Aretha Oliveira was the only actress from the child cast of the first Brazilian version of Chiquititas, which integrated all seasons that aired between 1997 and 2001 on SBT. This Thursday (28), the soap opera that marked the 1990s completes its 25year debut and remains in the imaginations of children of the time. For some of the fans, the character of Pata had a special meaning.
“A lot of black women saw themselves represented by Pata before there was any talk of representation, of how important it is for all people to somehow see themselves. As time goes by, I realize just how big Chiquititas was and how important it was for me to be there,” comments Aretha Oliveira in an exclusive interview On the screen.
“I always say Pata is ours; it’s mine and all these women who saw themselves represented on television for the first time. A lot of them tell me they could be someone in the school plays. You could dream of being on TV, becoming an actress. It was something very important in her life.”
Aretha Oliveira
The actress has encouraged a series of meetings with black women who have seen each other in Pata for 25 years. “It’s something very intimate, a circle of women with a lot of exchange and acceptance, understanding of childhood issues and the journey into the present. It is a very special project for me.”
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The recordings took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With the end of the soap opera, Aretha returned to Brazil, but returned there after graduation. She worked as an actress and voice actress. After returning here, he began to devote himself to social networks. There are more than 470,000 followers on Instagram alone.
“Today, I’m not only followed by a lot of Chiquitita fans, but also by women in my age group who want to identify and follow my body care, selfesteem, curly hair content,” she says. In addition to her work as a digital influencer, she continues projects as an actress in the theater. “I also hope to return to television soon. People always talk to me about it and I want that too.”
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Chiquititas has shaped a generation with important values, says Aretha Oliveira
Aretha Oliveira recalls the impact on the children of the time: “Chiquititas helped shape this generation with very important and beautiful values. After so many years, we still talk about her intensely. People continue to be touched by this story and remember it with great affection, respect and nostalgia because it brought with it very positive themes, of acceptance, brotherhood and a message of ‘believe in your dreams’.”
“The soap opera brought all of that with fun, musicality, dance, choreography. All of this was part of these kids’ lives, not just when they were watching the soap opera, but in their daily lives. Everyone had to be a character they identified with.”
Aretha Oliveira
She recently revived memories of this time when she took part in the documentary series Years Later. “They are very nice memories and some are difficult, but they tell the story of my life and a lot about who I am today. It’s all very moving and deep. There is nothing superficial because there are very strong feelings, very real friendships, strong relationships in my life.”
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“I started when I was 12 and was the only girl who was there from start to finish. When it ended, I was close to my 16th birthday. It was a great personal and professional maturation. Everything was new, living in a different country, with a different language… Added to that was the responsibility for a very tough routine: studying in the morning, recording in the afternoon and even taking the time to rehearse the shows.”
Aretha Oliveira
When she agreed to star in the soap opera, Aretha had no idea that she would be separated from her father and brother for so long she was living abroad with her mother. They were almost four years apart and meetings were limited to travel. “Every time one of my friends went back to Brazil and I was still there, it was very difficult. It was really painful. Maturity doesn’t just come from luck, the challenge has often been complicated. I can look at it today and understand that the scale weighs a lot more on the positive side than the negative.”
“Many people grew up with me and have been with me ever since,” says the actress.
To this day, Aretha Oliveira is recognized by Pata on the street and on social media. Fan interactions are often filled with nostalgia. “That just goes to show how successful this telenovela was and how important it was. Interactions are often associated with emotion and joy because they directly touch each individual’s inner child. No mask or filter. It’s very hearty and delicious, and I keep surprising myself.”
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“At the time of the soap opera we were living in Buenos Aires, so there wasn’t that close contact with the fans. Over the years, we’ve really witnessed Chiquitita’s success. Many people grew up with me and have been with me since that time, and today they have the opportunity to share, to send messages, to be closer. I really enjoy meeting these people.”
Aretha Oliveira
She maintains friendships with several actors including: Fernanda Souza (Mili), Vivian Marques (Bel), Ana Olivia Seripieri (Tati), Pierre Bittencourt (Mosca) and Mariane Oliva (Marian). “I’ll stop at five to mention ‘the top 5’ and not forget anyone (laughs). I have affection for many. Whenever we meet, it’s like meeting that family you haven’t seen in a long time. They are like dear cousins with whom I have a great intimacy and a desire to take care of them, scold them, hug them.”