Alumni Spotlight
Alum Showcases Authenticity Both On-and Off-Screen
Fernando Carsa stars in the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Acapulco.
By Stephanie Nguyen-Preciado
Fullerton College alum Fernando Carsa ‘18 decided to dream más grande (bigger) when his family moved to Orange County from Colima, Mexico. He enrolled in the musical theatre program at Fullerton College, hoping to transfer to a four-year university.
Fullerton College alum Fernando Carsa stars in the highly acclaimed Acapulco.
His experience at Fullerton College truly exceeded his expectations. The Theatre Arts Department provided Carsa with acting tools and training, and reassurance that there was a place for him in the performing arts world. Initially, Carsa was concerned about not having an American accent and how that might keep him from opportunities. Theatre Arts Professor Michael Mueller helped Carsa change his perspective. From that conversation forward, Carsa knew it was okay to be his authentic self and embraced it.
“Fernando worked tirelessly as a student,” Mueller said. “His work ethic, passion, and talent showed in everything he did. The performing arts need more people like Fernando to create a better world.”
After earning his associate degree in theatre arts from Fullerton College, Carsa became the first transfer student in six years accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program and was the only person of color in his cohort. Upon graduating from UCLA in 2020, Carsa began to be represented by a management company and discovered that Apple TV+ greenlit a bilingual comedy show loosely based on the movie, How To Be a Latin Lover.
Carsa read the script and was shocked by how similar the character was to him. He sent in his self-tape, which eventually turned into a call from management informing him to pack his bags for Mexico–he had landed the role of Memo and would star in Acapulco, one of the first Apple TV+ bilingual comedy series.
Acapulco follows Maximo, a young Mexican man whose dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime at the hottest resort in Acapulco, along with his best friend, Memo. Maximo and Memo are trying to move ahead while still providing for their family, a story that rings true for several Fullerton College students. For many, Fullerton College is an opportunity to earn an education that enables them to provide for themselves and their families. There are several parallels between the stories and characters of Acapulco to the stories of Fullerton College students.
Carsa is grateful that a show like Acapulco exists because it does a great job of representing the Latinx community. Even in Latinx representation, there are times were certain bodies or skin colors are not represented. Carsa felt fortunate that he was able to portray a plus-size person who is not the butt of the joke, who is not being made fun of because of his relationship with food, and who doesn’t need to change the way he needs to fit in.
“I feel very grateful and blessed to have him (Memo) in my life,” said Carsa. “And honestly, he’s taught me more about myself. He gave me worth, value, self-love, and was the approval I needed to have a place in this industry.”
Acapulco Season 1 and 2 are available to stream on Apple TV+. Season 3 of Acapulco will premiere later this year. Acapulco has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is only one of two Apple TV+ series to have accomplished that rating.