Camila Mendes
Camila Mendes has witnessed some of the issues involving Latin women in Hollywood. Pictured: Mendes at Entertainment Weekly’s annual Comic-Con party in celebration of Comic-Con 2017 at Float at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego on July 22, 2017 in San Diego, California. Getty Images/Mike Coppola

“Riverdale” star Camila Mendes recently opened up about the upcoming second season of the hit The CW series.

While speaking with People Chica, the actress said that Season 2 will be so much darker than Season 1. “In season one, we were testing the waters, and in season two, we’re really diving in. We’ve fully submerged ourselves into the thriller genre, and the obstacles that our characters will face are terrifying,” she said.

In “Riverdale” Season 2, Mendes’ character, Veronica, will be reuniting with her dad, Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos). His arrival will cause problems not only in the Lodge household, but also in Veronica and Archie’s (KJ Apa) relationship. Veronica’s ex-boyfriend, Nick St. Clair (Graham Phillips) will also visit her in “Riverdale” and will be part of at least two episodes. Nick’s presence could also cause a dent in the couple’s relationship.

Meanwhile, Mendes also talked about what it’s like playing the role of a rich and privileged Latina, which isn’t a very common thing in Hollywood. “It’s just so refreshing to see a different story being told for Latina families. The Lodge family is a much-needed departure from the underprivileged, sleazy Latino drug-dealers we’re used to seeing in entertainment. It’s rare that you see Latin families being portrayed as intelligent, sophisticated and powerful entities,” she said.

But even though Mendes plays the role of a privileged young Latina in the series, the actress also acknowledged the fact that being a Latin woman is difficult in Hollywood.

“I’m pretty new to Hollywood, but I’m already starting to see the issues in how some projects are cast. I often hear things like, ‘You don’t look Latina enough’ and that mentality is so backwards. The fact is: I am Latina, so how are you going to tell me that I don’t look Latina?” she said.

Mendes is also of Brazilian descent, and she keeps up with that side of herself by talking to her parents in Portuguese. She also has daily conversations with her family members via their group chat. “That sense of community and family is the heart of Brazilian culture, and staying engaged with my family is what keeps me connected,” she said.

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