Digital Cover: Belissa Escobedo
Talent: Belissa Escobedo
Photos: Timothy Fernandez
Stylist: Kevin Ericson
Makeup: Jen Tioseco
Hair: Rena Calhoun
Producer: Chrissy Wang
EIC + Words: Anthony Vu Cao
Belissa Escobedo is one of the stars in the upcoming HOCUS POCUS 2, scheduled for a September 30th premiere on Disney+. Belissa plays Izzy, one of the leads who conjures the Sanderson Sisters. In addition to HOCUS POCUS 2, Belissa is currently filming DC’s BLUE BEETLE, an upcoming superhero film with a primarily Latinx cast scheduled for a 2023 release.
Belissa is poised to have a breakout year in 2022/2023 and talk to us about her exciting projects, community involvements, and advice for young aspiring talents.
Hello Belissa! Hope you are well. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m a born and raised East LA chicana, I’m a Virgo, I’m a certified Barb, I’m an actor and I’m somehow in a movie with the legendary Sanderson sisters. I’ve always loved performing and entertaining those around me, and once I figured out that acting was what I wanted to pursue, I just kept seeking out ways to grow as a performer. Community theatre was some of the first times I got to feel what it was like performing to an audience and studying a character. Even if that character was a dancing fork in a production of Beauty and the Beast. My community, my family, and my friends helped shape me and my art into what it is today.
You are casted as Izzy in the highly anticipated Disney+ “Hocus Pocus 2”. With the cult following of “Hocus Pocus”, will this sequel live up to its predecessor? What can we look forward to your character in “Hocus Pocus 2”?
I think it’s hard for anything to fully live up to the original, because it is so iconic and embedded in our hearts. But HP2 does an amazing job of incorporating all of our favorite parts from the original: The legendary Sanderson sisters, Billy Butcherson, and just the overall tone and vibe of the first movie. My character Izzy is definitely a silly one, so be ready for some random one-liners and just overall awkwardness. A loveable dork I’d say.
How do you most closely relate, if at all, to your character, Izzy?
Izzy is the sweetest character I’ve played. I think her and I share the same sense of loyalty to the people she loves. She’d move mountains to make them happy and keep them safe (and she’d go against three evil witches to protect her friends and her home). Also, her need to make a joke in any situation is definitely something we have in common.
How is your relationship like on and off screen with the “Hocus Pocus 2” castmates?
I genuinely love everyone in the cast, there is so much talent and respect for one another and our work. I got to spend the most time with Lilia, Whitney, and Froy and we became a little family during our time in Providence, where we filmed the movie. I love them with all my heart, Whit and Lilia are like my little sisters, and like Izzy, I would totally be willing to go against three evil witches for them.
Another exciting project you are involved in is DC Comic’s “Blue Beetle,” an upcoming superhero film with a primarily Latinx cast scheduled for a 2023 release, what can you tell us without breaking the confidentiality clause? LOL
Honestly, a good question, let’s just see what happens lol. Blue Beetle is about to make HUGE waves, not only in the industry, but within our own community. We’re about to see ourselves represented in a whole new way, as SUPERHEROES. The movie is about family, perseverance, and how our roots only make us stronger. It’s also hilarious, I mean how could it not be when we have THE king of comedy, George Lopez himself. I’m so excited for the world to see this movie, it’s a wild ride and we had so much fun making it.
With the current state of the world and working on a high profile production with primarily Latinx casts, how important is it to be part of this project and representing the Latinx?
It’s funny, I remember talking to George one day on set, we had just walked on to one of the coolest sets and we were just taking it in. I turned to him and asked if he ever thought he’d be in a superhero movie, and he laughed and was like nope. It had always seemed so out of reach for our community, like of course we are superheroes in our own right and always have been, but being seen on a global scale in the same universe as superheroes we grew up watching. Its surreal. And it’s long overdue.
How do see yourself in making a difference in representing the Latinx in the entertainment industry and to the global market?
I think what’s important to remember is that these changes come from within the industry itself, the people behind the cameras, the big decision makers. We need representation THERE, in those rooms that way we have someone with the power to make those changes advocating for our stories to be put out there.
What advice would you give to young aspiring Latinx actors and entertainers?
Acting and creating, it shouldn’t be measured by what TV show or movie you booked or if you get a callback. It’s about creating something you're proud of, leaving yourself on that stage, in that self-tape. Art is power, it’s a tool. Success is living a life where you get to do what you love with people you admire and share it with an audience, whether that be an audience of one or one hundred. Love what you do, not where you do it.
Who did you look up to growing up? And Why?
I first saw America Ferrera in Josefna Lopez’s Real Women Have Curves and it was then that I realized, this dream wasn’t impossible, because if she can do it I can do it. I had never seen someone who looked like me, a family on screen that resembled mine. She inspired me to strive for greatness, not to change myself in order to try and “make it” in this industry. She showed me that our beauty is worthy enough for the big screen, for the world to see. Her roles, they were leads, love interests, freedom fighters. She has always stayed so true to herself, to her ideals, and its inspired me to do the same.
Are you involve in any philanthropic or charity causes?
I’m really passionate about the housing crisis and the treatment of our unhoused neighbors.
There’s an amazing LA based organization called Beauty2TheStreetz which was founded by Shirley Raines, that brings basic necessities like water, a hot shower, food, and love to a community that is so often overlooked and disregarded as human beings. One of my favorite quotes from their website says, “Recognizing that the lack of a home does not mean a lack of humanity” which I think really sums up the mission of this amazing and growing foundation.
There are so many opportunities to help like these in communities all over. It’s about seeking it out and really applying the privilege and accessibility some of us are lucky enough to have, and using that to help people who aren’t as lucky, whatever their situation may be, it doesn’t matter how they got there, they are human and deserve to be treated as such.
Do you have any hobbies or activities that you participate when not busy with TV or Film projects?
I’m a huge reader, I go through books so quickly. Whenever I’m reading, it’s just a movie playing in my head the whole time. I cast all the characters with my favorite actors and just create the world off the pages. Also a very dedicated cat mom to my children, I literally spoil them as if I carried them each full term. And baking! I love baking during the fall and winter and sharing with my roomie. She makes me feel like I’m the cake boss but I think she might just be saying that so i don’t poison the cookies. GR8T
