Heidi Klum expressed her disappointment with her fellow “America’s Got Talent” judge, Sofía Vergara, for not casting her in her Netflix miniseries “Griselda.” Klum jokingly mentioned she could have played a cousin who doesn’t speak due to her lack of Spanish speaking skills. Despite the playful banter, Klum was genuinely upset about not being included in the series, which highlights the rise and fall of real-life Miami drug lord Griselda Blanco, portrayed by Vergara.
While Vergara received praise for her performance in “Griselda,” Blanco’s son, Michael, criticized her portrayal as disrespectful. Michael claimed that Vergara did not consult with the Blanco family for accuracy and details in portraying his mother. Despite reaching out to Vergara’s team for consultation services, they declined and proceeded with the project without involving the Blanco family. Michael and his lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter to Netflix and Vergara, stating that basic respect and consultation were warranted.
Vergara shared insights about the challenging transformation process she went through to embody Griselda Blanco in the miniseries. This included wearing prosthetics such as wigs, fake teeth, fake nose, and a plastic forehead, along with uncomfortable bras to alter her appearance. Despite the physical challenges, portraying the Colombian drug lord was a liberating experience for Vergara, as it was her first film in Spanish. She was drawn to the story of Griselda Blanco, highlighting her as a tough, ruthless woman who created a significant drug cartel.
The idea of portraying Griselda Blanco had been in Vergara’s mind for nearly 15 years before the project came to fruition. She found the story of Griselda captivating since she was an unexpected figure in the drug trade, being a Colombian immigrant who built a powerful cartel. Despite the challenges of getting into character, Vergara saw the role as an exciting opportunity to delve into a complex and compelling character. The miniseries “Griselda” was announced in November 2023, and all six episodes are available to stream on Netflix.
The tensions between Klum and Vergara over the casting decision added some drama to the red carpet event where they were promoting “America’s Got Talent.” Klum humorously expressed her disappointment with not being part of “Griselda,” showcasing her playful yet genuine reaction to Vergara’s casting choices. Despite the initial disappointment, the women came together to promote their shared project, demonstrating a professional and amicable relationship despite any previous tension. As fans eagerly await the premiere of “America’s Got Talent” Season 19, the behind-the-scenes dynamics between the judges provide additional intrigue to the show’s upcoming season.
