Sofia Vergara's Unrecognizable Transformation: From Gloria to Griselda

Sofia Vergara, renowned for her comedic brilliance in "Modern Family," makes a gripping return to the screen in Netflix's latest release, "Griselda." Departing from the light-hearted Gloria Pritchett, Vergara immerses herself in the role of Griselda Blanco, a formidable Colombian drug dealer whose exploits shaped the Miami drug wars of the 1970s and 1980s.

The challenge for Vergara lay in convincing the audience of her metamorphosis from a familiar, comical character to the notorious "Cocaine Godmother" and "The Black Widow." According to director and executive producer Andrés Baiz, the key was to make Vergara feel like an entirely different person, subtly altering her features without overshadowing her performance with prosthetics or makeup.

Makeup artist Tym Shutchai Buacharern, collaborating with special effects artist Gage Hubbard and hair department head Kay Georgiou, meticulously crafted Vergara's transformation. Prosthetic eyebrow covers, false eyebrows, a reshaped nose prosthetic, and subtly uneven false teeth were utilized to capture the essence of Griselda Blanco.

In the words of makeup artist Shutchai Buacharern, it was about turning Vergara's "absolutely exotic face" into that of an average person, while still allowing her natural charm to shine through. Showrunner Ingrid Escajeda expressed awe at the result, emphasizing how Vergara's charisma permeated even beneath the prosthetics.

"Griselda," produced by the creators of "Narcos," boasts a stellar cast, including Karol G, Alberto Guerra, Christian Tappan, Martín Rodríguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez, and Vanessa Ferlito. The series, available for streaming on Netflix, promises a riveting portrayal of the intriguing and complex character of Griselda Blanco.