A Conversation with Netflix star and singer Lee Rodriguez, aka La Rhonza
The final season of Netflix’s hit series Never Have I Ever premiered on June 8. Lee Rodriguez was prepared to take one last ride with her character Fabiola Torres before stepping into La Rhonza, the artist, when her debut single “Afterthought” officially became available on music streaming services on June 1.
The sweet and compassionate character, Fabiola, is known for many things, like being skilled in robotics, having a passion for science, and being best friends with Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Eleanor(Ramona Young).
“‘l’ll miss her outfits, Elvis or robot Gears, and being able to work with the cast,” Rodriguez told me when asked what she would miss the most about portraying the character. “I think when I started playing Fabiola, I brought a lot of my own mannerisms to her. I relate to her a lot, mannerism-wise. I’m very similar to her, but I think [our styles are very different].”
The Netflix role was one of the first major acting opportunities the young actress received, and there are a few things she learned. “I learned a lot being on Never Have I Ever. How [to] shoot a television show [and things I’ll] carry with me throughout my career. I’m really grateful for a lot of the stuff I learned while on the show.”
One thing Lee Rodriguez will never be, whether on screen as Fabiola or on stage as La Rhonza, is an “Afterthought.” She was passionate about music before acting, often sharing covers on social media, and now she gets to gift supporters with her own music.
Q: What’s the difference between Lee, the actress, and La Rhonza, the artist?
My music is very vulnerable and shows different parts of me. I write a lot about my own experiences. [La Rhonza] is my first name, so [going by it feels personal]. I’m opening up more and allowing people to know me more.
Q: Now available on streaming services, how did “Afterthought” come about? What was the process of making this song?
I write a lot about my own experiences. [With “Afterthought,” it’s in the title]. Feeling like somebody you care about a lot isn’t prioritizing you or making you feel valued; they make you feel like an afterthought. This song talks about that and how I deserve better than feeling like an afterthought. And I feel like a lot of people could relate to that. So I’m excited for people to hear the entire song.
Q: What’s your favorite lyric in the song?
The line of ‘Who can love you more than me? I’m pretty like an Aphrodite tree’ in the second verse.
Q: As an artist, preventing the industry from putting you in a box can be challenging. What’s one way you plan to show how versatile you can be?
When they see me, many people associate me with Never Have I Ever, so that’s definitely expected. I think [over] time because I have a lot of music that [I’ll be releasing], I’m going to show more of myself and talk about things that I experienced, and hopefully, through that, people will see me also as an artist.
Q: Can supporters expect an EP this year? Or sometime next year?
Yeah, we could definitely expect that!
Q: Lastly, what’s your dream collaboration?
I love Ice Spice right now, so I will say [that would be a dream collab].
This interview was first published on MSN.com on June 1, 2023 — initially headlined “‘Never Have I Ever’ star Lee Rodriguez aka La Rhonza, talks debut single ‘Afterthought’”
