Mabel Cadena's performance in Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever was so exhilarating that she made us feel the pain of the blue-bodied underwater occupants. Her performance has now heralded a new era of roles for the actress in a way she never expected.
The Mexican actress is already a force in her home country with two Ariel Award nominations and several blockbuster Mexican movies under her belt. The Marvel Cinematic Universe launched her mainstream career, and Cadena couldn't be more grateful.
Cadena told Bustle that she spoke with the director, Ryan Coogler, about herself - heritage, womanhood, fears, and all - hence the ability to incorporate all that into the on-screen character.
We saw this play out in her performance on-screen, from her relationship with her older cousin, Namor, to how she protected their city - Talokan.
Namora wasn't the woman to play with, and everyone knew.
"I had the opportunity to talk with [director] Ryan [Coogler] about my Mexican culture, about me as a woman, as a Latin American woman, as a Mexican woman."
Being on Wakanda Forever impressed her grandmother, who acknowledged her great career before the MCU but admitted that even this was a huge deal. Cadena's idol is Anne Hathaway, so it makes sense that her favorite movie quote comes from a movie featuring the 40-year-old actress. Yes, it's everyone's favorite - The Devil Wears Prada.
Cadena covered Elle Mexico's November issue and spoke further on flying Mexico's flag high in Hollywood.
Everyone wants to know the actress who played Namora with such enthusiasm that she had us all on the edge of our seats. The actress has a unique fashion sense, too. Thanks to her role in the MCU, the world is experiencing it.
During her Glamour Mexico spread, she showed off her lean physique in a beautiful black one-piece catsuit paired with a blue pencil skirt and animal-printed court pumps.
For the movie's world premiere, Cadena stepped out in a gorgeous silver dress with an asymmetrical hem and mono-sleeve. She wore her long black hair in a wet curl and accessorized the look lightly with silver accessories courtesy of Cartier.
Cadena's hair and makeup highlighted her Mexican roots just as she likes. For her, being a superhero is "going forward with everything and fear, without staying in duty to ourselves." It's about facing life head-on with no regrets, and she's well on her way to doing that.
Keep up with the actress on Instagram.
