In this exclusive DISCPlus interview, creators Carlos Moreno Jr., Sandra Santiago, and Adriana Fricke open up about their passion for culture and the creative process behind their hit web series, inside Pepito’s America.
In a candid and insightful interview with actor, producer, and writer Carlos Moreno Jr., along with his leading actresses Sandra Santiago and Adriana Fricke, the trio discussed their experiences in the entertainment industry, their passion for acting, and the creation of Moreno’s web series, Pepito’s America Mamadas.
Carlos Moreno Jr., who has nearly 30 films under his belt, shared how his love for the industry started at a young age. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, he had an early desire to play the Scarecrow, despite not fully understanding the film’s song at the time. For Moreno, pursuing acting has always felt like a calling, driven by the belief that “If we don’t use our gift that God gave us, it will be bad.” Moreno’s commitment to his craft is deep; he rededicates himself to being an artist every day, emphasizing the importance of forming a community of dedicated people to support each other in Hollywood. “Help each other,” he advised.
When asked how they began their journeys in acting, Sandra Santiago and Adriana Fricke shared their personal stories. Santiago, who felt destined for the stage after performing a ballet solo as a child, recalled how the joy of creating something for an audience gave her goosebumps. Fricke, on the other hand, took a different path. Initially timid, it wasn’t until she moved to Los Angeles and started auditioning that she realized her passion for acting. Both women’s stories reflect the resilience and dedication required to make it in the entertainment industry.
Santiago and Fricke also revealed how they met Moreno. Santiago, who coincidentally shares the same family name as Moreno, said she always wanted to work with him and was thrilled when he finally called her for a project. “I was excited that he was calling me for a reason,” she said. Fricke met Moreno many years ago after his role in Transformers, and their friendship has only grown since then. Moreno inspired Fricke to pursue her own projects, including writing and producing.
Pepito’s America Mamadas is a unique creation, centered around a character named Pepito, who Moreno describes as “worse than Dennis the Menace and Bart Simpson combined.” In Latin culture, Pepito is a cultural icon, and Moreno wanted to explore what this mischievous character would be like as an adult. The series follows Pepito as he navigates different parts of Los Angeles, bringing together various Latino communities. Pepito’s charm, wit, and luck often help him escape shifty situations, making for a fun and unpredictable storyline.
Santiago and Fricke bring their own flair to the web series, playing the characters Molly and Cristina, respectively. Molly is a lonely woman whose imagination blurs with reality, while Cristina is a sassy neighbor with a penchant for meddling in others’ business. Both characters add layers of humor and depth to the series.
When asked what separates Pepito’s America Mamadas from other web series, Moreno pointed to the show’s grassroots nature, saying, “We represent a whole lot of cultures… and we are very embedded in that.” The project is a labor of love, with a family-like cast and crew, and even features Moreno himself cooking meals on set for the cast.
As the interview wrapped up, Moreno, Santiago, and Fricke shared advice for aspiring actors, emphasizing perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of being financially prepared. They also reflected on the legacy they hope to leave behind, with Moreno hoping to be remembered as someone who lived life to the fullest and was “a vessel of art.”
With Pepito’s America Mamadas, Carlos Moreno Jr. and his talented cast are creating a vibrant, culture-rich series that’s sure to entertain and inspire.
Viewers can check out Pepito’s America Mamadas web series on the Youtube channel “Pepito’s America”
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