Let's Tango
Argentinean actress Veronica Diaz prepares to hit the U.S. TV airwaves

PHOTOGRAPHY Montana USA

Some people just know how to have fun. Such people are often referred to as free spirits and Veronica Diaz is one of them. In our business, it’s always refreshing to work with a free spirit. Believe it or not, getting models to relax and pose for the camera can be like pulling teeth. Some of them (usually the ones that are barely recognizable) think they’re the one running the photo shoot. Either that or they refuse to cooperate unless their make up is done a certain way, their car is parked in a VIP spot, and a specific lunch menu is provided. Veronica Diaz is above all this nonsense. She’s about her career, she’s about enjoying life, she’s about…fun! Teddy bears, cold wooden floors, tight lingerie…nothing we threw at her could phase this talented actress. Which is why we’re sure nothing Hollywood executives can throw her way will phase her either. Look out world.

You are originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and you’re one of the few Argentineans we’ve featured in Open Your Eyes. Tell us what growing up in Argentina was like.
Even by Argentina standards, I had a very unusual childhood. My father was a professional actor, so I was encouraged to express myself through the arts: dancing, music, painting, singing, acting. I refused to go to kindergarten and instead, went to the theater, with my father, to watch rehearsals. To a five-year-old, this is better than TV. All the colors, the drama, everything being played out in front of me.

It was great because our house was always filled with artists. It was like another stage. We are a very dramatic, passionate people. One minute, in a heated battle, the next cracking up with laughter. I don’t ever recall going to bed before 2:00 a.m.

On my 11th birthday, my father (along with his friends) woke me up as “Hamlet.” He was dressed in the costume and everything. He performed the famous monologue “To Be Or Not To Be.” That is a very special memory for me.

The theater taught me how to dream. The film industry, in my country, is not very strong. So the theater has become a good outlet to express all sides of what is happening in my country.

What do you miss most about your patria?
I miss my mother. You know, when you are a kid and things are not going well, your mother comes to your bed and strokes your hair and tells you everything will be okay. That is what I miss the most.

Who would you say is the most famous Argentinean?
Jorge Luis Borges, the brilliant writer, poet, and philosopher.
And Astor Piazzolla, one of the greatest musicians and composers of tango and classical music. To listen to his music—his legacy—is to understand Argentina.

A lot of Latinos accuse Argentineans of being elitist or being wannabe Europeans. Do you think this is true of Argentineans?
I agree. That is the one thing I don’t like about Argentineans. You have to understand, our country is geographically isolated from most of the world. We are a mix of immigrants: Italians, Jews—people from all over Europe—Germans and Spaniards. That’s why I love America. The diversity is just exciting.

You just signed a talent holding deal with CBS, does this mean we’ll be seeing you on a CBS show soon.
I feel like I am already a part of the CBS family. I hope to become an important part of that family. The support, from all of the divisions, but especially Fern Orenstein (VP of casting) has been priceless. I am very blessed to have such an important network behind my career. And happily, they just don’t see me as a “Latina.”

In which direction would you like to see your career go?
I want to do it all; to work in television, film, and stage. I want to produce, to direct. I want to do daring, edgy work that creatively leaves a mark.

Apart from your family, what influenced you to pursue an entertainment career?
I can sum up my life like this: before E.T. and after E.T. The image of the little boy, Elliot, riding his bicycle across the moonlit sky, with his friends and E.T., brought tears to my eyes. Although I was very, very young I understood the power of creating an image and I want to touch people like that touched me.

I want to be able to reach inside of myself and pull out things that make people feel. That is the objective of all artists, I believe. To be an artist, you must allow yourself to be vulnerable.

What has been your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is that I am here. I am here. I left my country at a very young age, and I have survived.
I have always known what I wanted to do, and I have not changed my course of action—ever. I survived, and that is my biggest accomplishment.

When did you first realize, “Man, I am really hot?”
Aaah, thank you. You think that I’m hot? I don’t think so, but thank you. My past boyfriends have said it’s really the Veronica inside: that’s what they fell in love with.

What is the best part of being so sexy?
Sex appeal is pure energy. It does not have to be sexual. Not at all. Sex appeal is how you throw your energy.
I walk into auditions with women that tower over me, but I feel comfortable with myself, with what is inside and that is what really makes me feel…well, sexy.

Do you think it’s good for beautiful women to use their beauty to get away with things?
Beauty can slightly open the windows, but if you don’t have talent, passion, drive, and discipline that window will close very fast.

Are you a party girl or a homebody?
I am the biggest homebody. I love spending time with someone that I love, watching movies, listening to music, reading, drinking wine. It’s very relaxing.

How about men, are they honest or lying dogs?
There are two kinds of men: the honest ones and the others that are not really men at all. There is no such thing as a perfect relationship, but you should admit when you are lying, come clean. Honesty is very important to me. I have no gray areas. I am either all yours or not yours at all.

How do you know when a guy is lying to you?
A woman knows. You are in tune with your partner. You know when he’s out of tune.

What has been the worst thing you have done to a man to get him back for lying or cheating on you?
I leave it completely up to karma. I’ve seen karma work. I do not want to put negative energy into any part of my life. Therefore, I don’t give out negative energy.

What Hollywood guy deserves to go on a date with you?
I don’t know if I would use the word “deserve,” but I’d love to go out with 1) Tom Cruise. Besides being a sexy man, he is a passionate artist/producer and he’s kept the people, his team, in his life for a long, long time. I admire loyalty. 2) Benicio Del Toro. Because he’s an intense, brilliant actor and so mysterious. That, I find to be very, very sexy. 3) Matt Damon. Because he’s so smart. I can imagine talking with him for hours about everything under the sun. Intelligence is a turn on. 4) Ben Affleck. Because I just really want to know the truth about him and J-Lo. 5) David Schwimmer. I have a huge crush on David. I think we would find that we have a lot in common.

If you could retire anywhere in the world where would it be?
I’d live my life between the vitality of New York City—the best city for art, music, theater, dance, food, life—and Los Angeles. I like the contrast of pace.

What words of advice do you have for our readers, Latino men?
My advice would be to value the woman that you have. Value the mother of your children. The grass may look greener on the other side, but if you stick to your mate, amazing things will come your way.