Page 65 of Marisol Acts the Part
A few seconds later…
Posie
We love you!!!
I don’t need to put on a smile as I snap a quick selfie to send to them—laughing as they immediately spam the chat with praise for my makeup and outfit. Only a few more weeks until they’re finally wrapped with filming and can head out on their weeklong trip to New York to visit moi. My skin thrums every time I think about finally getting to see them again, and all of the shopping we’re going to do the second they get here. Our bank accounts arenotready.
On the opposite side of the roof, Fatima barks out orders left and right, running the photo shoot like a pro.
“She’s perfect for this job,” Jamila says as we watch her goover the shot list with the director. “People actuallylikethat she’s being bossy.”
I snort. Admittedly, I do like how in control Fatima has been throughout this process. Knowing that what is possibly the most important interview of my life—that’ll either make or break my career—is in her hands has been calming, to say the least. I may still be waking up in the middle of the night panicking about Rune showing up at my door with a pitchfork-wielding angry mob, but now that I’m here, I’m able to remind myself that this is the right decision.
“We’re talking about the photo leak today…” I say cautiously, avoiding Jamila’s eyes and focusing instead on the design on my ring fingernail. Kevin made sure to go all-out for the occasion, giving me a fresh set of acrylics complete with intricate floral designs on each nail. Last night’s catch-up session/nail appointment was the perfect way to celebrate his finally being ungrounded.
The photo leak is a topic I’ve been dancing around, not sure how to broach with Jamila quite yet. She’s been there for each of my two interview sessions so far, going in chronological order starting with my audition experience, but this is the first that directly involves her.
My firing is the heart of this story, something I know I can’t avoid talking about. But it means delving into my personal life—revealing that I was dating someone on set. There’s only so much I can do to cover my tracks, with the photo of me and Jamila kissing already out in the open. People came to their own conclusions after the article was out—throwing the shots of us together on the red carpet side by side with the blurry kiss photo and drawing comparisons. Still, there’splausible deniability. I can keep the details as vague as possible, maybe even fudge them a little bit to try to hide Jamila’s identity. I can’t help feeling guilty for getting her caught in the crosshairs. She’s done more than enough to help me through this summer—I don’t need to drag her down with me.
“I can try to keep things vague. Maybe make them think it was someone else,” I go on, listing all the options I’ve already thought of. Anything to keep Jamila as anonymous as possible. “Or I can—”
“You can tell the truth,” Jamila interrupts before I can finish. Her palm cradles my cheek, turning me to face her. “You can tell them it was me.”
Something about her touch always makes my heart race, but this is on a whole new level. Heat surrounds me like a mist, my heart beating so fast I can feel it in my fingertips as I rest my hand on top of hers. “But your agent—”
“Is fired,” she interjects again, shaking her head slightly, making her curls bounce in the midsummer breeze. “I’m not going to start my career lying about who I am.”
She laces our fingers together, lowering them until they’re linked in the small bit of space between us. “I want to do this with you. Together.”
“Together,” I whisper back, the words almost lost to the wind and the clatter of equipment and Fatima’s shouts to get this show on the road.
When I came to this city, I had no idea what to expect. Whether I’d crash and burn or soar and become the person I hoped I could be. Success doesn’t look like what I originally envisioned. Fired from the show I busted my ass to book. Beingsorta-friends with the ex who broke my heart. Adjusting to living in a walk-in closet. Calling the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met mine.
Nothing about this summer has been what I expected because it’s better than anything I could’ve ever imagined. Meeting Kevin and helping him transform into Diamond, watching him destroy his first-ever performance. Getting to eat my abuela’s incredible cooking every other night. Kissing Jamila on a packed dance floor.
It’s a terrifying thought, letting people in. Especially after my history with Miles and an intensely public relationship. But this time will be different. I know that for sure. Suddenly, I don’t feel the need to post the selfies we take curled up in our blanket forts—even though theyarecute as hell. I want to keep this beautiful thing close to my chest. Learn who we are together privately before the world can decide for us. And even though we may be afraid for our own reasons of what going public might mean, I know we’ll be okay. Anything feels possible when her fingers are laced through mine. We’ll brave the world, the critics, the fans—everyone.
Together.
Hollywood Today
AVALON GROVESTAR MARISOL POLLY-RODRIGUEZ TEASES NEW PROJECT ATTHE LIMITSEASON TWO PREMIERE
By Fatima El Amrani
Marisol Polly-Rodriguez has kept a low profile following her bombshell interview withHollywood Todayearlier this year, exposing Rune, director of the Emmy Award–winning anthology seriesThe Limit,for inappropriate and abusive on-set behavior. Polly-Rodriguez’s account, along with information revealed by season one’s breakout star, Eli Rowan, drastically shifted public perception of the highly acclaimed director. WhileThe Limit’s future was left uncertain after the director was quietly replaced midway through production for season two, shortly after the article’s release, early reviews praised the show’s bold new direction, a departure from Rune’s directorial style, as well as newcomer (and Polly-Rodriguez’s current flame) Jamila El Amrani’s performance.
El Amrani isn’t the only one receiving positive buzz about her performance. Despite initially being released from the show midway through production, Polly-Rodriguez was invited to rejoin the cast after Rune’s dismissal from the show. It was a decision that, according to insiders, was extremely controversial,as former costar Dawn Greene, who was slated to take over Polly-Rodriguez’s role after her firing, decided to leave the show upon her return. “She was pissed that someone she thought had ‘less experience’ got a bigger part than her,” our source says. Less experienced or not, it’s clear that Polly-Rodriguez is going to be making a splash this season, with several early reviews praising her performance as oil heiress Zoe as “raw,” “real,” and “career-defining.”
Polly-Rodriguez stunned on the red carpet for the second season’s premiere in a gown she revealed was designed by her father, Carlos Rodriguez, with hair and makeup styling by her cousin Kevin Rodriguez, the nail tech behind social media drag sensation Diamond Du Jour, making the night a true family affair. When asked about her thoughts on the season, Polly-Rodriguez gushed about her former and current flames—Miles Zhao and El Amrani, respectively—calling their performances “electric” and “once-in-a-lifetime.” When asked about her own career path post–The Limit,Polly-Rodriguez emphasized a return to her roots. “I’m working on a new sapphic rom-com that I absolutely adore with my best friend Posie Butler,” she teased, but remained coy on details of the title and official release.
It’s clear that, for Polly-Rodriguez, this night was all about El Amrani. Quickly flocking back to each other’s sides, the couple exchanged several kisses throughout the night, never letting go of each other’s hands as they made their way through the room. “They’re amazing,” costar Zhao said of the couple. “But nothing ever makes me feel as single as watching those two together.”
Season two ofThe Limitpremieres January17.
COMMENTS
my mothers looking stunning as always!!!!
