Podcast Summary: "Elena Rivera protagoniza ‘Perdiendo el juicio’, la nueva serie de Atresmedia, ‘Intento tener presente que actuar es jugar’"

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: February 16, 2026
Guest: Elena Rivera

Overview

In this vibrant episode of "Más de uno," host Carlos Alsina welcomes actress Elena Rivera, star of the new Atresmedia series "Perdiendo el juicio." The conversation explores Rivera’s career, her take on the legal comedy, her early start as a child singer, and her current projects. The show blends humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful reflections on acting, with recurring playful exchanges between the host, collaborators, and special guests.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series Presentation: "Perdiendo el juicio"

• Premiere & Reception:
  The series, previously available on A Play and now open on Antena 3, is a courtroom comedy achieving strong ratings (04:35).

• Elena’s Role:
  Elena plays the protagonist, a successful and perfectionist lawyer struggling with personal and professional pressures (05:33). She appreciates portraying a powerful, complex woman who, despite her achievements, must confront her own limits:

  "Sobre todo a mí lo que más me ha gustado de esta serie es eso, que se muestra una tía que lo tiene todo... y que en un momento dado la vida va tan rápido que ya no está exenta de eso. Necesita pausa." – Elena Rivera (07:17)

• Technical Challenges:
  The technical jargon and legal dynamics of her character required substantial preparation:

  "Los madrugones se llevan bastante mal... pocas veces he tenido que hincar tantos codos en casa al terminar de rodar, de estudiar mucho..." – Elena Rivera (09:33) "Había que estar sobre todo muy precisa en los términos más técnicos, ahí no había que dudar." – Elena Rivera (10:33)

• Comedic Tone and Depth:
  Although comedic, the series carries an undertone highlighting the importance of personal connection and support:

  "Es comedia... pero lo hablaba antes con Agustín, que tiene por debajo... un mensaje... que la vida, no todo el éxito es lo profesional..." – Elena Rivera (08:29)

• Character Nuances:
  Elena’s character contrasts with her co-star, Manu Vaqueiro’s:

  "Mi personaje es todo lo contrario; como que el fin no justifica los medios." – Elena Rivera (10:59)

2. Reflections on Acting and Career

• Approach to Acting:
  Rivera discusses keeping a playful spirit in acting—a theme emphasized in the episode’s title:

  “Intento tenerlo presente... como en inglés se dice ‘to play’, el actuar es eso, es jugar e intentar pasártelo bien, no perder eso.” – Elena Rivera (18:06)

• Preparation & Authenticity:
  She prefers portraying real people with respect, avoiding parody or caricature:

  "Intento sobre todo tratarlo desde el máximo respeto... que no caiga en una caricatura ni en una imitación..." – Elena Rivera (34:06)

3. Early Beginnings: From Child Singer to Actress

• Rivera’s public debut was at six years old on the TV contest "Menudas estrellas," where she impersonated Paloma San Basilio.

  "[De niña] me sentía ya como súper adulta con los bailarines, interactuando con ellos y ahora me veo y digo... pero si es que no tenía ni dientes, literal." – Elena Rivera (16:06)

• Audio clips of her childhood performances were played (14:17, 16:46).

4. Personal Traits & Character Overlaps

• Order and Perfectionism:
  Elena admits to being orderly in her daily life, though she differentiates her personality from her character’s OCD:

  "[Sobre el TOC] No, creo que el trastorno compulsivo no lo tengo diagnosticado." – Elena Rivera (31:18)

• Coping with Success and Pressure:
  The discussion touches on balancing high standards with the need to relax and accept imperfections:

  "Hay momentos que no se puede controlar todo... Prefiero como apagar fuegos antes que encontrarme ya el incendio encima." – Elena Rivera (30:46)

5. Current Work & Professional Expansion

• Theatrical Tour:
  Presently, Elena is on a national theater tour with "El efecto," alongside Alicia Borrachero, Fran Perea, and Ethan Escamilla. The troupe will return to Madrid’s Teatro Marquina in April (19:35–20:15).
• Singing:
  She has started formal singing lessons to enjoy music without professional pressure (32:30).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On acting as play:
  “Intento tener presente que actuar es jugar” – Elena Rivera (18:06)

• On child stardom:
  “Me sentía ya como súper adulta... ahora me veo y digo, pero si es que no tenía ni dientes, literal.” – Elena Rivera (16:06)

• On career evolution:
  "Siempre me ha tocado unos dramones... pero a la vez también se agradece algo así, más fresco, más divertido." – Elena Rivera (07:59)

• On technical precision:
  "Había que estar sobre todo muy precisa en los términos más técnicos, ahí no había que dudar." – Elena Rivera (10:33)

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• [04:35] – Introduction of Elena Rivera and focus on her protagonist role.
• [07:17] – Elena discusses the depth of her character and the show’s message about burnout and the need to pause.
• [09:33] – Challenges of filming a legal comedy and the difficulty of learning technical jargon.
• [14:17, 16:46] – Classic clips of Elena as a child singer in "Menudas estrellas."
• [18:06] – Elena reflects on the importance of play and joy in acting.
• [19:35] – Elena reveals current focus on stage acting in "El efecto."
• [30:46] – Personal views on perfectionism and work habits.
• [31:18] – Discussion on OCD and separation from her character’s quirks.
• [32:30] – Current pursuit of singing lessons for personal enjoyment.

Tone and Style

The episode strikes a playful, friendly, and at times meta tone, blending industry insights with personal humor. The atmosphere is light-hearted but occasionally pivots to more reflective commentary, particularly when Elena discusses her relationship with acting and pressure.

Conclusion

This episode offers not just a peek behind the scenes of "Perdiendo el juicio" but a candid, funny, and human portrait of Elena Rivera—her path from prodigious child performer to acclaimed actress and her efforts to keep work joyful and balanced. The mix of humor, showbiz trivia, and genuine reflection makes it an entertaining and revealing listen, especially for fans interested in the intersection of comedy, law, and the everyday life of a Spanish television star.