Romantic Comedy Love Rankings From Noche Buena's proposal to a Fourth of July fight, the lives of the Diaz family intersect on the holiday calendar. In the newly released second season on Amazon Prime Video, Lily Diaz, the family's adult daughter, goes through a breakup and faces the exciting yet terrifying prospect of rebuilding her life. Emeraude Toubia, the actor who plays Lily, was there recently. She and singer Prince Royce announced their divorce last year after three years of marriage.
"While filming the show, I was dealing with a breakup, which was kind of crazy," the 34-year-old tells Bustle via Zoom. "[I] dig deep into my personal experiences, which I don't like to do when I'm [acting] because I like to keep [the two] separate. But if I'm going through it, I'm sure more people are going through it it."
Toubia said she and her ex met 15 years ago, so she's getting to know herself in a whole new era. "I feel like I'm part of the Friends show" Tubia said with a smile. “At that point in your life, your friends are your family.”
That's not the only similarity between Toubia and Lily. The actor adapted her character's birthday wish list into an "adventure of the month" and set herself tasks like making pasta, pole dancing and aerial yoga.
Toubia grew up in the Texas border town of Brownsville and rose to prominence on Freeform's Shadowhunters . Later she starred in Hallmark and Lifetime romantic comedies. She sees "With Love" as something of a pinnacle, with her character paying homage to genre superstars like Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock. "I feel like Lily is a combination of all these beautiful women, and I love her so much," Toubia said. "I would never have dreamed of doing anything like this."
But she's also excited to explore other genres, such as the upcoming horror film "Rosario," in which she will star and executive produce. Toubia recently launched her own production company, The Emerald Co. “I recently went to Mexico to direct and produce this little film to help with my promotion,” said Toubia, who is keeping the idea itself secret. “It’s very personal, female-led, [and] puts women in traditionally invisible places.”
Learn more about Toubia in the Bustle Booth questionnaire below.
in a noisy stall
What was your coffee order?
I like coffee very much. I just thought of it as a treat so I ordered a hot white mocha!
What weather locations are saved on your phone?
I grew up in Brownsville, Texas, which is a very small town. It has no direct flights so I chose Dallas as my connecting flight. Whenever I go to visit family, I always check the weather [in Dallas] to make sure there are no delays, and then I go to New York and most recently Rome because I’m going there this summer!
What is your logo?
Pisces. Yes, everything about my logo is mine! ;)
Favorite overused movie line?
"When I'm good, I'm good, but when I'm bad, I'm better!" --Mae West, "I'm No Angel " (1933)
What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
The Powerpuff Girls. I always wanted to be Buttercup.
What’s a movie or TV show that you’re currently obsessed with?
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I love how it combines dance with text and such beautiful costumes, and every actor is truly "amazing!"
Who is your celebrity idol?
Jennifer lopez. She is one of the most successful and hard-working professionals in our industry, and she happens to be Latina. I met her and she gave me one of the best pieces of advice, "You'll never feel like the time is right, so do it now!"
If you had to be on a reality show, what would you choose?
Top chef. I love cooking, I don't know how good I am at it, but I love connecting with people through food and culture.
Karaoke songs you often listen to?
The first and last time I sang karaoke was at With Love ! I feel sorry for everyone who has to listen to me! But if I had to choose, I would choose Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle” or Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie.”
What has inspired you recently?
travel.
How would you like people to describe you?
I just want people to say that I bring joy to their lives through my work and relationships, and that I am someone they can rely on when life is challenging.
