Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Madison Taylor Baez About Selena: The Series

Actress-musician Madison Taylor Baez is an up-and-coming talent who’s about to become a household name for her starring role in Selena: The Series. Like the beloved iconic figure, Madison discovered her love for the arts at a young age, and her family has stood by her to help cultivate that passion into a career. Pop Culturalist caught up with this rising starlet to learn more about her and Selena: The Series.

Career

PC: You’re an actress and singer. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Madison: My father introduced me to music, and I began singing at two-years-old and playing piano at three. From that point on, music was just in me and I wanted to keep learning and singing.

Over the years, I would teach myself how to play different instruments as well as learn songs from my dad’s iTunes. I’d listen to and memorize Motown music and music from all genres, from the ’50s to ’80s to now.

At seven-years-old, I got the acting bug from doing commercials. I have filmed eleven national commercials, been featured in music videos, and co-starred in a well-reviewed short film, The Tooth Racket, that won Best Comedy at the Hollywood Just 4 Shorts Film Festival.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Madison: My father and my mother. They exposed me to everything at a very young age and allowed me to explore any and all of my passions. They have given me such great support and a belief that I can accomplish anything if I work hard for it. My dad would bring home instruments for me to learn to play. He’s taught me so much about music and performing on stage.

PC: How has music made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Madison: Singing is a lot like acting. When I perform a song in front of 50,000 people or when I’m on TV, I have to memorize lyrics and give different emotions and energy depending on the type of song I’m singing so people can feel it. Acting in a role is the same: memorizing lines, understanding the scene, and giving different emotions to a character depending on the role I’m playing. Singing made the transition into acting seem very natural. Also, auditioning for a role in front of casting directors and producers is much easier than singing for and winning over a stadium filled with fans for me. [laughs]

Selena: The Series

PC: You’re starring in the upcoming Selena: The Series. Tell us about the show and your character.
Madison: I play the fun-loving Young Selena. Abraham (Selena’s father) has this idea to start a family band with her as the lead singer. I, as Young Selena, recreate many of the moments in her young life as she learns to sing, wanting to make her father proud. I sing a lot of the songs in the series that she really sang. Also, the series shows the many struggles the family had to endure to achieve the father’s dream of Selena achieving worldwide success.

PC: What drew you to this project?
Madison: My life is a mirror of Young Selena’s life: both of our fathers taught us music and how to be a performer. I would also practice all the time like Young Selena, sing at events on the road with my parents, and have been blessed to sing in stadiums, in arenas, and on television. We even began learning to sing in Spanish at the same age. So, when I researched Selena to audition for the role, I was like, “She is me,” and felt like it was meant to be that I play her.

PC: What did you learn about her during your preparation?
Madison: I learned that she truly loved singing, performing, and making people feel good. I also learned how humble and kind she was, and that she wanted to be her own person as a singer and loved to create her own fashion style.

PC: This is a breakout TV role for you. What’s been the biggest takeaway from the experience?
Madison: That I took on this huge responsibility to play a beautiful and amazing icon in Selena: The Series, and I did it with honor, pride, and respect for Selena and her family. In return, it has now given me the confidence that I could take on any role going forward in my career.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Madison: Henry Danger

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Madison: The Avengers movies

PC: Favorite book?
Madison: Harry Potter

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Madison: Jersey Boys

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Madison: Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons, and Queen

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Madison: Oh wow! Hmm, I would say me! [laughs] I would play myself as an adult and someone who is not born yet will play my younger self. [laughs]

To keep up with Madison, follow her on Instagram.

Photo Credit: Tamara Tihanyi