Fernanda Torres sits in her hotel room in New York City, her calm demeanor belying a whirlwind few weeks. Torres, who just won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in "I'm Still Here," is preparing to guest star on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." This Thursday. It's a big moment for this newly discovered actress in Hollywood. But to the people of Brazil, Torres is a household name - known for her wit, fearless performances and dedication to championing the Brazilian story on the global stage.
In her home country, Torres is more than just an actress, she's a national treasure.
Someone joked online: "America has Taylor Swift, but Brazil has Fernanda Torres." Torres laughed it off with her characteristic charm.
"I've been around for decades," Torres said type. "In Brazil, they knew me well. Here, people are finally catching up. Better late than never, right?"
The critical acclaim Torres received for her performance in "I'm Still Here" was well-deserved. In the real-life drama, she plays Eunice Paiva, whose husband was arrested by Brazilian carabinieri in 1970 and subsequently disappeared without a trace. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a 10-minute standing ovation and was one of the best films of the year, with Torres' popularity rising in the final days of Oscar voting.
Often referred to as the "Nicole Kidman of Brazil," Torres first came to attention in 1986 for her performance in Love Me or Never, opposite Barbara Sukowa tied for the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. In Brazil, she starred in the hit sitcom Slaps & Kisses and won a young fan base with viral memes celebrating her comedic timing.
But then she won the Golden Globe, beating out Hollywood A-listers like Angelina Jolie ("Maria") and Kate Winslet ("Lee"). It wasn't just a personal victory, it was a moment of national pride for Brazil. Torres recalled a particularly touching moment after the ceremony:
"One woman on the national news said, 'When she wins, I feel like I win,'" Torres said, her voice soft and steady, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's a recognition not only of me, but of Brazil. First it was my mother (Oscar-nominated actress Fernanda Montenegro) for 'Central Station' and now it's me? It's a patriotic Award. It shows the talent of our country to the world.”
Torres attributes her success to Brazil's vibrant online culture. The actress said Brazil's digital influence, with the enthusiastic support of more than 200 million Brazilians, was instrumental in her rise to global stardom.
"Brazil is a power machine on the Internet," she explains. "We are heavy users. Ten years ago, I didn't want to go online. I didn't want to sell my private life. But my agent said it was important for my theater work, so we built my Internet presence around it. Now, on It was so surreal after the Golden Globes."
The strategic and organic use of social media appears to mirror other viral marketing campaigns, such as that of India's "RRR" stars NT Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan, whose online engagement helped propel the original song "Naatu Naatu" to an Oscar glory. The posts and tweets have racked up millions of views, drawing attention to the film, which could lead to more nominations in categories like adapted screenplay and even best picture.
Last year, however, Torres, her team and the filmmakers had to deal with unexpected challenges when Brazil's Supreme Court temporarily banned all Brazilians from accessing Twitter from August to October 2024. The controversial move has frustrated many artists and filmmakers who rely on social media to express their emotions. Connect with fans.
"It was a problem," Torres recalled. "Brazil is a power machine when it comes to the Internet."
Despite these obstacles, Torres embraced her newfound popularity. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok help her connect with audiences around the world, and in true Brazilian fashion, she even has a carnival group named after her.
“That was the pinnacle of my career,” she says, laughing but clearly proud. "To have a group of people parade down the street just for you? That's special."
An Oscar nomination would make Torres the fifth Latina in history to be nominated for best actress, a category that has yet to have a winner and a milestone she won't take lightly.
“I hate having expectations,” Torres admitted. "I hate that the journey of this movie ends with a sense of 'They don't get it.'" This year was hard to predict — there were a lot of great performances. All I know is that we did everything we could do—screenings, interviews, everything Sony Pictures Classics asked us to do. If it happens, it happens. If not, I already feel incredibly honored. "
Torres praised independent distributor Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) and its co-presidents Michael Buck and Tom Bernard for their efforts in attracting audiences to the film. She described their promotional work as "old-fashioned, good work" and praised the industry's increasing openness to diverse and mature narratives.
"It's been an amazing year for women over a certain age," said Torres, citing the stellar performances of Nicole Kidman ("Baby Girl") and Demi Moore ("Material") Performance. "It's great that we don't have to be forever young to have interesting characters. The industry is changing and it's exciting to be a part of it."
A potential Oscar nomination would put Torres and her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, into the rare club of mother-daughter Oscar nominees. The honor will cement their family legacy, alongside acting dynasties such as Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis Same name.
While Torres is now an international sensation, her roots remain firmly rooted in Brazil. When asked about being considered part of the Latino community — a topic she addressed during her acceptance speech at the Latino Film and Television Celebration, where she won Best Actress (International) — Torres reflected on Brazil, Portugal The unique position of language groups in Brazil. Latin world.
“There are 200 million people in Brazil who speak Portuguese, but we feel isolated,” she said. "In Miami or Los Angeles, everyone speaks Spanish. But we are part of the Latin family, even if we speak a dialect. It's a mixed feeling, but I'm proud to represent Brazil and Portuguese World.”
As for what comes next, Torres remains focused on telling meaningful stories, no matter where they come from.
“It’s the same profession,” she said of her work in Brazil and internationally. "If a good role comes along, whether it's here or back home, I'll take it. I want to continue telling meaningful stories."
For Torres, the success of "I'm Still Here" isn't just about awards, it's about paying tribute to Younes Paiva's legacy and sparking a global conversation about Brazilian history.
"I never thought this movie would win a Golden Globe or an Oscar," she said. "We made it to tell Eunice Paiva's story and honor her legacy. If it resonates with people and sparks conversation, that's a real win."
The film's legacy is resonating, with the film opening in the US market today and in Brazil, where it has grossed over $12 million on a budget of $1.5 million. Not bad for a strong Brazilian team.
In a year filled with change and uncertainty, Torres has become a symbol of resilience, passion and artistry. Whether or not she wins an Oscar, one thing is for sure: the world has finally caught up with Brazil's all-time glory.
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