And producerGloria Calderon Kellettknows that feeling well.
“Where are the Black and brown and queer and Asian people?”
After a tumultuous and heavy year, she decided to do something to change that for everyone.
Desmond Chiam, Vincent Rodriguez, Mark Indelicato, and Emeraude Toubia on ‘With Love’.Kevin Estrada/Amazon Prime Video
And so Kellett’s new rom-comWith Lovewas born.
“I think Hollywood is always a little behind in showing what the reality is,” she adds.
It’s a rom-com that happens to have Latinos, but this show is for everyone.
Mark Indelicato, Constance Marie and Benito Martinez on ‘With Love’.Kevin Estrada/Amazon Prime Video
It’s a very American story."
“She’s spunky, driven, she makes mistakes, and that’s what makes her human.
She just broke up with a perfect-on-paper boyfriend, and now she wants to find real love.
Vincent Rodriguez and Mark Indelicato on ‘With Love’.Kevin Estrada/Amazon Prime Video
Lily’s night is going to be even more difficult because of her brother Jorge’s own love life.
“She’s had a major breakup and single Latinas going to these events is traumatic!”
Kellett says with a laugh.
Mark Indelicato and Emeraude Toubia on ‘With Love’.Kevin Estrada/Amazon Prime Video
But bringing Jorge to life onWith Loverepresented a new kind of young LGBTQ story for him.
“We’ve moved out of this space in television where it’s controversial to be gay on TV.
I very much remember what that was like being onUgly Betty, but that is no longer.
He laughs before adding, “And I wouldn’t say that that stereotype is completely untrue.
But I wouldn’t say that it’s wholly true or universal.
The show is giving you the good, bad, and ugly of all different contexts of love.”
“This was my first time playing a romantic lead in any way,” he says.
“I never really thought that was something that I would ever be doing or asked to do.
“They really ride for each other; they are best friends.
They really do go the extra mile as you see throughout the series for each other.
That’s really special.”
“We see falling in love all the time.
We don’t see what it is to stay in love with the people in your life.”
And isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
