Carmela Zumbado opens up about her Power Book IV: Force audition on The Crew Has It podcast. Courtesy of Starz
Actress Carmela Zumbado recently talked about her audition experience for Mireya Garcia on Power Book IV: Force during The Crew Has It podcast with Gianni Paolo and Michael Rainey Jr. The conversation showed that real connections, being genuine, and unscripted moments can matter just as much as the actual scenes.
Auditioning in the Era of Self-Tapes and Zoom
In contrast to traditional in-person auditions, Zumbado described conducting her entire Force process remotely. The show was filmed in Chicago while everything, from the initial audition to the chemistry read, was done using tape and Zoom.`
“No, it was all tapes. Even my chemistry read was on Zoom,” she shared. At first, that might seem limiting, but Zumbado soon found that the virtual format brought some unexpected opportunities, especially for connecting with her future scene partner, Joseph Sikora.
The Chemistry That Happened Before “Action”
Zumbado described a moment that was not planned, but still memorable. Sikora and her team joined the Zoom chemistry reading early, finding producers, casting directors, and showrunner Gary Lennon already there. The two actors started chatting about Chicago instead of waiting quietly. They connected over places they had filmed, local buildings, and Chicago history, and found they both liked books and learning about history. As Zumbado remembers, their easy connection happened right in front of the people making the decisions.
“That chemistry that all the producers were seeing,” she said, “they must have just been sitting there like, ‘These two go. They work.’”
Despite the scripted scenes being successful, Zumbado noticed that the producers were paying close attention to the actors’ identities while they were not performing.
Producers Watch Who You Are, Not Just What You Perform
The podcast featured Michael Rainey Jr., who noted how often producers observe actors before and after scenes. Zumbado agreed, stressing that auditions are more than simply delivering lines perfectly.
“Sometimes producers are able to see who you are before they say action,” she explained. That insight mirrored her earlier experiences auditioning for other projects, where authenticity was the deciding factor.
A Lesson Learned From Auditioning With Her Sister
Zumbado recounted an earlier audition where she waited with her sister, Gigi Zumbado. While Gigi joked about being the better actor, Carmela praised her sisters and encouraged producers to consider them for the role.
She did not know the character she was trying out for was meant to be a very protective older sister. The real way she cared for her siblings fit the part perfectly.
David Rapaport, the casting director, requested that she re-audition, but with a specific note:
“Just be you.”
Dropping the Character and Being Herself
Zumbado admitted that she had initially created a more stylized version of the character, but during the redo, she stripped everything away. She read the lines without any performance or affectation.
The call came through within 24 hours.
Looking back, she acknowledges that authentic moment, along with her sister’s presence, as the reason the producers could really see her. It was a reminder that preparation matters, but honesty can matter more.
How the Same Truth Applied to Force
Power Book IV: Force brought that lesson full circle. The genuine connection she made before the audition began was what ultimately secured her the role of Mireya Garcia, just like in her previous experience.
“The scenes were fine,” Zumbado concluded, “but that just goes to show you that a lot of the chemistry and a lot of the audition process goes beyond the scenes itself.”
Zumbado’s story is a powerful testimony to the idea that sometimes, the most important thing an actor can bring into the room is their own personal qualities, despite the industry’s focus on perfection.
<strong>Landon Buford</strong> is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
<p data-start="442" data-end="833">His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.</p>
<p data-start="835" data-end="1171" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.</p>
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
