Angélica Celaya As Jenni Rivera
The former "El Señor de los Cielos" star gives life to Jenni Rivera in "Mariposa de Barrio." Telemundo

Angélica Celaya is currently the star of "Mariposa de Barrio," the Telemundo telenovela based on the life of Jenni Rivera. There's never going to be someone like "La Diva de la Banda" and Celaya is doing her best effort to portray the controversial singer, but so far is getting slammed by fans on social media. The actress is now responding to the harsh criticism and gives insight into her process. "I understand that there are people that like my job and other's that don't," she told People en Español. "Everyone has the right to their opinion. What I do wan't to say is that my interpretation is not an imitation ... there's only one Jenni Rivera and I don't want to replace her. I am telling her story, the story behind 'La Diva de la Banda.' To tell who she was as a woman, the warrior, the lioness, the woman that always fought for her kids."

What is playing against Celaya and why some people are having a hard time seeing her as Jenni Rivera is because Univision aired a series based on her as well but with another actress that more closely resembled her. Not only did she look the part, she sounded more like her as well. To this, the former "El Señor de los Cielos" star says: "Each interpretation is respectable and very different. We are both actresses. My portrayal comes from the family and also from living in the United States with both cultures being close to me. Also from living in a neighborhood with no luxuries, but with a lot of love and in taking on my career obstacles. From that point is where I start portraying Jenni."

Just before the premiere of "Mariposa de Barrio" on Telemundo, Angélica Celaya announced that she was expecting a baby with her significant other Luis García, an entrepreneur and boxing coach. "From the day we met, we both knew that having a family was our dream," Angélica said. "I can't imagine a better man to form a family with that I've longed for." The couple met last year and will have a baby in October. "I feel excited for the arrival of our baby," García said. "I am loving him from now and Angélica even more, for working during her pregnancy. I am very proud of her."

"Thank you for giving me the beautiful opportunity to be Jenni Rivera," Celaya said when she was confirmed to play Jenni. "For giving me the responsibility and blessing to give life to a woman with so much courage and that will teach us through the screen what it is to be a fighter. Hope Jenni fans accept this lovely homage that we are doing with so much love and that she continues to live on because 'la diva de la banda' lives."

"Mariposa De Barrio" is the official retelling of the life of Jenni Rivera, the controversial star that tragically died in an airplane accident. Rivera well liked by her fans as she was always honest and there was no scandal that she not take on by the bull's horns. Her frankness and honesty was what resonated with her followers as she was a hard-working single mother raising five children. "Mariposa de Barrio" aires Monday through Friday at 8pm/7c on Telemundo.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.