Photo: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Maia Reficcois overjoyed to become one of the newLiars!
Ahead of the premiere ofPretty Little Liars: Original Sin,the 22-year-old actress opened up to PEOPLE about her experience filming the new series.
In addition to playing the character Noa, Reficco was also thrilled to make history as the first Latina cast member to play a leading role since the show launched in 2010.
“Honestly, as a Latina and as a first LatinaLiarever, I think for me, my biggest priority was to represent my people and the stories that we’re telling in the most accurate, responsible and respectful way I could,” she shared. “I think that, for sure, was my biggest, I don’t know if I want to say challenge, but priority when it comes to interpreting Noa.”
“It was such a dream come true,” she added. “I still am pinching myself, I’m still wanting to cry every two seconds.”
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
In the new spinoff, Reficco portrays a character named Noa, whom she described as an athlete.
“She’s cut,” Reficco explained. “When we finally meet her, she’s fresh out of duty. So she’s going through a lot of change. She’s going through a lot of turmoil and she’s kind of finding herself amidst all of this chaos that’s happening in her life.”
Noting that her character is also loyal, straightforward, and funny, Reficco added, “And as the season progresses, you will get to see why and how she truly is behind that facade of toughness that she presents to people, and what that vulnerability really is.”
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While speaking to PEOPLE during the red carpet event, Reficco also revealed how she has been the “biggest fan of the show” since it premiered on Freeform 12 years ago.
“I literally had so much of their photos up my walls,” she explained. “I had two of the characters' names on my bed, written with nail polish that is still there to this day. I was a huge fan of the show.”
She was a particular devotee ofLucy Hale, who played Aria Montgomery onPLLfor seven seasons. “Lucy Hale was the love of my life. She was my girl crush. Literally, the reason why I realized I like girls. I was obsessed with Lucy,” she said.
Lucy Hale.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
“Whether it’sEuphoriaor it’s someone as brilliant as Zendaya or a show likeWhite Lotuswith Sydney [Sweeney], I think there are so many different things to pull from so many marvelous, young women that are right now in Hollywood,” she explained. “That is so exciting. And it’s just inspiring to get to watch.”
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sinswill be available to stream on HBO Max on July 28.
source: people.com
