Paulina Chávez Didn't Think She Really Landed The Lead Role In 'The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia' At First

Paulina Chávez is starring in the new Netflix series The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia!

In the show, the actress plays the title role of Ashley Garcia, the world’s only 15-and-a-half-year-old robotics genius engineer and rocket scientist.

JJJ caught up with Paulina to chat about her exciting new show, her upcoming music endeavors, and her inspiring work as an advocate for the Latinx community.

“I was in complete shock! Both my mom and I asked if they were absolutely sure they got the right girl,” Paulina told us about landing the role of Ashley Garcia. “After we hung up, we both screamed! I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

Season one of The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia is now streaming on Netflix!

Click inside for more with Paulina Chávez…

Just Jared Jr: What was your reaction when you found out you landed the role of Ashley Garcia?
Paulina Chávez: The day after the testing for the role, we flew back to San Antonio, as soon as our plane landed I turned on my phone and I had messages from my manager to contact my agent. I was being positive but was so nervous that it would be a ‘they loved you but…”. My mom and I waited until we got in the car and were driving home when we called my agent. He was so chill and said, we wanted to let you know…you booked it. I was in complete shock! Both my mom and I asked if they were absolutely sure they got the right girl lol. After we hung up, we both screamed! I don’t think it’s hit me yet.

JJJ: How much research did you do to prepare to play a robotics engineer and rocket scientist?
PC: I received the audition on a Wednesday evening and I had to submit a taped audition by Friday morning. It was a fast turn-a-round time so I focused on Ashley’s characteristics and how I wanted to portray her. I practiced proper pronunciation of the science vocabulary/meaning. I prepared as necessary as the episodes progressed.

JJJ: What’s it been like working with Eva Longoria, who directed a couple of episodes?
PC: Eva Longoria is incredible. The opportunity to work with her is such an honor. She does it all; acting, producing, and directing! She’s full of knowledge, extremely passionate and involved. I was privileged to work and learn from her as she directed two episodes. Eva is an amazing role model.

JJJ: Has she given you any advice?
PC: Eva is very supportive. I learned from her that now I’m going to have a voice, that I need to use for something I’m passionate about. She leads by example. For instance, Eva has her foundation where she helps Latinas break the cycle of poverty by providing opportunities through education in STEM and entrepreneurships. Eva inspires me to be a better person and to give back to Latinos and my community.

JJJ: What have you brought from your personal life to apply to your character?
PC: I started homeschool in the middle of 8th grade so that I could focus on my career and didn’t really have a social life, just like Ashley (hahaha!). At a very young age, both Ashley and I began working hard to achieve our goals. We also both have overprotective mothers who want the best for us and push us to work hard and do our best. I related to Ashley from the moment I prepared my audition, I fell in love with the character.

JJJ: What are some similarities between you and Ashley?
PC: I relate to Ashley in several ways. We are both latinas who have been focusing on training to pursue our careers. In order to be able to follow my dreams I was homeschooled and missed out on the high school experience. Ashley moved across the country to work at JPL in Pasadena. I also moved from Texas to Los Angeles to work on the Netflix series and follow my dreams.

JJJ: What is a type of role that you haven’t done that you hope to play someday?
PC: I would love to portray roles based on true stories. I’m keeping my options open, because I want to do it all; drama, action, thrillers.

JJJ: You’ve done musical theater as a kid, what would be your dream musical role?
PC: My dream musical role is to play Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton in ‘Hamilton’. I think that’d be super cool. I’ve seen Hamilton three times and I listen to the soundtrack pretty often.

JJJ: You’re working on your own music with your co-star Jencarlos Canela. What has that process been like?
PC: Amazing! A lot of new learning on my part. Everything is still in the works! I’m meeting so many wonderful people, and I’m excited for what’s to come!

JJJ: Has it helped your bond even more doing both the show and music together?
PC: I want to say that from the moment we first auditioned together, we just had natural chemistry. He was a true uncle! Jencarlos is so talented and is always willing to share his knowledge. Now that we are also working on music together, I feel like he is the brother I never had. He is an amazing mentor and role model.

JJJ: What’s your goal with music? Would you want a career like Jennifer Lopez with both acting and music?
PC: I would love to have a career that involves both my love for acting and music. More than anything I want to have fun with my music, tell stories and connect with people.

JJJ: What’s your favorite way to relax when you’re not working?
PC: My favorite way to relax when not working is to SLEEP! I love to sleep in, stay in my pajamas all day and watch TV!

JJJ: You also advocate for the Latinx community. What are your hopes and goals for giving back and representing the community?
PC: I want for the Latinx community to have an opportunity to see themselves in positive roles in TV and films in Hollywood. I have the opportunity to be part of that with Ashley Garcia. I want to represent latinos and inspire them to follow their dreams. Right now, a goal is to go back to the elementary school where I found my love of acting and continue to volunteer by helping the young kids to achieve their goals in the year’s production. I am currently working with my old school district to offer a scholarship to the senior class of 2020, as this would have been my graduating class. In the near future, I want to extend this scholarship to help latinos in Texas pursue their dreams.