If ever there was an example of the adverse effects of late-night Twitter use, it’s the story of how Kate del Castillo became entangled in one of the most bizarre stories of modern times.
The outspoken actress has long been a household name in Latin America and beyond thanks to her roles in numerous telenovelas such as “Muchachitas” (“Girls”) and “La Reina del Sur” (“Queen of the South”). Then a 2012 tweet, in which she expressed having more trust in Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman than the Mexican government, thrust her into a media frenzy of a different sort — and captured the attention of the notorious drug lord in the process.
The tweet eventually led to text message exchanges and, ultimately, a secret introduction in Sinaloa in 2015. Del Castillo met with Guzman, who was on the run from Mexican authorities after breaking out of maximum-security prison (a second time), with the intent of making a film about his life after being contacted by his lawyers. Adding a real-life telenovela twist to the encounter: she was joined by actor Sean Penn — with whom, she reveals in the documentary, she developed a brief intimate relationship — who would go on to chronicle the experience for Rolling Stone magazine.
Guzman was eventually captured and extradited to the U.S. where he is awaiting trial on charges of drug trafficking and murder.
Del Castillo says the ordeal left her ostracized in her home country (Mexican officials launched an investigation into her affairs over possible money laundering charges in connection with El Chapo) and her career has suffered greatly as a result of the situation.
The three-part Netflix docu-series, “The Day I Met El Chapo: The Kate del Castillo Story,” now available on the streaming service, chronicles her side of how it all unfolded.
Penn and his lawyers have protested the release of the series, saying it includes false claims.
According to a statement given to the L.A. Times by Mark Fabiani, a spokesman for Penn: “These producers are propagating false and reckless fabrications for their profit. This is nothing but a cheap, National Enquirer-esque tale spun by a person whose hunger for fame is both tawdry and transparent. Sean Penn made an attempt to correct the documentary’s shoddiness and profound inaccuracies, an attempt which the producers rejected out of hand.”
A Netflix spokesperson said Penn was given multiple opportunities to participate in “The Day I Met El Chapo” and did not do so: “The events surrounding the now-infamous meeting have been well covered, including by Penn himself in Rolling Stone and his many public comments since. The only new ground we’re breaking with this series is to give Kate a chance to finally tell her side of this stranger-than-fiction story.”
In a recent telephone interview with The Times, the 46-year-old actress, who currently lives in Los Angeles, talked about the tweet that launched it all, Penn, and navigating life in the U.S. in the era of Trump.
Was this documentary something you were seeking to do or were you approached?
Netflix approached me. We already had a relationship for “Ingobernable” (“Ungovernable”), another TV series. To be honest, I was, and I’m still, fed up with this thing. I didn’t want it in the beginning. But then I asked my parents, because they are the ones that have been suffering the most. And my lawyers. We all thought, at the end, that it would be a good idea, just to get it out of my chest and speak my truth.
In the first installment, you say something to the effect of the cameras offering you protection. Talk about what you meant by that.
I’m not going to stay silent. I’m going to speak out. That’s what I mean about the camera being my protection. It gives you a shield, in a way, when you say who is the criminal or when the one who is abusing you is exposed. So, it would be really stupid if something happened to me. I am not afraid. I think I’ve been through the worst part already — me and my family. I think if the truth comes out and it’s on your side, it will win.
Did you look back on things differently with some distance from it?
I know it’s been years, but for me, it’s been nothing. It’s been two years that I have put my life on hold because of this. So, for me, it’s fresh. You go back again to the same day. Yes, it scares me sometimes. It sometimes makes me cry. Sometimes it makes me really angry. I still have that in me. I’m much better, though. But going back, in a way, is cathartic too.
Do you regret sending that initial tweet?
No, I have no regrets.
How do you live your life now? When did you feel like you didn’t have to look over your shoulder? Or is that still a feeling?
I do sometimes. I don’t know if my cellphone and my landline are still tapped. But I don’t care anymore, because I have nothing to hide. Because I cannot live with that fear. It’s just too much. It takes a lot of energy from me.
What has this done to your career?
Well, I haven’t worked in two years. I did “Ingobernable,” thanks to Netflix. If it wasn’t for Netflix, I would have had to sell my house. That’s for sure.
I don’t want people to think I’m a victim. I’m responsible. I decided to go down there. That’s the consequences.
