The black-tie dinner, hosted by actress Isabel Arraiza and journalist Juan Manuel Benitez, included the participation of special awards honorees: Liza Colón-Zayas (The HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award), Cesar Millan (The HOLA Chita Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award), Carlos Arana (The HOLA Excellence in Theater Award), Eden Espinosa (The Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award), Goya (The HOLA Award for Distinction in Arts Philanthropy), Priscilla Lopez (Special HOLA Award for Exceptional Performance), Javier Molina (The HOLA Elizabeth Peña Breakthrough Artist Award), Antonio Najarro (The HOLA Graciela Danielle Excellence in Choreography Award), Gilberto Saldivar (The HOLA Award for Outstanding Production), and Luis Oscar Villanueva (HOLA Special Award for Inspiring Lead Performance).
The gala showcased this year’s television, film, and theater nominees, including a special performance by renowned dancer and choreographer Antonio Najarro.
I spoke to Blanca Camacho, a well-known actress for her roles on Chicago Fire and Law and Order SVU. She was part of the original cast of the Broadway show In the Heights. She is also a member of the board of the Hola Organization.
“Hola is a way of championing and celebrating the positive forward momentum of our Latino community,” she stated.
When asked what she was looking forward to most that night, she responded, “Well, I get to present an award, so I’m very excited to be presenting an award to Priscilla Lopez, who I worked with on In the Heights.”
Liza Colon Zayas was the biggest name of the night. Two weeks after winning her first Emmy for her performance on FX’s “The Bear,” she was honored with the José Ferrer Tespís Award, named after the Puerto Rican actor José Ferrer, who was the first Hispanic actor ever to win an Academy Award. This accolade acknowledges performers with a rare and exceptional ability to transport audiences into the heart of stories, characters, and emotions.
She was the face everyone looked forward to seeing. Host Isabel Arraiza, nominee Jorge Sanchez, and Committee member Luis Galli were all excited to see one of their own being honored.
I had the privilege to speak to Liza about her previous Emmy win as an Honoree at the Hola Awards and her message to future Hispanic actors.
The Knockturnal: What do you say to the young women in school right now who want to be an actress and they feel like they can’t because they were they are different because they are minorities?
Colón-Zayas: Don’t spend a ton of money on getting a degree in theatre. Find a great coach, and then just do it. If you are going to spend a ton of money on school, learn coding or something that will help you pay the rent, but in terms of who you are and how you don’t fit the mold, that is the best thing, that is a blessing because then you get to be you and you get to dazzle the room with who you are you can’t be anybody nobody else can be you, love you.
The Knockturnal: I feel like this year has been your year, you won your first Emmy and tonight your being honored with the Jose Ferrer Tespis award. How does that feel?
Colón-Zayas: He’s an epic icon born in San Juan, buried in San Juan, and I am actually stunned that I’m being honored with an award so prestigious, I feel like my journey has been so non-traditional. I understand how young people feel who don’t look like the majority. But that’s why I’m saying embrace everything about who you are all of it. We have such rich stories and contributions bring it!
