Ana María Orozco: The Evolution of an Actress Since I Am Ugly Betty
Being eternally identified with Beatriz Pinzón Solano, the unforgettable protagonist of Yo soy Betty, la fea , wasn't something Ana María Orozco was particularly enthusiastic about. And yet, that role marked a turning point in her career and her life.
" Life goes on ," says the Colombian actress , now 51, in a conversation with Diario Libre during her appearance at the Platino Awards in Madrid. "The years go by, and on a personal level, one continues their pursuit as an actor . I've become a mother, I've traveled... It's not that there's a change as such; the change is more about how you're seen from the outside than how you experience it internally."
Although she admits that Betty's shadow has made her feel somewhat uncomfortable at times, she also recognizes the character's historical significance and impact on international pop culture. "Obviously, it's a turning point in my career ," she emphasizes.
The phenomenon that was Yo soy Betty, la fea , originally broadcast in 1999, is still astonishing today: broadcast in more than 180 countries, dubbed into 25 languages, and adapted into at least 28 versions around the world, it became the telenovela with the most adaptations in history. It was also adapted for the stage—with Orozco leading the original cast—and its 335 episodes arrived on Netflix in 2019, remaining in the platform's Top 10 in Latin America for weeks. However, in 2022 it was withdrawn due to licensing issues and moved to the Prime Video catalog, where it is now available in its entirety.
An unexpected returnWhen filming for the telenovela ended in 2001, Orozco was 27 years old. The success, she confesses, was overwhelming . "There were times when I didn't want to have anything to do with Betty," she says bluntly. "It never had anything to do with the character itself, not even close. Of course, filming was intense and the fame was overwhelming, but beyond that, the affection and love from the public has been so great that it's all been worth it, and I feel proud and grateful."
That affection ended up outweighing the exhaustion . "When we finished shooting, I felt a little burned out," she recalls. "We'd been working 18-hour days, six days a week, for almost two years. And I was scared . What do I do with myself? Everyone wanted Betty, but I wanted more ."
In 2024, more than two decades after the original phenomenon , the artist decided to reprise the role. She did so with reservations, but also with the intuition and conviction that guide her as an actress . Ugly Betty: The Story Continues premiered on July 19 on Prime Video and quickly became a hit. The platform confirmed a second season .
"The second season comes with a lot of humor , very special reunions , and you're going to see a side of Betty you haven't seen before," he enthusiastically revealed.
Regarding her decision to return to the character, she was clear: "I try to follow my intuition and my heart; I like to take risks." For her, returning to Betty was an opportunity to show her evolution . "The character has grown, changed, and is tackling more current issues."
Ana María Orozco was born into a family of artists . The daughter of actor Luis Fernando Orozco and radio host Carmenza Aristizábal, she made her television debut as a child in Pequeños Gigantes and established herself in productions such as La potra zaina and Perro amor. After Betty, she moved to Argentina with the father of her two daughters and built a career with roles in soap operas such as Provócame and Casados con hijos in Colombia, and in Argentina in titles such as Los Únicos (2011), Somos familia (2014) and Simona (2018).
- She's currently in a relationship with Peruvian actor Salvador del Solar, whom she met during the play "The Most Beautiful Tree in the World." While the world continues to recognize her for the character that made her famous , she keeps her vocation for acting alive, with new goals in mind.
- "I'd like to make more films . I've done a few series, but what I want is to continue acting , playing interesting, vibrant characters . It's really part of a quest, and I'm currently in the process of being able to get into production and the creative side," he expressed.
"It's nice that after so much time, people remember Betty with such affection. But as an actress, I have other pursuits. I'm not interested in remaining where I once was." Ana María Orozco, Colombian actress
In this new phase, Orozco wants to leverage her experience to build more layered characters who speak to what it means to be a woman today. "I think television , series, and films have a huge responsibility in how they portray women, and I want to be in stories that reflect that in depth."
Although it has been difficult to distance herself from Betty's legacy , Ana María Orozco has continued to cultivate a career with its own identity .
"It's nice that after so much time, people remember Betty so fondly. But as an actress, I have other pursuits . I'm not interested in remaining what she once was," she states with conviction. For many, she will be "the eternal Betty, the ugly one," but her story is only just being written. And she concludes with a reflection that speaks as much to her journey as to her craft: "That's the beauty of being an artist, too—the ability to explore and take risks."
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