She needs no introduction. Natalia Verbeke has been a success on the small and big screen for 31 years, through hard work and not without fear of the phone stopping ringing. But that hasn’t happened. She has always been They call again She has many projects at her doorstep, and an example of this is that this summer she is immersed in several filmings. She has spent almost her entire life in front of the cameras making us laugh, cry and dream with her performances and, as she herself tells us, “It seems like it was yesterday!”It was in the early 2000s when movies The son of the bride y The other side of the bed They catapulted her to fame and, yes, it’s hard to believe that almost 25 years have passed since then, although she is not afraid of the passage of time, she accepts it and takes it as a gift.
© CARLOS VILLAREJO“What I like most about my job is the magic that arises when two actors look at each other and really listen to each other. That is priceless,” says Natalia Verbeke, who has been working as an actress for 31 years and is now immersed in the filming of a new series for Netflix, called ‘El refugio atómico’, and the film ‘Todos los lados de la cama’
At 49, the actress feels like she is in a good moment and recognizes that she has found serenity, and motherhood has a lot to do with this. Together with her partner, the player rugby Marcos Poggi, welcomed his first daughter, named Chiaraseven years ago, and confesses that it is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to her.
Now, Natalia is in Madrid, this August, focused on the filming of the Netflix series The atomic shelter and the movie All sides of the bedand we have been able to talk to her about how she has experienced fame until the role of women in cinemathe passage of time, fashion and what your exercise routine is to get in better shape than ever.
—How are you spending your summer?
—I’m doing very well, I can’t complain. I’m working, which is no small feat. I’m in the middle of filming a series in Madrid for Netflix, which I’m really enjoying, with some great directors and colleagues.
—What has been your best plan so far?
—Going to the pool at the Emperador hotel with my daughter and my boyfriend. And when they go to the beach and I’m left alone for the filming, I take advantage of any moment of rest, finally, to read. Reading is one of my passions.
—You just released A walk through the Bornetogether with Rodolfo Sancho and Ruth Gabriel, how was the experience of this film?
—It was a wonderful experience. It is a very beautiful film that talks about how difficult it is to make films in these times and how beautiful this profession is.
—For you, what is more difficult, comedy or drama?
—I think they are equally complicated, they are about different rhythms and tensions, but both genres require the same effort. One note too many, in one sense or another, collapses the house of cards.
“Being a mother has meant everything. It is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. I cannot imagine a greater gift. It is the best gift that life has given me,” confesses the actress, who has a seven-year-old daughter.
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—What other projects do you have in the works?
—Right now, I’m recording, as I was telling you, The atomic sheltera series for Netflix, and filming the movie All sides of the beddirected by Samantha López Speranza, for Mediaset. I also have a release pending Parentsa film directed by José Ángel Bohollo, which I have had the good fortune to co-star in alongside Fernando Cayo.
—You don’t stop! Do you think you’ve already made your dream movie or is it still to come?
—I’ve been working for exactly 31 years… and it seems like it was yesterday! I’ve made many films that I love and that I remember fondly, but the dream film is always coming and it’s good that it is. That way there’s always hope!
—Do you think it’s more difficult to get roles after 40 as a woman or are things changing?
—Fortunately, things are changing, not only in the cinema. In our case, I see more and more women on set, occupying positions of responsibility where previously only men were. There are more stories told and directed by women and that is very positive. As for the fact that there is less female characters, from the age of 40Yes, that’s true, but there has always been a tendency to produce stories with young protagonists… I was able to take advantage of that when I was younger, of course. So I’m not complaining.
“I have made many films that I love and that I remember with great affection, but the dream film is always yet to come”
—Have you ever been afraid that the phone would stop ringing?
—Of course. In some way, from the moment you decide to dedicate yourself to this, you assume that it will be like this. You never know what will be next, or if they will continue calling you for some role, but, even being fully aware of it, there are times when fear undoes you. It is part of the maturing processAs an actress and as a person, I have to deal with those fears and waiting times, but it is part of the profession and that is how I live it, less and less from anxiety and more from the conviction that I continue to make a living as an actress.
—How have you experienced fame throughout your career?
—I’ve never given it much importance, to be honest. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that at first I didn’t quite understand what was going on. Having two or three photographers waiting for you at the supermarket door to document that you’ve bought a melon is strange. But, thank God, that doesn’t happen to me anymore and people are very kind and respectful towards me.
—What do you like most and least about your job?
—Most of all, the magic that arises when two actors look at each other and really listen to each other. Those moments are priceless. What I like least is the commercial part that we have to do when we have to promote our work, but I understand that it is very important and necessary, so I get back into character and I end up enjoying it too.
© CARLOS VILLAREJO“How could I not like turning 50? It means I’m still alive! Waking up every morning, being healthy, seeing my family happy… all of that is a huge gift. Turning a year older is the best thing that can happen to us,” says Natalia, who at 49 admits to being in a very good place in her life.
“I think that my best, or my worst, version will always be the present one, whether I like it or not, because it is the only one over which I will have any power. In the end, we mutate permanently.”
‘I’m not a fashion victim’
—The world of acting is always closely linked to the world of fashion. Do you like to follow trends?
—I love fashion. It’s a way to express who you are and show your personality. I like to follow trends, I’m interested in them, but if I don’t identify with them, I’m not a fashion victim at all.
—Are you one of those women who has a huge wardrobe with looks for every imaginable occasion or are you more practical?
—I think I am those two ladies. I have thousands of looks in the pantry, but it is still extremely practical.
—Do you think a lot about your outfits before leaving home or going to an event?
—Not really. As I just told you, I tend to be very practical when I go out and I know exactly what I wear. For events, I always rely on Elena Hernández (EHmoda) and my stylists, José Juan Rodríguez and Paco Casado. They know methey know what suits me best and what kind of look I can defend well.
© CARLOS VILLAREJOAn image she shared with her partner, Marcos Poggi, and her daughter, Chiara.
Your exercise routine
—More than a year ago, you began to make a physical change; now, you are much stronger and more toned. What have been the keys?
—Since I’ve been shooting so much away from home, I’ve had more time to go to the gym. After the day of shooting, I’d go back to the hotel and not have to take care of the house. That allows me to be more consistent with my training. In Madrid it’s harder, because, as a mother, I also have to take care of a thousand things, but, in the end, I’ve understood that you have to force yourself. It’s essential for both physical and mental health. So I try to miss as little as possible. Although I also have to tell you that there are days when I’m so tired that it’s hard for me. Luckily, I live with an athlete that motivates me by setting an example. The environment in which you move helps a lot to be more fit, and at home we are very aware of feeling physically well and taking care of ourselves.
—What kind of exercises do you do?
—I do cardio and strength intervals at least three days a week. I have also taken up training again. ballet.
—Do you think you are at your best now?
—I don’t think it can be categorized so easily. It depends on so many things: circumstances, accidents, chance, digestion, the last book you read… My best, or my worst, version will always be the present one, whether I like it or not, because it is the only one over which I will have any power. We mutate permanently. I don’t even think it is any longer the same version from Natalia who started answering these questions ten minutes ago.
“By riding so much outside the home, I have had more time to go to the gym. It is essential for physical and mental health. I do cardio and strength intervals, at least three days a week.”
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Without any fear of getting older
—Next year you’ll be turning 50. How do you feel about this date? Are you one of those people who doesn’t like celebrating birthdays?
—How could I not like it? It means I’m still alive! The fact that I wake up every morning, that I’m healthy, that I see my family happy, that I have a job, that I have loyal friends, that I play sports… all of that is a huge gift. And getting older is the best thing that can happen to us. If not, I’m done.
—Are you afraid of the passage of time?
—No. What I’m afraid of is that I won’t have time to do everything I want to do, precisely because of lack of time.
—What has motherhood meant in your life?
—Everything. It’s the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t imagine a greater gift. It is the best gift that life has given me.
—Your daughter is already seven years old, what does she say when she sees you on TV or in magazines?
—The truth is that I haven’t shown him any of my movies or series, nor have I shown him any magazines. Yes I have taken her to the theater some filming already, so that he understands what my job consists of and in his head he can get an idea of what I do when I’m not at home. At some point, he has seen, when turning on the TV, the poster of One less life in the Canary Islands o Everyone lies and says: “Look, Mom, you’re there with Ginés!” And, immediately after, he puts Frozen for the thousandth time. Come on, he doesn’t give it any importance, he lives it with the most absolute naturalness.
—Finally, at what point in your life would you say you are?
—A very nice moment. Serene.
