Since "Passions" debuted in 1999, Paloma, the youngest Lopez-Fitzgerald sibling, has been talked about but never seen. But that's recently changed, now that we've met Paloma, who is living with an aunt in Mexico. Paloma is a complicated character-both resentful of her family and eager for their love at the same time. Silvana Arias, the actress who plays Paloma, enjoys Paloma's multi-faceted persona. Read on to find out how Silvana got the part, how she felt about moving to Los Angeles, and what she thinks about having a Latino family on "Passions."

How did you get the part on "Passions"?
I was on the Internet and I saw there was a casting call in Miami for "Passions" for guys. I told my boyfriend and a couple of friends about it. My boyfriend called his agent and she told me I could go to see if they had any parts for me. I told them I had been working for Telemundo and they said they'd been looking for Paloma. I wound up reading at the casting call and then the next week I flew to Los Angeles to test for the camera. I tested with Lindsay (Hartley, Theresa). She helped me a lot and was so nice. I hurt my knee the day before I came here--I was so nervous and I couldn't walk! Everyone was so nice though.

Were you done with "Amor Descarado" on Telemundo when "Passions" came up?
We finished in February and then the next week was the audition. It was all very fast. I finished "Amor Descarado," did the casting and got the part. In a month, I was moving to Los Angeles.

What was it like to uproot your whole life like that?
It was very hard. I miss my family, but when I think about them I know I have to follow my dreams. Also, this is a city I don't know and it's a whole different language. In Miami you don't have to speak English. I had ten years without speaking English so I forgot all the words!

What do you think of Los Angeles?
It's a really big city so it's scary, but I like it a lot. There are so many different places to go. I thought people would be hostile but everyone has been so nice. I want to get to the beach-I haven't been there yet. I need to explore some more.

What did they tell you about Paloma when you first got the part?
They said she was going to bring a lot of trouble to Harmony and to her family. It's cool because I've always played the good girl. Paloma's not bad but she needs love from her family, like everyone does. She thinks they don't love her, which is very sad for her. She doesn't want to show that she's worried about her family. She puts up a wall. It's a very interesting part because you have to show both sides to her-the side that feels alone and dreams of her family and the other side that says she doesn't want them or need them.