Jaime Camil says 'adiós' to Hollywood as he plans his return to Mexico—Interview

MIAMI - Jaime Camil is one of the first names that comes to mind when one thinks about a prominent Mexican actor who has seamlessly transitioned to Hollywood, as his success goes beyond the vast and diverse range of projects he has been involved in since moving to Los Angeles from the worlds of telenovelas and Latin music.

At the age of 50, Camil has also become an integral part of the Latino community in California, consistently maintaining his presence on Spanish-language television while never severing his ties with the entertainment industry in Mexico. However, things are changing now and there may be a full comeback in the works.

Riding for men's health

In the next few days, Camil will wrap up his stint in "Lopez vs Lopez." His role as the ambulance chaser lawyer, Josué Consuelo, has enhanced the second season of George López's show. During an interview with The Latin Times, he described his character as "the kind of guy you give your case to because he dresses well, his appearance gives you confidence, but eventually, you start worrying."

He loved his experience in the NBC sitcom so much that he wants to do more. "Everyone, George (Lopez), Selenis (Leiva, who plays his partner), Brice (the family's child), they were all incredible with me. They had already been together for more than a season, and I was the new kid, but they didn't just open their arms to me—they opened their hearts. I felt a part of them," he affirmed.

However, he is happy that his schedule has cleared for a cause that is very close to his heart. On May 19th, he will be participating for the second consecutive year in the Mexican chapter of the Distinguished Gentleman Ride. This is a global event where participants ride their classic motorcycles, some vintage, dressed in their finest attire, to raise funds for men's health, specifically in the areas of prostate and testicular cancer (the second most common cancer worldwide after breast cancer) and male mental health.

Camil revealed that his dad, Jaime Camil Garza, had a case of deep depression months before his death in December of 2020. "He didn't die of suicide or anything like that, but talking among siblings, we connected the dots and realized that he wasn't in a good place mentally."

"My father's situation was a wake-up call, and then you realize that in the world, men account for four out of every five suicides," said the 50-year-old artist. The statistics are similar in Latin America. Specifically, in Mexico, official figures indicate that 80% of those who died by suicide in 2020 were men. Mark Hawwa, the founder of the Distinguished Gentleman Ride, and "this year he is coming to ride with me and Ricardo (Salinas) in Mexico on May 19. It's a source of pride!" he affirmed.

There are also rumors that Camil will join this season of the Mexican reality/talent hunting show "La Academia" as host, which will require him to spend more time in Mexico. His return home may very well be more than just for an event or vacations with the family.

He is also appearing in the second season of Eugenio Derbez's comedy "Acapulco." The first episode airs on May 1st.

Mila salsa

Jaime Camil is also flexing his muscle as a businessman. He and his wife, Heidi Balvanera, have launched Milaluna salsa, an artisanal salsa company. The project was born during the pandemic, and the company is named Mila Luna in honor of the family's Chihuahua. The company's logo is an alebrije (a fantastical creature crafted by artisans) representing the little dog, "because, as in my movie 'Coco', when animals die, they become protective alebrijes," he explained.

"These sauces only have three ingredients and are meant to enhance the flavors of food," he stated. He clearly swells with pride when speaking of his wife's talent. "We eat gourmet every day at home; for her, cooking is an art, and we are very fortunate that she shares it with us."