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Maca and Barbara actually asked in the live to send in questions in English and they would answer in English! This time around I really didn’t get the vibe that people were pushy about them speaking in English. Barbie said she’s shy about it but maca kept reassuring her that she’s actually really good at it. I agree that it can get pushy when there’s so many people asking them, but I really think they know their audience is so wide that they want everyone to feel included and welcome

Ah, okay, I mean, for sure, they absolutely know so much of the fandom is international, and it can absolutely be a two-way thing where THEY want fans to feel more included, which is lovely. And like, I don’t think they hate having this diverse fandom army, I’m remembering the TVyNovelas awards, heh.

Anyway, I’m glad it isn’t a big issue and I don’t think anyone really thinks it is, they just want it to not becomes one. I feel like they do get that being more famous means stuff like this comes with the territory. But of course it’s on people to police themselves too and be respectful, being one of many doesn’t mean you can just say anything and assume it won’t be seen.

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That’s one thing I’ve always liked about Barbara is that she’s always so honest in her answers. Albeit sometimes too honest! But she’s definitely come a long way in the past few years. Her willingness to learn and not taking things to heart or think the fans are attacking her (bc sometimes it can seem that way, it’s so hard to articulate online without sounding like you’re bullying someone to understand- not sure if that makes sense).

Yeah, I get what you mean! Her answers come across as something she puts a lot of thought into, not always what we wanted to hear, but it does make them seem more genuine. I mean, obviously she plays along quite often with the fandom, lots of banter, but when it’s something serious, it feels more respectful to trust the fandom to get where she’s coming from. And for sure, the amount she’s learned and grown through this is all is heartening. 

And it can definitely seem, even when people are mostly being nice, overwhelming when you’re getting told a lot of one thing and it’s all about how you got something wrong. Things were so heady in the early days, you can see, as with WN and TBH recently, when actors really appreciate that boost in attention and then it can start to feel like a lot. I think she’s understood now how she wants to engage with fandom and struck a healthy balance.