NEW YORK — Jeimy Osorio, who plays Mariana on Telemundo hit Betty en NY, addressed the room in the Multicultural TV Summit session titled, “The Talent Perspective: Building a Career in Film & TV.” Interviewed by Mark Robichaux, managing director of content of Multichannel News and Broadcasting in Cable, Osorio spoke about what attracted her to Betty en NY, which premiered in February. She mentioned the show’s “message of self love, of self appreciation,” and described Betty as “a show that can heal through laughter.”

Osorio said it’s important for Hispanics to depict their culture on television, so the next generation can see authentic characters that they can look up to.

Minorities are finding more work in television. Osorio mentioned how having an Afro enabled her to convert auditions into work. “I would stand out for that,” she said.

There remains work to be done for minority communities in the arts. “It takes time, but I think we’ve come a long way,” said the actress. “This is just a step. I think there’s more to come. If we keep creating stories that inspire others … we’re making a big step in our society.”