Head Over Heels for Yolanda Pecoraro

PHOTOGRAPHY Marcel Indik

One look and it's over: You've fallen for her

You may not have recognized Yolanda Pecoraro on our cover, but we’d be willing to bet she’s the first thing you looked for when you opened this issue of Open Your Eyes. And who could blame you? What man could resist her? What man could walk by her without doing a double…no, triple-take? Certainly, we’re not alone in being captivated by Yolanda’s beauty. This young model/actress of Nicaraguan/Italian descent may be new to the Hollywood game, but she’s already turning the heads of casting agents, fashion editors, and movie producers—not to mention the countless men on the streets of New York and L.A., who’ve discovered a new talent: the ability to spin their heads 180 degrees, like a possessed demon, just to get another look at Yolanda Pecoraro.

You have a very exotic look. Tell us about your ethnic background.
My mom is from Nicaragua and my father is Italian.

MORE OYE GIRLS:

EVA LONGORIA

JESSICA BURCIAGA

PAM RODRIGUEZ

CLAUDIA MOLINA

JEN JOHNSON

CC FONTANA

NIKKI TORRES

Your mom is Nicaraguan and your father is Italian. Did this create any cultural issues for you when you were growing up?
Growing up, I really felt like I was Italian, Hispanic, and American. I mean, I grew up with both cultures. I have always been really close to all of my family. My first words were in Spanish. I have always eaten mostly Latin and Italian foods. And we always had Italian and Spanish music playing around the house. I guess the cultures were kind of just all mixed together. I have never considered myself any one thing.

Are there certain things you appreciate more from each culture?
I just love how important family is in both cultures. And I love the food in both cultures.

Did your parents have to overcome any language barriers when they met?
Well, my mom came to New York when she was 20 years old. She left during the Revolutionary War in Nicaragua. She didn’t speak any English when she got here, but my dad knew a tiny bit of Spanish. They were in love, so they just made it work. They got married three months after meeting and have been happily married ever since.

You made the big move from the East Coast to the West Coast. How do you like it so far?
I really wanted a change and wanted to go experience life far away from home. I thought moving to the West Coast would be a good way to do that. I had never even been here! My parents were very supportive. It was really exciting moving here by myself. I used to be really dependent on my family, so it was a huge change. And I also love acting. I have been studying acting here for over a year now, and I would never want to do anything else.

Word has it that director Christopher Saint was so impressed by you that he offered you a leading role in his film Death Tunnel. Why do you think he was so impressed?
Right when we met, I knew we would work well together. It was one of the best auditions I had ever had. We had a really good connection and understanding of each other. I enjoyed working with him and everyone else on the set of that movie.

What kind of movie is it?
The movie is about an old haunted tuberculosis sanitarium in Kentucky, where many people died a long time ago. It is based on a true story. We shot it at the actual place! Basically, it’s about five girls who get trapped in this place and have encounters with some of the patients who died there. It’s sooo scary!

We’ve heard of actors taking odd jobs to make ends meet. What kind of jobs have you had to take?
Well I’m lucky. My parents helped me a lot when I first got out here. I also worked at a clothing store for a little bit. But now I just make extra money modeling.

Which physical characteristic do you think men notice most about you?
Hmm…I guess I would have to say my smile. I have a big smile and I smile a lot…but also my hair. My hair gets really curly, but I also wear it straight and long sometimes. So a lot of people comment on it when I switch it up.

Which of the following would you prefer in a man: humor, a nice smile, a bold nature?
I love nice smiles! And of course I like it when a guy is funny. I think what really catches my attention is someone who is confident and just fun to hang out with. There are just some people that you click with and have stuff in common with. You can usually tell right away.

THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW AND TEN PAGE PHOTO LAYOUT WITH YOLANDA PECORARO
APPEARS IN ISSUE #33 OF OPEN YOUR EYES.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ONE.