Ugly Betty Stars Feel At Home in New York

July 19, 2008

Break out the box cutters and unwrap the bubble wrap, the cast of Ugly Betty has officially moved to New York City.

“I’m totally not unpacked and still living out of a suitcase,” Ana Ortiz told PEOPLE at the Ugly Betty block party in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens, New York, Thursday. “But I’m crashing at my mom’s place right now.”

For the show’s third season, ABC has relocated the entire production from Los Angeles to New York, where the story of Betty Suarez takes place. For native New Yorker Ortiz, who play’s Betty’s sister Hilda, the move to the Big Apple has brought her home — and to where she wants to start a family with musician husband Noah Lebenzon.

“We found a perfect place in Brooklyn Heights. I love the neighborhood. It’s really mellow, gorgeous and a great place to raise a family. I couldn’t resist,” Ortiz said. “I’m looking forward to being a mom.”

For Betty herself, America Ferrera, packing up and moving to New York seems like a homecoming of a different kind. “I love living in New York City,” she said. “I feel like I was here in a past life.”

Unlike her awkward character, Ferrera fits right in in the Big Apple. “I take the subway all the time,” she says. “I took the 7 [train] for the first time the other day. I went over to Queens and hung out over the weekend. It was great!”

For Mark Indelicato, who plays Betty’s nephew (and Hilda’s son) Justin, moving to New York gives him the chance to catch up on his first inspiration — the Broadway stage. “I definitely want to start to see Broadway shows,” he says. “That’s why I got involved in the business. So hopefully I will get to see as many as I can.” – Paul Chi

Soul Brother/FilmMagic

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Loulou July 20th, 2008

First:)

Lucy July 20th, 2008

I LUV LUV LUV UGLY BETTY CANT WAIT FOR 3RD SEASON!

Meshell July 20th, 2008

Hmmmmm…

someone July 20th, 2008

i looove new yooork! &the show ugly betty. hehehe(; &+thiird comment;p

Sofia July 20th, 2008

I’m glad they love it in NYC! Can’t wait for UB!

Satya Ramnarain July 20th, 2008

Maybe now they’ll get the names right, no more Roosevelt Blvd

Mya July 20th, 2008

Vanessa is so great on the show, she is the reason I watch it. They are all good for real.

jumbybird July 20th, 2008

in the finale the final shot had jackson heights in downtown brooklyn across from lower manhattan, hopefully that will change

Prince July 20th, 2008

I think UGLY BETTY is drop dead, over-the-rainbow unstoppable, unbeatable, and bound-for-Broadway incredible. Willie–I remember when she won Miss America and then gave the crown back–so like what Willie would have done. Not! Daniel plays his part with perfect sleeze (the real him probably graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard and is a closet chemist). Amanda and her gay side-kick Mark are funnier every week (great writers, better actors!–where do they come up with this stuff?) Betty Suarez and her family are definitely four people I would not like to live with or visit but they make for the best dysfunctional family on TV. I swear on a stock of Mode Magazines that other than UB I only ever watched FRAZIER–ever! And I got the First Season of UB for Christmas (the scene where Mark and Wilhemina confront those two hookers was worth four Emmys).

I would like to tell you that I am 18 and starry-eyed delirious to do a cameo on UGLY BETTY but truth be told I am somewhere between 70 and ’somewhere over the rainbow’.

Valerie July 20th, 2008

Well I guess we know now that Betty does not accept Henry’s proposal. She belongs with Gio. He helps her grow. Henry and her are too much alike. Oppisites attract and make you take chances you never would. Go Betty!

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