floor:”
“wow. I’m on the floor. Thank you @lenawaithe for believing in me and being so proud to be a part of the @hillmangradproductionsfam”
Juliana previously starred in the film Crime/Thriller Boundary
Martinez starred in the 2022 thriller LimitA film directed by Anthony Faust that told the story of an assassin who gets involved in a drug ring.
She played the character of Emily Massey, the main character’s wife. In an interview with Dead Talk Live On YouTube, Martinez talked about the film. When asked how he saw his role while reading the script, he responded by commenting on it “strength” and “tenacity” about his character:
“Yeah, I think when I read the script originally…. When I first read it, I saw the first trap, playing someone where they were a submissive wife. And I think Emily, what was really interesting to me is the strength and the… tenacity, that she needs to have the marriage she’s looking for, the family she’s looking for, the confidence she’s looking for… There’s a strength in Emily that I didn’t want to… wash away, and I think Emily is as much a fighter as her husband is.”
Juliana met with June Hawkins-Singleton to study for the role of Griselda
With Griselda Since Juliana Aidén Martinez is based on a true story, she met June Hawkins-Singleton, the Miami detective she played on the show (via Netflix).
They talked for hours about Hawkins-Singleton’s history as a police officer during an extremely dangerous time in her town’s history:
– During his time, Miami became the murder capital of the country. She navigates because she is the first female homicide detective in this man’s world. He is also Cuban American and he understands cultural authenticity and the cultural factors that go into these conversations with witnesses.
As Martinez said, “representation” and understanding one’s community are “very important” and June Hawkins-Singleton introduced these features:
“It really shows how representation and understanding one’s own community is really important. We understand ours. I feel like June (is) a testament to that.
He noted that he drew some “intriguing” similarities between Griselda Blanco and Detective Hawkins-Singleton, at least as men perceived them:
“Both of them are underappreciated or underappreciated or fired and struggling to take care of themselves — even financially support themselves — and then they’re like, ‘I’m really here and you’re going to see me and I’m going to tell you what to do.’ It’s fascinating. As women, as you can see, even in today’s society, we want to be seen as equals and we also want to be in a place of autonomy and power.”
Juliana made an improv comedy video with One Piece’s Ilia Isorelýs Paulino
In December 2023, the actor participated in a humorous improv video series called Friendship/therapy On YouTube channel Cusp of Rebirth Productions.
His co-star was Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, who played Captain Alvida in another Netflix series, a successful live-action. One piece.
In the video, the couple started a comical conversation on the topic of livening up their sex life.
How to watch Juliana Aidén Martinez online
For those who want to see more of Juliana Aidén Martinez, she is on Instagram (@julianaaidenmartinez).
All six episodes Griselda only streams on Netflix.
