To Justina Machado and Tatianna Córdoba, Real Women Have Curves Showcases the Legacy of Latinas

The air crackles with an electric kind of warmth when Justina Machado and Tatianna Córdoba step into a room. They radiate an authenticity that feels increasingly rare in a world that often prizes artifice over truth. It is that very authenticity—raw, unflinching, and deeply rooted in personal experience—that has propelled them to center stage in Real Women Have Curves, the new musical adaptation of Josefina López’s seminal play, playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre (opening April 27). For Machado, a veteran of both stage and screen, and Córdoba, a newcomer with an already formidable presence, the production is more than just another Broadway show; it is a revolution, a charge, and a love letter to the women who raised them.

When we meet during previews, Machado is quick to laugh, her voice rich with the kind of lived-in wisdom that makes you want to lean in closer. “I knew from the moment I read the script that I had to be a part of this,” she says, eyes alight with conviction. “I read Carmen, and I was like, ‘Oh, I know this woman. I grew up with this woman. This woman raised me.’ And I felt such a responsibility to bring her to life in the most honest way possible.”

Real Women Have Curves first premiered as a play in 1990. It was adapted into a 2002 film starring America Ferrera, and now finds itself reborn as a musical for the Broadway stage. The story follows Ana, a first-generation Latina, as she navigates the complexities of ambition, tradition, and self-worth in a small East Los Angeles sewing factory. The themes are as urgent today as they were decades ago, and for Machado and Córdoba, the weight of carrying such a legacy is both thrilling and deeply personal.

Justina Machado photographed at The Fashion Institute of Technology Heather Gershonowitz

For Machado, who plays the matriarchal Carmen, the show is an echo of her own upbringing. And she is no stranger to the show’s story, having played Ana in 1993 when she starred in the Chicago premiere of the play at 19. “This story isn’t just about one family; it’s about all of us. It’s about the women who sacrificed so we could dream.” In her voice, there is both gratitude and urgency—a need to ensure those sacrifices are not forgotten.

Córdoba, who steps into the role of Ana, nods in agreement, her own journey to this moment just as poignant. “I grew up searching for stories that reflected my reality,” she says. “This role? It’s everything I’ve been waiting for.” Córdoba has found herself stepping into a character who mirrors her own struggles and triumphs. “Ana’s fight to be seen, to be heard—it’s my fight. It’s so many of ours. And to do this through music? That just brings a whole other level of emotion to it.”

The chemistry between the two women is undeniable. They speak with the ease of two family members, finishing each other’s sentences, dissolving into laughter over shared memories from rehearsals. “Tatianna is just a force,” Machado gushes. “I remember the first time I heard her sing, I just thought, ‘Oh, she’s got it. She is Ana.’” Córdoba beams in return, teasing, “And Justina? She’s, like, our leader, but also the one who’s gonna crack a joke in the middle of a serious scene and have us all losing it.”

Tatianna Córdoba photographed at The Fashion Institute of Technology Heather Gershonowitz

But beneath the levity, there is steel. They know the importance of this show, not just for themselves but for the generations of Latinas who will see their stories reflected on Broadway’s grand stage.

“Broadway hasn’t always made space for us,” Machado says, her voice steady. “We’re making that space now.” She recalls the early days of her career when roles for Latina actresses were few and far between, often confined to narrow stereotypes. “This industry loves to put us in boxes. But we are complex, we are powerful, and we are worthy of being seen in all our brilliance.”

For Córdoba, the musical is also a radical act of self-love. “It’s about celebrating ourselves as we are,” she says. “These women aren’t trying to shrink themselves to fit someone else’s idea of beauty or success. They take up space. They own their power.” It is a message that they hope resonates deeply with audiences, particularly young Latinas who have rarely seen themselves as the heroes of their own stories.

Beyond the larger cultural impact, both actresses speak passionately about the collaborative process of bringing this musical to life. They credit the creative team—from director and choreographer Sergio Trujillo to the show’s composing team, Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez—for crafting a production that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant. “Every song, every movement, every scene has been shaped with so much care and respect for this story,” says Machado. “It’s been a labor of love in every way.”

Córdoba adds, “The beauty of this musical is that it doesn’t shy away from the struggles. It shows the weight these women carry emotionally. It celebrates their joy, their laughter, their love. That’s what makes it so special.”

The road to Broadway has admittedly been filled with challenges, from intense rehearsal schedules to the pressure of honoring a story that’s been treasured for over three decades. But for Machado and Córdoba, those challenges have only deepened their sense of purpose. “There are moments when you feel the exhaustion. When the weight of it all settles on your shoulders,” says Machado. “And then you step onto that stage, and you see the faces in the audience—women who see themselves in us, in this story. That’s everything.”

As they both get settled in the show, these actors are keenly aware of the significance of this moment. “This isn’t just another show,” Machado says. “This is a movement.” Córdoba grins, adding, “And we’re just getting started.”