Emmy nominated actress Madison Reyes, known for her character in the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms, recently turned 18 and is ready to exercise her right to vote for the first time in the state of Pennsylvania. 
 
To raise awareness and encourage young people to vote during the midterm elections this November 8, the young actress of Puerto Rican parents joined the Poder Latinx initiative to give voice to the superhero La Borinqueña, created by Eisner award-winning graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez. 

“I feel like our generation is finally starting to turn into adults and you have to realize that this is our lives at stake, like whatever we choose, and whoever gets elected, and really put in the time to realize who should be in a chair. I really need to step up and say this is my adult choice and decide who I want to vote for. Because if I don't just because it might not affect me, doesn't mean it's not going to affect the other person,” explained Reyes in an interview with AL DÍA.

This collaboration between Reyes, Miranda-Rodriguez, and Poder Latinx is the second large-scale project for the young actress after being part of Julie and the Phantoms. According to her, voicing La Borinqueña gives her a sense of maturity in her acting career. The character of La Borinqueña is also part of Generation Z, just like Madison. 

“When I first learned about Edgardo [Miranda-Rodriguez] when he came here, I think I was just 17. So being able to voice her now when I'm 18 and allowed to vote, I think is really cool and makes me feel mature,” said the actress, who currently resides in Allentown with her family.

Miranda-Rodriguez highlighted the importance of involving new generations in the electoral process and underscored the work being done by La Borinqueña in favor of different social justice struggles such as climate change and voting rights in the United States.  

“This generation of young people have taken to social media, to the streets, and now to the polls to show our nation their true superpower to engage in civic responsibility by voting.  People enjoy reading La Borinqueña’s graphic novels, but it’s also important that our character serves as a symbol for social justice outside of the comic book panels and in real life,” added Miranda-Rodriguez. 

La Borinqueña X Poder Latinx PSA was directed by Miranda-Rodriguez of Somos Arte, voiceover performance and chorus by Madison Reyes, illustrations by artist Jennifer Hernandez, and an original musical composition by Kwamé who recently produced songs for the Academy Award-nominated film Tick, Tick… BOOM!

Poder Latinx is dedicated to building a sustained progressive voting bloc of Latinx voters in battleground states across the country. Through their work, they empower and equip the Latinx community to become agents of change. Poder Latinx is a project of Tides Advocacy, a nonprofit organization. 

“Latinas are quickly becoming key players in this nation’s democracy, and our voices must be heard in these critical midterm elections. Together, we are encouraging Latinas across the United States to activate their superpower and encourage their family members to make sure their voices are heard at the ballot box on Tuesday, November 8, and remind their friends to get to the polls,” said Yadira Sanchez, Executive Director of Poder Latinx. 

This animated PSA debuted on October 31, 2022, and is available on YouTube and Instagram.

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