Natalia Oreiro: “Rights and freedom are also my causes”

By Paula Bistagnino. Natalia Oreiro, currently promoting her film "Re Loca," went to Russia to present her song "United by Love" at the World Cup and dressed in the colors of the LGBTQ+ flag. A direct message against repressive policies and violations of…

By Paula Bistagnino. Natalia Oreiro, currently promoting her film "Re Loca," went to Russia to present her song "United by Love" at the World Cup and dressed in the colors of the LGBTQ+ flag. This was a direct message against Vladimir Putin's repressive policies and human rights violations stemming from the "anti-homosexual propaganda" law. – In your life, have you had to shake things up a lot, like your character in "Re Loca"? For me, it was all quite organic because I wanted to act from a very young age and I was always pursuing my desire. It has happened that at some point I found myself immersed in a path that wasn't right for me and decided to stop and start over. I call it the price of my freedom. Because we're talking about freedom. About saying what I want and how I want it. Regardless of the consequences. In my case, it was very difficult to stop doing something that was very successful. At the time, it was doing daily television and touring with my albums. And I wanted to make films and stop singing for a long time. And of course, the people who were with me professionally didn't agree at all, and I was very young. In each case, I said: well, that's the price of my freedom I'll have to pay. -You took the rainbow sweatshirt to Russia. -Yes, it was definitely on purpose. I'm not afraid to express myself or to join causes I consider just. Moments of visibility are moments I always try to take advantage of to say something more, to join in, to support. And I wore the sweatshirt without making any statement; I wore it on purpose, and I didn't have any problems. I have a deep love and respect for the Russian people. But rights and freedoms are also my causes. I'm very proud to be able to say something, to be able to join in, to support causes I believe in, even if they call me "crazy." -Like that, in those exact words? -You don't need them to literally tell you you're crazy to realize what they're thinking. But it happened to me, and it still happens to me, in many ways. I think it's because of what others expect of you. They get used to something and want you to always be that way, and you can't. And I think the first reaction is always rejection and questioning, but then people get used to it, it becomes normalized. That's why you have to pursue your own desires and happiness. I think conviction and inner strength are fundamental, and you have to pay attention to your desires and stop repeating patterns out of comfort and fear. It's very hard to break free from routine and social alienation. You don't want to stand out from the crowd, and then you end up being a bunch of people who aren't you.

[READ ALSO: Behind the World Cup: In Russia she was persecuted for being a lesbian and took refuge in Argentina]
-Your character in “Re loca” is attacked for being a woman. She takes up that banner of “being crazy,” because it’s also an accusation. The director’s complete openness allowed not only me but several women on the team to question fundamental assumptions that we felt were detrimental to the film. This film had a mostly female technical crew. And that’s something we discussed from the beginning. I asked the director how many women were on the team, and there was an imbalance, so that was addressed. Because it stars a woman and because of this historical moment for feminism we’re experiencing, we felt it was important to have a clear perspective. – How are you experiencing this moment in feminism? "I was in the Plaza the other day, and also at every 'Ni Una Menos' march I could, and I've played characters... I think it's a transformative moment that Argentina is experiencing very intensely, but it's not just an Argentine phenomenon; it's a global one. And I think no one is immune, because men aren't either, and we're all learning. Me too. And I greatly celebrate individual freedoms in every sense."

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