Victoria Luengo, known professionally as Vicky and now transitioning toward a more mature stage name, is the actress everyone’s talking about. At 33, she has spent nearly two decades in the acting world, a path she realized early on as a child. She pursued studies in acting and soon began taking small steps on television, ventures that gradually expanded into cinema and theatre. Her portrayal of Laia Urquijo in the series Antidisturbios is already one of the standout performances of her generation, and the much-anticipated premiere of Reina Roja on Prime Video this week is poised to cement her rise. Recently, she accepted the Princess of Girona Arts 2024 award from Queen Letizia in recognition of her natural talent, love for the craft, and ability to inspire younger artists. On March 7, she will present Prima Facie at the Teatro Góngora in Córdoba. The momentum continues for her.
What does this latest award mean to her?
It is an honor, especially when looking at the roster of previous recipients who are all remarkable talents. Luengo admires them deeply for their artistry and contributions to the field.
She began working at a very young age. Has that early start meant sacrifices along the way?
Not really. She enjoyed a happy, calm adolescence. Perhaps a few restless nights here and there, but overall she kept a balanced perspective as she grew in the profession.
The 7th marks the start of her participation in the Mujer cycle with Prima Facie, a demanding solo piece by Suzie Miller that tackles themes from machismo to the justice system. What message does her character convey?
Her character speaks out against how the legal system handles sexual assaults against women, serving as a clear call for accountability and reform.
Does the play challenge both women and men in the audience?
Absolutely. It resonates with everyone, including men who have faced sexual violence and those who begin to reconsider their worldview on these issues.
Her character is an advocate for victims of gender-based violence until she experiences an assault herself. How does that shift her arc?
It changes everything. The beliefs she held collapse and she must rebuild them from the ground up, confronting new truths about power and trust.
Has she faced sexism in her career, and how did she prepare the role?
Yes, sexism has touched her, not as an actress alone but as a woman in general. For the preparation, she drew from the experiences of close friends and colleagues who shared their stories, which helped her inhabit the role with honesty and empathy.
With Prima Facie offering many performances, does the show attract more women or men?
Likely an equal mix, with a strong presence of younger audiences. She loves seeing young people come to the theatre and engage with serious contemporary topics.
What kind of reactions does the audience have to the show?
People leave moved and sometimes visibly shaken. The piece leaves a lasting impression and doesn’t leave anyone unchanged.
Memorizing such a text with heavy emotional weight—how does she approach it?
She dedicated two months to studying the script and, once confident in the text, began to work with the emotional resonance to bring the character to life.
Is this the most demanding role she has taken on?
Yes, primarily because of the emotional journey it requires. It’s one of the most challenging theatre roles she has ever encountered.
How does she detach from the intensity after a performance?
She makes time to walk, hang out with friends, and return to normal life, ensuring she doesn’t stay rooted in the character’s world after the curtain falls.
This week Reina Roja has premiered. How would she describe the Antonia Scott we meet on screen?
She has aimed to honor the real experiences of people with high abilities, researching extensively to portray them authentically. The character is exceptionally intelligent but also marked by a deep loneliness that comes with such gifts.
Is she prepared for the attention that might follow the premiere, even in everyday life?
Many people warn her about the attention, yet she prefers not to set expectations. She will handle any arrival as it comes and continue living her life as before if nothing changes.
Do characters choose her or does she seek the roles?
Both—there is a dialogue between choosing projects and being chosen by directors who see her in particular roles. She values opportunities that challenge her and let her explore new facets.
What kind of role would she like to inhabit next as her career progresses?
Directors may see her in intense dramatic pieces, but she would like to try a comedy as well to broaden her range and have a different kind of fun with a lighter tone.
Finally, she is moving toward being called Victoria rather than Vicky. Where did her name come from?
It wasn’t a family tradition; her mother gave her the name Victoria at birth because she felt she was her great Victoria. It’s a personal touch that has stayed with her as she grows into adulthood.