Camila Mendes only wants to work on a project that feels different. Play a high school student? Been there, done that. Honor her Brazilian American heritage? Check. But there’s really no limit to that one, is there? In Música, which just dropped on Amazon Prime this month, she plays the Portuguese-speaking love interest of Rudy Mancuso (her IRL boyfriend; they met on set!) in a story that highlights the journey of a man with synesthesia, a neurological condition in which one sense activation involuntarily stimulates another. Mendes is also an executive producer on the film, and loves having more creative control over the projects she signs on to.
So what’s next for the leading lady who has seemingly done it all in Hollywood? Well, according to Mendes, quite a lot.
We caught up with the Riverdale actress turned movie star at Coachella in the Aperol Spritz VIP Terrazza to find out everything she has planned on her 2024 bucket list, from reuniting with her Riverdale BFFS to taking more creative control of movies behind the scenes.
StyleCaster: What drew you to the Música script when you first saw it?
Camila Mendes: One was this non-musical musical aspect of it where, you know, I heard that it was a musical, but when I read it, I realized it wasn’t like any other musical. It’s a very unconventional format. So that was really appealing. You could tell right away that Rudy [Mancuso, creator of Música] had a very unique point of view with this film. So that was very attractive.
And then the Brazilian-American aspect of it. I’d never received a script that had a Brazilian-American character in it. Yeah. So that immediately caught my attention and really motivated me to be a part of whatever movement was happening.
SC: Did your fans know you could speak Portuguese?
CM: My fans definitely know. I don’t know if the wider public knows, but my fans definitely know. They were so excited, especially because I have so many Brazilian fans. My favorite part about this movie coming out is seeing how many Brazilian people are watching it, loving it, and feeling represented by it. I love that.
SC: What was the best thing about being on set?
CM: The vibe was so joyful. It was so full of celebration. Rudy cast his mom to play his mom in the movie. The places we shot at, for the most part, were places he grew up going to. So there were just so many aspects of this production that were so personal. It just felt like family right away.
SC: What do you see for yourself next? Thrillers, mysteries, more musicals?
CM: I don’t think in terms of genre. I think just in terms of, you know, is this project new and exciting? Like, does it feel like something I haven’t done before? Does it feel like no one’s seen before? Does it feel like a take on something familiar that is new and exciting? I’m always looking for an angle on it that, like, doesn’t feel redundant, you know?
SC: Do you think you and your Riverdale girlies will ever do another project together?
CM: Honestly, I would love to work with any of them again. If I were to work with Lili [Reinhart] or KJ [Apa] or Madelaine [Petsch] or someone, [I think] seeing us out of context in a different world would be really interesting. So, I’m not opposed to it.
SC: Tell us about your Coachella look
CM: The inspo was Aperol, of course. We wanted to keep it joyful and fun, and bright, kind of, like, the color of the drink. It’s giving Aperol Barbie.
SC: What can fans expect next from you?
CM: I’m going to be launching a production company this year, which I’m really excited about. And I’m currently in post-production for a few projects and developing some others. So, that’s kind of where I’m at right now. Just trying to put my, my energy into things that are exciting to me creatively.
