Lucía de la Fuente, a rising star in Spanish cinema, sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss her pivotal role as Aroa in the highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Elisabet Benavent’s novel, "Toda la verdad de mis mentiras" (The Whole Truth About My Lies). The series, which premiered on the streaming giant, delves into a seemingly innocuous hen party that unravels a web of secrets and strained relationships among a group of friends. De la Fuente, born in Madrid in 1994, brings a nuanced performance to Aroa, a character she describes as complex and capable of eliciting strong emotional responses from the audience, while maintaining a firm sense of self.
Early Beginnings and the Foundation of a Career
De la Fuente’s journey into the acting world began at a remarkably young age. Her early forays into the industry included roles in popular Spanish productions such as "Manolito Gafotas" and "Hospital Central." Reflecting on these formative years, she recalls them with a sense of fondness and nostalgia. "I remember it all as something very beautiful," de la Fuente stated. "It started as a game and something complementary to my studies. Filming for me was like my extracurricular classes, so to speak. I remember it as a game until I grew up and it became my work. It also became my dream, something that still retains that element of playfulness to this day, which I hope never leaves, with that enthusiasm and those desires. So, I remember it as a very beautiful stage."
When asked what advice she would give to her younger self embarking on this path, she offered a poignant reflection: "I think if I had to say something to the child Lucía, it would be: ‘You haven’t been that wrong, and thank goodness you trusted yourself.’" This sentiment underscores a journey of self-belief and resilience that has clearly shaped her career.
The Importance of Continuous Training
De la Fuente’s dedication to her craft is further evidenced by her commitment to ongoing professional development. She has pursued training at numerous esteemed acting schools and under the guidance of various mentors. This rigorous approach to skill enhancement is something she deeply values. "I greatly emphasize the importance of training with good teachers," she explained. "Ultimately, we work with ourselves, we work with many tools, and each of us knows which tool we need to develop more or in which we are lacking. I am a great advocate for taking courses with many teachers and never stopping training. You are always learning."
Her proactive approach to learning is evident in her personal schedule. "Whenever I have some time without working, I take courses," she shared. "I just finished one with Lautaro Perotti, which was wonderful, and I have also trained with Fernando Piernas and other teachers." De la Fuente draws a powerful analogy to illustrate the necessity of this continuous learning: "Just as you train your body for a marathon and to be completely ready for the moment you have to run, I believe that constantly training is preparing yourself to be ready the day you have to start working. You always learn, you always get new things, and you are always in constant growth and constant learning." This philosophy highlights her understanding that acting, like any demanding profession, requires perpetual refinement of one’s skills.
Joining the World of "Toda la verdad de mis mentiras"
The opportunity to join the cast of "Toda la verdad de mis mentiras" came about through a series of auditions. De la Fuente revealed a personal connection to the source material that predated her casting. "I bought Elisabet Benavent’s book before a trip to Barcelona by train," she recounted. "I said, ‘Look, I’m going to start reading it because I have the casting on Monday or Tuesday. That way, at least I’ll have a little more information’ (laughs). And it was incredible because I finished reading it the day before they told me I would be Aroa. It was a very beautiful process."
The adaptation of a beloved novel presents unique challenges and responsibilities for the actors involved. De la Fuente acknowledged this pressure, particularly given her prior appreciation for Benavent’s work. "Yes. I was very excited because I am a viewer of ‘Valeria’ and ‘A Perfect Story,’ and to be told that I was going to do another adaptation by Elisabet Benavent… it was incredible, a very big thrill," she stated. "When a novel of such success and so beloved by the public is adapted, there are already many readers who imagine it and have traveled with the characters, and they already have very clear ideas about what they are like, and you always think about what they will think. Will they like what we’ve done, or not?"
However, she also expressed confidence in the creative team’s approach. "Fortunately, there has been a lot of trust in the cast, they have allowed us to make it very much our own, although obviously trying to be as faithful as possible to what readers expect," she added. De la Fuente believes her portrayal of Aroa might offer a fresh perspective, even to avid fans of the book: "I will say that, in the specific case of Aroa, having read the book and then having played the character, I think she might surprise many readers."
Unpacking the Character of Aroa
De la Fuente offered insight into her character, Aroa, describing her as one of Coco’s friends and Marín’s ex-girlfriend. Aroa’s primary objective upon arriving at the hen party is to win back her ex. De la Fuente perceives Aroa as a character who will evoke strong emotions in viewers but also possesses a clear inner truth and significant self-assurance. "Aroa is a person who is honest about what she wants, and she doesn’t ask for forgiveness for being who she is," she explained.
The most challenging aspect of portraying Aroa, according to de la Fuente, was to do so without judgment. "Absolutely. I haven’t judged her at all; on the contrary, I have understood her and I understand her, and I say it all the time: I love her very much (laughs)," she asserted. She elaborated on the character’s complexity: "Aroa, in the end, is a character who causes certain emotions in others, she can cause certain pain to other characters, or certain moments of discomfort due to her intensity or her way of defending things against all odds. When interpreting her, there has been an incredible challenge of empathy. I have to defend her no matter what, and I think within what is shown, we have to see a little more beyond Aroa, we have to see the vulnerability she has beneath the layer of perfection that she tries to show."
Themes of Communication and Empathy
"Toda la verdad de mis mentiras" prominently explores the importance of communication and genuine connection within friendships. The series encourages viewers to look their friends in the eye and see them for who they truly are. De la Fuente believes this theme will resonate deeply with the audience. "Yes. I think that’s the series’ objective," she stated. "I feel that many times we have a group of friends with whom we limit ourselves to having a good time and being a bit more superficial, and often only thinking about ourselves. Communication among friends is also important, and putting yourself in the shoes of others and having that empathy that we often lack, and not just focusing on ourselves. That communication with our friends is very important."
The palpable chemistry among the cast members is a testament to the positive on-set environment. "Thank you very much. I’m very glad that it’s perceived," de la Fuente said when complimenting the on-screen closeness. "It’s true that everything has been very easy. We filmed in Mazarrón and Madrid, and it has been very easy to work with my colleagues. Well, to this day, I call them my friends, I love them all very much. We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves immensely." She emphasized the authenticity of the cast’s rapport: "It’s always said, and it’s almost a cliché, that the filming was very good, etc., but in this specific case, it’s totally true. There was a great vibe, we were all very much in sync, and it was very easy to create that connection that transcends the screen."
The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Spanish Fiction
The series’ premiere under the Netflix banner highlights the significant influence of major streaming platforms on the Spanish audiovisual industry. De la Fuente shared her perspective on the positive contributions of these platforms. "Certainly, the amount of films and series we can consume, and moreover, from wherever we want, whenever we want. I think that was necessary," she commented. "It’s true that we live in an age of immediacy, and therefore being able to watch the series you want, or the movie you want, at the moment you want seems wonderful to me. It is also very important, of course, the amount of work opportunities they are providing to so many people, and the projects they are making."
She also noted the platforms’ role in revitalizing older content. "I also love that platforms give second chances to films or series that, for whatever reason, may have gone a little more unnoticed at the time, but upon arriving on the platform, they have tremendous success and everyone watches them," she added. " ‘Money Heist,’ for example, became the phenomenon it was thanks to Netflix’s distribution. I think platforms are contributing a lot and well to fiction, yes."
Future Aspirations and the Genre of Horror
While de la Fuente remained tight-lipped about her upcoming projects, citing potential confidentiality agreements, she did express a strong desire to explore a particular genre. "I would really love to do horror," she revealed. "Moreover, I feel like I would be good at it, and it’s a genre that I really want to do."
Ultimately, her professional aspirations are centered on compelling storytelling and character development. "Above all, that the characters that need to come, come, that interesting characters come, that they come to tell something, that they come to defend their truth and that they have a very beautiful arc to be able to play with them and to be able to truly live them. That’s what I want the most." This desire reflects a commitment to authentic and impactful performances that contribute meaningfully to the narratives she undertakes.
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