Kiera Alexis Hidalgo, who will play Amber/Cuicatl.
Quick recap. I wrote a bestselling novel called THE DIRTY GIRLS SOCIAL CLUB. After watching it languish in development for film with big studios and networks, I decided to go solita and produce and write it myself. Recently, I’ve been toying with the idea of also directing it and acting in it, on a super low budget, because I think the untapped talent in the Latino world is infinite, and technology makes it possible for smart people to make gorgeous films on a shoestring.
The first step in this process was securing early development funds so we can start to solicit investors and donors. We did that, thanks to all of you, through Kickstarter. The next step is making a beautiful, fun, exciting trailer to show donors/investors as we head out in search of more funds. I’m directing this 3-minute film trailer, using all local talent here in NM.
Today, I wanted to announce that we’ve cast our first actress! Her name is Kiera Alexis Hidalgo, and she will be playing the role of Amber, the aspiring rock musician who changes her name to Cuicatl during her Aztec reclamation.
Kiera is one of the top dancers in the state. Truly brilliant.
One of the most exciting and liberating changes I’m doing to the book as we adapt it for film is broadening the age demographics of the Dirty Girls. In the book, they are former college buddies who are all about 28 now. To open casting and story potential, we’ve decided to have the girls meet in a Latina networking professional organization instead. Cuicatl/Amber is going to be the youngest of the bunch, about 20 in the film. She’s the one no one believes in, because the other “sucias” are all so practical and professional. “Get a day job,” they tell her. But Cuicatl will show them…or will she? Ha! You have to read the book or watch the film to find out!
Kiera is one of the most talented young people in New Mexico. A superstar dancer, actor and just all-around beautiful person, she is also the daughter of one of my oldest and closest friends. I’ve long wanted to work with Kiera somehow, because every time I see the young woman perform I get goosebumps. She’s a star, but without any of the ego or ambition. Kiera’s main goal in life is to be a good wife and mom, and a good Christian. I think that her humility is what makes her talent so irresistible, honestly.
Anyway, here she is. Our first actress. Depending on how things go with the process from here, she just might be Amber/Cuicatl in the feature film as well. Please join me in thanking and congratulating the wonderful Kiera. I can’t wait to see what she can do!
Tagged: Alisa Valdes, dirty girls social club film, kiera alexis hidalgo, new mexico film
Congratulations Kiera/Amber/Cuicatl! She’s beautiful yet I can see an edge where she’d be a great Cuicatl. Welcome to the Sucias familia!
This is EXACTLY the person I pictured in my head :0)
[...] Well, I think the message here is “ask and you shall receive.” I asked, in recent days, to be able to find the perfect actors to realize the roles of the six “sucias” in The Dirty Girls Social Club for a film trailer we will be showing to investors. Yesterday I announced that we’d cast Kiera Alexis Hidalgo in the role of Amber/Cuicatl Quintanilla. [...]
She’s adorable! Looks like a rocker chic!
[...] our team, and I am absolutely thrilled. You can read about the others by clicking on their names: Kiera Alexis Hidalgo as Amber/Cuicatl, and Alma Sisneros as [...]
[...] I’m playing Lauren. Marya Beauvais is going to be Sara. Alma Sisneros is realizing Rebecca. Kiera Alexis Hidalgo is playing Amber. Now, we just need to find the other 10 actors! We are seeking local [...]
I think is she is going to rock this! She looks just like Amber. I am exciting to see more!
[...] said, I regret to inform you all that our original AMBER/CUICATL actress, Kiera Alexis Hidalgo, has bowed out of the production, citing a lack of time. She’s in the midst of planning her [...]