With season 3 of the history-making drama series, Rodriguez emerges as a fully realized leading lady.
Mj Rodriguezis a big hugger, which made a year’s worth of social distancing particularly difficult for thePosestar.
That makes the job and everything that you do worth it."
Lia Clay Miller for EW
Moments later, another fan approaches.
For Rodriguez, it’s another chance to give a hug.
“I love giving hugs,” she says.
Lia Clay Miller for EW
“I don’t want to stop giving hugs for a minute.
And I feel like we finally can now.”
The cultural reach ofPoseis clear.
In some ways, the drama was her crash course in the industry.
“But I didn’t expect the other things that came with it.”
But she embraced it.
Rodriguez was “excited as hell” to get back to work after nearly a year of lockdowns.
The drought of human connections had put a strain on her mental health.
“I couldn’t do that,” she says.
“I had to hide behind a mask the whole time.
And I still have to hide behind a mask.”
She points to the COVID-safe covering on her face.
Rodriguez also admits to grappling with internal fear.
“I was very scared,” she says.
“He was there with me through all of the process of Corona.
It was a lot of preparation before I had even gone back on set.
Being back after the first day, I was right back to where I used to be.
I was at my second home.”
“I think it’s time.”
It’s the kind of recognition with the power “to influence a generation that is beyond me.
That’s what this whole show, and this work, is really about.
It’s legacy work.”
“This can be on the record because I want them to know this,” she makes clear.
“I know exactly what they’re thinking right now.
I know they don’t see me as a woman.
They don’t have to tell me.
Recognition from the Globes is a much bleaker story.
And I hope that speaks volumes,” Rodriguez continues.
It’s not about ego.
She always seems aware of when she might be coming across as prideful.
She’s just aware of the reality of what awards can mean.
“There are a lot of people deserving of the work that they put in,” she says.
It’s what made the reality of the third season being the last so emotional.
“It made it so easy to do our jobs,” she says.
“I may have to navigate that myself,” she notes.
But she’s willing to, especially with the prospect of what’s next.
There are two projects in particular that Rodriguez is currently mulling over.
“Blanca was dramatic but she was still light.
She was love, hope, and joy.
She smiles and shakes with excitement at what’s coming next.
“There’s so much in these pans, they’re just boiling, which is gagging me.”
