Latina actor-producer takes on Lara Croft on SyFy

"At Current TV, producing and being the talent went hand in hand. When I went on to produce for the SyFy channel it was a big challenge for me, being someone who was relatively new to the scene."

By Al Carlos Hernandez, Herald de Paris

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Jael De Pardo is known for her work as a researcher on the hit series Destination Truth on SYFY channel. Jael went on to conduct a series of investigations about myths and legends on the show in places like King Tut’s tomb and the radiation fields of Chernobyl.

SYFY was very enthused by Jael’s work and offered her roles in two subsequent shows Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files and Haunted Highway in which she currently performs alongside Jack Osbourne. Haunted Highway just completed production on its second season and is set to air this fall. Jael’s adventurous spirit and wide range of travel, have donned her the title of “real life Lara Croft” by her fans. Whether it means repelling down mine shafts in Chile or SCUBA diving with sharks in the Bermuda Triangle.

Raised in NYC, Jael arrived in the City at the age of two from her native Colombia. Shortly after, her parents submitted a picture of Jael to the Ford Modeling Agency. Jael was accepted to the agency and began modeling in ad campaigns and editorials at the age of four. Jael later attended the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC where she majored in exhibit design and multi-media studies. An avid artist, designer and fashionista, in her spare time Jael worked assisting world-renowned fashion designer Patricia Field at her downtown store. When Jael decided to move to Los Angeles after college to pursue a career in acting, Patricia Field wrote her letter of recommendation to get into acting school.

Jael has studied acting with some of the top coaches in the country including Susan Batson, Lesly Kahn and Janet Ashanti’s masters’ class. She soon became popular in the commercial world, appearing in television and print campaigns for companies such as Levis, Apple, Verizon, Sony, and Nissan. Jael eventually became the face of numerous brand integrations for companies such as Dodge and American Airlines.

In 2006, Jael was approached about an audition for a TV hosting job. That audition turned into a three-year contract with Al Gore’s newly launched, youth lifestyle television network, Current TV. Jael’s diverse skill set – acting, writing, hosting –accelerated her rise to become one of the lead voices and faces of Current TV.

           She later went on to produce at the network, creating segments in Colombia, Panama and Mexico including a half hour special for the Vanguard journalism unit in the Darien Gap, a dangerous patch of unincorporated jungle that separates central and South America. Jael also returned to her hometown of NYC to produce a segment about her former employer Patricia Field after Patricia styled the HBO series Sex & the City. She also produced a segment on world-renowned photographer/director David LaChapelle at the NYC Tony Shafrazi Gallery.

Jael has also appeared in independent films, on E! Entertainment, Travel Channel, AT&T’s Buzz Channel and SiTV, America’s leading cable network for Latinos. Her work has won her awards and accolades such as a Silver Telly and Bronze Remi.

          In her down time Jael continues to study acting. She also enjoys writing, and is an adventurer whose extensive travel has taken her to far-flung corners of the earth. Jael is fluent in Spanish and Italian, and resides between New York and Los Angeles.

          Herald de Paris had an opportunity to speak with Jael thanks to an introduction by former Playboy-bunny-turned-actress, Maria Luna Richwine.

AC: You started very young in the ‘business.’ How did that come about?

JD: My family moved to NY when I was two years old from Colombia and I was enrolled in dance school. After a show one day my step-dad took some photographs of me while I was all done up. He and my mom decided to submit them to the Ford Modeling Agency. Shortly after, the agency signed me and I started auditioning at seven years old.

AC: What was your first job? What do you remember from the experience?

JD: The first job I did was a JCPenney print ad when I was seven. I remember walking into a room with three other kids who were also going to be in the ad and putting on an outfit that fit really tight over my head. It made my hair messy, but nobody seemed to mind because that is how they shot me, with messy hair. After that, a talent manager took interest in me and I started auditioning a lot more and getting lots of call-backs.

AC: At what moment did you decide that you wanted to be a performer?

JD: I don’t think I’ve had an exact moment when I thought I wanted to be in the “public eye.” It’s more about loving the work, not being in the public eye. I was around the arts a lot as a kid, my parents took me to lots of Broadway shows, the ballet and off-Broadway shows. Also, having been in front of the camera and on stage a lot as a kid, it felt natural to me. I loved being on stage and I still love that feeling.

AC: Didn’t you start out as a model?

JD: Modeling wasn’t something I talked about a lot to the kids at school, so I had a pretty typical experience. But even throughout my teenage “rebel years” I stuck to my love for the arts, even though it was a little different at the time. I began to explore other mediums like painting and sculpting.

AC: Tell us about art school? You majored in multi-media?

JD: Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC is one of the top art schools in the country, and I thought Multi-Media studies would give me a chance to experiment with different forms of art and find my niche. I had made some sketches and small sculptures that I brought to the university for an interview and got accepted so decided to go. I never formally thought of becoming a fashion designer, but have always had distinct ideas about image and aesthetic. I’ve always liked to be creative with my clothes; I experimented with that a lot during school and ended up working for fashion designer Patricia Field while studying. Her style is incredibly experimental! (Which you know if you watched Sex in the City) These days I’m in love Alexander McQueen and I also love looking at the Dolce & Gabbana ads in magazines. They’re beautiful–especially the Italian ones.

AC: Have you ever considered doing fashion design work?

JD: I’ve had some distinct ideas for designs, especially after having spent so much time around the fashion world in NY. Starting a fashion line has crossed my mind; I just need to find the right moment to do it.

AC: What prompted you to make the move to LA?

JD: I’ve always thought that in order to know what you want in life, you need to try new and different things; push your boundaries. I loved NY but was looking for a change of scenery. After having done the courses at FIT, I still felt a call to acting and on-camera work, and at the time had befriended one of the actors from the soap All My Children. He recommended a great acting coach in LA; I went there for the first time to interview for her class. I got accepted and decided to move. Right before I moved, my step-dad gave me an envelope with $5000 to help me with my big transition. My parents were very supportive of my decision. That was the last gift my step-dad ever physically gave me; he passed away a few months later.

AC: Did acting classes help you hone your skills?

JD: I think that some people are born with a natural instinct for something. When I was young, I used to ham it up for the camera and loved to perform for my family and on stage. Acting classes are useful for tapping into your natural abilities and accessing them even more. All arts take fine-tuning and practice. The trick is to learn those fine-tuning techniques while still keeping your natural instinct.

AC: What was it like when you got to LA? Did being a Latina help you get bookings?

JD: The first years in LA I did a lot of print and commercial work. I didn’t have a car right away so I used to take the bus to the auditions. After booking several jobs I saved enough money to buy my first car. My first commercial was an ad for Levi’s that was directed by Chris Cunningham. Did being Latina help? Sure. I think that sometimes being a minority in a casting room filled with blondes can be a plus. Being bilingual also has given me an edge; I’ve used my Spanish on camera a lot while filming shows internationally.

AC: How much of booking a job is talent and how much is plain luck?

JD: I think talent goes a long way in the entertainment industry, but it doesn’t matter much unless the right people are watching. There is certainly an element of luck. It’s a combination of luck, skill, and hard work. I had a meeting with a talent exec the other day who also talked about serendipity, meaning when things line up for you. He called it a “symphony.” I think my career has definitely had some symphonic moments.

AC: Tell us about working with current TV? You worked with Al Gore?

JD: Current TV was like going to grad school for television. Because it was a start-up network I was given license to try a lot of different things. I got over 1000 hours on camera there and also began producing. I believe it’s important to learn about all aspects of what’s happening on set because it can only be an asset to the performer and makes other peoples jobs easier. I also discovered my drive for philanthropy while at Current. Working with Al Gore raised my awareness of environmental issues and I decided to produce several short-form documentaries about them. I also had some fun with producing projects about the arts and fashion but I suppose, given my childhood, that was a natural thing.

AC: How does fame affect a person?

JD: Fame raises your awareness that people are watching. I think you have more of a responsibility to be aware of what you are portraying to the public. When people first began to recognize me on the street, it felt strange! It’s a bit like the uncomfortable feeling you get while being complimented; it takes a bit of getting used to. I love connecting with my fans now though; it’s nice hearing how my work has inspired them.

AC: How did you begin producing?

JD: At Current TV, producing and being the talent went hand in hand. When I went on to produce for the SyFy channel it was a big challenge for me, being someone who was relatively new to the scene. We were on the road and traveled to nine different countries within a three month period – and I was producing and co-starring the entire third season of Destination Truth! Arriving in a different country, encountering a different language every week, being responsible for a large portion of the show, and performing on camera each episode was not easy! But I wouldn’t take it back for anything.

AC: Tell us about “Destination Truth?”

JD: While filming Destination Truth we went to the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, hiked the Great Wall of China, visited Buddhist monks in the Himalayas, saw the Nasca Lines in Peru and even visited local tribes at their homes in Africa. It was an amazing experience! When you’re on the road for work and the production company is hiring locals to help with things, you get to know more about the culture because you hang out with the people living there. To this day, shooting driving scenes over the sand dunes in Egypt while overlooking the pyramids is one of the best days I’ve ever had.

AC: Your work on “Fact or Faked?”

JD: My favorite part about shooting Fact or Faked was the office scenes. The dialogue was often a debate of scientific mysteries and I loved it! I learned so much; I’m a sucker for intellectual debate and conversation.

AC: How was it working with Jack Osbourne on “Haunted Highway?”

JD: Jack is super fun to work with and super laid-back. He keeps a cool head and is always very positive. I think that’s something noteworthy to see in people, even when they’re going through personal challenges. I’ve never seen him bring those challenges to work, and I can appreciate that in people because I try to do the same. We’ve had a blast working together and have become friends because of it.

AC: Why do some of the fans call you the “Real Laura Croft?”

JD: A lot of the scenes I’ve done for these SyFy shows require me to get rugged, adventurous, and dirty. I’ve found myself doing things like scuba diving the Bermuda Triangle with sharks, shooting AR15 rifles, crawling through caves, visiting ancient ruins, trekking the Amazon Jungle in the pitch black of night and walking ever so carefully through Chernobyl in a radiation suit.

AC: Any time for romance? What is your life philosophy?

JD: I’m not romantically involved at the moment, but I’m open to the possibility. I take it one day at a time but I believe that doing something each day to get you closer to your goal is a key discipline to getting anywhere in this world.

AC: How do you feel about social media?

JD: Twitter is great to keep close to the fans. It’s so fun to see what interests them and what they like to talk about. Social media is an amazing thing. @Jaeldepardo

AC: What is the dream now?

JD: I keep myself open to all possibilities and opportunities—the dream now is to keep growing as an entertainer. I’ve been so fortunate to keep working consistently but I’m looking now to expand my repertoire to scripted work and use the acting skills I’ve worked so hard to attain!

Twitter @jaeldepardo
Site jaeldepardo.com

Ana Victoria to perform at California's State Fair

For many talented performers, it is difficult to find their place in the spotlight, especially when you’re the child of world famous singers.

Ana Victoria is a singer, composer, songwriter, and producer who by age 13 was singing backup to her world famous parents, Amanda Miguel and Diego Vardaguer.  Now, touting an Latin Grammy nomination, Ana Victoria is coming to her own.        

The Los Angeles, California born Ana Victoria has established herself as a powerful singer and performer with numerous hits like the more recent “Yo No Lloro Por Llorar” (I don’t cry for the sake of crying.)  Her blend of Latin Rock and Ballads have people in the music industry talking.  But, its her sensual appeal and voice that have fans turning out in groves to watch and enjoy herperformances.

            Her father especially has influenced her performances and who wrote her 2012 hit, even though Fox Latino and Billboard described her as having “vocals and songwriting chops.”

            Ana Victoria will be performing as part of the Toyota Concert Series at Cal Expo on July 21, with guest performer Irene Davi. - SacLatino

New York Latina actor nominated for Imagen Award

INTERVIEW: Patricia “Full of Grace” Rae
By Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez  

Patricia Rae

HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) — Patricia Rae is most known for her breakout work in the Oscar nominated feature film “Maria Full of Grace”. She has recently completed a feature role in the star studded comedy “The Big Wedding”, Patricia shares the screen with actors Robert DeNiro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Katherine Heigl and Robin Williams “The Big Wedding” hits movie theaters nationwide on October 26, 2012 Her role in the highly anticipated film will show a whole other side of this multi talented actor and should launch her into the A list as well.

Patricia Rae, who is of Colombian ancestry, was born in Manhattan and spent her childhood in Queens. As a child, Patricia was monolingual Spanish at home, but learned to speak English by watching Sesame Street. Patricia by her own admission was a talkative precocious child, who used her humor to deflect nontraditional (read) artistic behavior. Two of her main influences growing up were Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball.

Her journey into the acting world began in elementary school. While in fourth grade, the drama teacher noticed her and recommended she be cast in the musical “Oliver Twist”. She moved to Florida in her teens experienced some culture shock but with the support of the Drama club in High School was able to find a successful and comfortable niche in acting. Rae earned a series of awards in regional and state wide competitions with her drama troupe. Patricia went on to study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

Rae has worked diligently for well over two decades, learning and dedicating herself completely to her craft before seeing any commercial success in her acting career. Patricia lived much of her professional life on the East Coast where she worked in theatre, commercials, sketch comedy, independent film and TV. Her first experience on a film set came with her first professional job securing a co-starring role opposite Don Johnson in the (1984–1990) hit TV series “Miami Vice”

After years spent in New York, Patricia moved her family from New York to Los Angeles in

search of that “breakthrough” role, quickly landing that role of a lifetime in “Maria Full of Grace”. Her performance as Carla, a pregnant Colombian woman living in a tiny apartment in New York with her family, earned Patricia an Imagen Awards nomination for “Best Supporting Role”.

Rae’s dedication proves that acting, beyond being a business, is most importantly an art. With a prolific resume, she has appeared in features films such as “Swimfan”, “Nightstalker”, Detachment” (opposite Adrian Brody). On Television she has worked on many series including, “Blue Bloods” with Donnie Walberg and Jennifer Esposito, a recurring role on “Chuck” playing the infamous “Bolonia“, “The Mentalist”, “The Closer”, “Life” and “The Chicago Code”.

She’s currently penning her memoir on acting entitled “How to Make It in The Middle”.
Patricia’s stage credits include the one-woman show ‘Under Construction’, which was a one woman show, that Rae wrote, based loosely on her childhood. ‘The Making of Patricia Rae’, which premiered at the ‘Stella Adler Conservatory’ in ‘New York’, ‘Zoraida’, ‘Mickey & Roger’, ‘Late One Sunday Night’, ‘Latin Lives’, ‘Faade’, ‘Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie’, and ‘The Seagull’. Patricia is a member of the Elephant Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she won a Backstage West Garland Award in 2008 for best ensemble performance in “In Arabia we’d all Be Kings” produced at The Elephant Theater.

Rae’s creative dexterity extends beyond her dramatic chops. She is also an accredited Power Flow Yoga teacher. And is specialized in Yoga for Scoliosis and Back Care – an issue close to her heart, as her daughter Sage, was diagnosed with the condition.

Herald de Paris Deputy Managing Editor, Dr. AC,  took a break from hanging out with Global Rock Stars, and spent some quality time talking to the breakout actress who has everything it takes to become the next big thing.

AC: Tell us about growing up, I am told that you were alone much of the time and learned English via Sesame Street, how does that experience inform your work even to this day.

Being first generation Colombian American meant my family could not teach me English. I learned my language skills from TV. I spoke Spanish until I got to Kindergarten. Sesame Street was a great tool for the children of immigrants, it taught them to pronounce properly.


AC: In elementary school you are said to have used humor to deflect bad behavior? How true is that? Examples? Do you still use this technique?

My mother was working, so my maternal grandmother, Lillian, who ran a boarding house, was my primary caregiver. She was a strict Catholic disciplinarian. I had a smart mouth. I got a lot of spankings.  I was asserting my American identity. I wanted to be American, so from an early age, I was already pretending… to fit in.


AC: Who has been your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from my grandmother; the immigrant experience in “Maria Full of Grace”, the unwavering Catholicism in “The Big Wedding”. I have her to thank for my morals and my humbleness. So the spankings worked!  I got in trouble in school for talking. My father was silly. He made people laugh. I like to be silly. I love the sound of laughter. Especially my daughter‘s. I love to make her giggle. I need to make people laugh.
 

AC: How were you discovered to play Oliver twist in Elementary school, what was your first performance like? Do you sing?


I do sing. I was doing a funny monologue in the 5^th grade class show. The drama teacher saw me, and asked me to replace an actor for the school production of “Oliver”. And that was it. I never wanted to get off the stage again!


AC: When did you decide to be an Actor, How did your family feel about this decision?

I always wanted to be an actress. But not until school, did I realize it was a profession that I could study. My family never questioned it, they knew.

AC: Why did you move to Florida in your teens, How was it different from New York?

Tell us about the High school drama club and the statewide competitions.


We moved to Florida in my early teens. Big culture shock. I had never been exposed to so many white people. NY was very ethnic. I had no idea what Red Necks were. Thank God for drama class. I found my place where I fit in and was able to excel. Being in the drama club taught me discipline and exposed me to theatrical literature.  In 11^th grade, I participated in a national acting competition with my schoolmates. We did “West Side Story”. A week before the competition, I was attacked by a German Sheppard. I danced and sang with stitches in my right leg. I was very determined.
 
AC: Tell us about the Lee Strasberg Institute, what did you learn there, how did that experience inform your work over the years? Would you like to teach acting someday?


Wow, nobody has ever asked me about Strasberg… The Lee Strasberg Institute made me run to therapy. They teach emotional recall. Sense memory. I started digging up dramatic memories from my past, to use in class and realized I was screwed up, and needed to deal with it. I have learned to memorize emotions, without using real events. It is less stressful. I do teach acting. I coach students for on- camera auditions.

AC: You worked on the East Coast for many years knocking on doors, tell us about the good and bad about those days?

When I first started in NY, I had a casting director tell me that I would never work in commercials. That same person cast me in a commercial years later. You have to learn not to move on– if you want to work. I feel that casting people respect theater actors more on the East coast. LA is mostly about contacts, and looks. Talent is secondary.

AC: What kinds of jobs did you do to support yourself and family along the way?

I have waited tables, bartended, hostessed, coat checked, painted houses. Now I teach Yoga between gigs. Produce. And write my memoir…

AC: What lead up to getting your first break with Miami Vice, how did that level of success change you? Good and Bad memories of the show?


Miami Vice was my first professional job, and gave me my union card. I had never been on a set before. Philip Michael Thomas was very friendly. He rubbed my feet. But that’s all. Lol.


AC: Why did you leave New York and move to LA did you experience culture shock? What kind of gigs did you book in LA?

I left to work more, and I did. I booked “Nightstalker” and “Maria Full of Grace” within a month of being in Town. It was very lonely and I had to struggle to make a life for the first two years. NY was my home. LA is home now. You have to search out the culture in LA. New York is culture.


AC: Maria Full of Grace? Some say it was a role and a performance of a life time what are your thoughts on the film?

Mary was… everything. It was my first lead role, in a pivotal piece of material, which would change my career. I gained a lot of respect in the community. And I still benefit from it.


AC: What is one of your most favorite roles, aside from “Maria?”

I really enjoyed playing Bolonia on “Chuck” for NBC. I made good friends on that set. And I would love to be a series regular on a show.


AC: What is your favorite acting platforms, stage, screen, TV? Why?

I am from the theater. I enjoy the process of rehearsals, and working from start to finish. Movies and TV are not shot in sequence. I am finding that as I mature, I gravitate more towards film and the permanence of it. My work is getting more subtle and detailed. I love that. I would love to do a period piece. Work in Europe. And work with Pedro Almodovar.


AC: Tell us about your new film The Big Wedding, and some of the A Lister’s you are working with?

Working with Diane Keaton and DeNiro has been a high light in my career. Diane was mesmerizing. I was so lucky to witness her process. She is childlike in front of the lens. DeNiro is a legend. Period. I was blessed. This movie is going to give me international exposure. And hopefully a new level of success. We shall see.


AC: Would you like to do more of the Romantic Comedy thing? Could you do a straight up comedy?

I would love to do more comedy. I am usually cast in dramas. But I think I’m funny.


AC: What are some of the industry misconceptions about you?

One of the big misconceptions that will come from the success of “The Big Wedding”, is going to be that I don’t speak English. Ha!


AC: Tell us about your work with Power Flow Yoga, what is that, how does it help people.

I was always drawn to yoga as a way of opening my instrument. I have incorporated relaxation exercises from Strasberg, the vocalizing, and melded them with yoga stretches and breathing technique. It keeps me focused and in tune with my spirituality. I approach every character from their humanity.  My daughter Sage was diagnosed with Scoliosis as a teen. I didn’t do much with that information, until I started teaching yoga two years ago. I began to research postures that benefit the spine and came across an Iyengar based Yogi named Elise Miller. I have since then taken a 20 hr. course with her on Scoliosis and back care. I use her method to help my students with back pain.
 

AC: Tell us about Sage who just graduated from College?

Sage is my heart. Because of her I strive to be a better person. She is a talented painter. And a fine film editor.


AC: What would you tell a young person about devoting their life to acting?


For me a NO just means– not right now. Never give up. Prepare. Be patient. And make your success.

AC: What do you hope your legacy will be? How do you wish to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered as a compassionate person that brought a smile to your face, and a tear to your eye.

Follow Patricia on twitter: @thePatriciaRae

Rory Castillo: A Latino fashion designer

Rory Castillo is always creating and is limited by time and having only two hands

By Adrian Perez, Vida de Oro

Fashion Designer Rory Castillo

The fashion design world, at times, appears a bit confusing especially to those of us who have opted to conform with a standard mode of dress which allows us to blend into our social circles.   That is not the case for fashion designer extraordinaire Rory Castillo, whose daily apparel has made him unique and able to stand out in any social circle.  Matched with a creative and contagious personality, many wonder why he is still in his hometown of Sacramento, California.

For three decades, Rory’s work has been seen at numerous fashion shows in major cities and worn by movie stars, musical performers, and some of Hollywood’s elite.  Yet, the unpretentious Rory is proud to share that he grew up and still lives in a part of town that is economically challenged and at times, crime ridden. 

Rory Calhoun

Born and raised in Sacramento, Rory was named by his father after Hollywood’s Rory Calhoun, who used to woo the likes of Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe.  Growing up, he demonstrated artistic abilities beyond his years, to the point that his childhood friends would tell him he would someday be a famous artist.

“In junior high, I was skipping a lot of classes, art being one of them,” shares Rory.  “When time came for grades, my art teacher Mr. Michael Fenton, passed me only after telling me he shouldn’t, but that he knew I was talented and needed to focus on what was important.”

Rory in high school and military

These were the first words of encouragement shared with Rory that lead him to pursue an artistic career.

Upon graduating from high school, Rory enlisted in the military, serving a three-year tour of duty with the Army in Europe, where he was exposed to the world of fashion design, studying historical fashions at The Albert and Victoria Museum in London and The Prado in Madrid.  He lived in Alicante Spain, studying paper maché and fashions based on Spanish roots.

“My Latino inspired designs attract the most attention since I have found that many Latinos want to feel in touch with their Latino roots,” Rory says.  “But, lately I’ve been feeling like I’m a designer of the world, without boundaries of what I can do or create.”

When Rory returned to Sacramento, he was providing free advice and doing free fashion shows for friends and nonprofit organizations.

Rachel Gloria-Hinojosa

“I met Rory in the early 1980’s, noticing he was pleasant and stylish,” says long time friend Rachel Gloria-Hinojosa.  “He had asked me to model for him and I regret that I never did, but he always gave me good advice on what to wear and what colors to use.  He is still a sweet and caring person.”

Things changed for Rory in the early 1980’s when he was asked to produce a fashion show for the donor appreciation banquet in recognition of their support of Cinco de Mayo and 16^th of September events held annually at Southside Park.  At the end of the show, Rory was offered a payment for his services.

“I was shocked,” says Rory.  “No one had ever offered me money for my shows, so when I was offered $250 dollars, I said OK and needless to say, I was thrilled and it made me feel my worth as an artist.”

Rory in Hollywood, 1984

Sporting a “George Michael” look, Rory’s skills increased in demand and felt a calling to go to Hollywood.  So he moved and was almost immediately taken in by Hollywood’s elite, producing fashion shows at the historic Biltmore Hotel, Paramount Studios, El Rey Theater, and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  He became a costume designer for several movies and short films including:  Got Papers; Valentina’s Tango; and, Forgotten Voices a short film based on a story by Rory. 

Rory’s Hollywood triumph came when he was the stylist for international performer Vikki Carr, for her 1999 PBS Special, Memories/Memorias.  He also provided the dress for rock and roll icon Rosie Hamlin, of Rosie and the Originals fame when she performed her hit song “Angel Baby” on another PBS music special.  His popularity continued to grow along with the demand for his skills, which lead to his use of drugs.

“I was experimenting with drugs, which could have been my downfall,” says Rory.  “But thanks to my strong will of self preservation and not possessing an addictive nature, I stopped and didn’t use them again.”

Rory returned to Sacramento and slowly immersed himself back into the fashion design business.  He was recruited by Sacramento’s Music Circus to do costume designs and worked with several nonprofits on their beauty pageants. 

Karri Grant (L) and Lucy Garcia Robles (R)

“I met Rory almost 2 years ago and we both have a love of fashion, but a stronger love for its history,” says Personal Stylist Karri Grant.  “I think his work is exceptional because he focuses on the history, design and breathes life into every piece he creates.  His work is wearable art.  I have the pleasure of modeling his designs and having him create one of a kind garment just for me.”

Rory says he doesn’t believe there is a “goal” when you're an artist because there is always more that can be done.  He really enjoys what he is doing and can’t see himself retiring as long as he is creating.

 “I’ve been modeling for Rory since the early 1990s and I think his work is incredible, artistic, and classy,” says professional model Lucy Garcia Robles.  “He was self taught, and that is passion.  He is a teacher and looks for the beauty in everything and everyone.”

What’s next for design-master Rory Castillo?  He just completed a very successful show in Las Vegas and is working on a series of indie-projects, but wants to venture back into film.

“I’m always excited about the future,” Rory adds.  “And, what is around the next bend, and who are the new faces I will meet and enrich my life.”  - Vida de Oro