Pop-Culturalist.com

Analisa Velez is a triple threat who is captivating audiences with her breakout performance as Raquel in The Game.

Starring opposite Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez, Adriyan Rae, Vaughn Hebron, and Toby Sandeman, The Game offers a modern-day examination of Black culture through the prism of pro football. The team tackles racism, sexism, classism, and more as they fight for fame, fortune, respect, and love – all while trying to maintain their souls as they each play the game. The second season doubles the laughs and heightens the drama as the beloved characters and their relationships fight to survive the storms of change.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Analisa about Season 2 of The Game, exploring her character’s vulnerabilities and layers, and more!

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Analisa: Honestly, I was a little, weird, annoying child who wanted attention. I was always making weird sounds and laughs to make people laugh. I was that kid. The moment when I decided that this was what I wanted to do was when I saw The Lion King. I saw these grown adults moving their bodies in this animalistic way. I was like, “I want to do that.”

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Analisa: That’s an awesome question. The person who has impacted my life the most is definitely my mom. As a human, she’s somebody you aspire to be because a lot has happened to her. She’ll hit the ground and then she’ll say, “All right. We’ve got to build that up again.” Somebody once told me, “Just because you fall, that’s not how your character is judged…it’s about how you come back up.” My mom has done a beautiful job of doing that, so I always wanted to be like her.

Also, a lot of my mentors were in a theater company. I was always like, “They’re so cool. They’re doing Latino work.” Back when I was growing up, that wasn’t the thing to do. Nobody really cared about us. They were on the front lines lighting the way for us. My mentors were there originating the roles that I wanted to be in. My own community made me want to be better.

PC: You’re such a multifaceted talent. Does one come more naturally to you? Is one more challenging?
Analisa: It’s weird, but I feel like dancing comes the easiest. I’ve had to work as an actor. As I’m growing in the industry, I’m realizing that you can’t always rely on just living in the moment. Yes, live in the moment, but you also have to build those moments where the magic happens, right? I love to shoot magic and be there fully, but if you don’t have those other moments, the magic won’t hit. I’m learning that. With music, it sometimes comes easily when I’m going through a breakup or I’m super sad about a guy or I have a muse.

PC: On the acting front, you’re one of the stars of The Game. The series is coming back on December 15, and it’s been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Analisa: It’s the realness. They’re attacking real subjects. This season, there will be issues dealing with the female anatomy, which is awesome. Our voices are being heard, spoken through a Black woman. That’s going to be spoken through Wendy Raquel Robinson’s character, Tasha Mack, and I can’t wait to see how people receive that. There are so many fun relationships that the show explores. We’re hungry to see these characters be messy too. You’re going to see that, which is really exciting because it’s like you can love the funny person until you realize why they’re funny. It’s because they’ve had these sad moments in their life and that’s why they laugh. I’m excited for you guys to see behind the scenes of why these characters move the way they do.

PC: We know you can’t say too much, but what’s ahead for your character in Season 2?
Analisa: I’m totally excited about everyone meeting my mom. I feel like that’s a big arc this season. Raquel’s make up has to do a lot with her mother. You guys are going to see who this woman is and how that’s affected Raquel. It’s cool because I don’t really think you see this type of thing. You guys will have to watch!

PC: You’ve handled Raquel’s journey with so much nuance. As an actress, how do you create the space for yourself to dive into her arc in Season 1 and Season 2?
Analisa: I really appreciate that. Thank you. It’s been a lot of work. I feel for this character because it’s like you see this woman and she just wants to make it so badly, right? She’s constantly doing these things to get further in life. Good things happen to her sometimes, and she doesn’t know how to receive it, which I feel a lot of women can relate to. We’re so used to having to do everything. Then finally someone’s like, “Let me help you.” We’re like, “Wait, what? You’re going to help me?” I’m excited for everybody to see those soft moments, too. You don’t have to always be so hard. I want to clarify “being hard.” As a Latina woman, especially from a single-parent household, I’ve always seen all the women in my life have to hold it down. When they do get moments where they have a partner that helps them or they receive help from their community, it’s beautiful to see soft moments where they can cry.

PC: You deliver such a standout performance in Season 1. Which was your favorite episode to film? Which was the most challenging?
Analisa: Thank you, I appreciate that. It was the scene where we are dumpster diving. I was like, “I don’t want to see two women of color coming out of a trash bin.” Then I realized that it’s not about that. I’m going in to find something that my mother gave me, and it means that I’ll literally go through hell and back to get it and keep a memory of her.

As far as challenging, I’m always rooting for other women. Sometimes it’s the conflict between me and Brittany. I’m like, “We’re best friends. Can’t we have a moment where it’s like, ‘I’ve got you. That was messed up, but I got you?’” I feel like they gave us that this season. Not that they didn’t do it last season, but I feel like they had more liberty to let these women live and breathe fully. That was so exciting to be able to deal with that and break into those moments and have directors that really care about helping you.

PC: I love the content that you created on social media under Lisa’s Lessons. What was the biggest lesson that you’ve learned being a part of that project that you’ll bring to future ones?
Analisa: You really have to come overly prepared no matter what. Even if you’re like, “Oh, I’m good.” Come more prepared than the person that you think is the most prepared in the room. Ask all the questions and be really open. Because what I realized about playing these characters is that everybody feels like they know this character. Everybody feels like they’re contributing to the building of this character. You’re like, “But wait, I’m playing her.” But people are like, “Well, I’m dressing her,” and, “I’m giving her makeup.” Then, “I’m directing this,” and, “I’m writing this.” I’m like, “Oh, wait.” If I could give any advice, it would be to be open because everyone feels really attached to this world. Sometimes they’ll bring something and you’re like, “I never thought of that!” Then it explodes into a whole other idea. Collaboration is key as an artist.

PC: You’re such a dynamic storyteller. As you look ahead to the next five to ten years, is there a dream role that you would love to bring to life on the screen?
Analisa: I would love to play Hedda Gabler on Broadway. But the three roles that I’m really interested in playing right now are a boxer, a stripper, and a superhero. Don’t judge me. [laughs] I would love to see how my body lives in those worlds and what I could bring to it.

To keep up with Analisa, follow her on Instagram. Watch The Game Season 2 on Paramount+.