Jamila Velazquez within the “Be true episode that is” ofEmpire” airing Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 on FOX.
In the event that you’ve been viewing Empire this year — and you also better, given that it’s oh-so-good — you might have noticed there clearly was lots of Latin celebrity energy, such as from Becky G and Pitbull, both of who guested on present episodes.
But on last week’s Oct. 14 episode, a voice that is fresh, plus it had been a face we’dn’t seen before. Nevertheless, she had Hakeem in love, had us significantly more than had and intrigued Twitter blowing up. That voice/face possesses title, plus it’s 19-year-old Jamila Velazquez, an actress/singer of Puerto Rican, Dominican and descent that is ecuadorian making her Hollywood dreams become a reality.
The very good news is the fact that beautiful solamente of hers we heard (“Lago Azul,” a Spanish address of Linda Rondstadt’s “Blue Bayou”) won’t end up being the final. There is much more Jamila where that originated in — she actually is in 9 out from the 18 episodes in period 2.
We called up the singer/actress that is budding who’s originally from Bronx, ny, it is in Chicago right now filming the show. She offered us the information on things Empire, her musical impacts, and just exactly what she’s got cooking within the months ahead both regarding the music and television front side.
If you’d like an alternative taste on her sound other than her Empire music, always check her heartfelt pop/rock ballad out “Nothing as if you,” which she penned by herself and reminds us of a new Shakira straight right back in the time. There’s a bilingual form of that, too, and so the opportunities for crossover stardom are endless.
And do you know what, A&Rs? She’s still unsigned! Though probably maybe not for very long…
just How did you secure the Empire role?
I’ve been acting and performing since I have had been 15 since I was a little girl and I started auditioning. After about couple of years of auditioning occurs when we booked my first part on legislation & Order: SVU, I quickly got a part that is recurring this show called Twisted on ABC Family. After which, literally per week I got a little guest part on Orange is the New Black (the upcoming fourth season) before I auditioned for Empire,. I became therefore delighted whenever i acquired the decision about Empire because my loved ones and I also are such big fans of this show. I happened to be really wondering, why aren’t there any Latinas on the website? And lo and behold, they published a right component for a Latina.
Therefore awesome! Exactly what do you reveal regarding your character?
Laura Calleros is her title and she’s a Nuyorican through the Bronx. You will have a romance fundamentally between her and Hakeem. Personally I think like she’s simply very genuine, when compared with everyone Hakeem that is else is to using. She’s a lady whom actually demands their respect and works hard; she’s perhaps maybe not the sort to fall asleep her method to the very best. I believe doing is considered the most part that is exciting of in the show, because before this, We wasn’t really heading out here and doing any gigs. I happened to be actually nervous because We knew they’d make me sing and dancing but We additionally felt like it’d be amazing training to have better at being truly a performer and commanding the phase. It surely introduced my self- confidence.
That really must be this type of fun set. Would you connect to Cookie Taraji P. Henson at all?
It really is! She’s simply great, constantly improvising. We think that’s one of the better elements of the show may be the freedom for the cast to create their very own things. It makes it fun that is extra view and she’s positively the only whom brings that the absolute most to create.
Talking about the Cookie Monster, does she approve with this love with Hakeem?
Well, you’ll see…laughs
Who’s your character that is favorite on show?
We just love Porsha (Ta’Rhonda Jones), whom plays Cookie’s associate. This is certainly her very very very first job that is acting she’s simply therefore charismatic. She’s always bringing the comedy.
We heard “Lago Azul,” which will be gorgeous. Is the fact that indicative of Laura’s noise in the show?
There’s likely to be more songs that are official the show plus some features with Hakeem . It is gonna be dope. Most of the tracks have been in English, for the reason that metropolitan pop music noise. I experienced really never ever heard about ”Blue Bayou” before this, but my loved ones did. I was given by them the history and revealed me personally the vocalists that sang it before me personally. We adored it; We thought it absolutely was the perfect introduction for my character.
Please elaborate!
Well, within the scene you can view that this might be her performance that is first track begins suprisingly low and peaceful plus it simply develops up after that. There’s so much room to actually, really sing for the reason that song. It had been perfect because she’s not sure what she’s doing but then sooner or later she simply allows get.
Who will be your influences that are musical?
Growing up, I actually enjoyed Cher; she’s an symbol, has been around amazing films and she’s had lots of hits, too. Fiona Apple is certainly one of my favorites. We have a range that is wide We go from Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains to Future and Drake. Regarding Latin music, i usually adored Amanda Miguel. That’s whom my moms and dads revealed me personally whenever I began performing Spanish ballads. I love Laura Pausini not to mention Shakira, because she’s simply amazing.
Whenever do you find out you’d that big vocals?
I usually enjoyed to sing nevertheless when I happened to be around 10 my parents had been like, ”There’s one thing here, she can really repeat this.” We took lessons that are vocal I free single parent dating became about 14 or 15. We haven’t done coaching that is vocal because I’m busy aided by the show, however it’s positively one thing I would like to return to it because i want it.
So what’s waiting for you for you personally beyond the show?
We have a track called “Nothing as you” on YouTube — it is a classic, alternate, pop/rock break-up track, and that is kind of where I would like to get, but i would additionally get in an alternative way. And I’m nevertheless auditioning for acting functions. For me personally, both acting and performing just mesh. I really like telling stories so that they both just make me since happy.