In a Hollywood landscape often criticized for its lack of authentic representation, three Latina women have carved out their own space, creating something entirely their own. Marta Méndez Cross, Valeria Maldonado, and Virginia Novello didn’t wait for permission to tell their story. They wrote it themselves, spending nine years bringing their vision to life in “Las Tres Sisters,” a bilingual indie film that has captured hearts and challenged stereotypes.
Marta Méndez Cross’s journey to Hollywood reads like a script itself. Born to an Irish-American father and Costa Rican mother, she spent her childhood navigating between cultures before eventually settling in Texas, where she attended the University of Texas at Austin. There, she studied Latin American media studies with a focus on Latino stereotypes in the media. This academic work would later inform her creative mission.
That multicultural perspective and natural instinct to bring people together would later become central to both her personal story and the character she portrays in “Las Tres Sisters.” But first, she had to navigate the complexities of an industry that often demanded conformity over authenticity.
The entertainment industry’s relationship with Latino representation has long been fraught with stereotypes and limitations. For Marta and her collaborators, this became painfully clear early in their careers. Virginia Novello recalls being told she could never play a Latina because her blue eyes and lighter skin didn’t fit industry expectations. An agent even suggested she wear brown contact lenses and tan her skin to conform to what Hollywood thought a Latina should look like.
For Marta, these industry limitations became a catalyst for change rather than a roadblock. After years of seeing herself portrayed through other people’s lenses (often male writers’ interpretations of Latina women), she made a decision that would change everything: she would write her own story.
The Birth of a Sisterhood
What started as a friendship between three talented women evolved into something much deeper as a creative partnership that would span nine years. Marta, Virginia, and Valeria found in each other a chosen family that understood the unique challenges they faced as bicultural women in entertainment.
The writing process became a form of therapy, particularly for Marta, who was navigating new motherhood during the film’s development. Late-night writing sessions after putting her children to bed became sacred time with moments of pure creativity born from exhaustion and raw emotion. The project spanned six years of writing before filming began.
“I was exhausted and delirious, just laughing and creating scenes,” Marta recalls. “I grew so much as a woman, a mother, an actress, and a storyteller. It’s been my favorite thing I’ve done in Hollywood so far.”
A Love Letter to Mexico
“Las Tres Sisters” is a deliberate counter-narrative to the way Mexico is often portrayed in media. Virginia, who grew up in Guadalajara where much of the film was shot, was intentional about showing the beauty of her homeland.
The film showcases the warmth of Mexican culture, the stunning landscapes of pueblos mágicos (magical towns), and the deep family bonds that define so many Latino families. It’s a love letter written by women who understand both the pain of being misrepresented and the joy of finally having the platform to tell their own truth.
For Marta, one of the most profound lessons from this journey has been embracing vulnerability as strength rather than weakness. She’s learned that authenticity, not perfection, is what truly connects with audiences. This philosophy extends beyond her acting to her approach to storytelling itself. The most resonant moments in “Las Tres Sisters” come from raw, emotional truth including the messy, beautiful reality of sisterhood, family dynamics, and personal growth.
Building Their Own Hollywood
Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of Marta’s journey is her decision to stop waiting for someone else’s permission to create. Rather than continuing to navigate an industry that often pigeonholed or overlooked her, she chose to build her own space within it.
This shift from seeking approval to creating opportunities has become a model for other underrepresented voices in entertainment. The success of “Las Tres Sisters,” which premiered in theaters alongside major studio blockbusters, proves that there’s an audience hungry for authentic, diverse storytelling.
The impact of “Las Tres Sisters” extends far beyond box office numbers. At screenings, the film has moved audiences to tears, inspired travel to Mexico, and created conversations about family, identity, and healing. For Marta, these responses validate the years of work and the risks taken to bring their vision to life.
The film’s success has also opened doors for future projects. Marta is currently writing “Feliz Navidad,” Hallmark’s first Latinx Christmas drama, continuing her mission to expand representation in mainstream media.
Lessons in Persistence
The nine-year journey from concept to theatrical release taught the trio invaluable lessons about persistence, collaboration, and the power of clear intention. For Marta, understanding that rejection is directional, not personal, became a crucial insight.
For Valeria, the unexpected doors that opened during their journey taught her an important lesson: “Follow the doors that open. A lot of times, the doors that open are unexpected. That’s something we even touch on in the movie…they’re not always the doors you thought would open.”
The creative process took on deeper meaning when Valeria’s mother passed away from pancreatic cancer just two days after the film finished principal photography, adding profound emotional resonance to their completed work.
The Future of Authentic Storytelling
As “Las Tres Sisters” continues to find audiences through video-on-demand platforms, Marta and her collaborators are already looking ahead. Their success has proven that there’s both a need and a market for stories that center authentic Latino experiences without resorting to stereotypes or trauma narratives.
For Marta, the journey has been about proving that Latina women can be the authors of their own stories, both literally and figuratively. In an industry that often underestimates women and minorities, she and her collaborators have done something revolutionary: they’ve rewritten the script entirely, creating a space where authenticity isn’t just welcomed, it’s celebrated.
Through “Las Tres Sisters,” Marta Méndez Cross has sparked a movement, proving that sometimes the most powerful act of rebellion is simply being authentically yourself.
Photography: Alondra Lara
Fashion Brand: Tess Mann Atelier
Featured: Marta Méndez Cross, Valeria Maldonado, Virginia Novello
Public Relations: Meredith Corning PR
“Las Tres Sisters” Movie Trailer
“Las Tres Sisters” is available on video-on-demand platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Follow their journey @LasTresSistersMovie on Instagram and TikTok.
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