HAIR: Cindy Romero
MAKEUP: Armando Garcia
STYLIST: Luca Kingston
Netflix’s hit series Never Have I Ever is going out with a bang for its fourth and final season — which premiered on Thursday, June 8 — and Lee Rodriguez, who plays the quirky and hilarious Fabiola Torres, is “excited” for fans to “see her more in her element” this time around.
“But you’ll also see her involved in the drama, which is always fun,” the 23-year-old exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
Additionally, there is the age old question of who will Devi Vishwakumar (played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) choose: handsome hunk Paxton Hall-Yoshida (played by Darren Barnet) or nerdy Ben Gross (played by Jared Lewison). “I hope fans are happy with who she picks!” Rodriguez quips. “For me, personally, I’m like, ‘Oh, team Paxton.’ But then I go back and forth. I don’t want to say because I don’t want people to think I already know, so right now, I will say I am torn between the two,” she says.
“Love triangles are iconic,” the actress notes, adding that it’s still “surreal” how many people are invested in the series, which premiered in April 2020. “It’s cool and exciting how fans are watching the show and really standing by Ben or Paxton. I was such a big Twilight fan, and I was always like, ‘Team Jacob’ — until my heart was broken by the end of Twilight. Now, looking back, I appreciated Edward. I think I am more on Team Edward now!”
Since the series, which was created by Mindy Kaling, first aired amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodriguez didn’t get to film a show like normal due to the all the safety protocols in place. Still, she’s grateful the comedy helped others, especially during lockdown. “I am glad I was a light for people,” she says.
Over the seasons, viewers have fallen in love with Fabiola and gotten to see her really come into herself as she navigates high school and figures out her sexuality. “When I am in wardrobe, I feel more like her, like having my hair done a certain way or my makeup being done just right,” she shares. “We were able to make the characters our own, but the writing is so good. You don’t see improv in a show like this because the jokes are there, and it’s so funny to begin with.”
“Fabiola is a loyal and levelheaded friend. I connect with that a lot because my friendships mean a lot to me, and I always try to be there for them,” she continues. “She’s always striving to be the best at what she does, and I feel that, too. I brought my own personal mannerisms to the character because I am naturally dorky in my own way, and I feel like playing her allowed me to bring out more of my dorkiness.”
Additionally, working with Kaling has been an “honor and privilege” for the rising star. “To be able to play a character she wrote has been a cool experience. She’s so awesome and brilliant,” she says. “It’s been a blast. I’m glad Fabiola stayed around for all the seasons!” she exclaims. “Mindy is in a lane of her own when it comes to comedy, so I have definitely learned a lot about her style of comedy — and seeing her work ethic. She has so many different things going on, and she’s so kind and nice and very down to earth.”
Rodriguez loves getting to hang with her castmembers, who are now her lifelong friends, especially since this is mostly everyone’s first big break in the industry, but it’s also rewarding for her to play Fabiola and represent the LGBTQ+ community. “A lot of people see themselves in her, and I think that is so awesome. I’m honored to play Fabiola and be part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am of Afro-Latina heritage, so to inspire people to be themselves is beautiful. I am glad to be here,” she gushes.
When the brunette beauty isn’t acting, she dabbles in music. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do forever — even before acting,” she says. “I’m trying it out and seeing where it goes. It’s been therapeutic for me.”
Rodriguez records under the moniker La Rhonza, and her first single “Afterthought” was released on June 1. “I have a lot more music that I’ve made that I will put out this year, so I am excited for people to see my musical side,” she shares. “It’s a lot different from when people watch me on Never Have I Ever. I’m more girly and sassy, and I am excited for people to hear my music and grow with me as an artist.”
HAIR: Cindy Romero
MAKEUP: Armando Garcia
STYLIST: Luca Kingston
Rodriguez writes from her own personal experiences, in addition to listening to Coco Jones, Summer Walker and SZA, to name a few. “I would sing all the time as a little girl, and I used to love Hannah Montana. I still love Hannah Montana! It’s a big reason why I got into music.”
Between singing, acting and modeling, the California native “loves” conquering it all. “I love doing a lot of different things. It stretches my creativity. I can’t just stick to one thing,” she says. “I really want to get into poetry. I’ve written poetry, but I want to take it a step further and make a poetry book or do spoken word poetry. I think that’s my next endeavor.”
When asked if Rodriguez plans on putting out an album one day, she enthusiastically quips, “Heck yeah!”
Also on the list? “I would love to be in a horror film. I would love to do drama. I’d love to do more films, so I am manifesting all of that for myself,” she reveals.
After Never Have I Ever became an instant fan-favorite, Rodriguez feels confident this is where she’s meant to be. “I felt like I was putting the hard work in, and it had to pay off eventually. I always manifest, and I believe in myself a lot,” she declares. “I’m persistent and I dedicate a lot of time to something I love, no matter how big or small it is. I hope I can inspire people. I love talking to my fans on TikTok or Instagram because I love to connect with people. When I do make connections, it’s always so special.”
As for what’s next, Rodriguez says “it’s back to the drawing board” when it comes to her next acting move. “You have to keep going and auditioning and hope something comes of it! I have other endeavors, too, including my music. I have a lot of music that’s already finished that I am planning on putting out. My focus will be on that, which I’m excited about. I want to pick up new hobbies — and learn how to play the drums!” she says.
Never Have I Ever is now streaming on Netflix.
