TV That Made Me: Keyla Monterroso Mejia

The show that was formative for me as a teen: Teen Wolf 

The show would air around 9 or 10 p.m., which was late for me and my little brother. The trade-off with our mom was, if we cleaned, we could watch it. I remember specifically watching Dylan O'Brien in the earlier seasons; he was the comedic relief. As the show went on, he became really emotional, and he got to show off his range. And then he got possessed by some monster. I just have wonderful memories of that show.

The show that inspired me to become an actress: In Treatment

I wouldn't necessarily say it's a show that inspired me to become an actress, but a performance that I was most recently inspired by that left me floored was Uzo Aduba in In Treatment. She left me speechless in every single episode, and it was just something that stuck with me. You saw a different side of her come out with each patient she had. I just thought it was phenomenal, and I was floored by her performance. It was really inspiring. It's one of those things where you're like, "Oh my God, you're so good. I need to do better."

The shows that taught me comic timing: That's So Raven and Even Stevens

As I get older, I'm realizing the shows that I watched as a kid had such an influence on me. Obviously, I watched a lot of Disney Channel when I was younger, but specifically That's So Raven and Even Stevens. Shia LaBeouf and Raven-Symoné have such great physical comedy and timing. They were so good at it, and they committed to what they were doing. I think subconsciously I took that with me. Like, if you just commit and use everything that you have, maybe you have something. I really credit them for planting that seed in me.

The show I watch when I want to relax: Running Man

It's a Korean variety show where they do these insane challenges. They have these intricate plots where they're trying to figure out the stock market and what a stock is, but they're just a bunch of actors and comedians. It's so funny. It's a show that transcends language. I really gravitated towards it during the pandemic because there are over 500 episodes. It's my comfort show.

The show that really let me see myself: On My Block

When I was younger, I watched everything America Ferrara was in, and she's incredible. But I would say, more recently, when I was deep into this journey of wanting to become an actress, I watched the show On My Block. There's this character, Jasmine, played by Jessica Maria Garcia. I had never seen something so close to what I looked like in a show that I loved. When you don't have representation, you don't think about it. I'm not dwelling on it; I'm just watching shows that I love. But watching her I was like, "Oh my God. She looks like me!"

The show I wish I could rewatch for the very first time: Fleabag

There are so many, but this is so easy. Fleabag is hilarious. It's heartbreaking. It's all of the things. Selfishly, as a viewer who loves the show, I would have loved for it for to continue, but it's also such a wonderful ending. If I could watch that for the first time again, I would be the luckiest human being.

The show I love to binge: Rick and Morty

Honestly, in the beginning, I was like, "This is a lot for my brain to keep up with." But I decided to watch it again, and it really is so funny.

The show I wish could be brought back for one more season: Mindhunter

I know the reasons why [it ended], and I understand. But it left me wanting so much more. I'm honestly afraid to watch shows that involve crime or murder and all of this intense stuff. I'd rather watch Rick and Morty. But the show was so, so, so good. The writing, directing, acting. It was phenomenal in every sense. I wish we got one more season.

The show that is on my weekly must-watch list: Jujutsu Kaisen

I think you're going to see a pattern, girl — I love foreign TV. In the spirit of that, I love anime, and I watch a show called Jujutsu Kaisen. Oh my gosh, I am hooked. And you know what's crazy? I missed a recent episode, and I saw that Usher was trending on Twitter. I went to check it out, and he was cosplaying as one of the main characters from this show. And in the caption, he spoiled the episode!

The show I'm currently watching: Flowers

It's written by Will Sharpe and stars Olivia Colman. My little brother loves all film and TV, and he was obsessed with The White Lotus. He did a deep dive on Will Sharpe, and he found this show. It's hilarious, and then it simmers into being this really emotional show, which you don't expect in the beginning. But it's only two seasons, and I'm dying to finish it.