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BRITTANY LUSE, HOST:

Hey, y'all. You're listening to IT'S BEEN A MINUTE from NPR. I'm Brittany Luse. Today's guest has been the breakout star of two of the funniest shows on television right now. We first got to know her as Maria Sofia Estrada - the actress who's so bad, she's good - on "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM")

CHERYL HINES: (As Cheryl David) Marsha (ph), come out here. I want to talk to you.

KEYLA MONTERROSO MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) I'm right here.

HINES: (As Cheryl David) Stop screaming.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Screaming - I wasn't screaming.

HINES: (As Cheryl David) OK. Also, if it's in parentheses, it's - you shouldn't say it either.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Fine. I got it. I got it.

LUSE: Then, as the lovable but chaotic teacher's aide on "Abbott Elementary."

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "ABBOTT ELEMENTARY")

MEJIA: (As Ashley Garcia, singing) Waiting for Ashley. Oh, I'll be the aide of your dreams, waiting for Ashley.

LUSE: And now she's flexing her dramatic skills in the new Netflix show "Freeridge."

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "FREERIDGE")

MEJIA: (As Gloria) I did it. I told her. She's out.

TENZING NORGAY TRAINOR: (As Cameron) And she just took it?

MEJIA: (As Gloria) Yep.

CIARA RILEY WILSON: (As Demi) OK. Good. I can delete her email.

MEJIA: (As Gloria) What email?

TRAINOR: (As Cameron) The anonymous one telling her to eat s****.

MEJIA: (As Gloria) Send it. No, don't. Just delete it. We're done.

LUSE: Actress Keyla Monterroso Mejia is poised to have a long career in Hollywood. I'm telling you, before you know it, she's going to be at the top of the call sheet on all your favorite dramedies. So we're going to get up close and personal with your new fave.

Keyla, welcome to IT'S BEEN A MINUTE.

MEJIA: Thank you. I'm so excited to be here. This is very exciting - really cool set.

LUSE: Thank you. Thank you. To start off, you often play what's supposed to be an annoying character, but your presence brings viewers so much joy. Like, the team was discussing as we were preparing for this conversation - was just like, we get excited when we see you on screen.

MEJIA: Aw.

LUSE: How do you make these obnoxious characters so lovable?

MEJIA: I really appreciate that you guys are not just annoyed by them. But you know what's really funny? I've gotten this - and I never go into something thinking, oh, she's annoying. Or like, oh...

LUSE: Really?

MEJIA: Yeah. I don't think I'm annoying.

(LAUGHTER)

MEJIA: Like, also, I don't think people who are annoying are aware that they're annoying. I think they're...

LUSE: That's true.

MEJIA: You know, maybe that's why they're annoying because nobody tells them. So they just continue on with the way they are. But yeah, I don't ever - I didn't think they were annoying. I was like, I'm cool. So maybe - I don't know, maybe that helps a little bit.

LUSE: You're tapping into, like, their confidence to a certain degree.

MEJIA: Yes. Oh my gosh. Definitely confidence - so much more than I have in real life. So that's really fun. OK, I cannot do the things that these characters do.

LUSE: No way. But, I mean, you know, in doing my research before talking to you, like, you always wanted to act. You went to a...

MEJIA: I did.

LUSE: ...Performing arts high school, and you left high school early to pursue your career. It's hard for me to think about you describing yourself...

MEJIA: Yeah.

LUSE: ...As shy when you make such, like, decisive moves like that.

MEJIA: Yeah, it's so funny. They say ignorance is bliss, but I never really thought about the outcome or, oh, this is where it's going to get me. I just remember loving acting and, like, pursuing it every step that I could. As cliche as it sounds, I was really doing it because I really loved it. And it was, like, sort of the only thing that made me happy. Yeah, I'm very thankful it worked out.

LUSE: Well, I mean, look, I'd say it's more than working out.

MEJIA: Oh, good.

LUSE: Like, so many viewers have fallen in love with you. But I think a lot of people first got to know you when they saw your audition scene as Maria Sofia in season 11 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Maria Sofia is in this audition to play the love interest on this show about young Larry David's life called "Young Larry."

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM")

LARRY DAVID: (As Larry David) It's about my life when I was like 24, 25. I lived in Brooklyn with my parents, and my uncle Moe lived upstairs with my grandmother. Moe was in his 70s. He pushed racks...

LUSE: And, you know, Larry's been told by Maria Sofia's father that she's an actress. And this is the first scene where we really get to see her do her thing. And you come into this audition room as Maria Sofia. She makes a series of wild choices as an actress.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM")

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) I'm full.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) Look, you didn't eat a thing. Marsha, seriously, you're too thin. You're like a rail. Come on.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) This is a good weight for me.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) OK. But at least finish the matzo ball, right?

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) No.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) What is it? Do you have an eating disorder?

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) No.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) Marsha, I swear to God, I want you to eat the matzo ball.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Ew (ph), gross.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) Come on.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Ew, no. Stop.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) Come on, Marsha.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Stop.

LUSE: She absolutely bombs. She whispers when she should be loud. She screams when she should probably speak softly. She unnecessarily winks seductively at Larry David (laughter).

MEJIA: Yeah.

LUSE: You clearly had a great audition since you made it onto the show "Curb Your Enthusiasm." But I've heard that the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" audition process is notoriously tricky. What was it like for you to actually audition for the role of Maria Sofia?

MEJIA: Yeah, it was really different, I would say, because of the whole improvisation part. I remember getting sides because she is bad actress. So they did send over just a small scene that they wanted to see and then along that also to improv a little bit. And so I remember sending it in, and I didn't think too much of it either. I was just like, oh, like, I'm going to be - I try to, you know, channel a little bit of Aubrey Plaza. You know how she's, like, kind of like - like, I'm sorry. That's, like - do you know what I mean?

LUSE: No, but there's, like - there's sort of - it's like having both, like, the tigress, but also, like, this very low, low-key...

MEJIA: Yes.

LUSE: ...Person at the same time.

MEJIA: I remember moving my tongue, and I'm like (groaning) - like, just, like, a weird thing.

LUSE: (Laughter) Just like that?

MEJIA: Yeah, like, just really weird things. And I sent it in. I didn't think anything of it. And then maybe, like, a week or so later, they were like, oh, you know, we would love to do, like, a Zoom session with the directors, some of the producers, the casting team and Larry. And I was, like, dying inside, right? Oh, my God.

LUSE: So in this Zoom, did you have to, like, do improv over Zoom? Is that how it worked?

MEJIA: Yeah. Yeah, we did. And then you'd - like, everyone is there. I see, like, Larry pop up. And I just remember, like, dying inside. Like, this was, like, the hardest thing. I just remember I was, like, sweating. I sweat when I get nervous.

LUSE: Same.

MEJIA: And I remember just being so nervous and - but you know what? It worked. After it ended, sending my manager I think it was an email saying, you know, I don't know what's going to come of this, but I'm really happy I did it. And I'm - and I think I learned a lot 'cause it was a huge learning experience. I'd never done improv in that format and stuff.

LUSE: Sure.

MEJIA: And so I was like, oh, my God. It was terrifying. But it was - I remember feeling really good afterwards. Like, oh, this was fun.

LUSE: There's a scene where you, as Maria Sofia, tackle Cheryl Hines...

MEJIA: Yeah.

LUSE: ...Who's playing Cheryl, Larry David's ex-wife, and then you get tackled by Ted Danson.

MEJIA: Yeah.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM")

HINES: (As Cheryl David) ...Talking about?

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Back up. Don't touch me.

HINES: (As Cheryl David) I don't understand. This is not a...

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) You want to touch me all of a sudden?

HINES: (As Cheryl David) What are you saying? It's a jacket. I don't know what you're talking about.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Jacket?

(CROSSTALK)

LUSE: I heard that you drew blood at one point.

MEJIA: Oh, my God. OK, well, that's an aggressive...

(LAUGHTER)

LUSE: Accidentally.

MEJIA: Yeah. Something like that - no, no, so it was, like, one of the times we were practicing, trying to figure out, like, what was too much and how to do it 'cause we all had said we wanted to be really safe. And I thought there was lipstick mark on Cheryl. I said, hey, girl, like, you have something. And she was so cool. Cheryl was like, oh, just get it for me. I was like, oh, my God, of course. Like, yeah, I'll do it. And then as I'm wiping, I'm realizing that it's, like, not - it's like, oh, s***, this is not lipstick. And I was like, oh, Cheryl, I'm so sorry. I think I scratched you. And she was so cool about it. She was like, oh, don't worry about it, like, all good. And she was like, oh, yeah, like, no problem. I was like, again, dying inside. I was like, I just scratched her. But they were so cool. But truthfully, watching them improv - it's kind of like water, where they just flow. They flow back and forth, and nothing fazes them. I mean, I did some, like, outrageous things. And she was just the definition of a pro.

LUSE: I read that, like, even though, you know, this role on "Curb" was a really big turning point and it was something that I know on some level you had to be looking forward to, and it got such a positive response, you were hesitant at first, though, to want to, like, watch yourself in the episode, like, on screen. Why was that?

MEJIA: I think because it was also my first big, professional shoot, I was really nervous and so much to the point where I had forgotten half of the things that I did. And then I remember going into, like, an ADR session...

LUSE: Like, to dub any sort of lines that...

MEJIA: Yeah.

LUSE: ...Didn't make it through. Right.

MEJIA: Right, 'cause, you know, especially in, like, the wrestling scenes, it was like (inaudible).

LUSE: When you're wrestling with someone on the floor - right, right, right.

MEJIA: The mic sometimes tends to cut out. But I remember then coming out, and someone said, oh, my God, I loved your dance stuff. It was so funny. And I was like, what? What?

LUSE: You didn't remember.

MEJIA: I don't remember. I didn't remember.

LUSE: 'Cause Maria Sofia, she's - in addition to her acting, she's busting moves.

MEJIA: Yeah.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM")

HINES: (As Cheryl David) I saw that choice that you made, and maybe it's time to make a new choice.

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) Like, what kind of dance?

HINES: (As Cheryl David) No, not at - not like...

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) You want a little bit of...

HINES: (As Cheryl David) I don't find...

MEJIA: (As Maria Sofia Estrada) ...Salsa?

HINES: (As Cheryl David) Well, let's just keep going. Let's just keep...

MEJIA: I didn't remember doing any of that. And so then, you know, I was just like, damn, what did I do? Did I make a fool of myself? Is it bad? And I was just scared how people were going to receive it and if they were going to laugh at me, you know what I mean? And so I really didn't want to see it. But then when I finally was able to see, people were so kind, and it just was a positive experience. And I was really scared in the beginning.

LUSE: Coming up, Keyla's comedy chops get her sent to the front of the class.

(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")

LUSE: So your performance on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was amazing, and you didn't just get my attention, obviously, which is a good thing. You also caught the attention of Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of "Abbott Elementary."

MEJIA: She commented on Instagram posts that I had about being on "Curb," with just something, like, along, like, oh, you're funny. And I was like, oh, my God. Like, no big deal. Cool. Like, y'all. And that was it. And then a couple of months later, my - this sounds so LA, like, so Hollywood - have my agent call. This is not the way it's at. But they did. They called, and they're like, oh, Quinta Brunson. And I say, what? What? Like, I remember freaking out, like, oh, my God, 'cause she wanted to call.

LUSE: Right.

MEJIA: And I was like, oh, my God, yes, of course, like - and then I remember getting on the phone with her. She was, like, the coolest person. She was super kind, super down-to-earth and just, like, a badass. She had mentioned to me about a role on "Abbott," but you never want to assume someone is, like, offering you something.

LUSE: Of course.

MEJIA: And I remember telling, I think it was my manager at the - I was like, hey, girl, when you get the sides, like, send them over. Like, I want to be just as prepared as I can be and, like, send in a good tape.

LUSE: For the audition, right?

MEJIA: Yeah. And then she was like, no, I think, like, they want to bring it to you. I was like, oh, my God.

LUSE: Like, so they had, like, written a part, and they had you in mind to play this role.

MEJIA: And the fact that she was just so trusting in me just did so much for my confidence. And it was also very mind-blowing to me. I'm like, how did I get this lucky? Not only do I get to be on "Curb," I get to be on freaking "Abbott Elementary."

LUSE: Within the scenes on the episodes that you were on "Abbott," Ashley Garcia, the role that you play - she's this teacher aide for Melissa Schemmenti. And it's interesting because, like, I was talking to one of our producers, Alexis, and she was so excited when she saw that you were going to be playing the teacher's aide.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "ABBOTT ELEMENTARY")

MEJIA: (As Ashley Garcia) I'm here to teach you about the human (rapping) body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody - bones, blood, meat, yo...

LISA ANN WALTER: (As Melissa Schemmenti) OK. Hey, hi, my class, you guys would know this if you did your homework.

LUSE: And I remember being on my couch and feeling the same way when I saw you pop up on screen. I imagine that it must have been, like, a totally different vibe, like, going from "Curb," which is, like, this very improv-heavy environment to being on "Abbott," which is scripted but also has all these kids that are just, like, doing their own thing all the time.

MEJIA: Oh, my God. And, you know, at some point it does feel like improv. Like, you kind of go with the flow of things. We're doing a take, and out of nowhere, I remember, a little girl decides to, like, just get up and go sit somewhere else, and we were like, oh, OK.

LUSE: Like, do you, girl.

MEJIA: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. She's an actress, too, you know? It, like, called to move her over there. And also, the kids are such a big part of it, and they're so hilarious. And it's - to some degree, they're not, like, fully aware. And so they will call me, like, Ashley and things like that. So that was really cool. I was like, aw.

LUSE: Oh, that's cool.

MEJIA: But it was nice, and then - to see them again, and then they wave to you. Like, as you're coming in, they're like - that makes me feel good. I'm like, oh, my God, you remember me. Like, oh, that feels good. They were just so awesome. And I will say, for how many kids they have to work with and how - it's such a well-oiled machine. They have a really great system down. It's not, like, chaotic in any way. It just really works. And that was, like, surprising to me 'cause I thought, oh, you know, you hear that it's difficult to work with pets and kids.

LUSE: Right, right, right.

MEJIA: And no, the - they have a really great system over there. Yeah. It's like, all right.

LUSE: Coming up, how betting on herself led Keyla to star in a new Netflix series. More after the break.

(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")

LUSE: So we discussed these amazing comedies that you've been on where, you know, audiences have gotten to know you. But you actually - when you got into acting, you wanted to do dramatic work, which - it's so wild to me 'cause I'm like, how did you not know you were, like, so funny? How did you end up getting to this point where now you're becoming this comedy star?

MEJIA: Oh, my gosh, I was doing theater, and it was - all theater I was cast in was just, like, mostly drama. Because, I think, I had done that, I didn't think I was funny. In the beginning - I'm so grateful it worked out now, but in the beginning, it was really hard to get auditions at all. And when I would get them, they weren't really for comedic roles. And I remember I did a short film called "The 90 Day Plan."

LUSE: I saw it.

MEJIA: The director, Gabriela Garcia Medina, who's just been a wonderful person in my life - she's super talented, and she was the first person to cast me in a comedy. And before that, I would have never thought about it. I - it would just - nothing that crossed my mind. And because of her, truthfully - she, like, I think, planted a seed in my head. Just, like, oh, maybe I am. Maybe - OK, this is kind of fun. I didn't think about this. But comedy is, like, really hard, and I have so much respect for people now that I've, like, dabbled in it. I'm like, oh, my God, you guys, this is incredible. I - just making people laugh like this, this is - it's intense. It's a lot.

LUSE: You have a new project out called "Freeridge." It's a YA dramedy.

MEJIA: Yes.

LUSE: And it's on Netflix. And on that show, you play Gloria, a high school sophomore who's still grieving the death of her mother and figuring out her relationships with her family and friends.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "FREERIDGE")

MEJIA: (As Gloria) Betting on myself has always been the safe bet. This is a group curse and a group problem to fix.

LUSE: It's got plenty of comedic moments. But also, in the episodes that I watched, there's, like, real moments of emotion and drama in there. Like, I mean, there are scenes where your character will, like, actually shed tears, but there's also scenes where, like, something emotional will happen that maybe doesn't merit crying. And I'll look, and, like - Gloria's - your eyes are watering up, and...

MEJIA: Ah.

LUSE: ...You could tell that you got a little frog in your throat.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "FREERIDGE")

MEJIA: (As Gloria) I said life or death.

BRYANA SALAZ: (As Ines) Hey, this is not your fault. We're going to reverse it.

MEJIA: (As Gloria) But what if we don't? This isn't some money we owe Tio. This is Dad.

LUSE: Like, you're really doing some, like, dramatic...

MEJIA: Ah.

LUSE: ...Acting in there as well. What is it like to bring these two sides of the craft together?

MEJIA: In the beginning, I was really - again, I think you see a pattern - I was scared. I was nervous - because I think I also had gotten into the swing of comedy for a while. So I was really nervous, and I had a lot of self-doubt in the beginning. I was like, wow, I don't know if this'll work. But I also had such good writing. I've been so lucky to work with, to me, like, some of the best. And the writing really speaks for itself. But I had so much fun being able to play multiple sides of Gloria, and that you get to see multiple sides of her - that was so rewarding in itself. To just be able to live this person in a more well-rounded way, that you get to experience all these things, as I do, was so much fun.

LUSE: Throughout our conversation, you've spoken about being nervous in the face of these incredible opportunities and doing the thing of, like, being scared but doing it anyway...

MEJIA: Yeah.

LUSE: ...Despite what you're telling me (laughter)...

MEJIA: Yeah, 100%.

LUSE: ...About how nervous you were. You still do it anyway. And it makes me think of something that your character, Gloria, said on "Freeridge." Betting on myself has always been the best bet. What has it looked like for you to bet on yourself?

MEJIA: Oh, my God. You're going to make me start crying.

LUSE: (Laughter).

MEJIA: This was a very, like, you know, emotional trip. I feel really grateful. And so a lot of times, oh, God, you, like, bet on yourself, but you don't expect other people to, like, see this thing inside of you that you feel. And so that's kind of what it felt like, and I also have this passion for acting that's been like nothing I've ever had before. And so as to relate to Gloria, like, I've always bet on myself. No matter what it was, I was like, oh, I can do this. Like - I, like - maybe it's not what you, like, see, in Hollywood, or maybe it'll be tough.

But I love this thing, and nothing else can make me happier, so I'm going to do it. And truthfully, people are so kind. And they, like, take a liking to it, whether it was like, Quinta or Larry giving me an opportunity now with "Freeridge." It's all been really surprising 'cause it's - I didn't think that, like, to some degree, these things were possible. And so now to see them, I'm like, oh. Like, ah, this is, like, just something that I wanted. And now that people like it, it's been, like, just the best thing. And I feel really grateful. Ah, this is so awkward. (Laughter) I'm like, ah, ah ah.

LUSE: Oh, no, no, no.

MEJIA: All right.

LUSE: It's beautiful. It's beautiful. It's incredible. Like, you took a leap. I have one last question. You are in this place, like you mentioned, where, like, you're doing these things that you didn't know where possible, but you're also playing this teenage girl right now, Gloria, who's such a go-getter.

MEJIA: She is.

LUSE: She's such a go-getter, and she's such a boss. That's the way I keep describing her.

MEJIA: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Me too.

LUSE: 'Cause I was like, Gloria's a boss. I wonder, you know, like, tapping into some of that inner Gloria, tapping into, you know, the inner Keyla, looking toward the future, what's, like, your dream thing that you'd love to be able to do?

MEJIA: You know, what I've learned very quickly is that in the short amount of time I've been able to do things that I'm really proud of and characters that I have a lot of fun playing. And I think that's when I feel the best. And so - God this sounds so dumb - don't want to say this out loud since it sounds so cliche and corny.

LUSE: No.

MEJIA: But I just want to do things that I'm really fulfilled by. I think I just want to be happy. (Laughter) God.

LUSE: Why are you laughing? That's great.

MEJIA: 'Cause it just sounds so - ugh, my God. But, yeah, I just want to do things that I'm really fulfilled by and, honestly, sticking with dramedy. I've really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. And it's been really fun to explore. And you get to see, I think, sides of people in a way that's just really fun to watch. You know, you get to see them when they're having these really funny moments and when they're more vulnerable. And I really enjoyed it so much, and I would love to continue doing that, truthfully. Oh.

LUSE: Well, hopefully you get to continue doing that. A lot of us are rooting for you, perhaps even selfishly.

MEJIA: Yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

LUSE: Keyla, thank you so much for coming on IT'S BEEN A MINUTE. It has been such a pleasure to have you on today.

MEJIA: Thank you so much. This has been really fun. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, my God.

LUSE: This episode was produced by Alexis Williams and Christina Shaman. It was edited by Jessica Mendoza and Jessica Placzek. Engineering support came from...

VALENTINA RODRIGUEZ SANCHEZ, BYLINE: Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez.

ALEX DREWENSKUS, BYLINE: Alex Drewenskus.

LUSE: I'm Brittany Luse, and we'll be back Friday with another episode of IT'S BEEN A MINUTE from NPR.

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