Landman Paulina Chavez Discusses Securing Her Ideal Role in Fort Worth

Paulina Chavez, a 20-year-old actor from San Antonio, found herself in the midst of a life-changing moment at one of her favorite restaurants. A call from Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the “Yellowstone” franchise and the hit series “Landman,” set her on a path to her dream role. Playing the character of Ariana, a young widow navigating life after a tragic event in Midland, Texas, Chavez felt like she was living out a dream.

Chavez’s journey to this pivotal role began in her hometown of San Antonio, where she discovered her love for acting at the age of 7. Starting with drama classes at her elementary school, Chavez’s passion for the craft only grew stronger with time. To pursue her dream further, she and her mother made countless trips to Dallas for acting opportunities and training, eventually leading her to sign with her current manager.

After early roles in independent films and a notable appearance as a young Kim Kardashian in a streaming series, Chavez’s big break came with Netflix’s “The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia” in 2020. Despite the show’s cancellation after one season, Chavez’s star continued to rise with roles in Netflix’s “Fate: The Winx Saga” and the Disney+ reboot “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.”

In 2023, Chavez received the career-defining call from Taylor Sheridan for the role of Ariana in “Landman.” Despite initial doubts about her suitability for the role, Chavez impressed Sheridan with her talent and dedication. To prepare for the role, Chavez immersed herself in the world of Midland’s oil fields, drawing inspiration from real-life stories shared on the “Boomtown” podcast.

Working alongside industry veterans like Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore, Chavez found herself supported and inspired on set. She values the importance of authentic representation in storytelling, particularly for Latinos and Latinas in the industry. Chavez hopes to continue breaking barriers and representing diverse voices in Hollywood for future generations.

As “Landman” captures audiences’ attention, Chavez is already looking to the future with upcoming projects, including the release of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip” on Disney+ in 2025. Despite her rising success, Chavez remains grounded and appreciative of the journey that brought her to this point. She cherishes the late-night shoots, family watch parties, and the realization of a dream years in the making.

When asked about advice from her A-list co-stars on set, Chavez teased that there were some words of wisdom shared, leaving fans to wonder about the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her experience.