Nívea Stelmann says she lives just for her family today, but does not rule out returning to TV

After a long career in television, with more than ten soap operas on Globo and Record, Nívea Stelmann lives today totally dedicated to her family. At 48 years old and living in Orlando, USA, the actress says that she does not rule out returning to TV someday, “but for now it is not in my plans”.

But the fans are about to miss the actress, with the return of “Chocolate com Pimenta” (2003) to Globo, in the afternoon, starting this Monday (26). For the actress, who loves to review her work, “a soap opera that we never get tired of watching and one that the public most remembers me”.

“Master [rever meus trabalhos antigos]. From the first novel. I recognize that I have matured professionally, but I am the type of person who knows how to recognize my qualities and when I also do a good job. I’m not a whipping person (laughs).”

In Walcyr Carrasco’s plot, Stelmann gives life to the teacher Graça, who plays the good girl, but is very jealous of her sister, Celina (Samara Felippo), and spares no effort — and evil — to steal Guilherme (Rodrigo Faro) from her, besides being a friend and accomplice of the villain Olga (Priscila Fantin).

As if the challenge of making a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” style wasn’t enough, Stelmann was also pregnant at the time, with her first child, Miguel, now 18 years old, which brought an even greater burden. “I joke that he made this soap opera with me”, says she, who is also the mother of Bruna, 8.

“Pregnant women get more tired and, in addition, making a character with her nature generating a life was not easy. I talked a lot with him. But it was worth it”, evaluates the actress, who highlights the tragic outcome of the character as one of the stronger scenes, precisely because of the pregnancy.

“When I did the last scene of Graça, where she dies in childbirth. It was very strong because I was really pregnant. I remember that the entire cast and direction were very concerned about me. With my head, with my well-being. It was a very difficult scene, but it turned out beautiful.”