SUCCESS GENERATES MOMENTS OF LONELINESS AND DISCONNECTION | Marie Claire Argentina

Maia Reficco is an Actress and Singer and since her participation in Evita on Broadway to her current role in Hadestown, her journey was a reflection of hard work, talent and determination.

WRITTEN BY DANIELA GUERERO

In this interview, she tells us about his connection to her Argentine roots, her commitment to art and her next challenges.

Maia Reficco is Cancer with a Scorpio ascendant, an enigmatic and magnetic combination that reflects her creativity, character and perseverance. These qualities have been key in her career, from her first steps to her debut in Bro adway, a story that exemplifies what it means to fight for a dream in foreign lands, Mala has always known that she would dedicate herself to art, a passion that was born from her love for music, the environment in which she grew up. Her mother, Katie Viqueira, a renowned Argentine tango and folklore singer. She was also coach vo cal of great artists such as Duki, Maria Becerra, Tini and Emilia, being her greatest inspiration. On the other hand, her father is an academic, university professor with a postgraduate degree at Harvard. It is for this reason that she lived until she was 4 years old in Boston and then moved to Buenos Aires.

© PHotograph by Alber Font

Maia began singing in the school choir, where her love for the art grew even more, but the project that changed her life was Kally's Mashup, a series co-produced by Nickelodeon Latin America. After that promising debut she was called to play the young Eva Perón in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical Evita.

“I understood that what really made me well was not only professional success, but also affection and the need to create a home anywhere”.

Four months after that milestone, Maia joined the cast of the musical Next to Normal. Add to her resume the Netflix film : Do Revenge, alongside Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes and her leading role in Pretty Little Liars. She is currently starring in the musical Hadestown on Broadway.

© Photographed by Alber Font

To begin, what did it mean for you to make your Broadway debut in none other than Evita?

It was an honor and a privilege. It represented not only a professional achievement for me, but also a deep connection to my cultural heritage. Stepping on stage understanding the history and context from a perspective that the vast majority of the cast did not have, felt like an embrace. This experience not only solidified my place in the American arts scene, but also opened my eyes to the possibility that working in the United States was a dream I could make come true.

© Photographed by Alber Font

Tell us about your current experience starring in Hadestown...

Reinterpreting Eurydice was an honor and a significant challenge. I feel the pressure of bringing to life a role that other actresses I deeply admire have already played, but I channel that pressure into a determination to find my own version of the character. I have two options: let myself be paralyzed by fear and comparison, or strive to make Eurydice my own. Choosing the latter allowed me to enjoy the process much more and realize that I can also bring something new to this interpretation.

“Working in the United States is an alienating and isolating experience. My identity is shaped by what others perceive of me, and that makes me feel pigeonholed into the definition that American culture imposes on me.”

What is the experience of working in the United States like?

It is an experience that generates isolation and disconnection. I perceive that in this country there is an excessive obsession with the characteristics that distinguish us, highlighting the differences. This causes my identity to be shaped by how others perceive me, which makes me feel trapped in the label that American culture assigns me. Consequently, redefining who I am becomes a key process. When I am at home, I am often unaware of all the customs and cultural aspects around me, and that disconnect can be overwhelming.

© Photographed by Alber Font

How do you see Latino representation in the industry?

It is complex. While there have been significant advances, such as a greater Latino presence, I feel there is still a long way to go. Representation is limited by the perception of those producing the projects, which can result in narratives that do not reflect authentic reality. For me, it is crucial that in the process of creating these stories, there are Latino voices that can amplify what is really being experienced. Authenticity is critical, otherwise the representations can become superficial and dis- connect the audience.

What happened to you emotionally after having professional success?

Throughout my career, I reflected on how life was passing in front of me, with everything that nurtured my heart slipping away like sand between my hands. This was a turning point, I understood that what really made me well was not only professional success, but also affection and the need to generate a home anywhere. Not everything has been easy. I remember that after filming on a Friday, I flew to Argentina for two days to say goodbye to my grandfather, who was dying, and by Sunday I was on my way to England for another project. This experience highlighted how difficult it is to work in an industry that demands so much commitment, often taking me away and draining me emotionally. The victories can be bittersweet, as professional success sometimes leads to moments of loneliness and disconnection from what truly nourishes my spirit.

“Debuting on Broadway with Evita represented not only a professional accomplishment for me, but also a deep connection to my cultural heritage.”

What are those “your non-negotiables” for maintaining a balance between personal life and career?

I make sure to take vacations in Buenos Aires and return home from time to time to visit my family and reconnect with my friends, who are fundamental to my emotional well-being.

These moments of connection are essential so that I don't lose sight of what really matters in life.

© Fotografiado por Alber Font

What are your next projects?

I will continue in Hadestown until January, but then I will take a break to focus completely on my music. This decision fills me with nerves and uncertainty. Although the fear of the unknown is overwhelming, I know that my true passion is in music. “The entrepreneurial Maia is coming,” I tell myself, acknowledging that taking that step terrifies me, but it's what I want most. It scares me a lot, that's why it took me so long. However, now I feel that I have had the necessary preparation time and I am much more confident in my instrument and in my ability.

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Find the complete gallery on Maia Reficco France and the outfits she wears on the site Maia Reficco Fashion.