Sandra Santiago plays Erik Estrada’s wife in the hot drama, "Sangre Negra." She was born in Sinaloa, Mexico and graduated from La Sorbonne University in Paris. Sandra has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Danny Glover and Danny Trejo. Copa Style sat down with Sandra to discuss her starring role in "Sangre Negra" and her new film projects.
Sandra Santiago
Actress
by Jules Lavalee
Copa Style Magazine's Hollywood Reporter
Copa: You were born in Sinaloa, Mexico and graduated from La Sorbonne University in Paris. What led you to to attend school in Paris?
Sandra: I went to La Sorbonne for my love and passion for history, architecture, theater, and literature. I love to communicate with people from different cultures. I studied french history and french literature. History fascinates me.
Sandra: I went to La Sorbonne for my love and passion for history, architecture, theater, and literature. I love to communicate with people from different cultures. I studied french history and french literature. History fascinates me.
Copa: Can you describe your background and how it led you to become an Actress?
Sandra: I grew up in a town full of carnivals, parties, and dances. Since I can remember, I have the joy to entertain and make people happy. I always wanted to be an Actress. I love the stage, seeing people smile and the exchange of having my audience applause feeds me to keep going and to do what I love to do in my life, which is to act.
Sandra: I grew up in a town full of carnivals, parties, and dances. Since I can remember, I have the joy to entertain and make people happy. I always wanted to be an Actress. I love the stage, seeing people smile and the exchange of having my audience applause feeds me to keep going and to do what I love to do in my life, which is to act.
Copa: What was your first role and how did it effect your career?
Sandra: My first role was to dance for my Dad. He used to bring bands to my house and I remember he asked me to dance. I loved to see his face full of joy when I danced. I knew then that I had something in me to make people forget about their problems in their lives.
Copa: You’ve worked with major Actors including Danny Glover and Danny Trejo. Who are your favorite stars to work with and why?
Sandra: I really loved working with Brian Cox in the film "The Etruscan Smile" he is such a sweet soul I really enjoyed the time we had on set working on it. He was very helpful and I am grateful.
Sandra: I really loved working with Brian Cox in the film "The Etruscan Smile" he is such a sweet soul I really enjoyed the time we had on set working on it. He was very helpful and I am grateful.
Copa: What roles interest you? What is the process of being cast?
Sandra: I like roles of strong characters that are bigger than life, powerful and dedicated, who never give up. I guess, similar to my personality, but I am an actor I love to create, create, create, create. Acting for me is to create something new every time with new roles, The process is challenging, but I love the challenge. It was what I was born to do and I have a great passion and love for acting.
Sandra: I like roles of strong characters that are bigger than life, powerful and dedicated, who never give up. I guess, similar to my personality, but I am an actor I love to create, create, create, create. Acting for me is to create something new every time with new roles, The process is challenging, but I love the challenge. It was what I was born to do and I have a great passion and love for acting.
Copa: Who has been your best inspiration and why?
Sandra: Meryl Streep for the professionalism and dedication to her art and Oprah for all the challenges that she has overcome and for all her success and leadership she is giving to the world.
Sandra: Meryl Streep for the professionalism and dedication to her art and Oprah for all the challenges that she has overcome and for all her success and leadership she is giving to the world.
Copa: What projects have you been working on over the past 6 months?
Sandra: I have recorded a Salsa song and I am also creating a video. I have a feature film script that I am creating and producing.
Sandra: I have recorded a Salsa song and I am also creating a video. I have a feature film script that I am creating and producing.
Copa: What are your hobbies and interests outside of acting?
Sandra: I love to dance Salsa, I love to study about people's behavior and how I can help them have a better life. I also love fancy food and of course, travel ooh lala, I love that!
Sandra: I love to dance Salsa, I love to study about people's behavior and how I can help them have a better life. I also love fancy food and of course, travel ooh lala, I love that!
Copa: Being from Mexico, how representative do you feel Mexican Actresses are in Hollywood?
Sandra: We need to see more people like me on the screen and I am working hard to see that happen.
Sandra: We need to see more people like me on the screen and I am working hard to see that happen.
Copa: How did your upbringing influence your decision to become an Actress?
Sandra: My Dad loved to entertain and he loved to give and love and to make people people happy.
I think I am like him.
Sandra: My Dad loved to entertain and he loved to give and love and to make people people happy.
I think I am like him.
Copa: What advice would you give to an aspiring Actress?
Sandra: Oh my! If you do not do what you love in life then it's going to be a down spiral. You will have the reactive mind next to you telling you what you really should have done with your life. Life is precious, leaving is precious and you have a life worth of living. So, you have to live it, enjoy it, and splurge in it.
Sandra: Oh my! If you do not do what you love in life then it's going to be a down spiral. You will have the reactive mind next to you telling you what you really should have done with your life. Life is precious, leaving is precious and you have a life worth of living. So, you have to live it, enjoy it, and splurge in it.
Copa: What do you like least about acting? What would people be surprised to know about acting?
Sandra: It is not all the glamour we see on the screen it is a job and it is a profession you have to work and sweat to get the job done like any other job. The passion will help you overcome the obstacles and keep going on the road.
Sandra: It is not all the glamour we see on the screen it is a job and it is a profession you have to work and sweat to get the job done like any other job. The passion will help you overcome the obstacles and keep going on the road.
~Copa