Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz on Doing What You Love: "Don't Be Scared and Just Run With It"

POPSUGAR: You started your career in theater. What's your favorite part about live acting?

Stephanie Beatriz: [With theater] that human connection with all those people, sitting there in the dark, watching it live . . . it’s almost magical.

PS: What about film?

SB: I love the certain nuances you can create. One of the most fun things that happens on our show is when the camera [guys] do these great things where they punch in on a shot, really close up in someone’s face and get this amazing reaction that you would never see from a stage. It's like you're a fly on the wall.

PS: Speaking of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, your character Rosa's name was originally supposed to be Megan — why did that name change happen?

SB: Honestly, the change happened because I got the part. It was written as the character you see on the show now — all the strength and badassery was all there — it was just a different name. I remember booking it a little while after talking to [the creators of the show] Mike [Schur] and Dan [Goor], and they said, "We're thinking about changing her name. We're thinking something really soft to juxtapose how tough she is." When I finally got the script, I saw that it was Rosa Diaz. I thought that it was two really great signs from the universe because my mom's name is Rosario and my old landlady in New York [was named Mrs. Diaz].

PS: What's your favorite thing about working on this show in particular?

SB: It's such a fun set to be on. We have such a good time, we've gotten a lot closer — all of us are friends . . . It's so wonderful to go to work and be surrounded by people that you actually really enjoy being around.

PS: You're obviously doing what you love. What advice would you give to those chasing their dreams?

SB: Whatever you're into, don't be scared and just run with it. You never know where it’s going to take you and stop worrying about people judging you because it doesn't matter what anybody thinks . . . Ultimately, it's like putting on a shirt that's, like, three sizes too small. It's never going to work. You've got to go out there and find your own thing.

PS: What's next for you?

SB: I'm in [producer Judd Apatow's] Pee-wee Herman movie [Pee-wee's Big Holiday]. It’s going to be really fun! I am one of three [wacky] girls in a girl gang along with Jessica Pohly and Alia Shawkat. I [also] did a great little indie with Heather Graham [called Half Magic]. I'm really excited for people to see it because it's sort of a "bro movie" [with crazy stuff happening to a pair of friends] for ladies, which is really nice. I think more of those should be made!