No, Sofía Vergara didn't do cocaine for role as Griselda Blanco: 'Everything was fake'

Sofía Vergara is committed to her craft, but she knows where to draw the line.

The actress, who stars as real-life Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco in the Netflix miniseries "Griselda," discussed taking on the role in an interview on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Tuesday.

Vergara, who was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, said the show's gritty tone struck a chord with her. Blanco, a woman many came to know as "the Godmother" of cocaine, was behind one of the most profitable cartels.

"I grew up during that time. I know that business," Vergara told host Jimmy Fallon. "My brother was part of that business. He was killed in the '90s. I was very, like, I know this character. I think I can do it."

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However, not everything came naturally to Vergara. She said "Griselda" director Andrés Baiz played a pivotal role in helping the "America’s Got Talent" judge bring Blanco – and her drug recreation – to life onscreen.

"I didn’t know anything," Vergara said. "He taught me how to smoke. He taught me how to do cocaine."

But Vergara's anecdote got a bit lost in translation, with the studio audience laughing at her cocaine remark. "Alright, hold on," Fallon said afterward. "He's done a lot of great things for you."

Not realizing the linguistic gaffe she'd made, Vergara continued to elaborate on stepping into Blanco's shoes for the role.

"It was amazing because I was 51 years old, and I didn’t even know how to light a cigarette," Vergara said. "I had never done cocaine. So, it was amazing. It was a great experience."

Following a second burst of laughter from the audience, Vergara caught on to her clumsy choice of words. "No, no," she said. "You’re confusing me now with the questions."

"The cocaine that I did was fake. It was not real cocaine," Vergara said. "It’s fake cocaine, but I had to pretend. The cigarettes are also fake. Everything was fake.  But the acting was real."

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Vergara also spoke up for herself during a recent interview on the Spanish talk show "El Hormiguero."

During a conversation with host Pablo Motos, the actress said it was important to distinguish her portrayal of Blanco from her public persona, as well as her "Modern Family" character Gloria Delgado-Pritchett.

"How do you say ‘Modern Family?’" Motos asked in Spanish, teasing Vergara’s thick accent.

Sensing the jab in Motos' question, Vergara quipped, "I say it wrong? Oh, because you speak better English than me?"

But Vergara didn’t stop there, listing off her accomplishments in the English-language acting industry.

"How many Emmy nominations do you have in the United States? How many times did they nominate you at the Golden Globes?" Vergara asked Motos. "How many times did they nominate you at the SAG Awards?"

"Griselda" is out on Netflix Jan. 25.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sofia Vergara clears the air on 'fake cocaine' depicted in 'Griselda'