From theater to television, we have been fortunate to see Alberto Corona transform himself with the spontaneity of someone born to act. He stirred controversy with his character in Sábados de Gloria, and these days he arrives with the air of a Don Juan from that enchanting seaside location: Ojo de Agua.

We spoke with Alberto Corona about Rubén, the lead role in the Cuban telenovela currently airing on Cubavisión during prime time.

How did you land the role in Ojo de Agua?

“It was at a time when I was very busy, it almost always happens that way, everything comes at once: a theater tour in Europe, Loysis had offered me a role in Regreso al corazón, and then, suddenly, Alberto Luberta called me to offer me a role in Ojo de Agua. The tour was very important for me and my group, Kilómetro Cero, and unfortunately, everything coincided.

“Luber, as we affectionately call that excellent director, sent me the first scripts and I started reading. From the first chapters, I fell in love with Rubén; he's the character that captivated me. I told Luberta about the tour and that I couldn't be in the soap opera, but that if he gave me the role of Rubén, I'd drop everything. Luckily for me, filming was delayed, and I was able to do my tour. I couldn't be in Regreso al corazón because it did clash with the tour.”

“Then the call came, my cell phone read: incoming call Luber, I answered and the first thing Luberta said was: “RUBÉN IS YOURS”. A year earlier I came across Rubén's story through a Facebook post by Lil Romero, one of the novel's writers, and her writing really caught my attention because it was Rubén defending points that are themes I explore in my theater. Well, a year after Lil Romero's post, the universe aligned, and I was able to bring Rubén to life.”

By now, all viewers know Rubén, or so we think, but how would you present him, you who, precisely, gave him life?

“I would present Rubén as a country man, with a very orthodox, hegemonic, patriarchal upbringing deeply ingrained in the fundamental characteristics of his being. But despite this, he is a man who constantly learns and grows, relying above all on his feelings, which are pure, clean, and genuine.”

How much do Rubén and Albertico have in common?

“We have a lot in common.” I usually assign a zodiac sign to the characters I play, and Rubén is an Aries, without a doubt, just like me. Impulsive, he tends to be like a big kid, he doesn't think much about what he says or does, and that drives him to make big mistakes. He's a person who highly values family, he's affectionate, romantic, and very hardworking. These are characteristics and flaws of Rubén that coincide with Alberto Corona's.”

What was the most difficult and what was the most exciting part of Ojo de Agua?

“Making a soap opera these days in our country is extremely difficult and complicated. We face daily conditions that border on inhumane due to the deterioration that not only television is currently suffering, but the country in every aspect. This greatly affects artistic creation. We recover from the disaster, and I concentrate all my energy on what’s truly important to me: my art. That's when the magic happens, the joy appears, the enjoyment, a bubble envelops you that protects you from something truly sad that crushes your soul.” I wonder, Brad Pitt is an excellent actor, but if he had to film a soap opera in Cuba, would he have the same success given these conditions?

In times of so much interaction on social media, what feedback have you received from the public?

"The public is that force that, in times of darkness, helps you discover a great light that tells you: don't stop, keep creating, keep making art because you brighten our days."

What would you like your next character to be?

"I don't think about that; I only know that I want to bring to life human beings who have something to say and who contribute to human improvement."

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff