Elyfer Torres Is Breaking Down Borders, One Role At A Time

When actress, singer and dancer Elyfer Torres was growing up in Mexico, she never saw anyone on screen or on stage that looked like her.

Today, audiences worldwide recognize the triple threat thanks to her leading role as Beatrice “Betty” Aurora Rincon Lozano in the Telemundo show, Betty En NY (or Betty in New York), a role that earned her the “Best New Actress” at the Produ awards.

Torres’ mission is to break into the U.S., backed by talent, perseverance and powerful metrics: The finale of Telemundo’s hit original production Betty En NY, a modern adaptation of the television global phenomenon Yo soy Betty la fea, ranked as the number one primetime drama series in the U.S. among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 in 2019, according to Nielsen.

She is also guided by the desire to show others that anything can be achieved — and it’s helpful if you can see it.

“I didn’t have any proof that my acting career was going to happen,” Torres shares. “I didn’t have any example to look towards as a role model, while growing up as a Latin American, brown, curly-haired person. I want to say girl, but it’s really person. It’s wild, because until now, we haven’t had characters that look like me.”

As a young girl growing up in Mexico, Torres originally set her sights on classical dance. After several years, she pivoted and knew she wanted to break into acting.

Betty En NY turned out to be Torres’ breakout role and what catapulted her to the global stage.

“At first I would go to every audition with my hair straight, because that was what we normally saw on television — at least in Mexico or Latin America. And I actually booked Betty En NY with my hair straight. So then the first day I went on set with my curly hair, they asked, ‘What did you just do?’ And I responded with, ‘Oh this is my hair, but no worries, we can straighten it out.’ They said, ‘No! We love it.’”

While Torres grew up feeling there was a lack of representation, her role in Betty En NY and the main character energy of Beatrice / Betty helped her see and believe that her hair is beautiful the way it is. “Representation is such an important thing, because at least in my case, I believe we’re not seeking or looking for aspirational stuff. We want to be represented, and we want to see ourselves on the screen and to say to ourselves: I can do that, when you’re in an industry or system that’s telling you that you can’t — you’re never going to achieve it.”

Torres adds: “It’s really important for me to represent Mexican culture and Latinos that are living in the U.S., because we are one of, if not the fastest growing community in the country.”

She is also someone that walks the talk, ensuring that her team is diverse.

“When it comes to my team, whether it’s my U.S. or Mexican management, I see myself represented, as it’s majority people of color. It’s so important for me to be the change that I want to see, and to provide opportunities for people like me.”

Torres’ friendship with Tenoch Huerta, who starred as Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has also helped strengthen her goal of breaking borders and boundaries. (It’s notable to mention that Huerta made history as the first Marvel superhero with a Mexican background.)

“That’s what happens with projects like Wakanda Forever,” Torres adds. “Tenoch looks like all of us and comes from where we all come from — and he achieved those things. He once told me, ‘Whenever you feel you don’t belong in a space, just think that you are in that space already. You belong there. Don’t ever feel that you don’t belong there. Because you worked so hard to be in that space.’”

(Torres hosted the red carpet premiere of Wakanda Forever in Mexico, and she and Huerta danced together in a video that went viral in Latin America.)

When it comes to crossing over to international spaces and borders, it’s about storytelling and powerful themes, more than language.

The proof is in the Spotify Unwrapped lists and Torres’ music, especially the song “Aquí está mi amor,” which was featured in Betty En NY. The breakdown of top countries the song was streamed in? Mexico, followed by Germany, the U.S., and Brazil. (This tracks, as Betty En NY was the number one show in Germany, as well as number two in Austria and Switzerland — a testament to the power of streaming and compelling storytelling.)

To Torres, success means making an impact. (She shared a story where during a trip to Brazil, a young girl recognized her and started crying and thanked her: “That’s when I feel my job is done,” adds Torres).

“To be honest with you, I don’t feel I have arrived yet, if that makes sense,” Torres continues. “I feel I’m on the way. And that’s beautiful because I love the journey. Betty En NY was a really important part of my journey and still is, as are the shows that came after that.”

Torres’ followup series, The War Next Door, debuted in the Top 10 on Netflix U.S. in 2022. She is set to release her most recent series, Tengo que morir todas las noches, this year.

“It’s so important to believe in yourself, if you don’t, no one else will or should. Every day I’m reminded of the power that a few people can have on your trajectory. Monica Vélez and Ricardo Coeto saw me before anyone else did, and they took the leap of faith in giving me my first big role. I want to be able to one day do the same for others. I want to be part of that change and that wave,” Torres asserts.

“I’ve had such an amazing journey in such a short time. The success I’ve had has motivated me to dream big and to push to break barriers.”