Juliana Aiden Martinez: From Miami Roots to Powerful Latina Roles
Meet Juliana Aidén Martinez, a Miami born and raised Colombian American actress portraying Latinas as powerful, multi-dimensional and against stereotypes.
Miami born and raised Colombian American actress and Yale Drama School alum, Juliana Aidén Martinez, is a rising star in the Hollywood industry. Her first ever TV role as ‘Detective June Hawkins’ in Netflix’s Emmy nominated Griselda, where she worked alongside Sofia Vergara, received an Imagen Award nomination. Martinez is now the latest recruit to NBC’s seminal Law & Order: SVU, joining the iconic ‘Captain Benson’ (Mariska Hargitay) and ‘Sergeant Tutuola’ (Ice-T) as ‘Detective Kate Silva’. Martinez talks with Miami Living about landing her biggest role yet, her upbringing in Miami, and being a Latina woman in Hollywood.
Miami Living: Can you tell us what it was like to land your role as ‘Detective Kate Silva’ on Law & Order: SVU? What emotions did you go through after learning you got the part?
Juliana Martinez: I was so shocked and surprised when I found out. I did a screen test…and you never know with these things.. but as soon as I met Mariska and we worked together for the first time it felt kismet. This is a powerful, women-driven show with an incredible legacy and important message. Kate Silva feels like a contribution to that legacy and it feels very special and humbling to represent Latinas in the SVU universe.
Miami Living: What has it been like working with icons Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T? How do you feel you’ve learned from them while filming season 26?
Juliana Martinez: To work with icons like those two is the best. Not only do I learn so much from them but we laugh everyday! We genuinely like each other. Ice T has the best jokes and common sense advice and Mariska is such an inspiration in her work ethic, leadership, humor, grace, I can go on and on and on. Best piece of advice: knowing who you are is your superpower.
Miami Living: How do you feel your role as ‘Detective June Hawkins’ in Netflix’s Griselda helped you to prepare for this role?
Juliana Martinez: Well, the prep for June helped in a myriad of ways, like the way you approach information, how you think, how you see the world, the emphasis on listening, observation, the study of human psychology. You have to be smart to be a homicide detective. It’s a critical thinking type of job where you are extracting clues from a lot of information. What was interesting for me was to think about ‘how do you make these women (‘June’ and ‘Kate’) completely their own person?’ Griselda was a biopic and I had the foundation of a real person in June Hawkins and how she behaved during her time in the 70s in Miami. She was a single mother operating in a male-dominated environment where she had to fight for her respect. For Kate Silva, she is a contemporary woman from New York with her own swag, strengths, weaknesses, and secrets. She has a different struggle. I’m excited to reveal more of who she is. However, being able to embody both these women feels like a study on how Hispanic women have evolved in the workplace from the 70s to today. That’s fascinating to me.
Miami Living: What was it like growing up in Miami? Can you tell us about your journey from childhood to adulthood in the city?
Juliana Martinez: I have never found another city in the world like Miami. I’m so grateful to have grown up there with its culture, art, food, and resiliency of our immigrant story as a part of my upbringing. I was taught to be resourceful, to appreciate family, to dance salsa, make good Cuban coffee and work damn hard. I was reinforced to honor my Latina roots in this city and I wear it as a badge of honor. It’s something I bring to everything I do today.
Miami Living: How did Miami inspire and influence your career in acting?
Juliana Martinez: Truthfully, I did not have a lot of opportunities for acting in Miami. I would look at movies and TV shows and wonder “Where are we? Why don’t I see us?”. It was the love for our community and lack of opportunity here that propelled me to go to New York and study acting. That being said, Miami people live from their truth. They’re unapologetic, fierce, funny, and bold. At least the people I grew up around. I honor that and I have that inside of me. I hope to bring more of that in the future.
Miami Living: How do you bring aspects of your Miami roots into your career today?
Juliana Martinez: I’m first gen, so I recall growing up and hearing my papi’s sacrifice to arrive in this country and the hopes he had for me to go boldly for my dreams. I saw that everywhere in Miami. Everyone has a story here and mine is an immigrant story, as it is for many others. In terms of my career, I know that carries me through. I have a fight and determination in me that’s like, “Who’s gonna stop me?”. That has carried me through the best and worst of times.
Miami Living: What is it like being a Latina woman in the Hollywood industry? What struggles do you face, and how have you overcome them?
Juliana Martinez: We have come so far but there is still plenty of work to do. I acknowledge that the roles I’ve played so far are uncommon. I’m playing Latinas that are powerful, multi-dimensional and against stereotypes. There is a humanity to them, that is rare. It’s something I’ve seen evolve in my business where a Latina was only the sexpot or the maid. I continue to seek that for us. I want us to be seen in all our leading glory.
Miami Living: Are there any Latina actresses you’ve looked up to throughout your career? If so, have you ever had the opportunity to meet them or work with them?
Juliana Martinez: I’ve always admired Penelope Cruz and the work she’s done with Pedro Almodóvar. Eva Longoria and her evolution as a producer, director and businesswoman. Eva has stood on moving us forward. I just saw Emilia Pérez and cried for the whole movie. I thought Zoe Saldaña was amazing. That type of project is exciting to me. My dream is to work on projects like that with great directors like Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón, J.A. Bayona, and Guillermo del Toro. Do the roles that the Latino men are doing! However, I did cross one off my bucket list in getting to work opposite Sofía Vergara in “Griselda” and our amazing director Andrés Baiz. I would be crazy if I didn’t mention what an honor it was. It was an incredible experience to work opposite of her.
Miami Living: What does your perfect day in Miami look like? Do you have any favorite local restaurants, shops, or hangouts?
Juliana Martinez: My perfect day is going to the Glaser Organic farmers market in Coconut Grove, strolling in CocoWalk, going to Pollo Tropical and grabbing some chicken or a Pub Sub from Publix, hitting south beach with a speaker and enjoying the beach for an afternoon and going to dance and eat in Wynwood at night. There’s so many places I love: Spanglish Craft & Cocktail, Dante’s Hi-Fi, PLANTA, Sexy Fish, Versailles, Ball and Chain, and Carbone. I feel like I’m re-discovering Miami though, so I’m down for any suggestions.
Miami Living: What does it mean to you to become a successful Latina actress from Miami?
Juliana Martinez: For me, it means honoring who we are while working with the best collaborators in the business. I just want excellence, authenticity and courage in all that I do. Working at the highest level and changing how we are seen, that is success to me.
You can catch Juliana Martinez on season 26 of Law & Order: SVU on NBC and on Peacock. Follow Martinez’s journey on Instagram, @julianaaidenmartinez.