You might be wondering how I ended up connecting the TV series 1883 with Gloria Estefan’s early 2000s hit “Hoy” (or its English version, “Wrapped”)
Well, it all started while I was watching the Episode 8 of 1883. The protagonist “Elsa” in that episode reminded me a lot of Christina Aguilera—especially with her straight blonde hair and a fringed top that looked strikingly similar to what Aguilera wore in her iconic “Genie in a Bottle” video.
When I say “blonde“, throughout the series, we kept asking ourselves why the creators chose such a modern-looking blonde color. It felt a bit out of place, especially considering the rugged, rural setting of the late 1800s.
What really stood out was how this character Elsa often delivers introspective monologues, offering a poetic, almost philosophical view of the world around her—filtered through a 19th-century lens.
In 1883, in her second experience with love, Elsa falls for Sam, an Indigenous Comanche warrior, turning the story into an interracial romance—much like the one subtly portrayed in Gloria Estefan’s “Hoy” music video.
Watching that moment, I was struck by how freely a 19th-century girl is portrayed falling in love, without hesitation or concern for the societal norms of her time.
In the music video, Estefan is seen in Peru, surrounded by Indigenous Peruvian culture, and she’s flirting with an Indigenous man.
Both stories explore interracial love, set against breathtaking natural landscapes, and both portray these relationships with a sense of sincerity and emotional depth.
Gloria Estefan – Hoy
Sam & Elsa – 1883
As a bonus, while searching for pictures, I stumbled upon the “good-looking guy” from the Genie in a Bottle video. IMDb lists him as Brandon Scott Miller—but honestly, he doesn’t quite look like him! Turns out, I’m not the only one curious—apparently, a lot of people have been trying to figure this out too! Then I found another name: Ryan McTavish, this one has a chance :)
