Omar Chaparro: 'Haters are just fans in the closet'
If you're Mexican, odds are you've heard of Omar Chaparro. The entertainer is an all-around media force south of the border: He sings, he acts, he does stand-up, and he does it all quite well.
His career may enter a new phase with the release of the bilingual action-comedy "Compadres." The star plays Garza, a cop who teams up with a teenage American hacker to bring down a crime boss. It's a fun movie, and surprising one, because it shows off a darker, deeper side of Chaparro's personality than fans are used to.
A friendly Chaparro, 41, called to plug his new movie, which opens Friday, April 22.
Question: What drew you to "Compadres?"
Answer: It's an action film, man! What can I tell you? I'm very proud to be part of this film. In Mexico, it's been a long time since we've seen this kind of story, about a Mexican action hero. It's a blessing to do this.
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Q: But it's quite different from what people know you for. This isn't the type of comedy you're normally associated with.
A: A lot of people in Mexico and in the U.S. see me as a comedian. This is a chance to prove that I can do something else, to prove myself as an actor, a real actor. it's a challenge that I think we can accomplish. I'm proud of this movie. People are not going to watch Omar Chaparro; they are going to see the story of an honest cop.
Q: Was that one of the things that attracted you? Mexican cops get a bad rap, at least in the United States.
A: In Mexico, too, when we see cops and police in movies, it's about narcos or whatever. This is the story of a different character, and what he's able to do in order to save his girlfriend and to have to be helped by this gringo hacker who is the total opposite of him. There's a lot of comedy and friendship there.
Q: In this movie, you have to act in both English and Spanish. Is that difficult?
A: Well, not really. The difficult thing in doing this role, to be honest, is to be truthful. That's the big challenge for me. To make people believe that I'm this cop. It didn't matter what language I was speaking.
Q: You're a huge star in Mexico. Are you hoping this movie introduces you to English-speaking audiences here?
A: (Chuckling) Well, I'm not hoping. But you obsess as an actor and you wish to conquer more audiences with every role, every movie. (Laughing) So maybe, yes, somehow I am hoping to find more audiences.
Q: You're so famous already. You have 6 million Twitter followers. How do you do that?
A: (Laughing) I didn't plan it. I guess they follow me because I'm on always using Twitter. I'll answer in direct messages. I even answer the guys that don't like Omar Chaparro. I have a lot of haters, like everyone, but I try to be kind. Even the haters that say something like, "Omar, why don't you die tomorrow?" and I'll say, "Thank you, God bless you." Then they say they were kidding and they really adore your work. A lot of haters are just fans in the closet.
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Q: You sing (he recorded the "Compadres" theme song, "Si Hubiera Sabido"), you act, you host, you do stand-up: What's your favorite?
A: My favorite is just to entertain. I love to make people feel whatever: to laugh, to cry, to smile in different ways. But honestly, I'm an actor that can do anything. Or, at least, I'm going to try to.
Reach the reporter at randy.cordova@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8849. Twitter.com/randy_cordova.
