IN CONVERSATION WITH MELISSA COLLAZO

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress Melissa Collazo  stars as the female lead in the highly anticipated Amazon Prime series ‘Motorheads’ opposite Ryan Philippe, premiering on 20th May. She was last seen in the second season of the Peacock TV adaptation of Karen M. McManus’ best-selling novel, ‘One of Us Is Lying’. 

‘Motorheads’ feels like it has all the makings of a cult favorite, adrenaline, heart, and a fresh cast. What was your first reaction when you read the script?

Honestly, within the first few pages I knew how incredibly special this story was going to be. My first reaction when I finished it was honestly fear. Not in a bad way, but in a way where I felt such a responsibility not to fail this story or character. It reminded me of all the shows and movies I grew up watching that were catered towards a young-adult audience but had this raw, gritty emotional core to them. Where it’s about youth, but it never talks down to it. There was this emotional undercurrent in the writing that stuck with me.

Your character is at the center of this coming-of-age story. How would you describe her journey over the season?

Caitlyn’s a bit of a wallflower. Her passion for cars is in her DNA so when she gets to Ironwood, there’s less anxiety and more excitement for her. She finally has a place to get her hands dirty. Her journey throughout the season is one that she goes on with UNB10, her missing father’s car. In restoring and rebuilding that car, she learns a lot about herself and her past. It helps her come to terms with a lot of questions she’s never had the answer to. Without spoiling too much, she gains a lot this season, then loses a lot of it. 

What was it like working alongside Ryan Phillippe? Did he share any advice or on-set stories that stuck with you?

I felt so intimidated by him, he’s such a legend. I got nervous when I found out he was cast as Logan. I’m such a fan of his work. My favorite movie of his is ‘Igby Goes Down’. That’s what broke the ice between us. I told him it’s one of my all-time favorite films the day I met him and I think he was taken aback. I have endless scenes with him in ‘Motorheads’, so we spent countless hours on set together and I love that his process is very kept to himself. It wasn’t so much advice as it was his calmness on set. He really knew how to bring an aura of calm to the room and kept everything flowing. It decreased a lot of my anxiety. He’s such a team player and wants the best for everyone so if I ever felt nervous, he was willing to run the scene with me a million times. We also have similar taste in comedy, so we bonded over that.

The show dives deep into car culture and identity. Did you know anything about cars going into it, or was it all new to you?

I knew absolutely nothing. I still don’t have a drivers license!.I failed my driving test 3 times and just kind of gave up.  The irony is not lost on me. Caitlyn is such a car freak and probably the most knowledgable character on the show, besides Logan. They sent me off to do a crash course on all the basics a couple weeks before shooting, so I did learn how to change tires, chains, how to hold tools the right way, the proper protocol. Michael Cimino who plays Zac was also in the process of personally building a race car in his garage so would invite me over a bunch to help him out and learn. So, between Michael and the team of mechanics who worked on the show, I felt extremely prepared before any camera started rolling. On the emotional side of things, it was never just about the mechanics of the car. The car represents her dad, it’s the only piece of him she has ever physically had in her life. She believes that if she can fully rebuild it, and get that engine running, it’ll be like hearing his voice for the first time. The car isn’t just metal and gears, it’s a piece of her identity she’s desperately trying to unlock.

Without giving too much away, is there a particular episode or moment in ‘Motorheads’ that you’re especially excited for people to see?

Episode 8 was my favorite to shoot.

You were incredible as Maeve Rojas in ‘One of Us Is Lying’. How did that experience prepare you for leading a show like ‘Motorheads’?

‘One of Us Is Lying’ was the longest I ever spent with a character. It taught me how to stay connected to a character over a months-long shoot period. It was such an ensemble show that I was constantly working with different actors. I learned how to do my job without letting other people’s processes affect me and vice versa. It helped me overcome a lot of set-anxiety. I felt a lot more confident stepping into ‘Motorheads‘ and knowing how to stand on my own two feet.

You’ve played some mysterious, layered characters. Do you find yourself drawn to roles with a bit of edge?

It’s interesting. A lot of the characters I play are outsiders. My favorite characters in movies and television that I personally love have always been the outsider or the weirdo of the group. I find myself attracted to darker things, so I do find myself drawn to characters that have a darkness and mystery to them. It feels cathartic putting myself in their headspace because I feel like I can leave it all on set and have a more peaceful normal personal life. 

As a bilingual Puerto Rican actress in Hollywood, how do your roots influence your work or the stories you’re drawn to?

My roots are my roots. I’m so proud to be Puerto Rican. It’s naturally factored into every decision I make. I choose roles based on the character and what’s written on the page. I always want a challenge, and I want to be a little intimidated by whatever role I take on.

Representation in media is more important than ever. Do you feel a sense of responsibility or pride when stepping into roles that others might see themselves in?

Absolutely. I’m happy I can bring representation to girls and young Latinas, especially those who wouldn’t see themselves as car girls otherwise. It’s not something we see in television often. It’s cool that Caitlyn can push the needle forward.

How do you love spending your days off? Any particular hobbies or passions that make you happy?

Other than acting, my other true passion is fashion. I’ve watched countless documentaries and have too many books about it.  I love vintage shopping. I live in New York City so there’s a million incredible spots there. The Lower East Side has the best stores in my opinion. I’m lucky to have friends who also have an unhealthy addiction to vintage clothing, so a lot of my days are spent scavenger hunting for good pieces with my friends. I’ve also made a habit of trying to watch 1 new movie a day and the Criterion Channel always has curated collections that makes it super easy to pick a movie to watch.