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All to make ends meet and start life over.
ABC/Pamela Littky
And yet there’s something uplifting about this story.
(The show premieres Wednesday, February 8, on ABC and will stream on Hulu.)
We need forgiveness in this world, and we need redemption.
Not Dead Yetis adapted from the bookConfessions of a 40-Something F**k Upby Alexandra Potter.
She andher husband, actor Joe LoCicero, moved to Oregon during the pandemic.
Coming from humble beginnings, you just feel so blessed to work, Rodriguez says.
I had worked so hard to get to that place that it was almost impossible to say no.
Hannah Simone, Gina Rodriguez, and Lauren Ash. “We all are just praying that we get to see each other again for another season because we had such a great time,” Rodriguez says.
All we want in this world is love to be seen, to be protected, she says.
My parents have always seen me and my siblings as possible and capable.
Hopefully, I can do that for my baby too.
Not Dead Yetis adapted from the bookConfessions of a 40-Something F**k Upby Alexandra Potter.
Glamour:How didNot Dead Yetcome about, and what attracted you to the role of Nell?
Gina Rodriguez:It’s so interesting how things come into your life.
I was in Oregon, because my husband and I live there.
In 2022 we were thinking about having children…if this was going to be in our cards.
I gotJane the Virginwhen I was almost 30.
And that’s growth.
That takes having faith in yourself, in your team, and in the universe.
How did you get to a place where you felt comfortable saying no without freaking out?
Everything I did, I loved and felt so lucky.
But I did it almost to my detriment.
I was about to turn 38, so I was like, I’m going to slow it down.
I said no to a lot of things.
And then last March, executive producer Mary Violawho I absolutely lovesaid, I have this project.
I’m going to send it to you.
But I don’t know if you want to do connection television.
And I said, I actually only choose what’s best in my heart.
Plus, I’m definitely in a stronger space today because I’ve been saying no.
We looked at each other and knew.
Its such a relatable storystarting over later in life or feeling like youre behind compared to everyone else.
I have made mistakes.
I am constantly trying to grow.
I am shedding old bad habits that don’t serve me, patterns that don’t serve me.
I lost my grandmother last summer.
For me it was like, she’s still with me.
She’s still guiding me.
What works for me?
Whenever you make the shift in perspective and growth, that’s okay.
We live in a culture that says that you have to have it all together.
And what is having it all together?
You mentioned earlier that you and your husband moved to Oregon.
You’re not wrong.
It is still terrifying.
Every time we go, I’m like, I’m just a phone call away.
It’s very close to LA.
I’m really hoping so.
There’s just something about seeing the deer and the wild turkeys and the elk.
It’s a different existence.
Growing up in Chicago and then going to school in New York, it was almost a culture shock.
But it’s been a dream.
It’s been a really healing place for me and my husband.
When I told my father about this show, he was really excited.
He said, Finally.
Finally, you’re putting people our age on television.
We have wise things to share.
They’ve said, You just got to show up.
You just got to love hard, make your baby feel safe.
And once in a while make them laugh.
They couldn’t be more correct on that.
All we want in this world is love to be seen, to be protected.
They always made me feel that way.
Having that support from the people you love and admire the most means everything.
You believe in yourself based off of the way the people that you love see you too.
My parents have always seen me and my siblings as possible and capable.
Hopefully, I can do that for my baby too.
I know you will.
Meanwhile, you also spoke about the sisterhood you have on set with Lauren Ash and Hannah Simone.
What has it been like teaming up with these comedic powerhouses?
I didn’t know either one of the ladies, but I’ve been massive admirers.
When the producers offered the role to Hannah, I was praying she was going to say yes.
And then when she did, it was a mutual love immediately.
She has been such a guiding light and has helped me through this pregnancy like you wouldn’t believe.
And then with Lauren, I’ve known America Ferrera for so many years.
So I said, America, I want Lauren to do this.
Again, another prayer that she says yes.
I love her so, so much.
Just so, so grateful.
Hannah Simone, Gina Rodriguez, and Lauren Ash.
Finally, inNot Dead Yet, Nell is faced with a lot of different life choices.
How do you know when something is right for you?
I close my eyes and take a stab at ground myself.
I ask myself, Is this what you want to be doing for the next whatever amount of time?
And then my body will move forward or my body will move back.
It’ll know if I’m going toward it or if I’m pushing away from it.
That’s basically my hell yes or hell no.
