Sunday, August 29, 2010
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Eloise Laws!
All photos: Alan Mercer Make-up: Rudy Calvo Hair: Michael Henley Lighting: E. Venturo
This blog has a special meaning for me. I really have been familiar with the music of Eloise Laws for a long time. I had the opportunity to meet her in Dallas, TX several years ago. She and her sister Debra were doing a Thanksgiving show and I was lucky enough to attend. Both ladies were mezmerizing on stage and as personable and friendly in person as anyone can be. That experience left an indelable mark in my memory.
Fast forward to Los Angeles today. I have waited to photograph Eloise Laws for 'too long' and I finally had the opportunity to fulfill this desire with the help of Rudy Calvo who did his usual masterful make-up and styling. Michael Henley styled the hair and Eric Venturo used his keen sense of creative lighting to bring these shots to life.
I also loved being able to talk with Eloise about her life today and the long over-due release of 'Eloise' on CD. This blog will make you hip to a lot of her career up to now.
Eloise Laws was born into a family of musicians in Houston, Texas as the fourth of eight children. Her siblings include flutist Hubert, saxophonist Ronnie, and vocalist Debra.
Her first contract with Columbia ended after a couple of singles. She began recording for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Music Merchant and later Invictus labels. Her first album, 'Ain't It Good Feeling Good' was released on Invictus in 1977. Unfortunately, the labels folded soon after this release. Eloise released the LP 'Eloise' on the ABC label later the same year and 'Eloise Laws' on Liberty in 1980, both of which featured the songwriting and producing talents of Linda Creed.
'All in Time,' for Capitol, followed two years later. Eloise was then featured on various albums by different artists like Lee Oskar and Ahmad Jamal, as well as several releases by her siblings.
She would not record another solo album until the late 1990's when 'The Key' was released. She recorded some new tracks along with some re-recordings of her earlier songs. Her latest recording titled 'Secrets' is another masterpiece and readily available.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Eloise continues to perform at music festivals. She has won the prestigious 'Cherry Blossom Award' from the Tokyo Music Festival and headlined the 94.7 The Wave Presents 'Jazz By the Bay at the Queen Mary' series to record-breaking, sold-out audiences.
She is an original lead cast member and co-writer of the highly successful Tony-nominated play 'It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,' which had its world premiere at the Denver Center Theatre Company. Opening on Broadway with great bravado at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre, it garnered four Tony nominations, and Eloise received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She also received a coveted Helen Hayes Nomination for her performance at the Kennedy Center, and she continues to receive critical acclaim performing with 'The Blues' cross-country.
When she recently performed at the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere production of 'Nat King Cole: A Musical Healing,' a Denver Post reviewer described Eloise Laws as: “A rare and ethereal presence . . . possessed of a voice that could move chimes on a windless night.”
Whenever she performs in concert or theatre, film and television, Eloise Laws not only successfully commands her audience, she mesmerizes them. Currently, she performs internationally in concert tours as both a solo artist and as an integral part of the legendary “Laws Family,” where outstanding musicians always accompany her.
AM: Eloise it is such a joy to be able to work with you at this time. I want to know about those singles you did for Columbia. Do you remember the name of the songs?
EL: Let me think for a moment. Yes, there was my very first one called 'I'll Make It Up To You.' When you hear it, it will blow you away. It blows me away when I hear it today and I realize how long ago it is and how good it is.
AM: Do you have the song?
EL: Someone sent me a disc so I do have it. We have to hear it.
AM: You need to put it on Youtube.
EL: It's amazing that someone hasn't already done that but that is the thing to do. (Eloise is now singing the song a capella for us) Columbia released two songs and that's what got me out there.
AM: Is that what got you the contract with Invictus?
EL: Eventually it did.
RC: Actually it was Music Merchant.
EL: Yes they signed me after Columbia. Very good Rudy! They were a subsidiary of Invictus. What happened was Columbia released the two singles and I was actually Aretha Franklins replacement. I say that proudly. They dropped her, if you can believe that! They were looking for replacements and I was the one they chose, but no one can replace Aretha Franklin! I was so happy to have Columbia and Clive Davis sign me as an artist though.
AM: Clive was at Columbia at the time?
EL: He was president of CBS at the time so he signed me. I was at the beginning of all the "Divas" that were starting to be signed. Aretha was one of the very first and I followed her. Then the music scene started to change. Things were getting shaken up at Columbia.
AM: How did 'Holland-Dozier-Holland' know of you?
EL: 'Holland-Dozier-Holland' saw me on the Merv Griffin Show, which was one of the shows I would regularly appear on.
AM: You must have been on all the shows at the time.
EL: I also did David Frost, Dick Cavett and The Tonight Show. It was on Merv that I met Bette Midler. She and I became regulars on Merv Griffin. We started out together and she's gone on to make movies and I went looking for different managers that were trying to control my career, taking me in all directions. (laughing) Apparently she did something right and I crossed the wrong bridge but it doesn't matter. I am very happy.
AM: But your first album, "Ain't It Good Feeling Good" has that gorgeous cover shot with the belt.
EL: Holland loved me for that one. He met me and saw the way I dressed and told me I had to wear the belt for the cover.
AM: Do you know what happened to that outfit?
EL: I still have the belt. My daughter wears the belt because I can't wear it anymore. It's too small! (Laughing) My daughter wears it now and she loves it.
AM: Can you tell me about being a member of the Fifth Dimension for a few days?
EL: And I have pictures in costume to prove it! (Laughing) I was on my own doing a show in Wisconsin and after the show I was told that Mark Gordon, the manager for the Fifth Dimension, and some agents from New York were in the audience scouting for a replacement for Marilyn McCoo. He told me they had auditioned hundreds of girls but they would like me to join the group. He said, "We think you're great and you have everything we're looking for."
AM: Well that must have been nice to hear. Did you want to be in a group?
EL: It was a big decision to make as I had never been in a group before. I was an individual singer who had built my reputation after so many years. To go into a group was something that never entered my mind. I did think WOW I could leave a salary of $1,500 a week and make $10,000 a week! That sounded very attractive to me! I said, "Let me think about it for ten minutes." Then I said, "I'd love to do it!" It was tough being out on my own. I thought someone else could do all that I'm doing and all I would have to do is show up for rehearsal and performing. That's really what made my mind up for me.
AM: So what happened next?
EL: I moved to Los Angeles from New York. I wasn't even there when the movers came to pack my things. I had to give away the most precious thing that I loved and that was my dog. She was a Pekinese and I haven't gotten over it to this day!
AM: That must have been so difficult!
EL: I just had to let go. So anyway they moved me out to Los Angeles, lock, stock and barrel. My first appearance with them was on the 'Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.' The next day I got a call saying that Florence LaRue Gordon complained that I didn't smile enough. I thought about it and thought about it. At the time I was dating Flip Wilson and he had a big influence on my life. He told me to drop them. I took his advice and I left the group after two weeks. They didn't fire me, I left. I watched 'The Tonight Show' and I didn't like what I saw. I'm just not a group person. I am an individual artist. I had to be true to that and I saw myself in this group and I thought I can never be a back-up singer to a lesser singer than myself. So that was my brief stay with the Fifth Dimension.
AM: I bet you don't regret it either.
EL: I don't regret it. I never look back. I went to Europe for a couple of months just to get over it because so much press had gone out introducing us. I was so depressed and heart broken. So many emotions were going through me. I moved out to Los Angeles for them and I really preferred being in New York. After I came back from Europe I signed with ABC Records and they released 'Eloise' and the rest is history!
AM: OK, how do you feel about 'Eloise' being re-released?
EL: I feel like I've been born again. I really do. It feels like a new birth. Although it's material that I did at the very beginning of my career. To know that it still has legs and that people are receptive and still want to hear it tells me a lot about what I did back then. I know it has substance. That's why it still stands today.
EL: It is timeless. That means a lot to me because sometimes as an artist what you are doing at the time may not mean as much, but you try to do it the best you can and you don't think about the future. You don't think about whether it will be accepted or appreciated in the future. I'm damn excited and jumping out of my skin about it.
AM: I actually think it will have a bigger audience in 2010!
EL: Well I certainly hope so. I feel good about that too. I think people are hungry for good music. We haven't had any for a very long time. That's not to say, and I'm not criticizing where the music industry is today, but as far as real music, I think it's exciting because we just haven't had any "real music" in a long time.
AM: I'm surprised it took this long to get re-released. I have seen so many people asking for this album over the years.
EL: It took a long time, but better late than never, as the old saying goes. I just hope it will continue to warm the hearts of all the listeners and new fans that may receive it.
AM: You'll get new fans!
EL: I hope so. That would really be a plus for me. The record industry has not been an easy industry for me. It's been a struggle. To be known and appreciated by a few is better than none at all.
AM: Now "Ain't It Good Feeling Good' came out just before 'Eloise' didn't it? It's hot and funky!
EL: They came out pretty close together and oddly enough, musically they are totally different.
AM: Do you have a preference as to which one you like better?
EL: "Ain't It Good Feeling Good" is more close to who I really am. It's R&B where as 'Eloise' is kind of classic pop adult-contemporary. That's how it was marketed and it reached a whole other audience. I will say "Ain't It Good Feeling Good' is my preference because it really was a stretch for me.
AM: It's just hot, hot, hot! It's sexy hot and I love it!
EL: Hot, hot, hot, exactly! It brought me some very positive and spirited fans. I have some long-time fans that started with that release and are still here today.
AM: No interview would be complete without mentioning that you come from a very famous musical family. How are you all doing?
EL: We're doing great as a matter of fact. There is now talk of a reality/documentary in the works. We've actually been working on it with a production company that has been talking to the Oprah Winfrey production company. So far it looks good. We've got Quincy Jones backing it and he's actually written a letter saying that he is 100% behind it.
AM: I do have a question that I think a lot of people are curious about and that is why haven't you all done a family recording? Is it just too hard?
EL: We'll be lucky if the reality/documentary show happens. I never thought that I would say these words, and I always used to wonder why musical families break up, the list is endless. Now I understand why it happens and that's all I got to say about that! It's unbelievable how difficult it is for families. Everybody is so different and no one wants to be of one accord.
AM: Yet you have all worked together before.
EL: We've worked in the studio together, but when it comes to doing something major it just doesn't happen. I'm the only one who tries to pull everyone together. I seem to bring everybody together and they kind of lean on me. I have to do all the phone calls and all the peace making. I have to do everything I can to bring everyone together. I've busted my balls doing it, but I think it's so important. There's strength in unity. If there's no unity then we are all off doing our separate things, which we've done for many, many years. Can you imagine if we came together with all that talent? I am working on it and I'm never giving up.
AM: That's a good attitude. What about from now on? Are you still interested in recording?
EL: That's a very good question because I will always love making music and I am looking at producers right now. I'm looking at some of the real fine producers of today that can give me that 'today sound' without compromising the music. I want to stay out there and give the fans that I do have new challenges. So yes I would love to record, however it's a very expensive proposition today since record companies no longer position themselves like before, so no one foots the bill but you. I did that with my last two projects. I'm still waiting to get any money from those two projects.
AM: That reminds me, your latest release, 'Secrets' actually has a similar feeling to 'Eloise.' They don't sound alike but they are each classic.
EL: I agree. You know 'The Key' was really difficult to make.
AM: It's a gorgeous album!
EL: Thank you. I'm glad you said that because that was not an easy project to do because I was on the road and for the first time I was doing a project where I didn't need to be in the studio. The tracks were done and sent to me. This to me was unheard of because I like doing live recordings. That was the difference. When I got a chance to record 'Secrets' I did it live with all the musicians in the studio. 'The Key' was totally different and the other thing about 'The Key' is we tried to duplicate some of the songs from 'Eloise' and my theory is if you can't do it better then don't touch it at all. I was somewhat disappointed with the outcome of the old material, but the new stuff I love. I do like the Spanky Wilson cut, 'The Last Day Of Summer' and that's where I had to kick butt with the producer! I said, "Look I'm coming in off the road and I want to do something live with musicians." So that was recorded live and that's why it stands out.
AM: That was so exciting when it came out because it had been twenty years since your last release.
EL: Exactly, it had been forever.
AM: It was a savior!
EL: It was a savior for me.
AM: In the meantime you did a Broadway show!
EL: I certainly did.
AM: You originated it didn't you?
EL: Yes and I was one of the writers. The show is called 'It Ain't Nothing But The Blues' and I'm proud to say that I was the critics favorite which garnered me a Drama Desk Award nomination and we had four Tony nominations of which we did not win, but we did get the four nominations. I later got nominated for the Helen Hayes award as well. It was wonderful to get all these nominations. To get noticed by Broadway is a whole other genre.
AM: The hardest thing on earth!
EL: Exactly! I have to admit that Broadway was always my first love. That's where I actually started my career. I was cast in 'Hair' but I chose to go the Playboy nightclub circuit instead. I think that was a wise choice because I learned how to not be just a singer but to entertain and how to be a total performer.
To learn more about Eloise visit her web site http://www.eloiselaws.com/
Monday, August 23, 2010
Esha Deol Hot wallpaper gallery | Dhoom Esha Deol photos
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
Preity zinta Zinta sizzling Hot spicy black dress Image
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010
William McNamara Goes With The Flow
William McNamara's film breakthrough came in 1988 when he starred as Billy Kane in Peter and Paul Mones' urban drama 'The Beat.' McNamara led a fairly peripatetic childhood; his interior designer mother was granted custody of McNamara after divorcing his race car driver father. She took him to Dallas for a time, and then Los Angeles, where McNamara met many movie stars who inspired him to become an actor.
He and his mother eventually moved to New York, but McNamara continued working as a production assistant during the summers in Los Angeles. He finally ended up at Columbia University, where he studied acting and started working in a few television commercials, and studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
A summer stint with the Williamstown Theater resulted in his appearing in 'The Beat.' Prior to that, McNamara acted in two foreign efforts, Dario Argento's 'Opera' and the European miniseries 'The Secret of the Sahara' both in 1987.
After appearing in 'Stealing Home' opposite Jodie Foster and Peter Bogdanovich's 'Texasville,' McNamara turned to television movies, notably 'Wildflower,' which starred Patricia Arquette, and 'Doing Time on Maple Drive,' with Jim Carrey in a rare dramatic role. Also on television, McNamara portrayed Montgomery Clift in 'Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story' and Ricky Nelson in 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King,' and had a regular role on the Showtime series 'Beggars and Choosers.'
William McNamara returned to feature films in 1992 with 'Aspen Extreme,' and since then he has been getting many roles in good quality films. His role in 'Copycat' is particularly notable.
Once again it was my friend in England, Brett Ashworth who suggested William McNamara for this blog. As I have always been a fan of William's work, I was excited to work with him. Since he has striking good looks, grabbing a few shots of him was easy! I found William to be very charming, personable and intelligent. We had a few minutes to talk before he was off to his next appointment.
All photos: Alan Mercer
AM: I know you were born in Dallas, TX. I lived there for almost twenty years.
WM: I'm back in Dallas now working a lot. I've got a production company there. It's a 'right to work' state and there's no income tax along with a fifty percent incentive and no sales tax for production companies.
AM: There are a few television shows filming there now.
WM: There are three for sure that I know of. It's such a relief to be back in LA. The weather is so bad. Dallas is just concrete. What did you do there?
AM: I started my photography business there. I've been in LA for ten years now however.
WM: Is there anything around Dallas that you can recommend?
AM: Not really that I know of. That's one of the number one spots for going to the theater to see movies. I heard it was because the weather is so hot and there's not a lot to do outside.
WM: Well I guess that's something!
AM: Dallas is a corporate town.
WM: Yes I agree it's corporate.
AM: I know your Dad was a race car driver. Did you inherit some of that desire to drive fast?
WM: You know when I was younger I liked racing around like any punk with a little bit of money and a fast car. Today, no way. I drive under the speed limit to the far right on the freeways.
AM: Your Mom is an interior designer.
WM: Yes she is in New York.
AM: That is quite creative and artistic. Did you get your creative energy from her?
WM: I think it's a mixture from both of them. I think my Dad is creative in his own weird, eccentric way. I'm not sure where it came from.
AM: Did you grow up in Los Angeles?
WM: I grew up mostly in Manhattan since about the age of eleven. But I spent a lot of time before that in Los Angeles.
AM: You're quite cosmopolitan.
WM: Yes.
AM: I notice you portray real life people in some of your film roles like Montgomery Cliff and Ricky Nelson. Do you enjoy playing these types of roles?
WM: I really enjoy playing real life characters because I can do loads of research. I love doing research. I love watching old films to get mannerisms. It's so much more fulfilling. I guess it leaves less up to my imagination and more up to the research and detective work.
AM: Another thing I notice about a lot of your roles is that you play a lot of dark, psychotic characters. Is this something that you choose to do or do you feel typecast?
WM: I don't know. I did that one role in 'Copycat' and that's what changed everything for me. Before that when I went up for roles like that I was told I was too 'boy next door' or he's too mild and meek. Billy McNamara is not the right guy for this particular role. Then 'Copycat' changed it. Now if I go for a leading man role I'm told I am way too dark for that. You see how it changes. You just have to go where the money is. When you play the bad guy you can also 'over act' a little bit. I love to over act and the bad guy gives you license to do that a bit.
AM: You have also played some heavy drama roles. Does this allow you to over act?
WM: No, heavy drama gives you a lot of depth. In fact if you are doing heavy drama right, in my opinion, it's a lot of 'under acting.' It's a lot of energy work that is happening behind the eyes. It's about pushing it down.
AM: Didn't you study at Lee Strasburg and is that what you learned there?
WM: I don't remember because it's been so long ago. It's just what I picked up over the years of working. I did have a great teacher in Kim Stanley, who has since passed away. I worked with her and she was all about that.
AM: Are you surprised that the TV movie you made in the early nineties with Jim Carey, "Doing Time On Maple Drive" is still remembered by people like it was made yesterday?
WM: It's crazy!
AM: Why do you think that is?
WM: I think it's a movie that touched a lot of people's lives. A lot of people that I know of can relate to the guy coming out of the closet, or the alcoholic, or the daughter struggling with the pregnancy. All those issues seem to touch people. The dysfunctional family with the Mom who seems like she's got it all together but she's a nut who's about to break. All of those things plus it was really well written. James Duff is a great writer and Ken Olin is a great director. All those things added up to magic. It happens once in a while where a team of people come together and it creates something that has longevity.
AM: Do you enjoy making comedies?
WM: I do. I enjoy the conceptual comedy like 'Beggars and Choosers.' That for me was conceptual without a laugh track. I do enjoy making comedies a lot!
AM: Isn't that where you play a Hollywood agent?
WM: Yes I played Brad Advail.
AM: Are you really a fan of Don Knotts?
WM: Oh yeah! You know in the Andy Griffith show that guy is perfection. It's like he's over acting but he's so believable that you can't detect it. He IS the character of Barney Fife. To be able to take the chances and risks that he did and to maintain reality the whole time, that to me is more genius than Marlon Brando!
AM: I have to agree with you.
AM: What is the main focus you have for your career today?
WM: My main focus right this minute is the development of a couple of reality shows.
AM: Are you enjoying this?
WM: I really enjoy doing this because I get to create everything. I get to write, direct and produce the sizzle reel. I get to pitch them. I already sold them too. I do everything.
AM: So you like all the control and responsibility?
WM: It's much more of a proactive lifestyle. Being an actor is about waiting around for Hollywood. It may or may not come. While it's in limbo I want to be involved in other things. This is the perfect place for me. There's no unions in reality so you can go do your own stuff. You just need a video camera and you can do anything. I've done great so far.
AM: Do you think reality TV is here to stay?
WM: Oh yeah, it's here to stay. It might taper off a bit. It might become scripted reality. I think the thing about reality that's got the studios and networks so excited is actually two things. It's getting the same numbers as scripted shows are getting and it's union busting. It's a fraction of the cost and reality stars are not in any unions. There's no Screen Actors Guild to deal with, no pension and health to deal with. The corporations of America have always tried to union bust and vice versa. They've discovered a great way to circumvent the unions and bust them up.
AM: You do have to always say to yourself, "What's the next trend?"
WM: I was just going with the flow. I just had an interesting idea a couple of years ago that I pursued and it turned out to be great. It just so happens that reality is the place to be so I'm not going to fight being a Screen Actors Guild guy and be down on reality. No if that's the direction, I'm going with the direction of the flow.
AM: Would you be interested in a TV series?
WM: I would love a TV series.
AM: Do you audition for them?
WM: I haven't been lately, no.
AM: Would you consider creating a television show for yourself?
WM: I'm hosting my reality shows. One is about extreme animal rescues. We go out and rescue exotic animals. It's the A Team of rescues. It's really tough cases with exotics like bears, lions and tigers.
AM: What gave you this idea?
WM: I've always been into animal rescue. I was a crew member with Sea Shepard for ten years. I've always been into animals. I'm a vegetarian. I'm a hard core animal activist. It's just a perfect fit for me. I got a pilot for my EXTREME ANIMAL RESCUE show!!!!! this happened just this last Friday.
Check out William McNamara's acting reel here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6LhK6cpwU8
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Hot and Sexy Shraddha Das Romance in movie | Shraddha legshow
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Friday, August 6, 2010
Dayanara Torres Has Gold In Her Pocket
All photos: Alan Mercer Hair & Make-up: Clark Ivor
Directional Lighting: E. Venturo
The very first time I photographed Dayanara it was pure magic. I can really say I have loved her from the moment I met her. She is everything wonderful a person can be. I've seen her with her children many times and she is the most amazing Mother. I've never seen her be anything but kind to everyone around her.
Along with the new photos I am showcasing some of our past work over the last five years. I consider these photographs of Dayanara among my best work with anyone.
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Hair & Make-up: Clark Ivor Directional Lighting: E. Venturo
The life of Dayanara Torres reads like a modern-day fairy tale . . . From her modest upbringing in Puerto Rico; to being discovered on the streets of her hometown; becoming Miss Universe at the tender age of 18 and, soon-after, a movie star in the Philippines and Puerto Rico, marrying and divorcing, raising two beautiful sons and bravely striving to rebuild her career . . . while Dayanara's story is what dreams, or novelas, are made of it is very much her reality, one that she manages with her signature grace, dignity, beauty and style.
Dayanara Torres Delgado was born in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico into a poor, very loving and close-knit family. As a child, expression and creativity were important aspects of her playtime. She would enjoy acting out roles such as being a model or a queen. Dancing, swimming and horseback riding were other favorite pastimes, which she continues to cultivate today.
From a very early age, Dayanara garnered honors and merits for good conduct in school. She concluded her 12th grade studies in "El Colegio Santa Rosa" in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, intending to one day attend college and become an orthodontist. But life would take her in a different and exciting direction.
At the age of 17, during her senior year in high school, she was walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta when she was approached to take part in the Miss Puerto Rico pageant as a representative of her town.
Dayanara still recalls being incredibly surprised as she never saw herself as a beauty queen . . . not for her home town of Toa Alta and even less as a representative of Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe pageant competing with 78 women from all over the world. It was all too wonderful to dare dream it would come true. Yet it did come true, and in Mexico City on May 21st, 1993, Dayanara became the youngest woman ever to be chosen to be Miss Universe.
On the island of Puerto Rico, she became a national treasure, and a parade was held in her honor. Since her reign she has graced the covers of myriads of international magazines (Cosmopolitan, Vanidades, Caras, Imagen, Asian Bride, and Marie Claire, among many others) and has endorsed many products taking part in TV and print advertisements (Diet Coke, Pantene, Vidal Sassoon, RayBan, Banco Popular, Advil, her own doll and line of shoes, among others).
This photo was used by Clairol
Once her year as Miss Universe was completed, Dayanara traveled to Manila to pass on the crown to the next pageant queen. She even sang a duet during the pageant with Peabo Bryson, called "A Whole New World". Little did she know that night that her own life would, once again, take an exciting turn and that she would be living in a whole new world herself.
During her visit to the Philippines, Dayanara became so well-loved that she was offered the opportunity to host two television shows and star in movies. She made the decision to stay, and her short stay was extended to 4 years. In those four years she became a major movie star and the "It" girl in the country.
She starred in 13 movies in the Philippines and Puerto Rico including "Linda Sara" (1994) co-starring with singer/actor Chayanne and directed by Oscar nominee Jacobo Morales. She was the host of the highly rated live variety show "ASAP" which is broadcast throughout all of Asia. And, as host of another show, "Eazy Dancing", became known as "The Dancing Queen of the Philippines". The country's Press Club honored her with the Best New TV Personality Award in 1995.
She returned to Puerto Rico in 1998, during the promotion of her album "Antifaz", which reached the top of the Billboard Dance charts throughout Latin America and the Philippines. In the Island, she also starred in the theater productions of Cinderella (as Cinderella in 1998) and Peter Pan (as Tinkerbell in 1999).
In honor of her beauty and talent, the Dayanara doll was launched in 1998, complete with a crown, and outfits of a singer, dancer, and model. The doll was immediately sold out in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
On May 10, 2000, Dayanara wed Salsa/Pop Star Marc Anthony, and made the decision to dedicate herself to her new role as wife and mother. The couple has two children together, Cristian Anthony and Ryan Anthony.
Directional Lighting: E. Venturo
As this is a fairy tale with modern-day twists. . . Dayanara and her husband divorced in 2004, and the heroine of our story is now building her career as an actress, spokesperson and model while caring for her two little princes with the help of her family.
A whirlwind of projects are always in the works in the areas of acting, modeling, endorsements, commercials, production, and even product development. Dayanara is once again looking forward to a whole new world ahead of her.
Dayanara and I were brought together for the eighth time to shoot her new photos for the 'Asma en Español' campaign. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, along with MERCK, provide information to educate Latin Americans about this health problem. It is 'a perfect fit' as Dayanara herself says in the interview.
AM: Dayanara how did you get involved in the Asthma Foundation?
DT: I have actually had asthma since I was a little girl. I was in the hospital every few months until I was at least five years old. I was probably hospitalized seven times. My kids have it too, one more than the other.
AM: So you really know what you are talking about from personal experience.
DT: It is a perfect fit. I know what it is and how people suffer from it. I know how you can't go outside and play sports. I was never that strong as a child and was never able to do those things. Because of having my kids go through it and help them out definitely makes this a cause that is very dear to me.
AM: You are always involved in charities and causes. Is this something you always wanted to do?
DT: I just think that I've been so blessed in my life with everything that has happened. After having kids my whole life has changed in a different direction. Things have a different meaning now. Just having two healthy boys is such a gift. Pretty much all the charities I am involved with have to do with kids like the March of Dimes. It's important to give back. Many times I get asked if my kids were premature or something but I say I'm here because I'm thankful. Basically my kids, thank God, didn't suffer from any of that. I think I am just thankful and I want to do something good.
AM: It seems to be the natural course for someone who as been a Miss Universe don't you think?
DT: From the very beginning I did work with a lot of charities. I started with UNICEF and then I created my own foundation called The Dayanara Foundation in the Philippines. I just knew I wanted to do something. From the very beginning I have been very blessed in my life and I think it's important to give back.
AM: Does this fulfill you?
DT: Absolutely. One day I went to my friends house, who has a niece, who has down syndrome. Just knowing that I could go to her house and bring my crown and it made her so happy. That made my day! She said, "Thank you for coming." I said, "No, thank you for letting me do that." To me, it fills me with joy, to do things like that.
AM: I know you have been doing a bit of acting recently. Have you been filming outside of LA?
DT: I filmed the television show called 'Watch Over Me' for three months in San Diego. The last movie I did was in Philadelphia.
AM: Has it been released?
DT: It did come out. It's called 'The Nail.'
AM: Is it out on DVD?
DT: Yes and it is still showing on Showtime.
AM: Did you enjoy making it?
DT: I did because it was very different. When I was filming the show in San Diego the character was very much like me. I was a student looking for love. In 'The Nail' I was a battered wife. My husband beat me and my child up. It was hard but it was different.
AM: Were you de-glamorized?
Lighting: E. Venturo
DT: I had no make-up on at all plus they added bruises to my face and arms. It was hectic and the scenes were strong. Some of the fighting scenes were pretty tough.
AM: Did you enjoy making it?
DT: I did. It was a challenge and something different. I definitely enjoyed doing that.
AM: Would you like to make more heavy dramas?
DT: I like drama. Yes I would like to make more because I enjoyed it.
AM: Does working on a dramatic film help you process some of your personal life?
DT: Sometimes it's hard because you are working so hard to get out of certain stages or things that have happened in your life. Say you have tried real hard to let go of certain things then you have to go back and film it. So I think if anything my life experience has been like 'gold in my pocket.' That's what I call it. I have it there and when I need it I use it.
AM: By the way how is your sister?
DT: My sister is doing great. She is back in Miami working and she had another baby, a boy named Santiago. She's doing great. She still works for the magazine 'People En Espanol.' She has a column about being a parent. She also does 'Despierta America' where she is the psychologist on the set. Now she's doing a campaign for 'Huggies.' She is traveling all over the states. 'Huggies' made these cute little diapers that are jean colored so the kids look like they have jeans on so they don't have to wear any extra clothes. Babies love that. She is very happy!
AM: You've been living in Los Angeles for five years now. Is it home now?
DT: It is definitely home now. The boys are happy and love the school they are in. They are doing all kinds of sports from golf to baseball and soccer. Because we are in Los Angeles they are both involved in music. They each have their own bands and they play in big venues. It's great, we are very happy here. This is home.
AM: It's such a joy to see you and work with you anytime Dayanara.
DT: Thank you very much. It's my pleasure.
To learn more about Dayanara Torres checkout her web site http://www.dayanara.net/
To learn more about the Ashtma Foundation checkout http://asmaenespanol.com/