Growing up in Los Angeles as a half-Puerto Rican, half-Jewish, half-straight, half-gay twin sister, I found myself burdened by the term "half." During my formative years, this notion of "halfness" seemed to encapsulate my existence, suggesting that I was not wholly anything. Yet, as I've come to realize, many of us exist in this nuanced gray area—this realm of 'halfness.' It's a space suspended between a profound connection to our loved ones, our culture, and our passions, and a contrasting sense of isolation and solitude.

My aspiration as an artist is to delve into the complexities and contradictions that make us human. Most of us are walking paradoxes, and my goal is to portray characters on screen who dwell in these intermediate spaces. Film offers a unique medium that enables audiences to perceive the world through another's eyes, offering a full sensorial experience and an unparalleled exercise in empathy. Deepening our understanding of character, and by extension, human nature, is central to creating art that profoundly resonates with people. My work is driven by a deep-rooted passion for exploring the most intimate corners of human emotion, connection, and desire, both on-screen and off.

Telling Simon's story has been a years-long journey for me, during which I've grappled with how best to explore themes of shame, repression, and intrinsic desire within Latin culture. I am captivated by the notion that when we neglect our inner wants, needs, and yearnings, they eventually confront us in unavoidable ways. In the current sociopolitical climate that scrutinizes drag shows, cross-dressing, and transgender issues, Simon's story feels exceptionally pertinent. He is a deeply sympathetic character, trapped in a complex interplay of gender expression, familial love, and self-acceptance. This narrative is fundamentally about the reclamation of identity and the rebirth of freedom of expression—even when achieving that freedom involves making painful choices that affect those we love.