Haute Interview: Nadine Velazquez

It is exciting to interview the brilliant and beautiful bombshell Nadine Velazquez, and not only because her Puerto Rican roots are the same as mine, but because Nadine Velazquez is a star who is all beauty and brains and she radiates a consciousness filled with light. Nadine openly and warmly discusses what inspires her, as she shares her future goals and talks about her favorite food to her favorite color to her favorite fashion designer. She most recently stars opposite Denzel Washington in the Robert Zemekis directed film Flight, which has already been in theaters nationwide since the 2nd of November 2012. Her future films are action thriller Snitch, where she stars as Analisa, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s wife. Summit Entertainment, the same entertainment group that achieved major success with the multi-billion dollar Twilight franchise, will release the film on April 4, 2013. That will be followed by Lionsgate comedy Aztec Warrior, where Nadine plays the romantic lead opposite Luiz Guzman. Nadine really understands the feminine power of the universe and shares this and more. It feels good to bring this Boricua who is gorgeous and gracious to you my Haute Living readers.

Where were you born?
Chicago

What is your cultural background? Has this influenced your style?
I am Puerto Rican. I think Latina’s are sexy and being one it has influenced a lot of my style, but being an official Los Angelite, this town has influenced most of my daily style, which is relaxed & easy.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by anything beautiful. Sometime it’s a pair of eyes or flowing gorgeous hair, other times it’s the sky or a sunset. I’ve been inspired by supple skin or the texture of a soft shirt. Gosh! I’m an inspiration whore.

Why did you decide to do the film “FLIGHT” with Denzel Washington and did you think that in any way it would affect the feelings of the 9/11/01 family members?
I thought a lot about the victims of 911. And how could this film not affect the family members? I thought of them throughout my scene and my heart was with all of them. It was very emotional.

Has this changed you in any way?
It’s changed my intention as an actress in many ways. I want to move people, stir something within them that makes them feel. That’s what a movie should do and an actor should do, make you feel something. I think that’s why people love films so much. We spend so much of our lives not feeling but doing, doing, doing and movies remind us that we are human. That life is all the things we see, and yet there is beauty there. There’s a celebration of life and all of its intricacies. Movies are magnificent.

What is the most important thing in the world to you?
Having a purpose filled life.

Who is your favorite fashion designer?
I am absolutely cuckoo for cocoa puffs crazy for Ralph Lauren. Specifically the black label. When I die, I want to be buried in a long long-sleeve black Ralph Lauren dress and brown chunky boots. I want my hair styled like his models, long hair that flows. I also want natural makeup with a light pink lip.

What is your favorite food?
I’d have to say, it’s sushi from Sugar Fish.

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Meryl Streep.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is a medium shade of grey.

Who inspires you?
My best friend Stephanie inspires me.

Why and how does this person inspire you?
She is balanced, loving, supportive, giving to no end, hilarious, thoughtful, intelligent, genuine, and full of light. I can count on her for ANYTHING. One word from her will lift me up. One word from her will change my entire day.

Do you think that humanity is living in a peaceful time?
I think humanity is living in the strangest time. We are waking up from our slumber but the waking up is hard as heck. For those of us shifting our consciousness, the test is relentless. We know the goal, we know the way, but we can’t seem to shake off old beliefs entirely. For others, it’s not that heady. It’s easier, life is simpler. Maybe it’s a period of rest. Either way, I think we are all being faced with the question: do you want peace and if so, what are you willing to let go of to have it?

What is your one year goal?
To be true to myself.

What is the greatest accomplishment in your life?
Reconciling a damaged relationship with my mother. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.

Where is your favorite place to be in the world?
Walking the streets of Paris. Ahhh…..heaven.

Are you involved in charitable work and if yes, what is your favorite charity and why?
I have started my own foundation. It’s called Follow Your Art. It’s at its infancy but my goal is to mentor teenage girls through one of the most difficult times in their lives. I think the teenage years are a crucial formative time for a young woman and it’s important to have a guide/a mentor to help answer hard questions about becoming a woman. They are our future mothers and carry the feminine power of the universe. It’s no small task. In order to be in our power and help carry this planet, a woman must be sane, she must be whole, and she must know herself.

Your family is originally from Puerto Rico like my mother, when is the last time you visited Puerto Rico?
I was there 2 years ago on vacation. I like to get back there every 3-5 years. I feel rooted when I’m there.

When did you get involved in acting? What was your first role?
My first job was a McDonald’s commercial. It made me want to wake up at 4 a.m. to do something I loved. I haven’t been the same since. I want to play a powerful female character. Doesn’t matter what she’s doing, so long as she’s as strong as momma bear.

To learn more about Nadine, go to her website, www.nadinevelazquez.com or follow her on Twitter at @nadinevelazquez

Photography by Volker Fleck