Exclusive Entrevista: Julissa Bermudez Talks 'Jersey Shore' & Takes Us Inside 'Harlem Hostel'

By Sugey Palomares

Julissa Bermudez may be known for dodging The Situation’s flirty remarks during the drama infested “Jersey Shore Reunion Special” and playing Wisin y Yandel’s ‘it girl’ in the hit “Mujeres In The Club” video, but the MTV hostess is now honing her camera skills as an actress in the independent flick, “Harlem Hostel.”

The Dominican belleza plays Julie, a talented magazine editor who inspires her friends to slap out of loser-hood. Her words of wisdom fall flat after the ambiguous trio Will, Rick, and Ben decides to open an illegal youth hostel. Watching this crew flex their entrepreneur skills is way worse than Snookie’s drunken cartwheels, but definitely just as entertaining to share risas too!

We caught up with Julissa at the “Harlem Hostel” DVD release party at Sazón to get all of the dirt on the “Jersey Shore” behind-the-scenes drama and whether she shares any of her character’s good girl ways in real life.

Tr3s: What inspired you to go from hosting to acting?

Julissa: Well, I actually started out acting in high school and I always loved it. Hosting for me was a bit of a detour because I literally just went to the casting and ended up getting it. When I started hosting on “The Roof” and saw the positive reaction from young girls I fell in love instantly. It means so much to be a role model to young women, especially for young Latinas. Now I am just trying to balance out both passions.

Get all our exclusive details and much more, after the jump!

Tr3s: What celebrity do you look up to?

Julissa: I recently got a chance to work with Daisy Fuentes. We shot a Kohl’s commercial in South Africa, which was such an amazing experience. It was such a huge moment for me because she was the first Latina VJ on MTV and I was the first Latina VJ on BET, and it kind of felt like she was giving me the stamp of approval. I would love to eventually become a brand like she has been able to do.

Tr3s: How would you describe your character Julie in the movie “Harlem Hostel”?

Julissa: She is actually not the funny one in this comedy [laughs]. She tries to tell these guys that they need to get their stuff together. They decide to move out because living with your uncle and watching him walk around in his calzoncillos isn’t going to get them laid, so they decide to open up a hostel.

Tr3s: Do you relate to that good girl character in real life?

Julissa: It’s funny because I am always the one being told to focus! I am a little bit more laid back than Julie is.

Tr3s: How was the behind-the-scenes experience of hosting “The Jersey Shore Reunion” special? Did ‘The Situation’ try to hit on you?

Julissa: The Situation is always trying to hit on people. He did try, but I had to let him know that I wasn’t into his ‘situation’ [laughs]. A lot of people don’t know that when Samantha walked off stage the drama lasted for a good 45 minutes. She was blown away with the extra footage that was aired.

Tr3s: Do you see a Latino “Jersey Shore” in the future?

Julissa: [Laughs] That would be hilarious!!! I can see a spin-off. I don’t know if they would be fist pumping though. A friend of mine says that if they air a Dominican version they would be doing the bachata kick instead of the fist pump!

(photo by Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s)

“Harlem Hostel” is currently out on Video on Demand and DVD ahora! Tell us what you think about the film in the comments right below or @MTV3!

Tags Harlem Hostel, Julissa Bermudez