IN CONVERSATION WITH MARIA CAMILA GIRALDO

interview by JANA LETONJA

Maria Camila Giraldo will be seen in ‘The Ritual’ alongside Al Pacino, Patrcia Heaton, Ashley Greene and Dan Stevens, which is premiering on 6th June. She will also star in ‘At the Sea’ opposite Amy Adams, which is anticipated to make its way around the film festivals. Maria recently appeared in Sofia Vagara's hit mini-series ‘Griselda’ and has previously recurred on the hit Telemundo series ‘LA Reina Del Sur’ amongst others. 

image credit PABLO COSTAZO

You will be playing Sister Camila in ‘The Ritual’, which is based on one of the most thoroughly documented exorcisms in American history. What was it like stepping into a story so grounded in real events and spiritual intensity?

It was hard, not going to lie. I’m someone who’s very perceptive to energy, and stepping into a story like ‘The Ritual’, which is so deeply rooted in real events and spiritual intensity, definitely had an impact on me. We were using the actual prayers recited in real-life exorcisms, and that brought a very real, almost palpable energy onto the set. There were moments where it felt like the line between performance and something much deeper started to blur. It required a lot of grounding and emotional preparation to stay open to the role without letting it overwhelm me.

Your character experiences intense emotional and supernatural revelations alongside her sister, played by Ashley Greene. How did you approach building that layered sibling dynamic?

We’re not sisters by blood in the movie, we play nuns in the same convent, but our characters share the closest bond in the story. From the very beginning, Ashley and I clicked. She was one of the first people I met during rehearsals, and our personalities just naturally aligned. That instant connection really helped us build the layered dynamic our characters needed. Funny enough, we later discovered we’re both Aquarians with birthdays just days apart. I absolutely adore her, she’s one of the kindest, most empathetic, and beautiful souls I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

The film dives deep into themes of faith, fear, and family secrets. What part of this story do you think audiences will connect with most?

I think what will resonate most is the longing for something bigger than ourselves. In the chaotic, fast-paced world we’re living in, so many people are feeling disconnected and hopeless. This story taps into that collective yearning, the need to believe there’s a higher power watching over us, guiding us back to love, peace, and a sense of purpose. It reminds us that even in darkness, we’re not alone.

We’ll also be seeing you in ‘At the Sea’, which explores vulnerability and recovery in a subtle but powerful way. How did you prepare to play Dr. Ventura, a character who serves as an emotional turning point for Amy Adams’ character?

One of the first conversations I had with Kornél Mundruczó, our director, was about Dr. Ventura’s identity, the idea of being an immigrant and building something for yourself. That was deeply personal to me. I’m from Colombia, and I’ve spent years knocking on doors in the US, trying to carve out a path and make a name for myself in a foreign country. That kind of resilience shapes you. You learn to set boundaries, to stand firm, just like Dr. Ventura does when Amy’s character storms into her workplace with all this raw emotion. Dr. Ventura becomes one of the emotional roadblocks Amy’s character hits on her chaotic journey home.

What made it especially challenging, and beautiful, was that Amy is incredibly kind and generous in real life. I’ve admired her work for so long, and suddenly I had to go toe-to-toe with her, holding my ground. It was a powerful experience to feel her presence and intensity. It’s truly one of the performances I’ll always carry with me.

What can you share with us about the story of ‘At The Sea’?

What drew me to ‘At The Sea’ was how honestly it portrays the messy, complicated story of a real woman. For so long, we’ve mostly seen polished versions of female characters, the beautiful moments, the strength, the ideal. But I think many of us are craving stories that show the other side, the vulnerability, the brokenness, the quiet strength it takes to rebuild. Amy’s character is a mother and a recovering alcoholic trying to piece her life back together after hitting rock bottom. She’s messy, she’s gentle, she’s changing, and she’s fully human.

I love that so much, because stories like this have helped me in my own life. When we see ourselves reflected on screen - not the perfect version, but the real one - it helps us process, understand, and give language to what we’re going through. It’s like finally putting a name to something you’ve been feeling for a long time.

image credit PABLO COSTAZO

Fans may recognize you from ‘Griselda’, ‘La Reina del Sur’, and ‘Queen of Flow’. How did your experiences in Latin American television shape the actor you are today?

In many ways, those shows marked the beginning of the streaming era in Latin America, and being part of them lit a fire in me. Productions like ‘Griselda’, ‘La Reina del Sur’, and ‘Queen of Flow’ felt like a shift. The scripts were more elevated, the cinematography more ambitious, the storytelling more layered. It made me ask myself “How can I keep doing work like this?” For so long, Latin America was known mainly for telenovelas, but these new formats planted a seed in me, a deep yearning for more. I think that desire is what eventually led me to the US.

You co-founded Fungiments after dealing with post-concussion symptoms. What inspired you to turn personal healing into a public wellness brand?

Fungiments was born out of one of the most intense chapters of my life. After a concussion, I was struggling with brain fog, anxiety, low energy, and insomnia, and I felt like there was nothing out there that could truly help me. My mom raised me on holistic and homeopathic remedies, so I turned back to that world and started digging deep into natural healing. When I finally found relief through formulas my doctor recommended, blends of adaptogens and mushrooms,  it was life changing. That’s when I knew I had to share it. I believe life is more fun when we feel like we have our superpowers back, and that’s what our products are all about. Our hero gummy, Super Prune, is a delicious blend of prune, chamomile, ginger, and turkey tail mushroom. It supports regularity and digestion, all in a fun, effective bite.

You’re also launching I Feel You Films, your own production company. What kind of stories do you want to tell, and why now?

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the complexities of the female experience, the raw, messy, beautiful layers that make us who we are. That’s what inspired me to launch I Feel You Films. We’re an independent production company focused on stories driven by female vision and psychology. We want to create spaces that feel real, that explore controversial and emotional themes, and put women at the center as fully dimensional humans.

I’ve been acting since I was a kid, and over time, I realized I didn’t just want to wait around for my dream role, I wanted to be part of building it from the ground up. This is my way of taking ownership of the stories I immerse myself in and championing the kinds of narratives I believe the world needs more of.

You’ve talked about wanting to spotlight modern femininity in its many layers. What does that look like for you, both on screen and behind the camera?

I love this question,  it’s honestly my favorite part of the creative process. Every time I get an audition, I look at the character breakdown and start asking myself “Why is she described as beautiful, or smart, or strong?” Because we’re not just the adjectives people use to define us, we’re the stories that shaped us into those things. For me, modern femininity is about exploring those stories. It’s about the layers, the contradictions, the quiet moments and the bold ones, and understanding what led a person to be who she is.

Behind the camera, it starts with the script. What’s the purpose of the female role in this story. Then I look at the team, what do they stand for, what are they trying to say with this story. For me, it’s about challenging the status quo and making sure we’re telling stories that feel lived-in and real.

From salsa dancing while cooking to hiking with friends, it sounds like movement and joy are core to your life. How do you recharge outside of work?

For me, dancing and spending time with the people I love are the best supplements for a happy life. I still deal with some lingering concussion symptoms, and I honestly don’t think there's better therapy than a deep laugh with friends, a deep conversation, or a dance session in the kitchen, the shower or anywhere really. Such underrated, but incredibly powerful forms of medicine. They recharge me in the most real, joyful way.

With ‘The Ritual’ releasing now and ‘At the Sea’ heading to festivals, you’re entering a very exciting chapter. How are you navigating this breakthrough moment?

I’m navigating it with so much gratitude. Moments like this interview, thank you Numéro Netherlands, are things I’ve prayed and worked for my entire life. It truly feels like the beginning of a chapter I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m so excited to keep building the life I’ve envisioned. Every day, I wake up feeling happy and deeply thankful to be alive and doing what I love. That, to me, is already a dream coming true.