This weekend Jaime Camil is takes on the role of ‘Sam’ in the popular musical “Mama Mia!” at the Hollywood Bowl. In honor of such a major undertaking we bring you our interview when the multi-talented actor was about to make his major North American television debut in the hit series “Jane The Virgin.”

American mainstream television now speaks with a Spanish accent when “Jane the Virgin,” returns on Monday nights to the CW Network.  The highly praised series features a strong cast led by Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez in the title role and co-stars the accomplished and popular Jaime Camil. We spoke with Camil on the set of our very exclusive photo shoot for HOMBRE. In a candid conversation he shares his expectations for the series, popular misconceptions and the best advice he ever received.

English speaking audiences were first introduced to Camil in last year’s successful indie film “Pulling Strings.” Now his conquest of the U.S. continues as the dashing Rogelio, in the new prime-time entry.

Born in Mexico to a prominent family, Camil is a household name in Latin households after having starred in some of the most popular television projects ever. “La Fea Más Bella” (2006), “Las Tontas No Van Al Cielo” (2008), “Los Exitosos Pérez” (2009), “Por Ella Soy Eva” and “Que Pobres Tan Ricos” are international television classics that have set record ratings for the Televisa and Univision networks.

Although mostly known for his television work, Camil is a multifaceted performer. Musically speaking he has released three albums including “Para estar contigo,” in 1999,  “Una vez más,” in 2002 and his last, “Jaime Camil vol. 3,” in 2008.

His feature film work is extensive with over twenty projects including, “Puños Rosas”(2004), “Zapata” (2004) and “7 Días” (2005). In 2007 he starred in the Chilean movie “All Inclusive.” He went on to play the lead in two romantic comedies, “Recien Cazado,”  and “Regresa” both released in the winter of 2008/2009. In 2006 he co-founded and is the spokesman of the Shorts Film Festival Mexico.

Camil loves the theater and has appeared in “The Mambo Kings” and “Latinologues” on Broadway; and delivered award winning performances in Mexico  in “West Side Story” and “El Diluvio Que Viene,” which won the APT and ACPT awards for Best Actor in a Musical.

HOMBRE: How would you describe your character in “Jane The Virgin”?
Jaime Camil: It’s a very charming character. A character that has a special relationship with Jane. You’ll find out about their relationship on the first episode, there are no surprises. I play a soap opera star. It’s a funny character. I will bring lots of comedy to the series and create funny situations in all the scenes you find my character.

H:  And it seems you have experience as a soap opera star. (Laughs).
JC: You know, it’s a misconception. I have over 20 films. What I do mostly is film. I don’t do soap operas. And what I’ve done in television technically is sitcoms. It’s not tragic soap operas with heavy characters. Anyone who has seen my work realizes it’s a comedy. I want to make people laugh. It’s not for people to suffer, it’s for them to enjoy.
When people say you have a lot of experience as a soap opera star, the truth is I don’t.  I’ve done twenty films and five television projects, four of which have been comedies.
I have experience in soap operas for what I have gone through, because of my friends. I know how to do it. And we are doing in a comedic way.

H: It’s important that we’re clearing this up. People probably think of you as a soap opera star because the television projects you’ve done have been so popular and successful it’s easy to forget that you also sing for instance.
JC: Well, about the singing, I’m an actor that sings. I forgot all about releasing records, and swimming against the tide. Life is short and it’s best to realize who you are. And what I am is an actor that sings. And being able to have this duality allows me to be able to sing when I do films like my last one, “Pulling Strings.” My character was a mariachi singer and they didn’t have to dub my voice. I could sing the songs. The reality is that in Latin America the sitcom concept doesn’t exist, so they label everything as a soap.

H: How difficult is it to now be doing a project in english?
JC: Its not difficult because I speak the language, but it feels strange to act in english. Eventhough you know what you’re saying and you understand the language. I think I sound funny, but it’s a beautiful project. All the cast is amazing. I’m very privileged to be working not only with talented people but also beautiful human beings. And I don’t think that will change. It will go on because my heart tells me this project will go on for years.

H: How would you describe “Jane the Virgin”?
JC: It’s a beautiful, very creative project. I was very lucky. I had three offers for three shows during pilot season. I read the three scripts. And maybe the choice should have been to go to a bigger network but the script that really grabbed me and made me happiest was “Jane the Virgin.” It’s a charming, beautifully written script.   And thank God, because the other two projects were rejected and “Jane” was picked up.

H: What are the biggest differences between doing this project and doing the projects you’ve done in Latin America?
JC:  I always say this, people who work on television and film, we are all animals from the same farm. We speak the same language, do the same stuff. The principal difference is the budget.  They have more money and do everything bigger in the U.S., that’s the main difference.

H: I know this series is the priority, but can you speak about any other  projects you have coming up?
JC: I’m with this project one hundred percent. But I have a film being released soon called “Los Arboles Mueren de Pie,” which was a very successful theater piece in Mexico. It should hit theaters in the next couple of months. I have many film offers but we’ll look at them when I have the time to work it around my schedule. Right now I’m focused in “Jane the Virgin.” Anything else will have to wait for my hiatus fun the series.

H: With such a long career, what advice can you offer?
JC: This career is not of speed, it’s of endurance. You have to have perseverance and discipline. The goal should not be to be famous, but to follow your heart.  My advice is to follow your dreams, never give up. Regardless of how many times you hear no. If you believe you can do it, don’t give up. And it’s important to pursue this career with morals, with ethical values.

H: Following up on that, what was the best advice your parents gave you?
JC: The best advice was to respect everyone, independently of where they come from, or their social, economic or cultural status. And to always work. To be an ethical person.

H: Why should audiences see this series?
JC: It’s a good series, it’s written well with a great cast. It’s a series that has all the elements that the mainstream market would love, but definitely addressing Latin themes with dignity and respect to our people. Not in a way that makes fun or insults our culture. The Latin world is handled in this series with a great deal of respect, with much love. And it’s a real portrayal Latin culture.

Jaime Camil photographed exclusively for HOMBRE Magazine by John Hong 
Grooming: Kseniya Bernhardt
Hair Styling: Thelma Macias

“JANE THE VIRGIN”

“Jane the Virgin” is based on the Spanish language soap opera “Juana la Virgen.” When Jane Villanueva was a young girl, her grandmother, Alba, convinced her of two things: telenovelas are the highest form of entertainment, and women must protect their virginity at all costs. Jane is a driven young woman studying to become a teacher, nursing a dream to be a writer, and supporting herself with a job at a hot new Miami hotel. She has a wonderful fiancé — a handsome, hard-working detective named Michael — who loves her enough to accept her detailed timeline for their future together and even her insistence on “saving herself” until they’re married. But Jane’s world is suddenly turned upside down when she goes to see her doctor for a routine check-up and is accidentally artificially inseminated with a specimen meant for the patient in the next room.

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Jaime Camil, Dina Guerrero, Yara Martinez, Priscilla Barns and Andrea