I've decided to do some research on Latina beauties from the past. I've found quite a few but reallywanted to start with Lupe Velez as her story seemed very compelling. She was born María Guadalupe Villalobos Vélez in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. After moving to the US, she made over 40 films between 1927-1944.
I also found these beautiful pictures of her... The first two are of her younger years (can you say Dita Von Teese?) Her hair and makeup was so beautiful in these shots I just had to share them with you. Loved her eyebrows and those amazing eyelashes. Her life? well, let's just say she'd be in every tabloid if she was alive now. Her death? some reports say she drown in her toilet wearing an evening gown and perfect makeup.... and she was married to Tarzan!!! Wow, she was truly a Latina Diva!!!!
From IMDb:
Together with Dolores del Rio, Ramon Novarro, Lupe Velez and José Mojica as among the few Mexican people who made history in the early years of Hollywood. Vélez career began in Mexico City, where she lived with her mother and sisters. In 1925, while working in a clothes store, Vélez caught the attention of three theatrical managers who were impressed by her beauty and grace. Her debut at Teatro Principal was a great success specially because hours before her first show she was forbidden to act on stage (she wasn't considered a "first-class" actress by then Mexican actor's guild). Bravely, Vélez took a seat in the auditorium and, after the curtain rose, she explained her situation to the public. This act gave her instant support and caused her delayed debut to be expected by all Mexico. After that, she was adored by everybody attending musical theater in the capital of Mexico. Her great success, combined with the rising careers of other latin people like Valentino, Del Río and Novarro, called the attention of Hollywood mogul Hal Roach who offered Vélez a contract to make movies. After two bit parts, she got the lead in Gaucho, The (1927) with Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Her Hollywood career can be considered the most successful of all Mexican stars of that age. She hasn't any trouble in the transition from silents to talkies (her most memorable films are those from the the "Mexican spitfire" series of late 30's). On another hand, her love life was a disaster: she never recovered from her failed romance with Gary Cooper, who never wanted to marry her. She was married to Johnny Weissmuller, but they divorced after five years. Drugs and alcohol destroyed her life at 34. When she committed suicide she was pregnant by young actor Harald Maresch.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Maximiliano Maza
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