25 year old actress Tatianna Córdoba dazzles in “REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL,” having earned a lead role in her first ever Broadway show. Based on the play by Josefina López and set in the summer of 1987, the musical follows Ana Garcia (Córdoba), who yearns to escape the confines of her family’s garment business. However, upon receiving an order for 200 dresses, she’s left to balance the expectations set by her mother and community with her own goals and dreams. Hailing from Northern California, Tatianna Córdoba is a natural star, and talks us through her experience in the arts and on Broadway so far below.

Outfit by Veronica Beard
Brooch by Stylist Own
IMAGINE Droplet Earrings by Nicole Amato
Gloves by Stylist Own

Congratulations on your Broadway debut this month! How did it feel when you initially found out you were going to play a lead role on Broadway?
I was so overwhelmed with emotion when I first found out. This is what I have been working for my whole life and it happened. I was so excited but also extremely terrified, leading a Broadway show is a HUGE undertaking that I had no experience with, but I felt ready. I went into this process with an open heart and an open mind, ready for anything.

Ana is an incredibly rich, layered character. What did you do to prepare to immerse yourself in her mind and world?
Ana is such a wonderful character. She is incredibly smart, witty and passionate, with a big heart. The thing I love most about her is that she is always 100% herself and that is what has helped me the most in my discovery of Ana. I had to bring myself into the role and find the ways in which Ana and I crossover. Unfortunately, most of the topics and themes we talk about in the show are just as relevant now as they were when the show takes place in 1987, so Ana and I come from very similar worlds and ways of thinking.

**Left:**
Blouse by Marina Rinaldi
Denim Jacket Top + Skirt by Kenneth Cole
Interchangeable slippers with detachable upper by MOLLY
:www.brandedbymolly.com
Product link: www.brandedbymolly.com/products/gr1-black-noir
IMAGINE Droplet Earrings by Nicole Amato
Ring by Alexis Bittar
**Right:**
Outfit by Veronica Beard
Brooch by Stylist Own
IMAGINE Droplet Earrings by Nicole Amato
Gloves by Stylist Own

You grew up in the Bay Area, and are now across the country in NYC. Is there anything from the 510 that you feel you bring to your performance in “REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL?”
I bring the Bay with me everywhere I go! I love where I'm from and the community that raised me – I truly would not be who I am without them. There are a lot of similarities between Boyle Heights and the Bay Area, that make me feel closer to the story. The community, family bonds, great food, diversity, music and culture are so rich and special in the Bay Area – I think the show has all of those elements that make it feel like home.

What about something that you miss most about home?
I miss the food at home!! There is nothing better than the food in the Bay. We have such diverse cuisine; you can find just about anything and at top quality! I also miss the nature. California is so beautiful and you can get the beach, the forest, the desert or the city all in one drive. I miss my drives up and down the coast and along the hills, there is truly nothing like it!

You also grew up surrounded by all kinds of music, and even studied Contemporary Voice at Oakland School for the Arts. How has your diverse musical background impacted the way you approach performing in this show?
Going to school for Contemporary Voice really shaped my vocal style today. I definitely don't have your stereotypical Musical Theater voice naturally. I grew up singing mostly Pop and RnB, listening to artists like Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Michael Jackson, and when I started theater, I thought it was fun to bring that style into it. The music of this show specifically was written so beautifully by our composers Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez. They created a wonderful marriage of Latin, Pop and Musical Theater styles. The music of this show is right up my wheelhouse and makes me feel right at home when singing it. It allows me to bring a lot of my Contemporary upbringing into the musical theater world.

Tika Paisley Denim Jacket by Veronica Beard
Web link - https://veronicabeard.com/products/tika-jacket-atlantic-paisley
Taylor Paisley Printed Wide-Leg Jean by Veronica Beard
Web link - https://veronicabeard.com/products/taylor-high-rise-wide-leg-atlantic-paisley
Flower by Big Brooch
Shoes by Aldo Shoes
IMAGINE Droplet Earrings by Nicole Amato
Ring by Alexis Bittar

The themes of “REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES” are very timely, despite the story not being new. What does it mean to you to be a part of something that is so representative of the kind of battles still being fought today?
Being able to tell this story, at this time, is a gift. Art is one of the best ways to penetrate people’s souls and minds in a way other things can't. I feel very lucky to get the opportunity to do that. I hope people realize how much our show, based in 1987, mirrors today and that we really haven't made as many strides as we might think we have. The issues we raise in our show such as Women's Rights, Immigration Rights, Racism, Sexism and Body Shaming are still topics that are actively being discussed and debated as we speak. I hear stories at the stage door every day from audience members about how much these things resonate with them and how they felt empowered in some way from watching our show. That is what reminds us why we do this. Doing this piece at this time is an opportunity to reach people in a new way.

You’ve called your costar, Justina Machado, a “master class” in confidence and power. What’s the best piece of advice she’s given you, acting or otherwise?
Justina has been such an amazing human to get to know and she has taught me so much in such a short amount of time. I think the biggest piece of advice she's given me is that no one knows you or what you have to offer better than you do. You have the power to make your career what you want it to be. She has taught me a lot about confidence and self-worth, which as a newbie to the industry, is hard to do on your own. Having her encouragement and support has been such a gift.

**Left:**
Jacket by GOOD AMERICAN
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
IMAGINE Depths Cocktail Ring by Nicole Amato
**Right:**
Denim + Blouse by Marina Rinaldi
IMAGINE Mod Earrings by Nicole Amato
Dress by GUESS
Shoes by Steve Madden

”REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES” is all about owning your agency, voice, and power. What’s something you hope every young woman in the audience walks away with?
I hope every young woman walks out of our show feeling celebrated and seen. I hope young women feel the urge to be louder, bolder and take up more space after seeing the show- because we can and we should. We deserve to be seen and heard, especially as young brown women. This show is a love letter to all of the women in our lives who dare to dream. I hope mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and families see themselves onstage and laugh or cry or both!

What is your favorite part of being on stage?
My favorite part of being on stage is being with this cast!! This cast is the best thing to happen to me. They are a picture perfect example of what it means to be supportive and loving. We are all so close and truly feel like one big family, which is not the case every time you do a show –it is really special. They are so fun to play with on and off stage, we truly have the best time together.

I hear you like crafting and spending time in the kitchen trying new things. Is there anything you’ve made recently that you’re particularly proud of?
I love crafting and cooking! The show has made it hard to cook or craft recently but the last really good meal I made at home was pasta. I made a rigatoni in a homemade mushroom cream sauce with freshly shaved parmesan cheese. It was divine!! I would love to get back in the kitchen soon!

Jacket by GOOD AMERICAN
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
IMAGINE Depths Cocktail Ring by Nicole Amato

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Tatianna Córdoba
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Fashion Stylist + Producer: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Alison Farfan
Makeup: Emily Amick for Exclusive Artists using M·A·C Cosmetics
Retoucher: Togzhan Telmanova
Fashion Stylist Interns: Keya Baker + Sara Paul
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Tatianna Córdoba on REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES