PATRICIA VELASQUEZ
Patricia Velasquez describes herself as “constantly in motion,” and she must be, to sustain a whopping six careers. A Venezuela native, Velasquez rose from poverty to the heights of the fashion industry as one of the first Latina supermodels, appearing in Sports Illustrated´s swimsuit issue and Covergirl´s ads. Her acting career has spanned everything from foreign films to blockbusters (The Mummy), Arrested Development to Celebrity Apprentice. She also produces films; wrote a memoir, Straight Walk; founded a cosmetics line, Taya Beauty; and is an activist both for UNESCO and her own nonprofit, Wayúu Taya Foundation, which helps improve the living conditions of indigenous groups in Latin America. Despite her accomplishments, being out as an actress and having it affect her career “is still a fear,” Velasquez says. “As an actress, you like to remain a canvas, and once you are labeled gay, it´s harder for the audience to see you playing a straight woman.” But Velasquez, whose work is seen in many countries where homosexuality is still very much not accepted, hopes for change. “My message is about being gay and it´s also about being a minority, whatever shape that takes, and the importance of fighting for what you believe and not hiding who you are,” she says. “Feel proud of it. That is the only thing that can generate change.” -SJ
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