ThoughFrancia Raisa has been acting for quite some time, she is still getting used to being in the spotlight. When the actress got cast as Valentina in the Hulu series How I Met Your Father, she relied heavily on her costar Hilary Duff, who played Sophie.
"I haven't been number one on a show. I have in film, but the way Hilary ran the show and carried it — she was so communicative with everyone. It didn't matter that she was number one. She taught me a lot. When I starred on How I Met Your Father, that was the first time I played an adult. Other than that, all my projects are me playing a teenager even though I was in my thirties. It was a hard change for me. I had to grow up overnight, and she helped me a lot with that because I opened up to her. I was growing up personally but not professionally. This is a whole new world to me," the 35-year-old, who has partnered with Modelo to celebrate the launch and expansion of Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas, a line of vibrant, spiked, flavored malt beverages expanding to new markets across the country, exclusively tells Morning Honey.
"There were moments where I got frustrated personally, but Hilary was so gracious and sweet about it and helped me through it. I've learned a lot from her. She is better than what you expect," the actress continues.
The Grown-ish alum feels like she recently woke up and her career suddenly changed. Though it's been a "hard" transition, she is "beyond grateful" for the opportunities that have come her way thus far. "I'm excited for this new chapter," she gushes. "I've been a part of three hit shows, which is insane. It's unheard of that a Latina has been a series regular three times. I remember it was a goal of mine to just do it once. So, going into my fourth time, I am definitely looking for something specific. I don't know what that is yet."
"I've really been enjoying my producer's hat lately," she adds. "I'm leaning into going behind the scenes more. I will always be in front, but I want to be a producer, too. I want to be the conductor of the orchestra and say, 'Do this and do that.' I also really want to start writing my own stuff. I've been dabbling in that, too."
In the meantime, the California native is thrilled to be teaming up with Modelo and the expansion of Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas.
"I drank Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas growing up. The taste is so good! Also, they are all about giving back. I think everyone has learned that about me since I started off. I want to give back and make an impact. I grew up in that environment, so when I heard about this partnership and being able to give back, I fell in love with the idea. I was so happy to be a part of it, especially because it's something I grew up drinking myself," she says.
As part the partnership with Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas and the street vendors – this organization helps to further support the street vendor community in the Los Angeles area — Raisa is able to interact and help out others.
"Since COVID, we've learned how important community is," she notes. "We feel like better people when we give back. It's OK to be selfish sometimes when it comes to your personal time, but when you're blessed with so much, the best reward is to pay it forward. If you can do it with strangers or people in the Latino community, you always have something in common with someone. It's a beautiful feeling. I've learned to do these acts of kindness along the way. I met with some people yesterday, and they were so excited to see me! You never know who is watching."
"It's so special. I just love the drinks," she adds.
To further support the street vendor community in the Los Angeles area, Modelo is also donating $5,000 to the L.A.-based economic justice organization, Inclusive Action for the City. Founded in 2008, Inclusive Action for the City aims to eliminate income inequality, reduce the racial wealth gap, and has directly supported the street vending community by creating a permitting system and legalizing street vending alongside their partners in the Los Angeles Street Vending Campaign.