IN CONVERSATION WITH HUMBERLY GONZÁLEZ

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress Humberly González stars in the new Kevin Williamson Netflix series ‘The Waterfront’, that premiered on 19th June. She also stars in another Netflix series, the popular ‘Ginny & Georgia’, which returned with a new season on 5th June. Humberly most recently also starred in Paramount’s film ‘Star Trek: Section 31’, and Sony pictures ‘Tarot’. Besides acting, she is the lead of ‘Star Wars Outlaws’, the hottest new video game and her casting is groundbreaking as she is the first Latina to be a lead in any Star Wars entity.  

Photographer: Darius Bashar

You’ve got two huge Netflix series that dropped in June, ‘The Waterfront’ and the return of ‘Ginny & Georgia’. What excites you most about fans seeing you in such different roles?

It’s incredibly exciting to share such different sides of myself as a performer. ‘Ginny & Georgia’ has been a big part of my life since 2019, and the fan support over the years has meant so much to me. Sophie is a character I’ve grown with, but ‘The Waterfront’ gave me the chance to stretch in a whole new direction. Going from the emotional world of a high school senior to stepping into the shoes of a complex, career-driven woman like Jenna felt like a real evolution. I’m so grateful to explore different genres, ages, and dynamics, and I think fans are in for two very binge-worthy journeys.

‘The Waterfront’ has some serious dramatic weight and family tension. What drew you to the project, and what was it like working with Kevin Williamson?

I’m a huge fan of Kevin Williamson. Everything he creates has this signature edge that I’ve always admired. As a horror lover, ‘Scream’ and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ have been longtime staples in my rotation, so when the audition for ‘The Waterfront’ came through, I was immediately hooked. The character of Jenna really stood out to me. She was layered, complicated, and so much fun to explore. I had three scenes to work with, and each one offered something different emotionally and dramatically.

I was lucky enough to do a chemistry read over Zoom with my co-star Jake Weary, and that session completely solidified how much I wanted to be part of this show. The connection felt electric, even through a screen, and from the feedback I received after that final callback, I had a feeling things were headed in the right direction. Three days later, I got the call that I’d booked the role. It was surreal and it became my first  project filmed in the US, which was a big goal of mine for years.

How would you sum up who Jenny is, and her story?

Jenna is a big-city journalist who returns to her small hometown to care for her ailing father, only to find herself face-to-face with the life, and the love, she left behind. As she navigates old wounds and new responsibilities, her reunion with her high school sweetheart, Cane, stirs up feelings neither of them ever fully let go. Jenna’s storyline branches off the main narrative that follows the Buckley’s, the dark undercurrents of a once-powerful fishing dynasty fighting to survive as their empire begins to collapse. With secrets buried beneath the surface and loyalties fraying, the family turns to increasingly dangerous and morally murky tactics to keep their legacy, and each other, from going under.

You’ve worked on a variety of projects, from ‘Star Trek: Section 31’, ‘Tarot’, and the Hallmark rom-com ‘Friends and Family Christmas’. How do you shift gears between genres so seamlessly?

For me, genre is just the wrapping. The heart of every role is storytelling, and that’s where I always begin. I consider myself a dynamic performer, and stepping into different genres gives me the chance to access and express different parts of myself. Whether it’s the emotional depth of a drama, the tension of a thriller, or the warmth and charm of a rom-com, I approach each character with the same intention, to tell the truth. I lead with empathy, curiosity, and a love for the craft. At the end of the day, it’s about staying honest in the work and having a great time doing it.

Photographer: Darius Bashar

‘Tarot’ crushed it at the box office. What was your favorite part of working on a classic horror film with a modern twist?

I’ve been a huge horror fan since I was a kid. Weekend movie nights with my family or renting Blockbuster DVDs always included at least one scary film. So to now be a part of a successful horror movie on the big screen is a surreal, full-circle moment. One of the most unforgettable aspects of working on ‘Tarot’ was getting to film internationally, which has always been a dream of mine. This project took me all the way to Belgrade, Serbia, and the experience was nothing short of magical. But if I had to pick one standout memory, it would be filming my death sequence. We shut down an entire street and bridge for two nights to get it right. It was so impactful, I actually got a tattoo to commemorate it. And yes, it’s constellation-themed.

As a proud Latina in entertainment, how do you navigate telling stories that resonate across cultures while staying true to your roots?

It’s always an honor to bring my culture and roots into the roles I play. Early in my career, I rarely saw myself represented on screen or in the kinds of roles I dreamed of, but that never discouraged me. I felt a deep calling to perform and focused on showing up with as much authenticity and heart as possible.

Now, a decade into my professional journey, I’m proud to say the industry has embraced me. Many of the roles I’ve booked weren’t originally written as Latina, but once I was cast, conversations naturally opened up about integrating my identity. I’ll never forget when Sophie Sanchez came to life. She was originally based on an Italian classmate of the show’s creator, Sarah Lampert. But on the first day of production, I asked if we could change her background to reflect mine. Sanchez is my mother’s last name, and I wanted to honor my heritage. The team loved the idea, Netflix approved it, and just like that, Sophie became Latina.

We even incorporated bits of Spanish and a nod to Venezuela in the show. I’ve had the privilege of reshaping several characters to reflect who I am and where I come from, and that means everything to me, to represent my culture with pride and give voice to stories like mine

You’ve had major moments across film, TV, video games, and streaming. Where do you feel the most “you” as an artist?

I genuinely enjoy interviews, they give me a chance to reflect on the process, share my perspective, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of why I love what I do. It feels natural to speak about the journey because it’s so personal to me. That said, nothing compares to actually doing the work. I feel most alive when I’m fully connected to the material, uninhibited, playful, daring. Acting has given me endless opportunities to discover parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. There are always moments of vulnerability that lead to catharsis, unexpected bursts of creativity, and deep listening that makes me feel profoundly human.

This career is more than just a job, it’s a mirror to my own life and emotions. In many ways, it’s therapeutic. Getting to explore such a range of feelings and leave it all on camera, captured forever in a project, is a privilege I don’t take for granted.

The hottest new video game, ‘Star Wars Outlaws’ made headlines for so many reasons, including your historic casting. How does it feel to be the first Latina lead in any ‘Star Wars’ project?

If I could go back a decade and tell young Humberly she’d make history as the first Latina to lead a ‘Star Wars’ project, she’d be in awe, but not entirely surprised. This has always been the dream, and it’s exactly how I envisioned my path when I entered the industry. I knew I wanted to lead, and over the years, I’ve committed myself fully, bringing my best to every set, learning from the incredible actors around me, and leading with kindness above all.

‘Star Wars Outlaws’ is a true case of preparation meeting opportunity. I’ve been working in video games since 2016, and this felt like the perfect blend of my passions. It’s theatrical, cinematic, and steeped in imagination and risk. And to be part of one of the most iconic franchises of our time? It’s a dream come true. My hope is that this moment opens doors for other Latinx performers. No role is too big, no world too far, and no project too “specific” for us. We belong in every story, and we deserve to shine.

Photographer: Darius Bashar

What did stepping into the Star Wars universe mean to you personally, and what has the fan response been like?

I grew up with watching ‘Star Wars’ in Spanish, and to me, it was ‘Guerra de las galaxias’. Half my life ago, I only spoke Spanish and lived in Venezuela. It never occurred to me this would be my real life and career. Though at a very young age, my parents will concur I always had that spark in me, a little star on the rise singing and dancing all over the place. It makes me emotional to think about the fact my family back home gets to witness my shine across the globe, but I will always be grounded in my roots and upbringing. My beautiful country of Venezuela and the amazing people in my land taught me resilience, patience, expressions and an inability to quit fighting for myself. 

‘Star Wars Outlaws’ follows Kay Vess, a young scoundrel in her own search for freedom. She’s a rookie and her inexperience gets her into trouble, she lacks trust in others due to her past trauma, but she dreams of leaving Canto, fighting and exploring the galaxy in search of a better life. I feel my own story reflected in this character I got to play. 

The response to any big franchise is often polarizing, but I have to say the recognition I have recieved, the love, the fan art, the encouraging messages and the support form the Latin community has made this project my favorite endeavour to date and something I worked really hard for. I will be forever proud of it.

When you are not on set, how does your perfect day off look like?

My perfect day off starts with a walk with my 15-year-old dog, Oreo. There’s nothing better than a morning at the dog park, it’s a total dopamine boost. After that, I’d head to a Pilates class and get a good sweat in on the reformer, then refuel with a homemade breakfast.

If the sun’s out, I’m definitely spending the day outdoors, either at a park or by the water, hopefully surrounded by friends. And of course, there has to be gelato. To wrap up the day, I’d find the perfect spot for dinner, then either catch a theatre performance or go out dancing. Ideally both. That’s my kind of therapy.