Patricia Velazquez is constantly on the move. Her international modeling career speaks for itself. Plus, she starred in films and TV shows, writes books, engages in social activities, and also has her own line of cosmetics. Despite the fact that Patricia was born in a poor family in Venezuela, she managed to triumphantly rise to the top of the fashion world. She is considered the first Latin supermodel and star for the best haute couture designer houses such as Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera. If you do not understand fashion at all, Patricia Velazquez is definitely familiar to you from the films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, where she had the role of the insidious, but at the same time very beautiful lover Imhotep Ankh Soo Namun.
early years
Patricia Velazquez was born on January 31, 1971 in the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo. Her parents worked as teachers. Patricia was the fifth child of six children. She grew up in a happy and friendly family, although they lived poorly. In one interview, she recalled how they had to carry water daily to the fifteenth floor of their apartment, because there was no water supply and the elevator did not work. Although the family did not live well, it was very friendly and happy. Since her father worked for UNESCO, the family did not live long in Paris, then in Mexico. Before Patricia went to college, they again returned to their homeland, to Venezuela. At college, Velazquez studied engineering.
Model work
While studying at college, Patricia's friend decided to send some photos of Velazquez to a modeling agency. So began her modeling career. In 1988, she participated in a fashion show at Dolce & Gabbana. She was in great demand, she worked all over the world: in Italy, France, Great Britain, Spain, Japan. She became the Hispanic Queen of the Catwalks, for her exotic features. Also starred in commercials for Allure perfume by Chane and Verino by Roberto Verino. Participated in the catalog of underwear for Victoria's Secret. In 1989, she participated in the Miss Venezuela contest, taking seventh place there. Her face adorned the covers of magazines such as Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire.
Velasquez herself always spoke with love about working as a model. She thought that it was a great pleasure and an opportunity to engage in really interesting projects.
Actor career
In 1997, Patricia Velazquez left the model podium and began an acting career, although at first she was not eager to go to actresses.
Start acting in a movie? What for? Almost all models after graduation go to act in films.
At this time, she seriously thought about going to work in the profession she received in college. But fate decreed otherwise. At that time, she was sent the script for the film "Jaguar". It was an adventure-style comedy, but it touched on a very serious topic about the conservation of the Amazon forests and the Indians living there. Patricia could not refuse, because the descendants of her mother were the Indians of the Vaya tribe. In addition, she really liked the shooting process, in addition, she starred there with Jean Reno himself. After filming, Velazquez decided to go to acting classes.
She starred in both European and Hollywood films. But the most memorable film with Patricia Velazquez is, of course, considered "The Mummy." In it, she played the negative role of Ankh Su Namun. Then she repeated this role in "The Mummy Returns." In addition, Patricia Velazquez often takes part in performances, starred in TV shows and sometimes she produces films herself. She was a guest on the famous Oprah Winfrey show. Often appears as a judge on various model shows.
Public life
Patricia Velazquez is a famous UNESCO defender. She was awarded the United Nations Women's Rights Prize in 2009 and the Solidarity Prize in November 2010. In 2015, she received an award at the La Femme festival. In 2011, Velazquez successfully launched the organic line of herbal cosmetics Taya Beauty. Concerned about the living conditions of Hispanic indigenous groups, Velazquez founded the Waiu Thaya Foundation. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the population about the life of indigenous groups and improving their living conditions.
Always work hard, be honest, and be proud of who you are.
Personal life
Patricia Velazquez for a long time gave rise to rumors about her bisexuality. In 2015, the model released the autobiographical book Straight Walk. In it, she first spoke frankly about her difficult childhood, the triumphal path to world fame and relations with the American singer and comedian Sandra Bernhard, who, in turn, met with the singer Madonna. Velazquez was madly in love with Sandra. Never in my life have I experienced such strong feelings towards anyone. Until now, you will not be able to find joint photos of Patricia Velazquez with Sandra Bernhard. However, why should they, if Patricia herself revealed her soul in her autobiography. The model admitted that Sandra was the first woman with whom she kissed. It was the connection with Sandra that helped her to determine her sexual orientation. After parting with Bernhard, Patricia suffered for two years and could not forget her.
Patricia admitted that she was comfortable in relations exclusively with women. Of course, she tried to have novels with men, but this did not lead to any results, no feelings were born inside her towards them.
Patricia Velazquez is the first Latin supermodel to make a camingout, recognizing herself as a lesbian.