Entertainment · Film · 57 mins ago
Yalitza Aparicio says she is not ready to take leading roles
Yalitza Aparicio says she is not yet ready for leading roles because she still has much to learn.
The actress, known for her debut in Roma, said some colleagues advised her after her Oscar nomination to accept only leading parts.
She prefers smaller roles that let her observe and learn how other performers work on set.
Aparicio had no acting training before entering films, and she studies screenwriting and directing to better understand work behind the camera.
The pandemic also stalled her career, she said, adding to the time she feels she needs to catch up.
She sees cameos and minor parts as chances to gain experience, not as a step backward.
She did not name a next project or say when she might take a leading role.
Yalitza Aparicio says she is not ready to take leading roles because she believes she still has much to learn.
The actress said she prefers to observe her co-stars and learn from the work happening around her on set.
Some colleagues advised her after her Oscar nomination for Roma to accept only leading roles.
Aparicio said she had no acting training before entering film and that the pandemic also stalled her progress.
She has studied screenwriting and directing to better understand work behind the camera, not to pursue those jobs.
- Who
- Yalitza Aparicio, an actress known for her debut in Roma.
- What
- She said she is not ready to accept leading roles and prefers smaller parts that let her learn.
- When
- In a recent interview; the article was published on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- She says she has much to learn, having entered film without prior acting training. She also said the pandemic stalled her progress.
Colleagues advising leading roles
Yalitza Aparicio
Career choices
Colleagues advising leading roles
They told her not to accept roles below leading roles after her Oscar nomination for Roma.
Yalitza Aparicio
She says she prefers smaller parts and is not ready to take leading roles.
Some colleagues advised Aparicio not to accept roles below leading roles.
Aparicio said the pandemic stalled her progress and stopped everyone.
Aparicio explained why she prefers smaller parts and wants to keep learning.
- Film debut
- Roma
- Career milestone
- Oscar nomination for Roma
- Prior acting training
- None
- Studies
- Screenwriting and directing
- Career interruption
- The pandemic, which Aparicio said stalled her progress
What people are saying
A difference from many colleagues is that I have many things left to learn.
Maybe I need more daring on my part to accept leading roles, because I always tell them: No, it is very tiring.
I truly prefer to experience the process, enjoy it, sit down and watch how my other colleagues work, and learn from that side too.
I am a firm believer that we do not know everything. There are many things we must learn.