Jacket by Rag & & Bone
T-shirt by VESTIGE

Alejandro Hernández, is a rising Hollywood actor. He is best known for his roles as in NBC’s “New Amsterdam” as Casey Acosta, in Netflix’s “Partner Track” as Valdo, and as Gumby in the film American “Dreamer.” Currently, you can find Alejandro Hernandez starring as Luis Batista alongside Justina Machado in Amazon Prime Videos’s new series, “The Horror of Dolores Roach” as their characters tackle unexpected events together.

*Please note this interview + shoot was done before the SAG Strike.

**Left:**
Jewelry and Shoes by talent’s own
Outfit by ALLSAINTS
**Right:**
Shirt by Scotch & Soda
Necklace + Bracelet by Talent’s Own

What drew you to the entertainment industry?
I think I always had an itch to perform. To be expressive in some creative medium. I started as a dancer originally - I did ballet and modern dance for a while throughout my teenage years. I grew up watching Michael Jackson videos, old Gene Kelly movies and always had a love of movement. That drew me into the field, I guess. I never really thought about being in the entertainment industry growing up. I grew up in working class New Jersey in an old school Puerto Rican household. I assumed that I would go on to do something a bit more conventional. Get a degree, become a lawyer, teacher, or something else. I just knew I liked performing as a hobby.

Who was your biggest inspiration?
I don’t think I have one, singular inspiration. There are actors whom I deeply admire and individuals in my life who have inspired me along the way. There is a moment though growing up that has always stuck with me, that I think ultimately inspired me to want to be an actor. I remember being around 10 years old and channel surfing until I stopped at HBO, and they were showing a taped performance of John Leguizamo’s one man show “Freak.” It blew me away. I remember saying to myself, “Who is this guy?” He was so dynamic, funny, eccentric, and heartbreaking on stage, and we shared a cultural experience to which I instantly connected. I felt seen. Like “damn so somebody out there does get me.” He has a moment at the very end where he says to his father, “I’ve been trying to get you to notice me my whole life,” and I remember crying alone in my living room watching that. That need to be heard, to be noticed, to be seen always lived in me, and watching him was so profound for myself, that I said pointing at the television screen, “one day, I don’t know how, but one day I’m going to do that.”

How do you prepare for a role? Are there any specific methods or techniques you use?
Each role is different; therefore, I think each level of prep is different. Something will demand more of me, but I always bring myself to the work. Always. I’m a firm believer in there being no such thing as character. When you watch me, you see me. Maybe a different version of me , but it’s always going to be Alejandro. It comes from my heart, my being, my soul. Nothing that is other than me. Because that would be inauthentic. All I can be and ever will be is my authentic self. A process that has helped me connect to my truest self has been the “lucid body technique” that was created by renowned acting teacher, Fay Simpson. She has become a mentor of mine and dear friend. Like myself, her background is in dance, so we share a similar language. She approaches acting from a physical place, seeing where truth lives in the body, which I gravitated towards right away. Her approach is holistic, and I found it to be most visceral which I love.

**Left:**
Outfit by ALLSAINTS
Shoes by Florsheim Shoes
Necklace + Bracelet by Talent’s Own
**Right:**
Jacket by Rag & & Bone
T-shirt by VESTIGE

What has been your favorite project so far?
Definitely Dolores Roach. Working with Justina Machado was an absolute dream. I grew up watching her on TV in “Six Feet Under.” She is a true legend in our community and industry, so working with her forced me to up my game and come prepared to the set each day. I learned so much from her and am grateful for it. Aaron Mark, the creator of “HODR,” gave me so much freedom to try and explore different things with Luis and bring many aspects of my culture and identity to the show. It was a beautiful and collaborative process.

Which has been the most challenging role you've played?
I would say both Luis and Casey Acosta in “New Amsterdam;” both for different reasons. For Luis, I really dug into deep, vulnerable, places within myself. That at times can be intense but also fun. For “New Amsterdam,” working on a procedural drama was a great way to be quick on my feet and develop set etiquette. It’s a fast-paced network show that has a quick turnaround. It helped me to get the reps in, so that when working on future jobs I knew how to conduct myself on set.

Is there a particular genre or type of character you enjoy working with the most? Why?
I really enjoy working on characters who, for lack of a better term, would consider themselves to be losers. People who have a deep pain and a sense of loneliness and worthlessness but are also charming and charismatic. Ultimately, things I can relate to and bring my own experience to. In regard to genre, anything horror, comedy, or drama, as long as the script is good. I would love to be in a boxing/MMA film.

Can you tell us about your role as Luis Batista in The Horror of Dolores Roach?
Luis is a complicated guy and is the last of a dying breed. His empanada shop, his family’s legacy, is in danger of being closed down, which is the only thing he has left in the world. And going through all the trials and trauma in his life, he will go to extremes to keep what is his. He is also a very likable, warm-hearted person, which I think is so interesting about him.

**Left:**
Top by OFFICINE GENERALE
Denim by 7 FOR ALL MANKIND
Necklace + Bracelet by Talent’s Own
**RIght:**
Outfit by ALLSAINTS
Shoes by Florsheim Shoes
Necklace + Bracelet by Talent’s Own

What attracted you to the role?
His duality. The fact that he can be this sweet hearted, charismatic guy who will do anything for Dolores, and the other side of him being a cannibal and chopping up human bodies and putting them in empanadas and not thinking twice about it. The yin and the yang to his thought process, his sincerity, and his psychopathy. I never played a character quite like him.

How did you approach bringing the character to life?
I did a lot of my own research and created a backstory for him. I also worked extensively with my mentor, Fay Simpson, teaching her “lucid body technique” and incorporating that knowledge when creating the character of Luis so that by the time I got to set, Luis lived in me.

Was there any preparation prior to filming?
Yes, I relied heavily on the work that Fay, and I put in with the “lucid body technique” to prepare. I also worked on my knife skills with Rossy Earle, who was our on-set chef. I may have tried my hand at making some empanadas as well.

What do you think sets the show apart? What do you hope viewers take away from it?
It tackles a lot of real-world issues, such as women of color being incarcerated, gentrification, culture, but at the same time it approaches them in a way that is easier for someone to approach rather than a sort of hard gritty piece. It’s a super unique show, and I hope that viewers realize those issues aren’t just a story but are a lot of people’s reality in the modern world. I also want them to have fun watching. It’s a fun show that doesn’t need to be taken seriously and not to have viewers caught up in that.

Outfit by Hardcore Fashion at The Confessional Showroom
Sneakers by Vans
Necklace + Bracelet by Talent’s Own

What can fans look forward to seeing from you in the future?
Exciting new work that is daring and full of heart.

What goals do you have for your career within the next 5 years?
I’m trying to be in a Marvel movie one day (laughs) but, ultimately, I want to do great, provocative work that will challenge me each and every time. I want to do things that scare the shit out of me honestly, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Social Media.
Instagram: @alejandro.r.hernandez

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Talent: Alejandro Hernández
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Groomer: Jessica Ortiz using Dior Beauty
Photography Assistant: Felicia Abban
Editorial Assistant: Skylar Elizabeth
BTS: Kathryn Johnston
Fashion Stylist Interns: Derek Lopez, Mia Fyson
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Gabriela Gonzalez, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine