Copyright 2000 Crain Communications Inc.
Electronic Media

June 12, 2000, Monday

SECTION: Pg. 27

LENGTH: 568 words

HEADLINE: Latina lightning rod

BYLINE: CHRIS PURSELL

BODY: Tessie Santiago is ready for some action.

In a television climate that has seen the likes of ''Xena,'' ''V.I.P.'' and ''Buffy, the Vampire Slayer'' all entrench themselves in the viewing habits of today's audiences, the '' Queen of Swords' ' is set to stake a claim of her own among heroines and help sever stereotypes.

The star of Paramount's upcoming action hour is a Miami-born Cuban-American who nailed the role of the 19th-century sword-wielding Tessa Alvarado in her very first professional acting audition, despite never touching a sword in her life.

''I'm a big-city girl, so I never really had any experience horseback riding and never took up fencing,'' said the 23-year-old Ms. Santiago. ''Being from Miami, those skills are not typical out there.''

Fresh after graduating from the University of Miami, Ms. Santiago was quickly thrust into a regimen of physical conditioning and stunt training with the likes of Tae-Bo guru Billy Blanks and weapons master Anthony Delongis.

''My training was like boot camp,'' said the self-proclaimed klutz. ''I not only learned to sword-fight, I learned horseback riding and how to master a whip. It could be scary, and I'd say my biggest accomplishment has been to get over the fear of hurting myself or others. The whip in particular was very hard to master-and very difficult not to lose your patience with. It's a process-one day you think you have it, the next day you don't.''

Budgeted at $20 million from Fireworks Entertainment and produced in association with Mercury Entertainment, '' Queen of Swords' ' features Ms. Santiago as a heroine fighting for justice in early 19th century California. The one-hour series is now being shot entirely in Almeria, Spain.

''Its tough being away from such a great city (Miami), leaving friends and family behind,'' Ms. Santiago said. ''But Spain has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world and just gave us the most picturesque backdrop for the show. Besides, everyone I know is planning a visit to see me.''

Most important to the actress, however, is her heritage. The Screen Actors Guild recently released a report describing Latinos as vastly stereotyped in films and TV shows, noting that two-thirds of Latino SAG members had been rejected for a role because they did not fit a Latino stereotype. Ms. Santiago said she's made it her mission to break down those walls with this role.

''The stereotype is definitely out there,'' she said, noting that a majority of the cast for '' Queen of Swords' ' has a Latin background. ''I've been really fortunate landing a role of a strong woman whose not only a Latina but a fighter, and I'm hoping to start a trend.''

Most of Ms. Santiago's family fled from Cuba after Castro and communism took hold of the country. The first-generation American is now passionate about keeping her Cuban heritage alive and passing it on to her own offspring down the road.

''I really hope to become sort of a role model for not only Latinos but little girls,'' she said. ''When I grew up, I never really had the physical education, such as karate, that other classes had. I think it's so important for girls to do more of this stuff. There have been a number of times when some of the girls I'm working with look up after I do a stunt and ask me how I learned to do that. They just become so amazed that it's a woman who is on the offensive.''

GRAPHIC: Tessie Santiago, star of Paramount's new action hour " Queen of Swords"