Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat is one of the most iconic children's books of all time, and a new animated adaptation hits theaters on November 6. The film tackles the all-too-familiar theme that growing up isn't always easy, especially when you're trying to figure out where you belong.
© GettyFor Xochitl Gomez, that feeling started long before she became a familiar face in Hollywood. Gomez voices Gabby, a teenager adjusting to life after her mom, voiced by America Ferrera, moves her and her brother Sebastian (Tiago Martinez) to a new town. Their fresh start comes with plenty of chaos thanks to the mischievous Cat in the Hat (Bill Hader).
© Warner BrosSpeaking with HOLA! USA, Gomez opened up about connecting with the film's themes, growing up in the entertainment industry, and learning to embrace the things that make her different. The actress also reflected on the Latina women who have helped pave the way for her generation.
One of those women is Ferrera. Gomez said she's "grateful" to be welcomed by Latina actresses who have already made their mark in Hollywood. “I'm so grateful for them because it's the people who have done it for me that allow me to be who I am and bring in this new energy. They're always just welcoming me with open arms.”
© GettyGetting to work and participate in press junkets alongside Ferrera has been especially meaningful. Gomez revealed that she's taken every opportunity to learn from the actress, even paying attention to the little things that happen behind the scenes.
“I've gotten to know her over time. I've done amazing events and experiences with her, and so getting to actually be with her in a work setting is really cool. I'm literally over here taking notes,” she said. “She's being so professional. I was like, 'Oh, right, she sits in a certain way.' I start sitting in a certain way. I love it.”
© Warner BrosBut while Gomez has found a welcoming community in the industry, growing up as a young actress wasn't always so easy. Much like Gabby, who has to navigate being the new girl, Gomez knows what it's like to start over and try to find her people.
“Living in LA and doing this job when I was so young was really hard because a lot of kids didn't understand,” she explained. “I would have to leave early to go do an audition, and instead of it being an exciting, cool thing, you would think that would give you some bonus points. It was actually like, 'You're doing what?'”
Rather than making her feel different in a good way, her career sometimes made it harder to connect with other kids. Gomez also moved around quite a bit, meaning she had to repeatedly make new friends and find her place.
© Warner BrosStill, she tried to look at each new beginning as an opportunity rather than a setback.“I always lived in a very optimistic view. I always thought, 'You know what? This is a new chance. Maybe there'll be an opportunity for there to be happier kids.' So I always thought of it that way,” she said.
That optimism is something she continues to carry into her career. When asked when she felt the most pressure to prove herself in Hollywood, Gomez admitted there have been several moments. But she's learned that the answer isn't necessarily about taking on bigger roles or trying to meet everyone else's expectations.
“The only way that I can really truly prove myself is being myself and being the most joyful version of myself,” she said. “It happens all the time, consistently every day, but I just have to remember to be myself because no one else can be me.”
© Warner Bros.The film also touches on the reality that your mom once had an entire life before you. When asked if it made her reflect on her own relationship with her mom, she revealed that her curiosity about her mother's life before motherhood has given her a deeper appreciation for their bond. She said: "It's made me reflect on how good it is because a lot of people, I guess, don't ask their parents anything, and I would always just, I was so curious."
© GettyThe actress said she has always been the type to ask questions about her mom's past, from her first job to her younger years and even her old hairstyles.
“I would always ask her, like, 'What did you do? What was your first job? What was this? What was that? Like, you had purple hair. Why?'” she recalled.
One detail that stuck with her was learning that her mom's first job was as a lifeguard. "I worked really hard to be on swim teams so that I could be a lifeguard, but then acting took over, and I had to let that go, which was sad, but I tried," Gomez shared.
© GettyThe Cat in the Hat hits theaters on November 6. Directed by Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni, the animated adventure also features the voices of Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tituss Burgess, Bowen Yang, and Paula Pell.
