Tatianna Córdoba is Claiming What’s Hers
With a lead Role in Broadway’s Real Women Have Curves, Córdoba is learning to stand in her confidence on stage and in real life too.
Name: Tatianna Córdoba
Hometown: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Recent Achievement: Currently starring as Ana García in the Broadway production of Real Women Have Curves, a the James Earl Jones theater.
With a smile and the attitude of a friendly winner, Tatianna Cordóba is taking in all the good that may come her way. Currently, that good is her Broadway debut, in a star-making role alongside Justine Machado. This California girl is living a fairy-tale tailor-made for any theatre kid, performing in the company of industry veterans—and stepping into her light while doing so.
American Studies: What are you holding space for in your life at this moment?
Tatianna Córdoba: [Laughs] A great question! I am holding space for all of my wig prep bobby pins that have collected at the bottom of my tote bag. There's so many I could open a store. I’m holding space for those 'cause I'm going to need them one day.
What's something you're learning to love about yourself right now?
That's a good one. I don't know if love is the right word, but I'm learning to stand in my confidence a little more. I think that doing this show has built up a lot of confidence in me that I have been a little nervous to really step into. I've been really learning to love that. Learning that it's okay to be confident and loving this new part of myself. It’s new and a little scary.
What's the most Tatiana thing you can think about?
Like, anything?
Anything. Literally.
Probably my snacks.
Oh yes, your snacks, which you showed me in your dressing room. You love your snacks.
Yes and I've gotten more since I saw you. An endless amount of snacks and everybody in the cast always comes to my dressing room for gum, chips, or candy. They know to come to my dressing room to get all the snacks in between shows.
Do you have a favorite snack?
Probably my Nerds gummy clusters. Or the pizza flavored Combos. Have you ever had those?
I have had those. The gummy clusters are niche.
Niche, yes, but they're so good.
Who in your life makes you feel the bravest?
My family and my boyfriend. They are the people in my life who make me feel the bravest. It’s like what I was talking about earlier, about stepping into that power and confidence. I think having the support system that I do allows me to do that. My boyfriend in particular, because he's with me every day. He makes it a point to remind me of my power and my worth. I think that sometimes in the craze of everything and with trying to do a good job, you forget some of those things. Having someone in your corner to remind you of that every day when things get stressful or crazy is really awesome.
Is there a piece of advice that you keep close to your heart?
Yeah! It's so basic, but even working with Justina [Machado]. A lot of the people in our show are veterans and have been in this business for so long. And honestly, as simple as it is, there is so much power in just being yourself— and just letting that be enough. That's all you have to give. All you have is yourself. You should be able to trust that and be okay with that. I think that I've learned a lot about that through this process. Leading with yourself and your heart will attract the right people and the right opportunities.
“there is so much power in just being yourself— and just letting that be enough. ”
When was the last time you surprised yourself?
My gosh. Honestly, the other day on stage. There was nothing super special about the show, but something about my energy that day. I made a lot of different choices that day during the show, and it had this different energy and spunk. It felt like a day where I really settled into my character. In this process, when you're doing the same show over and over again, you get so used to the routine of what the show looks like and what your character looks like. So it's fun when you have that moment of discovering new things about this character that I've been working on for so long. That was a really cool moment.
Does that just happen naturally often? Or do you have to consciously think about making different choices on stage when you're doing it so routinely?
For me, it wasn’t something that had happened before this instant. Throughout this week, I feel like I've unlocked it, and I’ve been able to do it more and more. Not purposely, but just allowing myself to be open to it. Experience new reactions and new experiences during the show and riding with it.
If your life was a music number from any Broadway show, which would it be?
This is terrible, but, Livin’ La Vida Loca—the Shrek version.
You're running late to the theater—what are you throwing on without thinking?
I have this one David Bowie shirt that everyone in the cast makes fun of me for now 'cause they're like, do you own anything else? [Laughs] It's this huge oversized green T-shirt. I wear it all the time 'cause it's easy and I can take it off over my makeup.
Who was your first big crush? Real or fictional? And do you still stand by that?
Aladdin and 1000%. That was the easiest answer.
What's in your bag right now that would tell us everything we need to know about you?
In my bag right now, that would tell you everything you need to know about me is the biggest size of tube Aquaphor that they sell at CVS [laughs]. I always have either the biggest tube or like, a massive tub. I always have that and Mentos gum in my bag. Always. I'm a big gum connoisseur.
Is it always Mentos?
It's always the green bottle of Mentos gum. The hard shell one.
You've got a Friday night to yourself. What are you doing to romanticize your own life?
Oh, I'm cooking. I miss cooking so much. I love, love, love cooking and I love trying new recipes and experimenting with food. I will purposely take two and a half hours to cook a meal just 'cause I love the process of it. I’ll put on music, and a good show to binge. Because of rehearsals and everything, I haven't been able to do it in so long. I'm so excited to have a normal schedule, now that we’ve opened—so that I can get to do that again.
“My family and my boyfriend. They are the people in my life who make me feel the bravest.”
What’s your go-to meal in the kitchen?
I make really, really good noodle stir fry, and it’s so delicious. I call it my signature now. I’ll make my own secret Asian sauce to go with it too. That, or I make a pretty good creamy pesto pasta..
What song makes you feel totally unstoppable?
Jumpman by Drake. It's always on my playlist before shows. It's a good warmup song too.
After this interview—what are you going to do?
My boyfriend and I are going to get lunch. I'm a big luncher. I love lunch. Lunch is the best meal of the day, first of all. I'm going to have a good Turkey Club Sandwich.
What's one thing no one really knows about you, but you kind of want them to?
I think people don't realize how much of an adventurer I am. I love the outdoors and I love going camping and going on random adventures. Road trips and things like that. If somebody asked me to go on a road trip tomorrow? Yes, let’s do it.
Photography and Words by Dio Anthony, Hair Alison Farfan, Make-Up by Emily Amick
