Yvonne DeLaRosa

Transcription

Yvonne DeLaRosa

Yvonne DeLaRosa
EPK
6525 W. Sunset Blvd.
6th Floor
Hollywood, CA 90028
Yvonne DeLaRosa
Biography
Award winning actress Yvonne DeLaRosa continues to lend her
outstanding talents to television and film. She is rising to be one
of Hollywood’s most sought-after Latina actresses and Jimmy
Smits heralded her as “The face of the new wave of Latino
Artists.”
Born to a Colombian mother and Native American father,
DeLaRosa began studying theater at the age of five. After
graduating from the Performing Arts School at Hollywood High,
she studied film at UCLA while continuing to flourish under
legendary acting coach Jeff Corey.
Since UCLA, DeLaRosa has landed roles on TV’s most-cheered
shows including “How I Met Your Mother,” “NCIS,” “Weeds,”
“King of Queens,” and many more. Most recently, Yvonne stars
opposite Latin Icon Esai Morales in the Imagen award winning series "LOS
AMERICANS". This ground breaking web series is being called the "best TV series not on
TV". Written by Dennis Leoni and produced by Robert Townsend, it is the story of a modern,
affluent suburban Mexican-American family living in the United States.
"Los Americans is very entertaining, but it also deals with serious issues that affect all races and
cultures in a very realistic and complex manner seldom seen on television,” says DeLaRosa.
Off set, Yvonne dedicates her time to environmental causes and animal rights activism. She
currently lives in Malibu with her husband, award winning film maker Sam Boyer, and their
entourage of rescued animals.
PR CONTACT:
Metro PR
310.601.3211
[email protected]
LA Business Today: Yvonne DeLaRosa September 17th, 2012 http://www.lacityview.org/la_business.htm?link=guide/links_departments.htm
August 26, 2012
Award-winning Yvonne DeLaRosa reflects on
acting inspirations and her time at UCLA
As one of Barney’s one-‐night-‐stands on “How I Met Your Mother,” a gossipy maid on “Weeds” and a witness to a quinceanera gone wrong in “Law & Order: L.A.” actress and UCLA alumna Yvonne DeLaRosa is rapidly becoming a Latin American icon. After graduating from UCLA, DeLaRosa defined herself in the industry as a renowned actress and writer. In 2003 she scored her breakout role in “Senor White” and later won the 2009 Imagen Award for her performance “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life and Mean It.” Her most recent accomplishment was for her role in “Los Americans,” which received 2012’s “Best Drama Web Series” Imagen award on August 10. DeLaRosa, a Los Angeles native, attended Performing Arts School at Hollywood High School, an experience she said really prepared her for the UCLA school of Theater, Film and Television since it gave her an early background in studying theater. DeLaRosa’s continued her education, earning her Bachelor of Arts in directing and her Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting. She said she was most grateful for the artistic freedom she had access to atUCLA. “UCLA is known for getting you to think outside of the box,” DeLaRosa said. “They’d say ‘Do whatever you want. What’s your vision? Let’s make it happen.’ Being free to express ourselves was one of the coolest things I got from UCLA.” While at UCLA, she was also a recipient of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts scholarship for her achievements as a Latin American actress. The scholarship as well as the Chicano/Latino student group on campus introduced her to many Latin Americans in the industry. For example, Esai Morales, who originally awarded her with the scholarship, now plays her husband Lee Valenzuela in “Los Americans.” “Los Americans” depicts situations that modern middle-‐class suburban Mexican-‐American families face in everyday life, like cultural identity. Dennis Leoni, the writer and director of “Los Americans,” cast DeLaRosa as the sassy mother Alma Valenzuela, a character who is very loving and sexy but also knows how to kick butt. He said that she outshone everyone else who auditioned. Currently, “Los Americans” has stopped production. Leoni said that he is unsure if they will make another season but hopes that another online network will pick up the show, so that they can film at least the second and third seasons. In the event that this does not happen, Leoni said they may just cut together the first season as a movie. The actress has been successful in getting very diverse roles and breaking down many racial barriers. She has played everything from a whimsical hippy in “Helter Skelter” to her current role as a strong Latina in “Los Americans.” Though her versatile looks have helped her in being cast for such a broad spectrum of roles, she said that it is her ability as a character actress that has allowed her to get those parts. “I am proud to classify myself as a character actress. When I go in for a job I’m not Yvonne, I am that character,” said DeLaRosa, “Even when I write I become each of the characters inside my head and dialogue comes very easy for me because I put myself in each of their positions.” The actress, best known for her strong female roles, said she gets her inspiration from her mother, who immigrated from Colombia. DeLaRosa’s mother raised her and her sister as a single parent while working two full-‐time jobs. Aside from DeLaRosa’s mother, she was heavily influenced by her Colombian grandparents, who only spoke Spanish. DeLaRosa said that some of her comedic savvy was a product of the language barrier in her house. “I would go home and perform jokes I had learned on TV. Obviously I’d have to translate them, but they don’t always translate right. … I’d have to change the jokes around so they’d be funny in Spanish,” said DeLaRosa, “I think that’s how I really learned how to tell a good joke.” DeLaRosa credits her sense of timing, comedy and shtick to her celebrity role models Mel Brooks and Don Adams. She recalls coming home after school and just watching re-‐runs of “Get Smart.” “I guess having a middle-‐aged man as your role-‐model as a little kid is kind of not typical, but that’s who it was,” DeLaRosa said. While further production on “Los Americans” is on hold, DeLaRosa turns to her root in comedy for her new project. She said a TV comedic pilot for a show called “Adam and Eva,” which centers around a border-‐romance, is in the works. She wrote and will be starring in the pilot episode, but because the project is still in development, an exact release date isn’t available. Though DeLaRosa has accomplished a lot, she was after all a little Bruin before everything else. Her secret to success in school is not quite the average approach. To current and future UCLA students she extended a word of advice on what she believed was most important in college. “Just go for it while you’re there. Go out and do everything. Yes, you’re supposed to be learning and you’re supposed to be taking your life lessons and putting them toward your future career, but at the end of the day just have fun.” http://www.dailybruin.com/blog/spotlight/2012/08/award-‐winning-‐yvonne-‐delarosa-‐reflects-‐on-‐acting-‐
inspirations-‐and-‐her-‐time-‐at-‐ucla
August 9, 2012 The 2012 Imagen Awards and Latinos in Media with Yvonne DeLaRosa
The Imagen Awards will be underway on Friday in Beverly Hills, and the cast of “Los Americans” could not be more thrilled -- in particular
fresh Latina face Yvonne DeLaRosa.
The innovative series is nominated for "Best Web Series: Drama."
“It’s a show about a middle-class Mexican-American family that is surviving,” says Esai Morales to Fox News Latino.
The American actor of Puerto Rican descent plays Lee Valenzuela, the father in the family.
Along with Morales, “Los Americans” starred the late Lupe Ontivero as his mother, who struggles with an alcohol addiction.
“It’s a wonderful show with a lot of recognizable talent and a lot of new faces that you’re going to grow to love,” adds Morales.
Undoubtedly, one of those faces was DeLaRosa.
The Colombian-American actress grew up in California and began studying acting at a young age.
She has had guest roles in popular shows such as "How I Met Your Mother," "Weeds," "King of Queens" and "NCIS." However, with her
talent, sense of humor and wit, the Latina is now claiming the spotlight.
She was given the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts
award by co-star Morales, Jimmy Smits, and Sonja Braga.
“It is such an amazing series and it’s very important to the Latino culture,” says DeLaRosa. “We haven’t seen this family on television before.
We haven’t seen the issues that are tackled, and they are important to people of all cultures.”
Those issues are unemployment, alcoholism, immigration and the identity crisis that comes with being a first-generation American. Morales’
character, for instance, says his children “are not Mexican, Mexicans live in Mexico.”
“It’s a very honest portrayal of Latinos,” says DeLaRosa.
Latinos long have been portrayed in media in stereotypical roles such as maids and criminals.
The Imagen Awards highlight positive portrayals of Latinos.
“It is happening,” comments the actress, “but not as fast as our numbers are growing.”
"Selena" actress Ontiveros once estimated she played a maid some 300 times. DeLaRosa remembers Ontiveros once saying she took those
roles so Latinos of coming generations did not have to.
“It’s very hard for people that did not grow up Latino,” DeLaRosa points out. “How are they supposed to write about us? It’s up to us to write
these stories and these characters.”
She is working on doing just that.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition
awarded her with an opportunity to write episodes for shows on NBC and ABC. DeLaRosa will
team up with “Los Americans” producer Dennis Leoni as producer and star of new television series, which she also wrote, “Adam and Eva.”
The comedy is about a conservative American who accidentally marries a Mexican girl -- “it has the Latino feel and American appeal,” jokes
DeLaRosa.
“It’s a political border comedy and its very funny, it brings people together with humor.”
You can reach Viveka Garza-Gómez at: [email protected]
or via Twitter: @ekita_2
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2012/08/09/2012-imagen-awards-and-latinos-in-media-with-yvonnedelarosa/#ixzz23YAmX8jI
August 5, 2012 Yvonne Delarosa [See Her Tonight on LONGMIRE] Yvonne DeLaRosa on Longmire (10 pm EST, A&E) It hasn’t gotten the attention of other Sunday cable hits, but Longmire is a pretty good Western justice drama. Plus, they occasionally throw in a sex bomb. Cassidy Freeman is a regular, but you also get gals like Yvonne Delarosa in guest roles. She’s playing an Indian called LittleFox in tonight’s episode, but this lovely Latina (with Cheyenne blood) is clearly a major fox. She’s been working regularly in Hollywood since 2001 as both an actress and writer—which had her recently suing director Robert Rodriguez for credit for helping create the lead character in his Machete films. If that’s true, then Yvonne is definitely our kind of grindhouse gal. She’s also appealing enough as a classic exotic beauty, as you’ll see for yourself while taking a long look at these pics… Link: http://coedmagazine.com/2012/08/05/yvonne-‐delarosa-‐see-‐her-‐tonight-‐on-‐longmire/ August 8, 2012 Introducing Actress Yvonne DeLaRosa
Colombian and Native American actress Yvonne DeLaRosa is making a
mark in Hollywood. The Los Angeles native has appeared on shows
like NCIS, Weeds, and How I Met Your Mother and currently stars on
the webseries Los Americans, which is up for an Annual Imagen Award.
We caught up with her to talk about her love of acting, favorite shows and her
career role models.
How did you become interested in acting?
"In elementary school I was placed in the gifted and talented magnet program.
They gave me the test and at first I thought I was in trouble, being the class
clown. It turned out it was for a scholastic aptitude test. I went to this school
and at the end of the year we performed scenes from all these musicals that
our teacher taughts us. It was a life-changing experience."
How did the transition to screenwriting happen?
"Writing came out of necessity to create roles for myself and my friends. I
always loved to write but it wasn’t until high school that I really started writing
about my family. I was a historian amongst many things in high school and
then when I went to college I started taking creative writing courses. I went
into directing program at UCLA, because all my life I had been doing theater,
and I really wanted to immerse myself in all alspects of filmmaking and
theater, including the directing and writing side. I got a Bachelors (degree) in
directing and a Masters (degree) in screenwriting. I realized that everything
starts with writing, and not having our culture represented sufficiently or
accurately I felt a necessity and a pull and desire to tell our stories correctly."
Talk to us about Los Americans.
"It’s a story about a modern affluent Mexican-American family, they are born
here, but they are Mexican heritage, and it jsut deals with a lot of issues that
come up with relation to ethnicity, race and culture. Plus, other issues that can
happen in all families, like alcoholism, date rate (and) joblessness."
What are you working on now?
"Well, I am in development on a sitcom called Adam and Eva, that I wrote and
that I will be starring in. It's a great crossover series. I can't tell you too much about it, but I'm excited about it. I'm also guest-starring on
Longmire."
Who would you love to collaborate with?
"I'm really into anything on HBO - I'm a big vampire afficianado, so it would be fun to be on True Blood. My new favorite show is The
Newsroom."
Are you a big fan of Aaron Sorkin?
"I am now! He shows what the power of writing can do. I'm also really excited about Devious Maids -- it's so exciting to see five Latina leads.
It's incredible. We have arrived."
Who's career would you love to have or emulate?
"A director I worked with, Franc. Reyes, he asked me this question once. And I said, 'Well, I'd love to have Sonia Braga's career. She's
successful and amazing, but you don't see her being hounded by the paparazzi. i want to make great movies and be respected for my craft,
but still have a beautiful and lovely life.' And he goes, 'Have you ever been to Brazil?' She's followed everywhere there, apparently. I also
worked with Lupe Ontiveros, who just passed, on Los Americans and I always looked up to her. She was a role model and a friend. She
used to call me 'Little Sonia', because I loved Sonia Braga so much. If I do anythng, I would love to remembered as a great actress and
someone who defied all odds, like Lupe did. She always pushed for roles, she never gave up."
http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/introducing-‐actress-‐yvonne-‐delarosa http://gvbradio.com/archives/Tony-071312.mp3 August 12, 2012 “Los Americans”: Imagen 2012 Best Drama Web Series Winner!
The Imagen Foundation
held its 27th Annual
Awards last Friday in
Beverly Hills was all glitz
and glitter but unlike other
industry award
presentations, the Imagen’s
is more than just showing
off a designer gown or a
trophy date hanging on
some gorgeous hunk. No,
the Imagen Awards is
serious business and to win
one of its awards and
recognition, is something
special to the Latinos they
are honoring and to
mainstream Hollywood.
Los Americans, an eightpart series that focuses on
a multi-generational,
middle-income Latino
family living in Los Angeles,
took the much
coveted Best Drama Web
Dennis Leoni accepting Imagen Award w/Yvonne De La Rosa
Series category!
The series is written and directed by Dennis Leoni, who is also known for bringing us the award-winning television
series Resurrection Blvd. for Showtime.
“It’s wonderful to win the Imagen for Best Drama Web Series,” says Leoni. “I know everyone at One Economy and VStudios, Robert Townsend and especially the crew and the cast are all very honored, proud and excited to win. I just
hope that those out there who say they want to attract the Latino audience will realize that if Los Americans is winning
awards for being the best Latino show then maybe Los Americans should be given a chance to be on network or
cable television.”
Winning was bittersweet because an important member of the Los Americans family was not present to savor the
night—Lupe Ontiveros—who played a complicated woman dealing with alcoholism, mother of Esai
Morales’ character, Lee Valenzuela, who is head of his family. The Valenzuela’s deal with many issues facing
American families today including: unemployment, cultural identity and alcoholism.
Just in case you have not had an opportunity to watch Los Americans, then stop whatever you’re doing and watch the
latest episode at: http://pic.tv/losamericans/ We know that you’ll be hooked.
Los Americans cast include:
Esai Morales (Fairly Legal), Lupe Ontiveros (Desperate Housewives), Yvonne de la Rosa(Longmire, NCIS,
Weeds), Raymond Cruz (The Closer, Breaking Bad), Tony Plana (Ugly Betty), JC Gonzalez, Ana Villafane, Jovan
Armand, Valerie Rose Curiel, and Bibiana Novas.
Discover why the Imagen Awards thinks it is all that and a bottle of tequila!
Latin Heat tips its hat off to Los Americans, Dennis Leoni and every one who won a 2012 Imagen Award!
–Elia Esparza, Editor-In-Chief
http://www.latinheat.com/2012/08/12/los-‐americans-‐imagen-‐2012-‐best-‐drama-‐web-‐series-‐winner/ August 7, 2012 Melting Pot
http://www.theblockradio.com/2012/08/8712-‐melting-‐pot/ August 12, 2012 http://www.metacafe.com/watch/8935219/yvonne_delarosa_yvonne_99_27th_annual_imagen_award
s_red_ca/ http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsrcw1_yvonne-‐delarosa-‐yvonne-‐99-‐27th-‐annual-‐imagen-‐awards-‐
red-‐carpet_shortfilms August 5, 2012 ON AUGUST 14, 2012 IN ENTERTAINMENT, PEOPLE
Yvonne DeLaRosa, American-Colombian actress, producer and
writer, stars in the innovative web series “Los Americans” which
has been nominated for best web series this year at the 27th
Annual Imagen Awards which will be held August 10th at the
Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Yvonne was also chosen
by the prestigious writers program sponsored by the National
Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) as one of 10 screenwriters who
will have the amazing opportunity of writing spec scripts for the
current and upcoming produced shows for NBC and CBS networks.
This is one of the NHMC many mission platforms to improve the
image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media.
The series “Los Americans” deals with issues and problems that
exist within the Latino community in the United States, such as alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, and
unemployment. “Los Americans” has emerged as a pioneer in its field as it provides something never seen
before, links to information and support centers of each theme touch upon in every episode. It also has
made history as the first series broadcast on the Metro public transportation system in Los Angeles.
Yvonne won an Imagen Award in 2009 for her lead role in the play “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean
It”. She was named as one of the new Latino rising stars through the National Hispanic Foundation for the
Arts and she was herald by Jimmy Smits as “The face of the new wave of Latino Artists”. This multifaceted
actress has had guest star roles on some of TV’s most cheered shows including “NCIS”, “Weeds”, “King of
Queens” and “How I Met your Mother”. She will soon be seen guest starring in the new A&E series,
“Longmire” opposite Lou Diamond Phillips.
DeLaRosa, graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Directing and a Masters in Screenwriting. Currently she has
just teamed up with renowned director and producer Dennis Leoni (“Resurrection Blvd”) to produce and
star in the original television series, which she also wrote “Adam and Eva”. The comedy is about a
conservative American who accidentally marries a Mexican girl.
http://www.hispaniclifestyle.com/blog/articles/lifestyle/entertainment/profile-‐actress-‐yvonne-‐
delarosa/ August 5, 2012 TOP Ten Reasons Los Americans Should Have a Major TV deal
10. Of the billion people who watched Mexico win the World Cup many were Los Americans.
9. It's not a show about Latinos, it is a post-modern program about Middle Class Americans.
8. Mitt and Obama are pandering to the Latino middle class, networks should get a clue.
7. Don't hold "¡Rob!" against them.
6. They are quite willing to add a gay character to land prime time.
5. Yvonne De La Rosa is reason enough, plus Esai Morales should get the Emmy he deserves.
4. The buying power of Latinos will rise from $1 trillion in 2010 to $1.5 trillion in 2015, accounting for nearly 11 percent of the nation's total
buying power.
3. Ambitious Advertisers good in math read # 4.
2. Several million bus riders in LA missed their stops on purpose while the show played on transit systems.
1. No good financial reason for the best TV show on TV is not on TV.
http://latinola.com/story.php?story=11024 August 9, 2012 White Lights, Bright Future
Posted by Editor on August 9, 2012 in Latest News, Local News | Comments Off
By: Ashmar Mandou
Perhaps it was fated actress Yvonne De La Rosa become a budding star in Hollywood. After all, De
La Rosa grew up watching the iconic Hollywood sign glow only a few miles away from her house. Or
perhaps it was De La Rosa’s first elementary school production of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
that ignited her interest in acting. “I was chosen to play the baby bear and I cried real tears,” laughed
De La Rosa. “The whole class applauded, even my teacher was impressed with my ability to cry real
tears. So it’s safe to say I was hooked.”
Whatever the case may be, De La Rosa entered the movie industry with gusto and a keen sense of
how she wanted to elevate the Latino community. “Unfortunately, there are far too many times where
Latinos are portrayed as one-dimensional characters,” said De La Rosa. “So that’s why it’s extremely
important for me to create opportunities for Latinos to play characters that are unique, complex, and
interesting.”
Aside from her guest star roles in shows like, “NCIS”, “Weeds”, “King of Queens”, and “How I Met
Your Mother”, De La Rosa stared in 2009’s “8 Ways to Say I love My Life and Mean It”, in which she
won an Imagen Award for her lead role. But her roles on television and in plays do not amount to the
excitement she feels for her latest project. “This really is an exciting time for me,” said De La Rosa. The American-Colombian actress stars
on the web series, “Los Americans,” a show that deals with issues and problems that exist within the Latino community in the United States,
such as alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, and unemployment. “The point of this series is to break away from how we have been portrayed
before. Yes, we are Latinos, but our issues are not unique to us. We all go through the same struggles, same successes.”
“Los Americans” has garnered so much attention that recently it has been nominated for best web series this year at the 27th Annual Imagen
Awards, which will be held August 10th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. De La Rosa was also chosen by the prestigious writers program
sponsored by the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) as one of ten screenwriters who will have an opportunity of writing spec scripts
for upcoming produced shows for NBC and CBS networks. “This is an incredible time for Latinos to share their stories,” said De La Rosa. “I
feel very grateful and fortunate that I have a chance to take control and tell the stories I want to tell;” which is a piece of advice De La Rosa
likes to share with the younger generation.
“For anyone wanting to break into this industry, whether it’s acting, writing, producing, I always say get as much education as you can,” said
De La Rosa, who received her B.A. in Directing and a Masters in Screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). “You
can’t go wrong with education.” If you would like to learn more about De La Rosa or “Los Americans,” visit www.yvonnedelarosa.com.
http://www.lawndalenews.com/2012/08/white-‐lights-‐bright-‐future/ August 5, 2012 Yvonne Delarosa [See Her Tonight on LONGMIRE] Yvonne DeLaRosa on Longmire (10 pm EST, A&E) It hasn’t gotten the attention of other Sunday cable hits, but Longmire is a pretty good Western justice drama. Plus, they occasionally throw in a sex bomb. Cassidy Freeman is a regular, but you also get gals like Yvonne Delarosa in guest roles. She’s playing an Indian called LittleFox in tonight’s episode, but this lovely Latina (with Cheyenne blood) is clearly a major fox. She’s been working regularly in Hollywood since 2001 as both an actress and writer—which had her recently suing director Robert Rodriguez for credit for helping create the lead character in his Machete films. If that’s true, then Yvonne is definitely our kind of grindhouse gal. She’s also appealing enough as a classic exotic beauty, as you’ll see for yourself while taking a long look at these pics… http://www.dealzoid.com/f57/yvonne-‐delarosa-‐see-‐tonight-‐longmire-‐659543/ August 8, 2012 Yvonne DeLaRosa is Ready
Yvonne DeLaRosa has been busy since she wrapped Los
Americans last year, along withEsai Morales, Raymond Cruz,
the much-missedLupe Ontiveros and many others. The series is
still available here online and is still being seen by literally millions
on the L.A. Metro bus system, and it’s recently been nominated
for an Imagen Award. (Yvonne is no stranger to the Imagen
Awards; she received one in 2009 for her role in the play 8 Ways
to Say I Love My Life & Mean It.)
But that was a year ago. Since then, this American-Colombian
actress, producer and writer has appeared in episodes
of GCB and Law & Order: Los Angeles, and she recently
appeared with Lou Diamond Phillips in A&E’s contemporary
western Longmire. She is also teaming up with renowned director
and producer Dennis Leoni(Resurrection Blvd, Los Americans) to produce and star in Adam and Eva, an original comedy series about a
conservative American who accidentally marries a Mexican girl. “It’s a very timely comedy,” she told us during a conversation at the NHMC
Latino MediaCon. “I think it’s going to appeal to the America we know today: a multicultural America that wants to know more about Latino
culture, an America that is ready to embrace a multicultural marriage.”
DeLaRosa’s own story is “crazy,” she says, “but crazy good.” She was born and raised in L.A.–“I could see the Hollywood sign from my
bedroom window”–and has been acting since she was a little girl. (“I was a bear in
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and when it came to my broken little chair, I actually
cried real tears. They all stood up and applauded.”) Yvonne attended Hollywood High,
earned a B.A. in Directing and a Masters in Screenwriting from UCLA. She was also
one of the last students of the legendary acting teacherJeff Corey, who trained the
likes of James Dean,Jack Nicholson, and Robin Williams. “You learn a lot from
your mentors and your teachers,” she said in a recent interview. “For me, I just really
believe what I’m doing–for me it’s happening in that moment. If you’re able to do
something completely and believably, it’s in you…so I guess I’m a murderer. Don’t
piss me off, I keel you,” she joked. And acting, she says, teaches you about yourself
as much as anything else. “What have I learned about myself? I’m very tapped into
my emotions, and sometimes in normal life I had to learn to control that. In real life, I
think I try to stop myself from crying at every second.”
So with so much experience in all the media–feature films, TV episodics, online
webisodes, and so much more–what does she enjoy the most? “I enjoy all of it,” she
says, “but I love doing features. It’s like joining the circus, and I’m definitely a carny at heart. When you’re in a movie, you’re in the circus. It’s
fun: you get to know the crew, get to work on the character and really live it, whereas TV is really fast–which I love, so when I’m in more of a
Zen mode, I prefer TV. It’s like: you get the script, you go to the set, you go to your trailer, you rehearse for a second (sometimes), you come
back and shoot it and move on. It’s very exciting…but sometimes I like to join the circus.”
“My family is my biggest motivator…”
And through all the roller-coaster ride of succeeding in this slightly insane business, what motivates Yvonne DeLaRosa? She has no doubt
about that: “My family is my biggest motivator,” she told us. “I don’t talk about it enough, but honoring my family, my mother and my
grandmother. Not so much proving to them, but showing them, “Look at all our sacrifices, all your effort, all your work, all those full-time jobs,
being a single Mom–my mother worked two full-time jobs to support me and my sister. I want to honor my grandparents, too, who left
Colombia to come find a better life here. I mean, wow, if that’s not enough to motivate me, nothing will. That’s the fire that drives me. I’m not
giving up. If they didn’t, how can I?”
When you ask Yvonne DeLaRosa what her plans are for five or ten years down the line–acting, directing, writing producing–she immediately
says, “All of the above,”…and you can’t help believing her. “When time and opportunity collide, you’d better be ready,” she says, “Because
they will collide; your time will come…and you better be ready. And I am. I am ready, and it’s happening.”
You can keep an eye on her through her own site, on Twitter at @Yvonne_99, or through a pretty cool fan page on Facebook
at iloveYvonneDeRosa. And you can listen to the complete Tony Sweet interview (complete with a psychic reading!) on Global Voice Radio,
right here.
Photos: Angela María Ortíz S.
http://www.sefijaonline.com/?p=6060 August 9, 2012 The 2012 Imagen Awards and Latinos in Media with Yvonne DeLaRosa
The Imagen Awards will be underway on Friday in Beverly Hills, and the cast of “Los Americans” could not be more thrilled -- in particular
fresh Latina face Yvonne DeLaRosa.
The innovative series is nominated for "Best Web Series: Drama."
“It’s a show about a middle-class Mexican-American family that is surviving,” says Esai Morales to Fox News Latino.
The American actor of Puerto Rican descent plays Lee Valenzuela, the father in the family.
Along with Morales, “Los Americans” starred the late Lupe Ontivero as his mother, who struggles with an alcohol addiction.
“It’s a wonderful show with a lot of recognizable talent and a lot of new faces that you’re going to grow to love,” adds Morales.
Undoubtedly, one of those faces was DeLaRosa.
The Colombian-American actress grew up in California and began studying acting at a young age.
She has had guest roles in popular shows such as "How I Met Your Mother," "Weeds," "King of Queens" and "NCIS." However, with her
talent, sense of humor and wit, the Latina is now claiming the spotlight.
She was given the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts
award by co-star Morales, Jimmy Smits, and Sonja Braga.
“It is such an amazing series and it’s very important to the Latino culture,” says DeLaRosa. “We haven’t seen this family on television before.
We haven’t seen the issues that are tackled, and they are important to people of all cultures.”
Those issues are unemployment, alcoholism, immigration and the identity crisis that comes with being a first-generation American. Morales’
character, for instance, says his children “are not Mexican, Mexicans live in Mexico.”
“It’s a very honest portrayal of Latinos,” says DeLaRosa.
Latinos long have been portrayed in media in stereotypical roles such as maids and criminals.
The Imagen Awards highlight positive portrayals of Latinos.
“It is happening,” comments the actress, “but not as fast as our numbers are growing.”
"Selena" actress Ontiveros once estimated she played a maid some 300 times. DeLaRosa remembers Ontiveros once saying she took those
roles so Latinos of coming generations did not have to.
“It’s very hard for people that did not grow up Latino,” DeLaRosa points out. “How are they supposed to write about us? It’s up to us to write
these stories and these characters.”
She is working on doing just that.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition
awarded her with an opportunity to write episodes for shows on NBC and ABC. DeLaRosa will
team up with “Los Americans” producer Dennis Leoni as producer and star of new television series, which she also wrote, “Adam and Eva.”
The comedy is about a conservative American who accidentally marries a Mexican girl -- “it has the Latino feel and American appeal,” jokes
DeLaRosa.
“It’s a political border comedy and its very funny, it brings people together with humor.”
You can reach Viveka Garza-Gómez at: [email protected]
or via Twitter: @ekita_2
http://www.nalip.org/media.php?type=news&id=167
August 11, 2012 http://blip.tv/minglemediatvnetwork/yvonne-‐delarosa-‐yvonne_99-‐27th-‐annual-‐imagen-‐awards-‐red-‐
carpet-‐6301044 ¡VIVA LA NOCHE DE GALA!
Washington Life was proud to serve as the exclusive magazine media sponsor
for this year’s starstudded National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA)
“Noche de Gala” festivities, which brought together an unprecedented A-list
cast of stars, politicians and businessleaders for two celebratory evenings.
http://www.washingtonlife.com/issues/october_2005/pollywood_the_national_hispanic_foundati
on_for_the_arts_noche_de_gala/
Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar clichés sobre los
latinos
POR: Cynthia De Saint/EFE | 09:34 pm | 08/09/2012 | El Diario
Yvonne De La Rosa quiere cambiar la imagen estereotipada de los
latinos que el mundo anglo ve en cine y television
MIAMI, Florida.- La actriz, productora y guionista de
ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña
con cambiar la percepción que el mundo anglo tiene
de los latinos a través de las imágenes de los
hispanos que se presentan en el cine y la televisión.
“Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como
se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público,
tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve al
puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al presidente
de los Estados Unidos en la serie de TV 'West
Wing', abre su mente y ve otras posibilidades”, dijo
a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por
el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus
siglas en inglés).
Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el
propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios.
De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie “Los Americans”, que se
transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca importantes temas
para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo entre las adolescentes y el
desempleo.
“Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina de la clase
media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le dejamos saber a ese otro
público que los latinos también somos abogados, doctores, maestros”, aseveró De La Rosa,
quien fue nombrada “uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina” por Jimmy Smits.
La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre colombiana y
padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como actriz en la serie de
televisión “Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera tomó impulso.
De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes “Final Approach”, al lado de Eric Roberts y “Desolation
Canyon”, con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de televisión más
importantes del momento, como “Weeds”, “The Closer”, “NCSI” y “Strong Medicine”, entre
otras.
En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It” le valió el premio
Imagen 2009.
“Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no solo somos
actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar nuestras historias mejor
que nosotros”, aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró que nunca se ha sentido limitada
como actriz.
“Yo he hecho todo tipo de papeles, de latina, de gringa, de francesa”, apuntó.
De La Rosa, que se considera una “hippie ecológica”, pues prefiere todo lo natural y trabaja por
la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer, en estos momentos
trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste “Longmire”, al lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En
ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que comparte su etnia Cheyenne.
Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que
ella escribe, produce y protagoniza.
“Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una mexicana. Es una
historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y corazones”, finalizó. http://www.eldiariony.com/Yvonne_de_la_Rosa_cambiar_cliches_sobre_latinos Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar percepciones y
abrir camino para los latinos
Cynthia De Saint
Updated:
08/09/2012 01:52:03 PM PDT
Miami, 9 ago (EFE).- La actriz, productora y
guionista de ascendencia colombiana Yvonne
De La Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción
que el mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a
través de las imágenes de los hispanos que se
presentan en el cine y la televisión.
"Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es
como se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el
público, tanto el anglosajón como el hispano,
ve al puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar
al presidente de los Estados Unidos en la serie
de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras
posibilidades", dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba
de ser seleccionada por el prestigioso
Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National
Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus
siglas en inglés).
Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de
realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS
con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los
latinos tienen en los medios.
De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie "Los Americans",
que se transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca
importantes temas para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo
entre las adolescentes y el desempleo.
"Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina
de la clase media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le
dejamos saber a ese otro público que los latinos también somos abogados,
doctores, maestros", aseveró De La Rosa, quien fue nombrada "uno de los rostros
de la nueva ola latina" por Jimmy Smits.
La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre
colombiana y padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como
actriz en la serie de televisión "Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera
tomó impulso.
De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes "Final Approach", al lado de Eric Roberts y
"Desolation Canyon", con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de
televisión más importantes del momento, como "Weeds", "The Closer", "NCSI" y
"Strong Medicine", entre otras.
En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It" le valió
el premio Imagen 2009.
"Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no
solo somos actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar
nuestras historias mejor que nosotros", aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró
que nunca se ha sentido limitada como actriz.
"Yo he hecho todo tipo de papeles, de latina, de gringa, de francesa", apuntó.
De La Rosa, que se considera una "hippie ecológica", pues prefiere todo lo natural y
trabaja por la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer,
en estos momentos trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste "Longmire", al
lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que
comparte su etnia Cheyenne.
Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada "Adam &
Eva", que ella escribe, produce y protagoniza.
"Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una
mexicana. Es una historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y
corazones", finalizó. EFE
http://www.impactousa.com/gente/ci_21273729/yvonne-‐de-‐la-‐rosa-‐quiere-‐cambiar-‐percepciones-‐y ALPHABET SOUP / JUL. 16, 2012 / BY REDACCIÓN-INFRAGANTIMAGAZINE / 0 COMMENTS
Yvonne De La Rosa orgullo latino en Hollywood
Los Ángeles, CA – Yvonne DeLaRosa, actriz, productora y escritora colombo-americana protagoniza la
innovadora serie web “Los Americans” que ha conseguido una nominación a Mejor Serie Web en la
27ma Entrega de los Premios Imagen que se celebrarán este 10 de Agosto en Hollywood. Además fue
escogida por el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition
(NHMC) como una de los 10 escritores que tendrán la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas
NBC y CBS con el fin de cumplir una de las misiones de la NHMC que es mejorar la imagen que los
Americanos Latinos tienen en los medios.
La serie “Los Americans” habla de temas y problemas que existen en la comunidad latina en E.U., como
el alcoholismo, los embarazos de adolescentes, y el desempleo, se ha destacado como pionera en su rubro
ya que provee algo nunca antes visto, enlaces a información y centros de ayuda de los temas tocados
dentro de cada capítulo. Además ha pasado a la historia como la primera serie en ser transmitida en
autobuses, al aparecer en pantallas de este sistema de transporte en la ciudad de Los Ángeles.
Yvonne, ganadora de un Imagen Award en el año 2009 por su interpretación en la obra de teatro “8 Ways
to Say I Love My Life & Mean It”, fue nombrada como uno de los nuevos talentos latinos en ascenso por
la Fundación Hispana Nacional de las Artes y fue anunciada por Jimmy Smits como ‘uno los rostros de la
nueva ola latina’. Esta multifacética actriz que ha participado en series como “NCIS”, “Weeds”, “King of
Queens” y “How I Met Your Mother”, recientemente filmó una participación especial en la nueva serie de
A&E, “Longmire” junto a Lou Diamond Phillips.
En estos momentos DeLaRosa, graduada de UCLA con un título en Dirección y una maestría en Guión
Cinematográfico, se concentra en su primer proyecto, una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que ella escribió,
producirá y protagonizará. La comedia que involucra a un americano conservador que por ‘accidente’ se
casa con una mexicana, contará con la producción del reconocido Dennis Leoni (“Resurrection Blvd.”).
http://infragantimagazine.com/yvonne-‐de-‐la-‐rosa-‐orgullo-‐latino-‐en-‐hollywood/ ENTRETENIMIENTO
Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar percepciones y abrir
camino para los latinos
TELEVISIÓN | 09 de agosto de 2012
Miami, 9 ago (EFE).- La actriz, productora y
guionista de ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La
Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción que el
mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a través de las
imágenes de los hispanos que se presentan en el
cine y la televisión.
"Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como
se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público,
tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve al
puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al
presidente de los Estados Unidos en la serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve
otras posibilidades", dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por el
prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition
(NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés).
Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y
CBS con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios.
tomó impulso.
corazones", finalizó. http://noticias.lajornada.ca/288_entretenimiento/1701055_yvonne-‐de-‐la-‐rosa-‐quiere-‐cambiar-‐
percepciones-‐y-‐abrir-‐camino-‐para-‐los-‐latinos.html 8/9/2012 Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar clichés sobre
los latinos MIAMI, Florida.-‐ La actriz, productora y guionista de ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción que el mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a través de las imágenes de los hispanos que se presentan en el cine y la televisión. “Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público, tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve al puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al presidente de los Estados Unidos en la serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras posibilidades”, dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés). Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios. De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie “Los Americans”, que se transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca importantes temas para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo entre las adolescentes y el desempleo. “Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina de la clase media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le dejamos saber a ese otro público que los latinos también somos abogados, doctores, maestros”, aseveró De La Rosa, quien fue nombrada “uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina” por Jimmy Smits. La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre colombiana y padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como actriz en la serie de televisión “Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera tomó impulso. De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes “Final Approach”, al lado de Eric Roberts y “Desolation Canyon”, con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de televisión más importantes del momento, como “Weeds”, “The Closer”, “NCSI” y “Strong Medicine”, entre otras. En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It” le valió el premio Imagen 2009. “Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no solo somos actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar nuestras historias mejor que nosotros”, aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró que nunca se ha sentido limitada como actriz. “Yo he hecho todo tipo de papeles, de latina, de gringa, de francesa”, apuntó. De La Rosa, que se considera una “hippie ecológica”, pues prefiere todo lo natural y trabaja por la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer, en estos momentos trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste “Longmire”, al lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que comparte su etnia Cheyenne. Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que ella escribe, produce y protagoniza. “Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una mexicana. Es una historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y corazones”, finalizó. http://www.laopinion.com/article/20120809/VIDAYESTILO/120809183 TELEVISIÓN
Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar percepciones y
09 de agosto de 2012
Miami, 9 ago (EFE).- La actriz, productora y guionista de
ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña con
cambiar la percepción que el mundo anglo tiene de los
latinos a través de las imágenes de los hispanos que se
presentan en el cine y la televisión.
"Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como se
cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público, tanto el
anglosajón como el hispano, ve al puertorriqueño Jimmy
Smits interpretar al presidente de los Estados Unidos en la
serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras
posibilidades", dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser
seleccionada por el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que
ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés).
Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y
CBS con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios.
tomó impulso.
corazones", finalizó. http://noticias.pasito.com/288_entretenimiento/1701055_yvonne-‐de-‐la-‐rosa-‐quiere-‐cambiar-‐
percepciones-‐y-‐abrir-‐camino-‐para-‐los-‐latinos.html Yvonne DeLaRosa Un Orgullo Latino En Hollywood
El Lunes, 16th Julio, 2012
Yvonne DeLaRosa Un Orgullo Latino En Hollywood. Los Ángeles, CA - Yvonne
DeLaRosa, actriz, productora y escritora colombo-americana protagoniza la
innovadora serie web “Los Americans” que ha conseguido una nominación a
Mejor Serie Web en la 27ma Entrega de los Premios Imagen que se celebrarán
este 10 de Agosto en Hollywood. Además fue escogida por el prestigioso
Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
como una de los 10 escritores que tendrán la oportunidad de realizar guiones
para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el fin de cumplir una de las misiones de la
NHMC que es mejorar la imagen que los Americanos Latinos tienen en los
medios.
La serie ”Los Americans” habla de temas y problemas que existen en la
comunidad latina en E.U., como el alcoholismo, los embarazos de
adolescentes, y el desempleo, se ha destacado como pionera en su rubro ya
que provee algo nunca antes visto, enlaces a información y centros de ayuda de
los temas tocados dentro de cada capítulo. Además ha pasado a la historia
como la primera serie en ser transmitida en autobuses, al aparecer en pantallas
de este sistema de transporte en la ciudad de Los Ángeles.
Yvonne, ganadora de un Imagen Award en el año 2009 por su interpretación en
la obra de teatro “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It”, fue nombrada como
uno de los nuevos talentos latinos en ascenso por la Fundación Hispana
Nacional de las Artes y fue anunciada por Jimmy Smits como ‘uno los rostros de
la nueva ola latina’. Esta multifacética actriz que ha participado en series
como “NCIS”, “Weeds”, “King of Queens” y “How I Met Your Mother”,
recientemente filmó una participación especial en la nueva serie de A&E,
“Longmire” junto a Lou Diamond Phillips.
En estos momentos DeLaRosa, graduada de UCLA con un título en Dirección y
una maestría en Guión Cinematográfico, se concentra en su primer proyecto,
una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que ella escribió, producirá y protagonizará.
La comedia que involucra a un americano conservador que por ‘accidente’ se
casa con una mexicana, contará con la producción del reconocido Dennis Leoni
(“Resurrection Blvd.” http://turankeo.com/yvonne-‐delarosa-‐un-‐orgullo-‐latino-‐en-‐hollywood/ Yvonne DeLaRosa, Un Orgullo Latino En Hollywood
>> Press Release | July 16, 2012
Los Ángeles, CA – Yvonne DeLaRosa, actriz, productora y escritora
colombo-americana protagoniza la innovadora serie web “Los
Americans” que ha conseguido una nominación a Mejor Serie Web en
la 27ma Entrega de los Premios Imagen que se celebrarán este 10 de
Agosto en Hollywood. Además fue escogida por el prestigioso
Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media
Coalition (NHMC) como una de los 10 escritores que tendrán la
oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el
fin de cumplir una de las misiones de la NHMC que es mejorar la
imagen que los Americanos Latinos tienen en los medios.
La serie “Los Americans” habla de temas y problemas que existen en
la comunidad latina en E.U., como el alcoholismo, los embarazos de
adolescentes, y el desempleo, se ha destacado como pionera en su rubro ya que provee algo
nunca antes visto, enlaces a información y centros de ayuda de los temas tocados dentro de
cada capítulo. Además ha pasado a la historia como la primera serie en ser transmitida en
autobuses, al aparecer en pantallas de este sistema de transporte en la ciudad de Los Ángeles.
Yvonne, ganadora de un Imagen Award en el año 2009 por su interpretación en la obra de
teatro “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It”, fue nombrada como uno de los nuevos
talentos latinos en ascenso por la Fundación Hispana Nacional de las Artes y fue anunciada por
Jimmy Smits como ‘uno los rostros de la nueva ola latina’. Esta multifacética actriz que ha
participado en series como “NCIS”, “Weeds”, “King of Queens” y “How I Met Your Mother”,
recientemente filmó una participación especial en la nueva serie de A&E, “Longmire” junto a
Lou Diamond Phillips.
En estos momentos DeLaRosa, graduada de UCLA con un título en Dirección y una maestría
en Guión Cinematográfico, se concentra en su primer proyecto, una serie llamada “Adam &
Eva”, que ella escribió, producirá y protagonizará. La comedia que involucra a un americano
conservador que por ‘accidente’ se casa con una mexicana, contará con la producción del
reconocido Dennis Leoni (“Resurrection Blvd.”). http://www.ushispanics.com/2012/07/yvonne-‐delarosa-‐un-‐orgullo-‐latino-‐en-‐hollywood/ 08/09/2012 Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar clichés sobre
los latinos
Yvonne De La Rosa quiere cambiar la imagen estereotipada de los latinos que el mundo
anglo ve en cine y televisión MIAMI, Florida.-‐ La actriz, productora y guionista de ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción que el mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a través de las imágenes de los hispanos que se presentan en el cine y la televisión. “Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público, tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve al puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al presidente de los Estados Unidos en la serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras posibilidades”, dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés). Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios. De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie “Los Americans”, que se transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca importantes temas para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo entre las adolescentes y el desempleo. “Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina de la clase media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le dejamos saber a ese otro público que los latinos también somos abogados, doctores, maestros”, aseveró De La Rosa, quien fue nombrada “uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina” por Jimmy Smits. La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre colombiana y padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como actriz en la serie de televisión “Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera tomó impulso. De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes “Final Approach”, al lado de Eric Roberts y “Desolation Canyon”, con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de televisión más importantes del momento, como “Weeds”, “The Closer”, “NCSI” y “Strong Medicine”, entre otras. En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It” le valió el premio Imagen 2009. “Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no solo somos actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar nuestras historias mejor que nosotros”, aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró que nunca se ha sentido limitada como actriz. “Yo he hecho todo tipo de papeles, de latina, de gringa, de francesa”, apuntó. De La Rosa, que se considera una “hippie ecológica”, pues prefiere todo lo natural y trabaja por la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer, en estos momentos trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste “Longmire”, al lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que comparte su etnia Cheyenne. Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que ella escribe, produce y protagoniza. “Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una mexicana. Es una historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y corazones”, finalizó. http://www.vistamagazine.com/article/20120809/VIDAYESTILO/120809183 Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar clichés sobre
los latinos
Yvonne De La Rosa quiere cambiar la imagen estereotipada de los latinos que el mundo
anglo ve en cine y televisión MIAMI, Florida.-‐ La actriz, productora y guionista de ascendencia colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción que el mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a través de las imágenes de los hispanos que se presentan en el cine y la televisión. “Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como se cambian las percepciones. Cuando el público, tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve al puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al presidente de los Estados Unidos en la serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras posibilidades”, dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por el prestigioso Programa de Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés). Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios. De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie “Los Americans”, que se transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca importantes temas para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo entre las adolescentes y el desempleo. “Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina de la clase media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le dejamos saber a ese otro público que los latinos también somos abogados, doctores, maestros”, aseveró De La Rosa, quien fue nombrada “uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina” por Jimmy Smits. La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre colombiana y padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como actriz en la serie de televisión “Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera tomó impulso. De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes “Final Approach”, al lado de Eric Roberts y “Desolation Canyon”, con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de televisión más importantes del momento, como “Weeds”, “The Closer”, “NCSI” y “Strong Medicine”, entre otras. En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It” le valió el premio Imagen 2009. “Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no solo somos actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar nuestras historias mejor que nosotros”, aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró que nunca se ha sentido limitada como actriz. “Yo he hecho todo tipo de papeles, de latina, de gringa, de francesa”, apuntó. De La Rosa, que se considera una “hippie ecológica”, pues prefiere todo lo natural y trabaja por la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer, en estos momentos trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste “Longmire”, al lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que comparte su etnia Cheyenne. Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada “Adam & Eva”, que ella escribe, produce y protagoniza. “Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una mexicana. Es una historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y corazones”, finalizó. http://www.vistamagazine.com/article/20120809/VIDAYESTILO/120809183 FARÁNDULA
Pasión y talento latino- Yvonne DeLaRosa, actriz,
productora y guionista
Por Carolina Landsberger/ Washington Hispanic
De ascendencia colombiana, Yvonne es considerada uno de los
talentos latinos en ascenso en el mundo hollywoodense
La actriz y guionista Yvonne DeLaRosa, quien confiesa ser “orgullosa de ser latina”, ha sido
señalada por el reconocido actor Jimmy Smits como “uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina”,
actualmente está produciendo una comedia escrita y protagonizada por ella, titulada “Adam &
Eva”y es protagonista de la exitosa serie “Los Americans”, que recientemente recibió un
Imagen Award, que se celebraron en Hollywood el pasado 10 de agosto, como mejor serie
web. Yvonne, quien dice que su edad esté entre los 25 y los 35 de los papeles que representa
en la televisión, nos cuenta que se crió con su madre y abuelos colombianos, gracias a lo cual,
aprendió inglés y español al mismo tiempo, así como la pasión latina con la que desarrolla su
profesión. Respecto a su interés por la actuación, DeLaRosa confiesa “desde chiquita fue mi
sueño ser actriz. Me crié en Los Angeles y desde mi ventana podía ver el cartel de Hollywood y
pensaba ‘bueno, por algo estoy aquí...’”. Yvonne, que además tiene una maestría en guión
cinematográfico por la prestigiosa Universidad UCLA, nos habla de uno de sus recientes
proyectos, la primera serie que se ha transmitido en el sistema público de transporte en Los
Angeles.
Los Americans Además de ser vista por los más de 30 millones de personas que, semana a
semana, se trasladan en bus en la ciudad californiana, esta serie tiene la particularidad de
representar las diferentes opiniones, temas y problemas existentes en la comunidad latina en
Estados Unidos. “Mi marido en la serie piensa que somos americanos y nadie debe decir que
somos mexicanos porque nacimos acá, además el piensa que no debería haber gente sin
papeles aquí”, explica Yvonne, y agrega “mi personaje, en cambio piensa que sí somos latinos,
que no debemos olvidar nuestra cultura y que se necesitan leyes para ayudar a los
indocumentados. Es interesante porque refleja las diferentes ideas que tienen los
latinoamericanos que viven aquí en Estados Unidos”. Para Yvonne, el ser considerada uno de
los nuevos talentos latinos “es un sueño hecho realidad. Cuando escucho eso pienso en todo lo
que sacrificó mi mamá y mis abuelitos al venir a este país …y espero que estén orgullosos de
mí”. Para disfrutar la serie “Los Americans”, visite la página web de la serie
www.losamericans.com y para sumarse a los miles de seguidores de Yvonne de LaRosa, visite
su cuenta de Facebook Yvonne DeLaRosa (Official Fan Page)
http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota12426.html Yvonne de la Rosa quiere cambiar percepciones y
Miami, 9 ago (EFE).- La actriz, productora y guionista de ascendencia
colombiana Yvonne De La Rosa sueña con cambiar la percepción que el
mundo anglo tiene de los latinos a través de las imágenes de los hispanos
que se presentan en el cine y la televisión.
"Creo que la imagen sí cuenta, porque así es como se cambian las
percepciones. Cuando el público, tanto el anglosajón como el hispano, ve
al puertorriqueño Jimmy Smits interpretar al presidente de los Estados
Unidos en la serie de TV 'West Wing', abre su mente y ve otras
posibilidades", dijo a Efe la artista, que acaba de ser seleccionada por el prestigioso Programa de
Escritores que ofrece el National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés).
Este programa le ofrece la oportunidad de realizar guiones para las cadenas NBC y CBS con el
propósito de mejorar la imagen que los latinos tienen en los medios.
De La Rosa también ayuda a cambiar mentes a través de la serie "Los Americans", que se
transmite por la web y que por medio de sus personajes y situaciones toca importantes temas
para la comunidad, como lo son el alcoholismo, el embarazo entre las adolescentes y el
desempleo.
"Esta es una de las primeras series que le permite al público ver a una familia latina de la clase
media con buenos trabajos y buenas carreras. Con este programa le dejamos saber a ese otro
público que los latinos también somos abogados, doctores, maestros", aseveró De La Rosa,
quien fue nombrada "uno de los rostros de la nueva ola latina" por Jimmy Smits.
La bella actriz de 33 años nacida en Los Ángeles, California, es hija de madre colombiana y
padre nativo americano de la tribu Cheyenne. En 2003 debutó como actriz en la serie de
televisión "Senor White". A partir de ese momento, su carrera tomó impulso.
De La Rosa ha actuado en los filmes "Final Approach", al lado de Eric Roberts y "Desolation
Canyon", con Stacy Keach, y ha participado en algunas de las series de televisión más
importantes del momento, como "Weeds", "The Closer", "NCSI" y "Strong Medicine", entre
otras.
En teatro, su actuación en la obra "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life & Mean It" le valió el premio
Imagen 2009.
"Los latinos estamos en nuestro mejor momento en Hollywood, porque ahora no solo somos
actores, también somos guionistas y productores, y nadie puede contar nuestras historias mejor
que nosotros", aseguró De La Rosa, quien aún así aclaró que nunca se ha sentido limitada como
actriz.
De La Rosa, que se considera una "hippie ecológica", pues prefiere todo lo natural y trabaja por
la conservación ambiental con su pareja, el documentalista Sam Boyer, en estos momentos
trabaja en la serie de televisión del lejano oeste "Longmire", al lado de Lou Diamond Phillips. En
ella interpreta por primera vez un personaje que comparte su etnia Cheyenne.
Además prepara su primer proyecto para la televisión, una serie llamada "Adam & Eva", que ella
escribe, produce y protagoniza.
"Trata sobre un estadounidense anglosajón que por un error se casa con una mexicana. Es una
historia diferente. Creo que va a ayudar a abrir muchas mentes y corazones", finalizó.
La actriz, productora y guionista Yvonne De La Rosa . EFE/UTE VILLE http://es-‐us.noticias.yahoo.com/yvonne-‐rosa-‐cambiar-‐percepciones-‐abrir-‐camino-‐latinos-‐
221900383.html Mesmeric Actress Yvonne Delarosa HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) – With several dramatic and quirky Indie feature leads, high visibility guest starring roles on network and cable, four series leads on pilots, including a Fox pilot under her belt, be it comedy or drama, Yvonne is breaking down doors and disseminating traditional Latina stereotypes. Delarosa’s latest work is starring as the series lead in the unprecedented new web series “Los
Americans” opposite Esai Morales.
Yvonne portrays Alma Valenzuela, the
wife, mother and professional who runs
her household with passion, love and a
Jane Russell styled sensuality. As the
wife of Leandro Valenzuela (Esai
Morales) and the matriarch of an upper
middle class Mexican American family
with cultural identity problems, drinking
problems and some serious anger
management issues, Yvonne said of
her character, “She’s not only an
intelligent, powerful woman, she is also
a loving mom and oh yeah… she’s
likes to kick butt.”
Regularly compared to such stars as
Salma Hayek, Sonja Braga and
Catherine Zeta-Jones, and just like her predecessors Delarosa has been cast and portrayed as
the sexy hot Latina. But Delarosa has already taken on roles that break the mold.
In the past few years she has been cast as a drugged out hippie and Charles Manson’s right
hand gal in Helter Skelter, a wild groupie with a heart of gold in the comedy Benny Bliss, a
hijacker in the feature film Final Approach, a comedic stripper with brains in Scrambled Eggs,
and a first lady in Blue Balls Of Fire. This month she will be seen in two very dramatic roles:
guest starring on Law and Order LA and on set in the western feature The Sorrow opposite
Michael Madsen and Jon Savage.
Delarosa insists on doing less “glamorous” roles, be it dramatic or comedic. “I like to honor
women of all cultures, class, and circumstances, not just the pretty ones.” And, apparently, not
just Hispanic ones either. They say it’s impossible to be cast as “Caucasian” when you are
Latina (just ask the veterans) but Delarosa has already broken a few industry “standards.” She
has portrayed Native Americans, Caucasian, Jewish, Italian, French, Middle Eastern, Mexican,
South American and of course, the classic LA girl.
Herald de Paris, Deputy Managing Editor Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez had an opportunity to speak
candidly at length with Yvonne through an introduction from his friend producer Dennis Leoni.
This is her first international interview. She is, no doubt, on her way to A-list acclaim.
AC: How is it that you started studying theater at the age of 5? I am assuming your
parents were very supportive. Did you grow up on LA? What was your first performance
ever?
YD: I guess my first performance ever was in elementary school and I had the role of Sheila in a
Chorus Line. I was like 8 years old! And I had this line where Sheila says in a really sexy tone
“I’m going to be 30 real soon and I’m real glad”. I can still remember the entire audience
cracking up with laughter. I think that’s when I realized I could make people laugh and I loved it!
The reason I got to study theater at such a young age was because when I was in elementary
school, I was given an aptitude test of some kind, I’m not sure if it was because my teacher
thought I was super smart or she was just tired of sending me to the corner for talking so much,
but from that point on I was put into a gifted/talented category. Instead of going from teacher to
teacher every year, I stayed with the same class and same teacher for most of my elementary
school years. I had this most amazing flamboyant teacher who was obsessed with Broadway
musicals.
As a class we would perform scenes from different musicals and twice a year we would put on
an entire Broadway musical production for the entire school. I recall we would spend little time
on the basics, like math, English, etc, because the majority of our day went to studying
Broadway musicals. It’s kind of funny. I was terrible at fractions but I could sing any song from
any musical and I could also tell you who everyone was behind the scenes too, like the
composer, the choreographer, even the costume designer. It was a pretty incredible way to
grow up. I think if my mom had known we were basically getting an education in musicals, she
might not have been so supportive. Ha. But I will never forget how proud my mom and sister
and grandparents were whenever they would be there in the audience for my plays and shows.
So worth it.
AC: Did your culture inspire or inhibit your early successes? What was the exact moment
when you made the decision that you would spend your life as an artist? What was the
first thing you did when you made that decision?
YD: I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to be an actress. It was 1st grade. Our
teacher was reading Goldilocks and The Three Bears. She asked who wanted to come up and
play the different roles. I raised my hand and ended up being the baby bear. Probably because I
was brown and wasn’t blond otherwise I should have been Goldilocks… Anyways each bear
said his line about their chairs and when it got to the part where the baby bear’s chair was
broken from Goldilocks, I cried real tears that my chair had been broken. The teacher was so
impressed and the whole class applauded. From that moment on I was hooked. As far as my
early successes, I think my culture definitely inspired me. My grandmother was so full of life and
would recite poetry to us every day, and every day she would always say with full dramatics
“Pero que somos en la vida? Pobres actores del eterno drama. Sin quererlo venimos a la vida,
sin saberlo salimos de la nada”. She was a natural born star who never got a chance to shine. I
guess I always wanted to honor her and would always dream of becoming an actress to make
her proud.
AC: Who have been the greatest supporters and naysayers about your career goals? Did
your looks work for you or against you?
YD: I think my looks have certainly helped me in many cases but it’s a double edged sword. You
don’t always get to play the roles you want because of the way you look. But that’s okay for
now. I have been very lucky to play a variety of characters all over the spectrum. From the fiery
Mexican señoritas, to free spirited Hippies and Native American roles. I’ve been Italian, Greek,
and Middle Eastern. From sexy to hilarious to professional. Some roles can be glamorous but
most are not.
The biggest naysayers to my career were probably some of my early boyfriends. Which is
probably why I am not with them anymore… But by far my biggest supporters were always my
family. My mom, my sister and my grandparents. My mom was a single mom and she worked
two full time jobs to support us. I think she always was so supportive with my career goals was
because she wanted me to live my dreams; something she didn’t get a chance to do. She was
never a stage mom. She just loved to see me and my sisters have adventures and have a great
life. She grew up in a very strict household in Colombia, so I think she gave us so much
freedom because she never had that. I’m so grateful for her and everything she did for us. A
true selfless angel.
AC: Tell us about your years at the Hollywood Performing Arts High School? The
experience seems really 90210…
YD: It was more like FAME than 90210. High school was great. Instead of English I took
Shakespeare, instead of gym I had Modern dance and Jazz class. My teachers were so
passionate about their craft and were very strict when it came to the theatre. I really value
having had this rigorous education. It definitely taught me respect for my craft. But at the same
time I was a bit of wild child. Well, ok, I was a total wild child. I would ditch classes and cruise
Hollywood Blvd with my friends and buy beer at the one liquor store that I knew sold to minors. I
was so bad. At night when my mom was at work, my sister and I would sneak out and head
down to the sunset strip and hang out with all the rock stars. We would get all dressed up and
get into all the clubs like the Troubadour, The Whiskey, The Rainbow and Gazzari’s. What a
crazy childhood. I was 14 years old hanging out with all the guys from Poison, Guns and Roses
and Motley Crue. We were like rock n’ roll cultural icons. Not groupies, but an actual part of the
whole scene. What a blast. But no matter what, I would always go to school the next day,
wearing dark shades of course…Somehow I got straight A’s. I graduated with honors.
AC: How important is it for you to have earned BA in directing and a MA in screenwriting
from UCLA? How hard was it for a Latina to make it through?
YD: So important. It was one of those things I had to prove, not
just to myself but everyone else. I wanted to be the first in my
family to attend college, and not just any college, but UCLA. I
knew I wanted to study film because I had so much education in
theatre that I wanted to expand my knowledge and passion to
directing and writing. Everyone, and I mean everyone, told me it
was impossible to get into UCLA film school. They would give me
statistics like, “It’s easier to win the lottery.” And although this
statistic is actually quite true, it made me want it even more. I’ve
always been blessed with a little good luck angel and sure
enough, he came through again. I loved UCLA. Loved, loved,
loved it. As a Latina I think the tide had shifted with regards to
race and brown was the new white. UCLA was very supportive of
ethnic stories and view points and it allowed me to express that
side of me that I hadn’t been able to before.
The hardest part of making it through film school, however, was not that I was Latina, but that I
was a woman. I remember how I was such good friends with all my new classmates, but the day
we all picked up a real movie camera and it was my day to direct, something major shifted.
Suddenly all the guys felt really threatened and I remember feeling this awful feeling in my
stomach, because I knew they felt like a woman was intruding on what they believed was “their”
territory. It’s hard to explain but through the years I’ve been told the same story by almost every
woman brave enough to pick up a camera and say, “I’m the director.” It’s funny. I still remember
that icky feeling. But, like always, I love a challenge and didn’t let it stop me. Because of my
experiences at UCLA I know that I will someday focus my energies to directing once again and I
still continue to write consistently. I’ve had many of my scripts optioned and have won a few
awards for my shorts. Even though my acting has taken priority over the years, I know I’ll revisit
filmmaking very soon. I’m always thinking of new story ideas and TV shows and plays. It’s
definitely a lifelong ambition. I’m never going to quit. I have so many stories to tell, it would be a
shame to stop now.
AC: Is your ultimate goal to write, direct, and produce your own projects? What kinds of
stories do you want to tell that are seldom told?
YD: I love comedy. I’ve always written comedy and will continue to do so, but I have always had
this yearning passion to write the stories my grandparents would tell me about an early
Colombia. The Colombia of their day. So full of amazing experiences and beautiful places and
lots of magic. My grandparent’s stories always had a lot of magical surrealism to them but they
were told as the God honest truth.
I am the descendent of a long line of Curanderas or natural healers. Growing up we never ever
had any store medicines, not even a band-aid. All of our cures were natural and they all worked.
I want to write about these stories and these natural cures and honor this amazing culture that
my family came from. Growing up we had to hide the fact that we were Hispanic and especially
Colombian because when my mom first came to this country she told people she was from
Colombia and everyone would ask her if she made cocaine. My mom had never even had a
drink in her life so to hear something like that from everyone, it made her really ashamed. And
she didn’t want us to go through the same discrimination that she often went through in so many
other parts of her life. It wasn’t until high school that I finally broke the family secret and let the
world know that I was Colombian.
We had hid it our entire lives and were told never to tell where our family was from. Something
came over me and I just knew I had to end this lifelong cover up. My mom came to see me in
the high school musical that I was in and I introduced her to everyone as my mom… from
Colombia. I remember seeing her face get a bit flushed, having had her secret exposed, but
then everyone was so intrigued and loved it. The tide had shifted from when she had first
arrived in America and being Latina and from Colombia, wow, how exotic and exciting. It was
now finally seen as a great thing. We no longer had to hide who we were and where we were
from. It brings tears to my eyes to this day when I remember how I saw the pride of her culture
come back into her soul. To this day she tells everyone where she was born and she says it
proudly.
AC: What is the reaction when you tell people about your serious industry academic
credentials? Have you ever have to “dumb yourself down” in order to get a part from
chauvinists?
YD: Most people are always impressed by my academic credentials. And honestly, for people
who don’t know me, there is always a tinge of surprise in their reactions. I think people still have
these stereotypes in their head. If a woman is attractive and fun and wild, how can she be an
academic? I love it. So, to answer your question of dumbing myself down to get a part, I think
I’ve had to dumb myself down my whole life. It’s almost like this character I’ve engrained into
myself. It’s fun, because occasionally I let my academia geek out and it’s a great dichotomy. My
friends call me the sexy super nerd…
AC: What was your first professional acting job and how did that come about? Are there
any roles you will not take for moral or political reasons?
YD: I think my first professional acting gig was at the Odyssey Theater in LA. I was in the
production of “The Chicago Conspiracy Trial” and I had one line as the role of Abbie Hoffman’s
wife, Anita. “Right on Abbey!” That was my line. I got a tiny stipend that I used to pay for the gas
in my motorcycle to get there.
As an actor, I don’t believe there is any role I would not take. My job as an artist is to honor all
characters. Although some are fictional, most characters come from a writer’s life or
subconscious. These characters existed in some form in real life and I feel it is my spiritual duty
as an actor to embody anyone and anything in the name of artistic expression. They have to be
well written however, otherwise all bets are off.
AC: Aside from racism, are you judged because of your stellar looks. You have been
compared to Jane Russell. How do you feel about that? Is there pressure to become
iconic?
YD: That is such an awesome actress to be compared to. In a world and business that was
obsessed with skinny blonds at the time, or maybe still… Jane was the hot and curvy brunette
bombshell who was also very exotic looking and on top of it all, was also very talented. I love
that comparison. Thanks! I don’t feel the pressure to become iconic. I love what I do but I also
love my life away from the stage and the cameras. I’m a nature lover, a surfer, a traveler, a self
expression enthusiast. I have a love/hate relationship with fame. I think it would be amazing to
be an icon but I also fear the loss of my freedom. It’s a thin, tight rope.
AC: Do you think you would get more work as maids and farm workers if you were less
attractive?
YD: You are so sweet. Thank you
for the compliment, but I have
actually played both a maid quite a
few times and a farm worker. There
are probably tons of hot maids and
farm worker chicks out there! That’s
kind of a stereotype that maids can’t
be attractive? They come in all
shapes, looks, and sizes.
AC: What is your reaction to the
word “stereotype?”
YD: My reaction is one of boredom.
Really? Do we still have to
stereotype
anyone?.
Très
annuyeux.
AC: Has being multi lingual been helpful? Does off shore Spanish Media offer you jobs?
YD: Being multi lingual is one of the coolest things on earth. There are so many opportunities
that open up for you and just getting to travel and communicate with people from different
cultures in their own language is really awesome. There is a connection between people that
you get when you reach out and learn their language. It’s priceless. I have for sure gotten many
gigs because I speak Spanish. I also speak French and am pretty darn good with Italian.
AC: You played many exotic and quirky roles. Do you search out the offbeat in order to
test and demonstrate your abilities?
YD: I adore playing quirky roles and off beat roles. I think I often bring that quality to roles that
don’t even ask for it. But mostly those roles find me somehow. The world of showbiz still holds
many kismet and fantastical experiences and the right role coming at the right time is one of
those really cool things about this business.
AC: You won an Imagen award for your theatrical work. Which media platform are you
most comfortable with?
YD: I love them all. I grew up in the theatre so the stage will always be my home, but it’s a lot of
hard hard work. They all are, but especially theatre. TV is great! I love it! It’s fast and furious and
really Zen in that way. You rehearse, you shoot, you move on. Film, on the other hand, is much
slower. You don’t have the same pressures you do in theatre and TV and you really get to
discover a role as you go along. And screenwriting, oh Lord, the greatest curse is having the
ability to write cause then you are condemned to do it or risk not having your stories told as
correctly or as beautifully as you can tell them. It’s a blessing and a curse for sure.
AC: Which would you like to do more of and why?
YD: I would love to do more film. I love TV and love working on a TV series and that will never
change, but I like the idea of an audience sitting in the dark with their popcorn, wiping a tear
from their face and being completed and fully immersed into the experience of seeing your
performance. At home there are so many distractions. The movie theatre is still one of those
places where you can really lose yourself for a few hours, as long as you’re not texting or face
booking.
AC: Tell us about the Dennis Leoni’s Los Americans websode experience. What do think
of the internet as a media platform? Is it the wave of the future or flash in the pan?
YD: The internet is not the future, it’s the present. Right here, right now. Most all of my friends
don’t even watch TV anymore, well not like they used to. They watch their favorite TV shows on
their computers at their leisure. And because they’re online, they surf the web for other cool
things. You couldn’t do that with a regular TV. Sure you can channel surf, but your choices are
limited. Really limited.
We basically shot Los Americans like any other TV series but the budget was much much less.
The writing was fantastic and the directing, the production, the crew, the cast, all top notch. We
had a really great time. I didn’t know who was playing my husband until a few days before when
I was getting fit for costumes. I asked who was playing my husband and the costume designer
said Esai Morales. I was like “No way!” Esai and I have been friends for many years and it was
because of Esai and his foundation, the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, that I really
got a start in this business. They gave me a scholarship while I was in college and then every
year invited me to this amazing gala in Washington DC where I have met everyone from Barack
Obama, Hilary Clinton and then President Bill Clinton. So, because of this foundation, I got to
become friends with many stars that I admired – like Jimmy Smits and Sonja Braga and of
course Esai. So to have it all come full circle and have Esai play my husband? What a trip!
That’s the magical part about show biz that I was talking about. So trippy.
AC: We understand that Los Americans (which you co-star with Esai Morales) is running
continuously on Los Angeles buses to a projected audience of 25 million people. Can
you tell us a little bit about how this works?
YD: It’s so awesome!!! Los Americans will be the first bus series ever, which is pretty darn cool
if you think about it. It’s definitely one for the history books. There was the first movie, the first
talkie, the first documentary, the first web series, and now the first bus series. Starting on
September 5, 2011, Transit TV will air the series on their MTA bus screens for millions of
viewers in Los Angeles. They will show short segments of the series throughout the week. The
idea is also for people to continue watching at home on their computers or on their cell phones
by going to the website for Los Americans where they can watch the full episodes all at once.
I’m really excited about it. A few of us from the cast were going to hop on the bus once it airs
and see if anyone notices us sitting there.
I grew up taking the bus in LA, so for me it holds a very special place in my heart. I guess we
were the OG eco Latino family. But not necessarily by choice. I went to school every day on the
bus and my mom would take me and my sister all over the city on weekends to places like the
LA Zoo, LaBrea Tar Pits, Griffith Park, and Hollywood Blvd. The bus was our car, because we
didn’t have one growing up. My grandparents also took us everywhere on the bus. I hadn’t been
on a bus since high school, so watching myself on the screen while we rode around for the
premiere celebration was kind of surreal. I’m sure my grandparents would be very proud. I know
my mom is. She can’t wait to ride on the bus just to see me.
AC: What has been the response to Los Americans and your portrayal of a middle class
Latina wife who is known to kick butt?
YD: Ha. I love it. The response has
been so overwhelming and amazing.
People LOVE this series. I have
gotten so much fan mail and face
book requests from people who have
watched the show and want to see
more episodes. I think fans have
really resonated with the role of Alma
because she is not only a loving
mother who keeps everything and
everyone together, but she’s honest
and not afraid to be herself, even if
that means yelling, crying, and
occasionally kicking someone’s ass.
As women and especially Latinas,
roles are often very limiting. When I
read the role of Alma, I fell in love with her. It was so refreshing to read the role of a woman who
is not only very opinionated and tough and educated, but also sexy. Yay to Dennis Leoni for
creating this honest character. It’s been really amazing. Most people can’t believe that “Los
Americans” is a web series and not on a network. I think what most people request is that it get
picked up by a network so their grandparents and non web watchers can see it on TV, old
school style.
AC: What kinds of projects are you working on right now? Anything you are really
excited about?
YD: I have a comedy series that I wrote and I will also be starring in. It’s all very exciting and we
are in the early stages so I can’t tell you more right now, but soon. Very soon.
AC: Tell us about your work with animal rights. I understand you have a household of
lovely pets.
YD: Our house is like a zoo. At one point we had 5 dogs, a cat, two goats and two birds. I wish I
could have more, but in time I’m sure I will. My pets are my kids. I adore them and all animals. I
think my first step as an animal rights activist was to consciously become a Vegan. I grew up a
vegetarian, which was very unusual for Colombians, but that was how my grandma was raised
and that is how she raised us. I’m so grateful for that. Not only was being a vegetarian a way of
honoring our animal friends, but also one of the best things you can do to help the environment.
It’s a spiritual, environmental and health issue for me. I have protested and marched with fellow
PETA groups and am very active in my community when it comes to wildlife rescue and
preservation. All of my pets are rescues. They are my angels.
AC: How important is new media (Facebook/Twitter) in changing the way things are done
in Hollywood?
YD: Super important. There is definitely a new power and opportunity to reach out to a lot of
people and get the word out on a great project or a cool band or an awesome series. It’s a
fantastic marketing tool for projects or people that might never have seen the light of day with
traditional outlets. It’s also a great way to stay in touch. But nothing replaces a face-to-face
meeting or a phone call or word of mouth. These are ageless, timeless and honest. But I think
new media will open many doors for amazing projects. It already has. It’s a whole new world
and an opportunity for artists in every disciple.
AC: And when it’s all said and done, how would you like the world to remember you?
What would you like your legacy to be?
YD: Oh my. What a great question. Let me close my eyes and think about this one. I want the
world to remember me as a beautiful person inside and out who was also a talented actress
who, against all odds. made her dreams come true. I’d like to then be remembered as a
passionate advocate for the environment and animals and those without a voice; someone who
actually made a difference in the world. Someone who moved people to laughter or tears with
her performances and someone who, at the end of the day, was just super cool.
http://www.heralddeparis.com/mesmeric-actress-yvonne-delarosa/147395
August 8th, 2011
Latino TV show will hit the road on Metro buses
Esai Morales, left, and Yvonne DeLarosa, who star in the new show "Los Americans" ride a transit bus down Laurel Canyon
Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley with writer/director Dennis Leoni during a media event on Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.
The show will be played on Metro buses in Los Angeles and will also be available on the web. (David Crane/Staff
Photographer) (David Crane)
Family patriarch Lee Valenzuela thought he'd turned his back on his Mexican roots by assimilating into
upscale Stevenson Ranch.
Then he loses his executive job. His mother hits the bottle. His tattooed homeys pile in, calling him
Leandro. His daughter appears to get date-raped.
Meet "Los Americans" - the Spanglish webcast of a middle-class Mexican-American family and soon to
be the first telenovela aired on Metro buses across Los Angeles.
"It's the relentless and blind pursuit of the American Dream - with a few nightmares sprinkled in," said
actor Esai Morales, star of "La Bamba" and "NYPD Blue" who plays Valenzuela in the eight-part web
series.
The series, produced by the nonprofit One Economy Corp. and financed by a federal grant, will be
broadcast by Transit TV across video screens aboard 1,700 buses.
Aired in eight weekly segments beginning Sept. 5, "Los Americans" will appear in 3-minute episodes
looped to augment workday news, entertainment and local ads.
It targets the Latino majority of Los Angeles County bus riders - for an estimated 1.1million passenger
views a day, or a total of 25 million viewers over eight weeks.
Despite the series' pithy length, its makers say it features Latino-Americans in a realistic way seldom
seen on TV or in other media.
As some bus riders escape into their smartphones or ear buds, other passengers who tune into "Los
Americans" will get nuanced issues facing many
Los Angeles families - cultural identity, joblessness, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, immigration, childhood
obesity and more.
Those who wish to see the series' full 15-minute episodes and get valuable life tips are urged to tune into
its producer's Public Internet Channel website, www.pic.tv.
"One Economy is truly meeting people where they are by bringing this program to Los Angeles County
Metro bus riders," said Alan Greenlee, vice president of programs for the Washington, D.C.-based group,
before a news conference at Tezo Systems, parent company of Transit TV, in Sun Valley.
"Hopefully ... the stories will be so inspiring, people will transfer that energy to connecting online and then
making changes in their own lives."
The global nonprofit aims to connect poor people to the power of technology.
It received a $27 million federal stimulus grant to supply broadband connections to affordable housing
and offer free tax preparations online.
"Los Americans," also funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cost $600,000 to make
and is being offered free to L.A. mass transit riders, Greenlee said.
"This will be flashy enough to catch people's attention, and also to entertain," said Messiah Jacobs,
producer of the group's V-Studios, which filmed "Los Americans" in the Santa Clarita suburb of Stevenson
Ranch.
"Similar to (VH1) `Pop Up Videos,' where they had those audio questions going bloop!"
A year ago, Tezo Systems took over the bankrupt Transit TV and conducted a makeover of the Sun
Valley company, with plans to expand closed-circuit video programming for bus riders across the U.S.
Its contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, signed last year, cost the public nothing, but
guarantees the transit agency $100,000 a year in ad revenue.
The redesigned service includes news, weather, cooking tips, plus interactive word games and prizes.
Ads, geared to GPS technology, flash banner ads for passing businesses.
"Surveys show 80 percent of our customers like it," said Marc Littman, a Metro spokesman. "`Los
Americans' is definitely a first for us. It adds to the rich programming they already have, something our
customers may look forward to."
On Monday, the
entertainment troupe
for "Los Americans"
piled into a bus including
writer/director Dennis
Leoni, creator of the
award-winning TV
series "Resurrection
Blvd," which featured
a boxing family from
East Los Angeles.
Then there was
Yvonne Delarosa star of such crime
thrillers as "Law and
Order LA" and "NCIS"
- who plays Lee's
wife, Alma.
And Lupe Ontiveros,
star of "Southland,"
who plays his mother
Lucia. Plus Raymond Cruz, of "The Closer," and Tony Plana, of "Ugly Betty."
As the bus rumbled onto Laurel Canyon Boulevard and past muffler and granite shops and endless strip
malls, "Los Americans" flashed onto two 19-inch monitors, punctuated by the whine of the bus.
Lee Valenzuela - straddling two cultures, as well as his past and his future - had moved his family to the
`burbs, to assimilate into mainstream America.
"Why didn't you teach them Spanish?" asks his mother, Lucia, of his teenage son and daughter.
"Because I wanted them to speak perfect English," Lee says.
It's his birthday, and he tells his wife he lost his high-paying job.
Then his homeboy cousin Memo, whom Lee hasn't seen in decades, saunters into their dining room
baring a Virgen de Guadalupe chest tattoo, his undocumented wife and their overweight son in tow.
"It's unique. I think people will watch it. It's a good story," said Rich Mbariket, publisher
ofwebseriesnetwork.com, of North Hollywood, who reviews web series. "Well directed. Well shot. Lots of
talent.
"It's fresh."
"Great start," said Dora G. Gomez, in an online comment to the first episode. "I had to laugh at the dining
room scene. I have that same table. Common threads among Latinos. In each of the characters I could
see someone I knew in my community and my very own family."
Though the target audience may be bus riders, Morales said he'll likely not board the bus in L.A.
"It may hurt my career aspirations, if people saw me on the bus," said the New York native. "Now (I'll be)
on the bus several times a day, not under it."
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18688938 Noche de Gala
Yvonne Delarosa And Efren Ramirez
Yvonne Delarosa and Efren Ramirez. attends the black tie reception of the
Noche de Gala at the Grand Ballroom Renaissance Mayflower, hosted by
the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.. Washington DC, USA
http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/yvonne_delarosa_2067275
Latino Writers Committee Screens New Web Series Los
Americans
On June 23, the WGAW Latino Writers
Committee hosted a screening and panel
discussion at the Writers Guild for Los
Americans, a new eight-part Web series airing
on PIC.tv that focuses on a suburban MexicanAmerican family. Written and directed by
Dennis Leoni, creator of the Showtime
series Resurrection Boulevard, the series stars
Esai Morales (Caprica), Lupe Ontiveros
(Southland), Yvonne Delarosa, Raymond Cruz
(The Closer), and Bibiana Navas.
With KCBS-2 news anchor Laura Diaz moderating, Leoni and his all-star cast discussed the
fictional Valenzuela family’s struggles with issues that face all families; raising children, how to
stay connected to each other, and financial pressure in a tough economy. Other themes such as
cultural assimilation and clashes of class and language in America today are decidedly LatinoAmerican, and Leoni adeptly weaves them in.
“Robert Townsend, along with One Economy, came to me to
develop a Web series about a contemporary Latino family
facing issues, some specific to Latinos and some that all
families in the U.S. face, for PIC.tv in the hope that we could
help families dealing with problems like alcoholism,
joblessness, homelessness, teen pregnancy and immigration,
and I believe we've accomplished that in a very entertaining
way,” said Leoni.
“Creatively, I was particularly excited to be able to bring to life
Los Americans creator Dennis Leoni.
Leandro Valenzuela, Esai Morales' character, as someone
who's ashamed of his ethnicity, language and culture,” he
continued. “It's an aspect of who some Latinos are that has never been dealt with in any media,
and there's a very important lesson to be learned about how much we, as Latinos or any other
ethnic group for that matter, assimilate into the U.S. melting pot before we begin to lose our
cultural identity, who we are and where we come from.”
Los Americans is an original production of One Economy Corporation, a non-profit organization
expanding access to technology and information across the globe, and award-winning executive
producer Robert Townsend under his V-Studio shingle. The Web series was produced under
WGAW, DGA and SAG new media contracts.
“The best things about the Internet are that you can use it in this fashion for positive social
change and it offers a way to reach a different audience from broadcast and cable TV,” said
Leoni. “It also allows viewers to watch Los Americans whenever they want, as many times as
they want and for free.”
http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4658
ALMA Awards
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/8Q5Y0QNTEh4/2007+NCLR+ALMA+Awards+Arrivals/HGH
fmQoLCgT
Mesmeric Actress Yvonne DeLaRosa
"Los Americans" webseries triple threat: Stellar looks, major talent, and a Masters
degree from UCLA
Published on LatinoLA: September 5, 2011
You can learn a lot about Yvonne DeLaRosa on her Facebook fan
page,but there's a lot more to tell: With several dramatic and quirky Indie feature leads, high visibility guest
starring roles on network and cable, four series leads on pilots, including
a Fox pilot under her belt, be it comedy or drama, Yvonne DeLaRosa is
breaking down doors and disseminating traditional Latina stereotypes. DeLaRosa's latest work is starring as the series lead in the
unprecedented new web series "Los Americans" opposite Esai Morales. Yvonne portrays Alma Valenzuela, the wife, mother and professional who runs her household
with passion, love and a Jane Russell styled sensuality. As the wife of Leandro Valenzuela
(Esai Morales) and the matriarch of an upper middle class Mexican American family with
cultural identity problems, drinking problems and some serious anger management issues,
Yvonne said of her character, "She's not only an intelligent, powerful woman, she is also a
loving mom and, oh yeah… she's likes to kick butt." Regularly compared to such stars as Salma Hayek, Sonia Braga and Catherine Zeta-Jones,
and just like her predecessors, Delarosa has been cast and portrayed as the sexy hot Latina.
But DelaRosa has already taken on roles that break the mold. In the past few years she has been cast as a drugged out hippie and Charles Manson's right
hand gal in "Helter Skelter," a wild groupie with a heart of gold in the comedy "Benny Bliss," a
hijacker in the feature film "Final Approach," a comedic stripper with brains in Scrambled Eggs,
and a first lady in "Blue Balls Of Fire." This month, she will be seen in two very dramatic roles:
guest starring on "Law and Order LA" and on set in the western feature "The Sorrow" opposite
Michael Madsen and Jon Savage. DeLaRosa insists on doing less "glamorous" roles, be it dramatic or comedic. "I like to honor
women of all cultures, class, and circumstances, not just the pretty ones." And, apparently, not
just Latina ones either. They say it's impossible to be cast as "Caucasian" when you are Latina
(just ask the veterans) but DelaRosa has already broken a few industry "standards." She has
portrayed Native Americans, Caucasian, Jewish, Italian, French, Middle Eastern, Mexican,
South American and of course, the classic LA girl. LatinoLA.com Contributing Editor Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez had an opportunity to speak candidly
at length with Yvonne through an introduction from his friend producer Dennis Leoni. This is her
first international interview. She is, no doubt, on her way to A-list acclaim. AC: How is it that you started studying theater at the age of 5? I am assuming your parents
were very supportive. Did you grow up on LA? What was your first performance ever? YD: I guess my first performance ever was in elementary school and I had the role of Sheila in a
"Chorus Line." I was like 8 years old! And I had this line where Sheila says in a really sexy tone
"I'm going to be 30 real soon and I'm real glad". I can still remember the entire audience
cracking up with laughter. I think that's when I realized I could make people laugh and I loved it! The reason I got to study theater at such a young age was because when I was in elementary
school, I was given an aptitude test of some kind, I'm not sure if it was because my teacher
thought I was super smart or she was just tired of sending me to the corner for talking so much,
but from that point on I was put into a gifted/talented category. Instead of going from teacher to
teacher every year, I stayed with the same class and same teacher for most of my elementary
school years. I had this most amazing flamboyant teacher who was obsessed with Broadway
musicals. As a class we would perform scenes from different musicals and twice a year we would put on
an entire Broadway musical production for the entire school. I recall we would spend little time
on the basics, like math, English, etc, because the majority of our day went to studying
Broadway musicals. It's kind of funny. I was terrible at fractions but I could sing any song from
any musical and I could also tell you who everyone was behind the scenes too, like the
composer, the choreographer, even the costume designer. It was a pretty incredible way to
grow up. I think if my mom had known we were basically getting an education in musicals, she might not
have been so supportive. Ha. But I will never forget how proud my mom and sister and
grandparents were whenever they would be there in the audience for my plays and shows. So
worth it. AC: Did your culture inspire or inhibit your early successes? What was the exact moment when
you made the decision that you would spend your life as an artist? What was the first thing you
did when you made that decision? YD: I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to be an actress. It was 1st grade. Our
teacher was reading Goldilocks and The Three Bears. She asked who wanted to come up and
play the different roles. I raised my hand and ended up being the baby bear. Probably because I
was brown and wasn't blond otherwise I should have been Goldilocks… Anyways, each bear
said his line about their chairs and when it got to the part where the baby bear's chair was
broken from Goldilocks, I cried real tears that my chair had been broken. The teacher was so
impressed and the whole class applauded. From that moment on I was hooked. As far as my early successes, I think my culture definitely
inspired me. My grandmother was so full of life and would recite poetry to us every day, and
every day she would always say with full dramatics "Pero que somos en la vida? Pobres
actores del eterno drama. Sin quererlo venimos a la vida, sin saberlo salimos de la nada". She
was a natural born star who never got a chance to shine. I guess I always wanted to honor her
and would always dream of becoming an actress to make her proud. AC: Who have been the greatest supporters and naysayers about your career goals? Did your
looks work for you or against you? YD: I think my looks have certainly helped me in many cases but it's a double-edged sword.
You don't always get to play the roles you want because of the way you look. But that's okay for
now. I have been very lucky to play a variety of characters all over the spectrum. From the fiery
Mexican señoritas, to free spirited Hippies and Native American roles. I've been Italian, Greek,
and Middle Eastern. From sexy to hilarious to professional. Some roles can be glamorous but
most are not. The biggest naysayers to my career were probably some of my early boyfriends. Which is
probably why I am not with them anymore… But by far my biggest supporters were always my
family. My mom, my sister and my grandparents. My mom was a single mom and she worked
two full time jobs to support us. I think she always was so supportive with my career goals was
because she wanted me to live my dreams; something she didn't get a chance to do. She was
never a stage mom. She just loved to see me and my sisters have adventures and have a great
life. She grew up in a very strict household in Colombia, so I think she gave us so much
freedom because she never had that. I'm so grateful for her and everything she did for us. A
true selfless angel. AC: Tell us about your years at the Hollywood Performing Arts High School? The experience
seems really 90210... YD: It was more like FAME than 90210. High school was great. Instead of English I took
Shakespeare, instead of gym I had Modern dance and Jazz class. My teachers were so
passionate about their craft and were very strict when it came to the theatre. I really value
having had this rigorous education. It definitely taught me respect for my craft. But at the same
time I was a bit of wild child. Well, ok, I was a total wild child. I would ditch classes and cruise
Hollywood Blvd with my friends and buy beer at the one liquor store that I knew sold to minors. I
was so bad. At night when my mom was at work, my sister and I would sneak out and head down to the
Sunset Strip and hang out with all the rock stars. We would get all dressed up and get into all
the clubs like the Troubadour, The Whiskey, The Rainbow and Gazzari's. What a crazy
childhood. I was 14 years old hanging out with all the guys from Poison, Guns and Roses and
Motley Crue. We were like rock n' roll cultural icons. Not groupies, but an actual part of the
whole scene. What a blast. But no matter what, I would always go to school the next day,
wearing dark shades of course…Somehow I got straight A's. I graduated with honors. AC: How important is it for you to have earned BA in directing and a MA in screenwriting from
UCLA? How hard was it for a Latina to make it through? YD: So important. It was one of those things I had to prove, not just to myself but everyone else.
I wanted to be the first in my family to attend college, and not just any college, but UCLA. I knew
I wanted to study film because I had so much education in theatre that I wanted to expand my
knowledge and passion to directing and writing. Everyone, and I mean everyone, told me it was
impossible to get into UCLA film school. They would give me statistics like, "It's easier to win the
lottery." And although this statistic is actually quite true, it made me want it even more. I've always been blessed with a little good luck angel and sure enough, he came through again.
I loved UCLA. Loved, loved, loved it. As a Latina I think the tide had shifted with regards to race
and brown was the new white. UCLA was very supportive of ethnic stories and view points and
it allowed me to express that side of me that I hadn't been able to before. The hardest part of making it through film school, however, was not that I was Latina, but that I
was a woman. I remember how I was such good friends with all my new classmates, but the day
we all picked up a real movie camera and it was my day to direct, something major shifted.
Suddenly all the guys felt really threatened and I remember feeling this awful feeling in my
stomach, because I knew they felt like a woman was intruding on what they believed was "their"
territory. It's hard to explain but through the years I've been told the same story by almost every
woman brave enough to pick up a camera and say, "I'm the director." It's funny. I still remember
that icky feeling. But, like always, I love a challenge and didn't let it stop me. Because of my experiences at
UCLA I know that I will someday focus my energies to directing once again and I still continue to
write consistently. I've had many of my scripts optioned and have won a few awards for my
shorts. Even though my acting has taken priority over the years, I know I'll revisit filmmaking
very soon. I'm always thinking of new story ideas and TV shows and plays. It's definitely a
lifelong ambition. I'm never going to quit. I have so many stories to tell, it would be a shame to
stop now. AC: Is your ultimate goal to write, direct, and produce your own projects? What kinds of stories
do you want to tell that are seldom told? YD: I love comedy. I've always written comedy and will continue to do so, but I have always had
this yearning passion to write the stories my grandparents would tell me about an early
Colombia. The Colombia of their day. So full of amazing experiences and beautiful places and
lots of magic. My grandparent's stories always had a lot of magical surrealism to them but they
were told as the God honest truth. I am the descendent of a long line of Curanderas or natural healers. Growing up we never ever
had any store medicines, not even a band-aid. All of our cures were natural and they all worked.
I want to write about these stories and these natural cures and honor this amazing culture that
my family came from. Growing up we had to hide the fact that we were Hispanic and especially
Colombian because when my mom first came to this country she told people she was from
Colombia and everyone would ask her if she made cocaine. My mom had never even had a
drink in her life so to hear something like that from everyone, it made her really ashamed. And
she didn't want us to go through the same discrimination that she often went through in so many
other parts of her life. It wasn't until high school that I finally broke the family secret and let the
world know that I was Colombian. We had hid it our entire lives and were told never to tell where our family was from. Something
came over me and I just knew I had to end this lifelong cover up. My mom came to see me in
the high school musical that I was in and I introduced her to everyone as my mom... from
Colombia. I remember seeing her face get a bit flushed, having had her secret exposed, but
then everyone was so intrigued and loved it. The tide had shifted from when she had first
arrived in America and being Latina and from Colombia, wow, how exotic and exciting. It was
now finally seen as a great thing. We no longer had to hide who we were and where we were
from. It brings tears to my eyes to this day when I remember how I saw the pride of her culture
come back into her soul. To this day she tells everyone where she was born and she says it
proudly. AC: What is the reaction when you tell people about your serious industry academic
credentials? Have you ever have to "dumb yourself down" in order to get a part from
chauvinists? YD: Most people are always impressed by my academic credentials. And honestly, for people
who don't know me, there is always a tinge of surprise in their reactions. I think people still have
these stereotypes in their head. If a woman is attractive and fun and wild, how can she be an
academic? I love it. So, to answer your question of dumbing myself down to get a part, I think
I've had to dumb myself down my whole life. It's almost like this character I've engrained into
myself. It's fun, because occasionally I let my academia geek out and it's a great dichotomy. My
friends call me the sexy super nerd... AC: What was your first professional acting job and how did that come about? Are there any
roles you will not take for moral or political reasons? YD: I think my first professional acting gig was at the Odyssey Theater in LA. I was in the
production of "The Chicago Conspiracy Trial" and I had one line as the role of Abbie Hoffman's
wife, Anita. "Right on, Abbey!" That was my line. I got a tiny stipend that I used to pay for the
gas in my motorcycle to get there. As an actor, I don't believe there is any role I would not take. My job as an artist is to honor all
characters. Although some are fictional, most characters come from a writer's life or
subconscious. These characters existed in some form in real life and I feel it is my spiritual duty
as an actor to embody anyone and anything in the name of artistic expression. They have to be
well written however, otherwise all bets are off. AC: Aside from racism, are you judged because of your stellar looks. You have been compared
to Jane Russell. How do you feel about that? Is there pressure to become iconic? YD: That is such an awesome actress to be compared to. In a world and business that was
obsessed with skinny blonds at the time, or maybe still... Jane was the hot and curvy brunette
bombshell who was also very exotic looking and on top of it all, was also very talented. I love
that comparison. Thanks! I don't feel the pressure to become iconic. I love what I do but I also
love my life away from the stage and the cameras. I'm a nature lover, a surfer, a traveler, a self
expression enthusiast. I have a love/hate relationship with fame. I think it would be amazing to
be an icon but I also fear the loss of my freedom. It's a thin, tight rope. AC: Do you think you would get more work as maids and farm workers if you were less
attractive? YD: You are so sweet. Thank you for the compliment, but I have actually played both a maid
quite a few times and a farm worker. There are probably tons of hot maids and farm worker
chicks out there! That's kind of a stereotype that maids can't be attractive? They come in all
shapes, looks, and sizes. AC: What is your reaction to the word "stereotype?" YD: My reaction is one of boredom. Really? Do we still have to stereotype anyone?. Très
ennuyeux‎. AC: Has being multi-lingual been helpful? Does offshore Spanish-language media offer you
jobs? YD: Being multi-lingual is one of the coolest things on earth. There are so many opportunities
that open up for you and just getting to travel and communicate with people from different
cultures in their own language is really awesome. There is a connection between people that
you get when you reach out and learn their language. It's priceless. I have for sure gotten many
gigs because I speak Spanish. I also speak French and am pretty darn good with Italian. AC: You played many exotic and quirky roles. Do you search out the offbeat in order to test and
demonstrate your abilities? YD: I adore playing quirky roles and off beat roles. I think I often bring that quality to roles that
don't even ask for it. But mostly those roles find me somehow. The world of showbiz still holds
many kismet and fantastical experiences and the right role coming at the right time is one of
those really cool things about this business. AC: You won an Imagen award for your theatrical work. Which media platform are you most
comfortable with? YD: I love them all. I grew up in the theatre so the stage will always be my home, but it's a lot of
hard hard work. They all are, but especially theatre. TV is great! I love it! It's fast and furious and
really Zen in that way. You rehearse, you shoot, you move on. Film, on the other hand, is much
slower. You don't have the same pressures you do in theatre and TV and you really get to
discover a role as you go along. And screenwriting, oh Lord, the greatest curse is having the
ability to write cause then you are condemned to do it or risk not having your stories told as
correctly or as beautifully as you can tell them. It's a blessing and a curse for sure. AC: Which would you like to do more of and why? YD: I would love to do more film. I love TV and love working on a TV series and that will never
change, but I like the idea of an audience sitting in the dark with their popcorn, wiping a tear
from their face and being completed and fully immersed into the experience of seeing your
performance. At home there are so many distractions. The movie theatre is still one of those
places where you can really lose yourself for a few hours, as long as you're not texting or face
booking. AC: Tell us about the Dennis Leoni's "Los Americans" webisode experience. What do think of
the internet as a media platform? Is it the wave of the future or flash in the pan? YD: The internet is not the future, it's the present. Right here, right now. Most all of my friends
don't even watch TV anymore, well not like they used to. They watch their favorite TV shows on
their computers at their leisure. And because they're online, they surf the web for other cool
things. You couldn't do that with a regular TV. Sure you can channel surf, but your choices are
limited. Really limited. We basically shot "Los Americans" like any other TV series but the budget was much, much
less. The writing was fantastic and the directing, the production, the crew, the cast, all top notch.
We had a really great time. I didn't know who was playing my husband until a few days before
when I was getting fit for costumes. I asked who was playing my husband and the costume
designer said Esai Morales. I was like "No way!" Esai and I have been friends for many years
and it was because of Esai and his foundation, the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts,
that I really got a start in this business. They gave me a scholarship while I was in college and
then every year invited me to this amazing gala in Washington DC where I have met everyone
from Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and then President Bill Clinton. So, because of this foundation, I got to become friends with many stars that I admired - like
Jimmy Smits and Sonia Braga and of course Esai. So to have it all come full circle and have
Esai play my husband? What a trip! That's the magical part about show biz that I was talking
about. So trippy. AC: We understand that "Los Americans" is running continuously on Los Angeles buses to a
projected audience of 25 million people. Can you tell us a little bit about how this works? YD: It's so awesome!!! "Los Americans" will be the first bus series ever, which is pretty darn cool
if you think about it. It's definitely one for the history books. There was the first movie, the first
talkie, the first documentary, the first web series, and now the first bus series. Starting on September 5, 2011, Transit TV will air the series on their MTA bus screens for
millions of viewers in Los Angeles. They will show short segments of the series throughout the
week. The idea is also for people to continue watching at home on their computers or on their
cell phones by going to the website for Los Americans where they can watch the full episodes
all at once. I'm really excited about it. A few of us from the cast were going to hop on the bus
once it airs and see if anyone notices us sitting there. I grew up taking the bus in LA, so for me it holds a very special place in my heart. I guess we
were the OG eco Latino family. But not necessarily by choice. I went to school every day on the
bus and my mom would take me and my sister all over the city on weekends to places like the
LA Zoo, LaBrea Tar Pits, Griffith Park, and Hollywood Blvd. The bus was our car, because we
didn't have one growing up. My grandparents also took us everywhere on the bus. I hadn't been
on a bus since high school, so watching myself on the screen while we rode around for the
premiere celebration was kind of surreal. I'm sure my grandparents would be very proud. I know
my mom is. She can't wait to ride on the bus just to see me. AC: What has been the response to "Los Americans" and your portrayal of a middle class Latina
wife who is known to kick butt? YD: Ha. I love it. The response has been so overwhelming and amazing. People LOVE this
series. I have gotten so much fan mail and face book requests from people who have watched
the show and want to see more episodes. I think fans have really resonated with the role of
Alma because she is not only a loving mother who keeps everything and everyone together, but
she's honest and not afraid to be herself, even if that means yelling, crying, and occasionally
kicking someone's ass. As women and especially Latinas, roles are often very limiting. When I read the role of Alma, I
fell in love with her. It was so refreshing to read the role of a woman who is not only very
opinionated and tough and educated, but also sexy. Yay to Dennis Leoni for creating this honest
character. It's been really amazing. Most people can't believe that "Los Americans" is a web
series and not on a network. I think what most people request is that it get picked up by a
network so their grandparents and non web watchers can see it on TV, old school style. AC: What kinds of projects are you working on right now? Anything you are really excited
about? YD: I have a comedy series that I wrote and I will also be starring in. It's all very exciting and we
are in the early stages so I can't tell you more right now, but soon. Very soon. AC: Tell us about your work with animal rights. I understand you have a household of lovely
pets. YD: Our house is like a zoo. At one point we had 5 dogs, a cat, two goats and two birds. I wish I
could have more, but in time I'm sure I will. My pets are my kids. I adore them and all animals. I
think my first step as an animal rights activist was to consciously become a Vegan. I grew up a
vegetarian, which was very unusual for Colombians, but that was how my grandma was raised
and that is how she raised us. I'm so grateful for that. Not only was being a vegetarian a way of
honoring our animal friends, but also one of the best things you can do to help the environment.
It's a spiritual, environmental and health issue for me. I have protested and marched with fellow
PETA groups and am very active in my community when it comes to wildlife rescue and
preservation. All of my pets are rescues. They are my angels. AC: How important is new media (Face book/Twitter) in changing the way things are done in
Hollywood? YD: Super important. There is definitely a new power and opportunity to reach out to a lot of
people and get the word out on a great project or a cool band or an awesome series. It's a
fantastic marketing tool for projects or people that might never have seen the light of day with
traditional outlets. It's also a great way to stay in touch. But nothing replaces a face-to-face
meeting or a phone call or word of mouth. These are ageless, timeless and honest. But I think
new media will open many doors for amazing projects. It already has. It's a whole new world
and an opportunity for artists in every disciple. AC: And when it's all said and done, how would you like the world to remember you? What
would you like your legacy to be? YD: Oh my. What a great question. Let me close my eyes and think about this one. I want the
world to remember me as a beautiful person inside and out who was also a talented actress
who, against all odds. made her dreams come true. I'd like to then be remembered as a
passionate advocate for the environment and animals and those without a voice; someone who
actually made a difference in the world. Someone who moved people to laughter or tears with
her performances and someone who, at the end of the day, was just super cool.
http://latinola.com/story.php?story=9876 Wedding bells
Residents Yvonne
DeLaRosa Green
and Sam Boyer IV
on Oct. 3 were
married at the
Wright Ranch in
Malibu by Akima, a
Native American
Chumash.
The ceremony
included a
serenade by
resident Marisa
Lee, who sang
“Ave Maria,” a
didgeridoo blessing
by locals Evan and
Angelica Perman,
and a Hawaiian lei
blessing by
Angelica Andersen.
Boyer IV also serenaded Green with an original song called “Heaven is
You.”
Guests, who came from Colombia, Brazil and all over America, included the
bride and groom's families, friends, and god daughters.
http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2009/10/21/malibu_life/people/people2.txt
Yvonne Delarosa talks to The “Herald de Paris”
Beautiful Yvonne Delarosa was a centerpiece in Los
Americans, the web series from director/writer Dennis Leoni that
is also playing (some of it, anyway) on MTA busses all around
Los Angeles. She’s also been a guest star on more hour-long TV
dramas than we can count, and she starred in Roberto S.
Oregel’s One Man Show, now in post-production and schedule
for a December release. Another feature, The Sorrow, with John
Savage and Michael Madsen, will be released next year.
Yvonne recently sat down for a terrific Q&A with Se Fija!’s friend
Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez for an in-depth conversation about her
life and art. Rather than try and paraphrase it, we’ll let you read it
for yourself, right here. And you can find even more at Yvonne’s
official website.
http://www.sefijaonline.com/?p=1473
NOCHE MUSICÁL
YVONNE DELAROSA AND SAM BOYER
http://washingtonlife.smugmug.com/2008-photos/NHFAs-Noche-de-Gala-andGazuza/7631186_ZjWTr6#!i=493344632&k=G48rk

Yvonne DeLaRosa

Transcription

Similar documents

January 17, 2016

Pedro Fernández began his international career when he was

October 18, 2015 - St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

File

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Sanctuary of St. Toribio Romo

TODAY`S READINGS First Reading — When the wicked turn away

- Our Lady of Peace

St. Jerome Church - St. Jerome Catholic Church