IN CONVERSATION WITH MIRELA BALIC
interview by JUAN MARTI
Mirela Balic has character. That is something that one can perceive as soon as one meets her. She is not intimidated by anything, her gaze is determined and her speech is very clear. This young Spanish actress of Serbian and Croatian descent has managed to attract everyone's attention in the successful productions in which she has participated. One of the most popular faces of the last seasons of the Netflix hit, Elite, Mirela has not wanted to settle for simple roles. She is a woman who wants to tell true, subversive and authentic stories. Her choices are risky and projects such as the Disney+ thriller “Tú también lo harías” or the controversial “Zorras” demonstrate this. Mirela is not afraid of anything and now takes on her first leading role in a play and a drama about passion taken to the extreme alongside Ester Expósito in “El Talento”. Mirela walks with a firm step and her direction points to a bright future.
jumper ISSEY MIYAKE
Isn’t it a lovely afternoon, don’t you think?
Yes, and look, we’re already in autumn. Hey, do you know what’s been happening to me lately with interviews? I try not to curse too much (laughs).
Really?
Yes, I’m trying to become a lady (laughs).
Well, when you do interviews promoting projects for young people, I’m sure they don’t mind.
Fuck, you’re absolutely right.
How’s life treating you right now?
I’ve been juggling nine projects, one after the other. Every day, I wake up amazed that I’m living my dream of working as an actress. With that, I can honestly say I’m more than satisfied. I know that at some point, this streak of work will calm down, but even so, I’m clear that I’ve come into this life to work and enjoy it, and I’m privileged to be living this. But after nine projects, I also have to start thinking about my health and take a break, breathe, and try not to miss the other things in life. I want to live in the present. With that in mind, I’m now facing a period of pause, a few months of calm.
And what do you want to do with all that calm?
Well, ask myself who I am when I’m not working, because sometimes I forget. I think that outside of work, I’m a happy and fun person who likes to take care of herself, and that’s why in these past few weeks, I’ve gone back to therapy, to meditate, to do yoga, and to work out. I’d like to take advantage of this interview to say that psychological help has become a luxury, and usually, those who need it most can’t afford it.
I agree with you.
But avoiding these debates and going back to my life, I’ve realized that during this happy phase, I need to return to therapy and revisit my darker corners, to face all those monsters that, in sadder times, I didn’t feel strong enough to fight. That’s why now I have a more spiritual and ancestral attitude; I’m connecting with my inner self.
dress ISSEY MIYAKE
A trip would probably do you great.
It might… but it’s the same old story. I think that stopping filming means being on vacation, but in Madrid, when I’m not filming, I have thousands of things to do, like promotional trips, interviews… Lately, I’ve been trying to have a friend accompany me on my work trips. Also, I have to tell you that it really frustrates me not having a driver’s license.
I don’t have one either!
Don’t you find that you keep making excuses to not get your license? I want to try to use these months to work on that. It’s also a way to stay at home, to create a routine that doesn’t involve working. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, having a bit of peace and quiet… Sometimes filming means following schedules that are not exactly normal. I hope these months will help me find a balance between a healthy body and mind and being available to work.
Did you manage to enjoy last summer?
I wanted to visit Mexico, but then I was offered a movie. When I accepted it, I asked the producers if, since I wouldn’t be able to travel to South America, I could have ten days to visit my family, who are spread out all over the world. Some live in Serbia, others in Croatia, Germany, Spain, or the United States. We’re very international (laughs).
Your Christmas will be very interesting.
We’ve never been very traditional at Christmas. I usually travel to Germany to see my aunt or to the Philippines to visit my brother. As I mentioned about those ten days I asked for from the producers, I went to Montenegro to see my grandparents, who are very important to me. For me, going back to Serbia is about reconnecting with another version of myself, especially because of the language, which is different there. I was born in Madrid, but I have Serbian-Croatian roots.
Where would you say your home is?
Good question! Therapy is really helping me figure that out. For me, there are two Mirelas: one Spanish and one Serbo-Croatian. My voice even changes depending on which language I speak. Now I’m starting to understand that there aren’t two Mirelas; there’s a whole. I’m an actress, a woman, a girlfriend, a daughter, a good person to some, a bad person to others… If I had to answer your question right now, I’d say my home is in Madrid, the city where I grew up, where I have my life, my friends, my mom, and my dad. But when I go to Serbia, my energy shifts, my voice, the way I think… I feel like my roots are there.
Does your family in Serbia follow your artistic career?
They can watch the international projects I’m part of. It’s been a bit of a wound for me that many of the things I’ve done they haven’t been able to see because they’re not available where they live—they simply don’t have access to them. Then there’s the language barrier, of course. But yes, they follow everything they can and they’re very proud of me. During the ten days I was able to escape, I was lucky to go to a festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina where I received an award for my role in Elite. That allowed me to meet directors and producers from there. I’d love to make a short film that talks about the duality I feel. I want my grandparents to see me in a project where I speak their language and showcase the culture they’re so proud of.
Élite is a Netflix project that has opened doors for many young actors.
I was amazed by its impact. When I accepted that role, I thought I was being a bit of a rebel, and while one of the producers told me it was going to be a huge success, I couldn’t believe it because it was the seventh season. I’ve never wanted to be Beyoncé, unable to go out and do my shopping, but I’m happy when young people come up to me and tell me they liked my character and that it has opened many emotional doors for them. It’s something that blows my mind, the fandom is crazy.
Your character kind of stole the show…
In my humble opinion, Maribel Verdú and I made a great team. And I think it was because we were so much fun. Maribel, one of the actresses I’ve admired since I was little, has become a friend, a colleague, and family. We were traveling together last week; I went to celebrate her birthday with her. That’s the biggest gift I take away from Elite.
Elite ended this year. What did you learn from the whole experience?
The most important thing is to work hard. On Élite, we worked long hours and had to stay focused on the job, no matter how much global recognition the series had. And that should be the case in any job. You have to understand what kind of project you’re working on, of course, but work is work. I haven’t gone crazy working on that series, I took the opportunity, like a pit bull, I bit the bone to the max and enjoyed it.
Elite created its own universe, its own surreal school microclimate, far removed from reality, more fantasy than reality.
The producers were very clever because they knew how to laugh at themselves. I don’t know if you saw the final scene, but it was a bold statement to place the characters in that context. It’s like Maribel Verdú and I were mother and daughter, even though we don’t look alike at all! That was the joke—it’s the Elite touch!
Of course, I mean, back in high school I used to drink peach snaps in a park at five in the afternoon.
And I used to wear clown makeup! I’ve always been a makeup geek, but over the years, I’ve learned to control how much to put on (laughs).
tracksuit and glasses BALENCIAGA
trainers NIKE
Tell me about teenage Mirela.
I’ve always been a very rebellious girl, full of dreams and a desire to discover the world. Very, very curious. If there was a door with a “Do Not Enter” sign, I’d rush to open it, though strangely cautious—I’ve always thought things through before doing them, even though it sounds odd. I’ve always been very aware of things, of caring for emotional bonds, of not hurting anyone while still enjoying life. We’re just passing through life, and I want to live without regrets but without causing harm to anyone. I want to be eighty years old and look back, happy and amazed by everything I’ve done.
We can't live depending on other people's opinions.
Of course not! Since I turned twenty-six, I’ve felt like I’ve closed a chapter in my life and become a little more mature. I’ve answered some questions I had hanging over me, and I’ve decided to keep learning until I die. I’m prioritizing more important things now. I’m not pretending to be the Dalai Lama—I’m clear on that—I’m still enjoying life, but my priorities have shifted. I’ve understood that I don’t have to be everywhere, at every party, or every premiere. I prefer to go to the ones that mean something to me or those where I can support other colleagues. I don’t want to feel that anxiety that most of us feel about needing to be seen everywhere, like Instagram makes everything look so perfect. It’s not about feeling superior to those who attend every event in Madrid; I think that’s completely valid. What’s important is doing what’s right for each person and what makes them feel good. For me right now, that means taking advantage of these two or three months of rest. It’s not a total break since I’m still busy with other things, but I’m going to prioritize doing what I need to do calmly, breathing, and focusing on what really matters.
Something tells me you and your friends still act a little crazy...
Yes, my friends are really important to me. If you ask me what’s most valuable in life, I’d say it’s them. I’ve kept the same group of friends for 26 years. I’ve shared so much of my life with them. I’ve been close to my best friend, the singer Alice Wonder, for over twenty years. We have a group we call "the homies." There are a lot of us, and we’re diverse—engineers, artists, musicians, singers, DJs... all sorts. We take care of each other and support each other both in our careers and in personal matters. The other day, we gathered for a friend’s birthday and played like kids. We had so much fun, and it was worth a thousand times more than going out for 300 beers. Also, honestly, I don’t even like beer.
Has success changed the way you relate to people?
I think in my closest circle, the people who’ve stayed are work colleagues and friends from the shows, like my co-stars in Zorras, Tai Fati and Andrea Ros. They’ve become my close friends. Whenever we can, we try to see each other. Obviously, having media attention or being famous gives you the opportunity to attend premieres, events, and social things where you meet a lot of people, but I stick with the ones I meet through work—we spend so many hours together!
That happens to all of us to some extent.
As an actress, I’m interested in studying human behavior, relationships, and social dynamics. I’ve noticed that sometimes there’s a certain interest that bothers me. For example, there are people who didn’t greet me at an event before, but now they do. Humans are strange, and it’s all linked to our emotions and experiences. But even so, it frustrates me: why are you talking to me now and showing interest, when you didn’t before? I get it, we’re all interested in each other, and that’s okay. I act out of interest too. If we analyze it, relationships can be viewed from that perspective. For example, you and I right now have an interesting relationship: you’re interviewing me, and I’m being interviewed. It’s a win-win. My friends always say that you could drop me anywhere in the world, and in five minutes, I’d have new friends. I love meeting people, discovering and building connections. I enjoy having friends from all walks of life, with all kinds of professions and ages. It’s amazing to see how, despite coming from different generations, we can be friends and share a very similar collective imagination.
tracksuit and glasses BALENCIAGA
trainers NIKE
In the movie you just filmed, El Talento, I think the young actors have been able to create a bond, right?
Yes, in a large percentage of the projects I’ve worked on, I’ve been with young people from my generation or a similar one. But I also have to say that I’ve been incredibly lucky, and I’m very grateful to have worked with some big names. My first project, my first scene, was with Luis Tosar. Then I worked with Maribel Verdú and I’ve been with Enrique Arce in Bad Influence, which comes out in January. I also had the opportunity to act with Pedro Casablanc. These experiences have allowed me to build relationships with actors from other generations, which is incredible. Learning from people who have been in the profession for 40 years is invaluable. So in that sense, I’ve been very happy because I’ve had the chance to work with a mix of talents.
Are young actors willing to learn?
I’ve seen it all. Some people come not willing to learn, and others are ready to do so.
There’s this debate about whether they hire actors based on the number of Instagram followers they have…
Well, here we get into the topic of job intrusiveness, which is a mess. Sometimes I think: "This guy or girl is not a real actor, they’re an intruder in the profession." But then I think: who am I to judge if that person has had the passion to be an actor since they were little, or if they just found it recently? Imagine if one day I release an EP or an album. People could say: "Look, this person has jumped on the bandwagon of followers and now they're a singer." But that's not the case. My first passion has always been music. In fact, my father named me Mirela after Mirella Freni, an opera soprano. Since I was little, I’ve been a fan of jazz and soul. I sang in the Madrid Community choir, and my dream was always to sing. Does anyone know that I really love singing, even though I haven’t released music? No. So, who am I to judge someone who suddenly wants to become an actor?
The problem isn’t with those people, it’s with the producers who, instead of choosing from the millions of actors and actresses waiting for a job, decide to pick someone who may have no experience or who comes from the street. It’s frustrating to think that there are people in the industry struggling, longing for an opportunity, and producers choose someone who hasn’t gone through the process. That’s what bothers me, but in the end, it’s part of the system, not the person receiving those opportunities. What really bothers me is when those decisions aren’t artistic, but pure marketing strategies driven by marketing. By doing that, we’re losing art because of the damn capitalist system. I wish it wasn’t like that, which is why I love theater so much.
full look LOEWE
You started your path as an actress in theater.
I started training at RESAD, the Royal School of Dramatic Art, and my passion has always been theater. Here I am, a total geek; if you give me a Shakespeare play, I’m happy. I’m also in love with Lorca, because, of course, as an intense actress, I love his work. But, ultimately, what I really love is theater. In fact, I’m so excited right now because I’ve just fulfilled a dream: in January, we’re starting a play. I’m in total happiness because it will be my debut as a professional actress. I’m really happy. The cast members just met, and we’re getting started—we’re already in motion. We’ll begin rehearsals in January, and the premiere will be in February. The play is about four couples, and one of the actors is Marcos Mayo, who has starred in several series and is an actor with cerebral palsy. I think it’s incredible that he himself is able to talk about this topic on stage.
Let’s not forget, you also filmed El Talento this summer.
Filming a movie in the Basque Country has been an amazing experience, especially to escape the sweltering heat of Madrid, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees. This environment has been a true gift, not just because of the climate, but for the beauty of the landscape. Also, I’m a huge food lover, and the Basque Country is a culinary paradise. The richness of their cuisine, with fresh ingredients and traditional dishes, makes every meal a celebration. From pintxos to more elaborate plates, there’s a variety that stimulates all the senses. This combination of working in such an inspiring environment and enjoying great food has made the experience unforgettable. We filmed in Bilbao, in Getxo, specifically in the Artaza Palace. This place used to have a different function, but now it’s used for weddings and events. They closed it for the shoot, and the whole story takes place in one night there. It’s been an incredible experience.
Now, let me tell you the interesting part of this story, which is full of coincidences and is very beautiful. I’m quite mystical in some aspects, though also skeptical in others—very grounded in reality. But I love projecting meditations and reflections. So, when I got this project, I thought: "There are no coincidences, only causalities." The first thing I saw about the project was that there was a young cellist, and I thought: "What?" I have two dreams in life as a professional actress: one is to play a character who plays the cello, and the other is to speak Serbo-Croatian. Before becoming an actress, I played the cello, and my whole family is into classical music—my mom is a cellist, my uncle is a violinist, my aunt is a pianist, everyone is a musician! When I was little, I played the piano and the cello. When I gave up the cello, I started focusing on theater and acting. I always said, "I wish one day I’d get a role where I play a cellist." So when I saw this casting and found out there was a cellist character, I thought: "What?" I called my agent and told her: "The dream of my life—a casting for a cellist!" She replied: "Mirela, calm down." But I insisted: "No, seriously, I really want to do it!" And then she told me: "They want you for the other character." I was surprised and asked: "The one who plays the cello?" She replied: "No." But I went to the casting with the director, Polo Menarguez, whom I adore—he’s such a sweetheart. Without knowing him, I said: "Darling, I’m going to do the casting for this character, but please let me audition for the cellist one too." But he said that they had already given the role to another actress. And I told myself that things happen for a reason, that it was fate.
I understood that when they told me Ester Expósito was the lead, someone I went to school with when we were little. The first play I did in school was with her, Ester was also in it. It’s all been so emotional, and I even got to contribute my music knowledge during the filming. I’m really happy with this project. It’s the first time I’m playing a character like Hidoya, and I feel like it’s allowed me to push myself a little more. It’s a role that, when they offered it to me, I thought: "I’m going to give it my all and try not to judge myself." Sometimes, I think that as actors and actresses, we’re afraid of overdoing it or not doing it well when creating characters.
full look LOEWE
As you mentioned, in January, you’re premiering the movie Bad Influence, which seems to be a real hit—a pretty powerful film. I’m sure you gave it your all on that project too.
That 's right. I play Payton. The director in charge is Chloé Wallace, and I’m thrilled because I’ve been wanting to work with her for a long time. I think it’s incredible that they’ve given a young director like her the opportunity to take this story and give it a twist, changing some paradigms that were once a bit toxic or sexist. It’s so important, especially because the target audience is young, and it’s this audience that will be following this film.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent MIRELA BALIC
photography MIGUEL GERMÁN
styling MARÍA DÁVILA
producer & interview JUAN MARTÍ
makeup & hair LAURA DEL MURO
production assistant NENA PETKOVSKA
photography assistant MEL CASCABELO
styling assistant AINHORA AGUERA
muah assistant JULIA CADIA
