The famous Brazilian actress Ingrid Ochoa is well known for her famous portrayal of a Portuguese lady on the TV show “Romantic Central”. But it turns out that Ingrid isn’t half Brazilian nor half British. She identifies with both her nationality and her birth country, and her choice of clothing is indicative of both.
I have been reading Ingrid Ochoa’s interviews over the years, and she has always seemed to have great respect for herself, and her heritage, which she proudly calls “my birth country”. Born in Sintra, she identified with her Portuguese roots since childhood, and through her family, also identified with Portugal. However, when asked what her nationality was, she consistently answered “avesida” (Portuguese), even when asked if she had Portuguese parents. When pressed further, she claimed to know nothing about her family heritage. I could understand this, but why should this be an issue?
For someone who considers herself a national, or even half Portuguese, her choice of clothing does not reflect her nationality. Her height is not a factor, but a choice that have nothing to do with her heritage, or lack thereof. As Ingrid herself likes to say: “I am no longer tall, I am a Sintra girl.” Her profession would not make her proud of her heritage, or nationality, and her height difference is irrelevant to how people see her.