Nadine Velazquez to Star in ABC’s Pilot “Queens”

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez is hoping to become television royalty…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Brandy, Eve and Naturi Naughton in ABC’s hour-long pilot Queens, from Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature.

In Queens, written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez) — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Velazquez plays Valeria, aka Butter Pecan. Better known in the 90s as Puerto Rican rapper, Butter Pecan, Valeria is the fourth member of the hip-hop group, the Nasty Bitches. Valeria wasn’t an original member, added by the groups’ manager, Eric, for her effortless star quality. It worked. The ladies catapulted into superstardom with a number-one record and iconic video. Valeria quickly became the face of the group, ruffling the other members’ feathers along the way. But she could care less. She’s not here for friends, she’s here to win. Valeria is an ambitious and ruthless hustler with cunning charm born out of a difficult childhood. When we catch up with her twenty years later, she’s the only member of the group still in the limelight. Valeria hosts The Shade — America’s top-rated morning talk show. So, Valeria has no reason to reunite with the group when the opportunity arises. However, when her blind ambition trips her up, Valeria considers turning back to the only family she’s ever had: the Nasty Bitches.

Pepi Sonuga co-stars in the pilot. ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios, is the studio.

Velazquez wrote and is set to star/produce La’Tina, a series in the works at Showtime from Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Frankie Shaw’s Our Lady Productions.

She’s best known for her breakout lead role as Catalina on NBC’s My Name Is Earl. She co-starred in the History series Six and in Universal’s Ride Along 2.

Her series credits also include major roles on FX’s The League, the CW’s Hart of Dixie and TNT’s Major Crimes.

Velazquez to Star in NBC’s Drama Pilot “Love Is A Four Letter Word”

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez is ready for Love…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican actress has landed a lead role on NBC’s drama pilot Love Is A Four Letter Word.

From playwright-television writer Diana Son, 20th Century Television and Fabrik, the project chronicles the collision of race, sexuality and gender roles when three diverse couples put modern marriage to the test.

Velazquez will portray Rebecca, a Cuban American woman who is deeply in love with Julie and very happy with their marriage, but doesn’t realize her wife is actively considering getting back together with her ex, Nick.

Velazquez, who rose to acclaim on My Name Is Earl, recently reprised her recurring roles on Major Crimes and The League.

She recently wrapped a starring role opposite Shemar Moore in The Bounce Back.

She’s currently filming the Harold Kloser–Mario Sorrenti feature Discarnate.

Delgado Smith Co-Hosting Fusion’s New Sports Talk Program “Sports Talkers”

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Rebecca Delgado Smith will be talking sports in the near future.

The Puerto Rican comedian/actress in Fusion’s new “outrageous” half hour of sport-talk mayhem, Sports Talkers.

The new series reportedly takes sports commentary to the next level, according to the network.

Set in what Fusion described as “tricked out suburban basement,” Delgado Smith and two fellow members of the Harvard Sailing Team comedy troupe, Adam Lustick and Billy Scafuri, will combine elements of talk radio, late-night comedy and improve performance to create what Fusion, called “a moth-balled quilt” that begins with sports and ends with “Talkers.”

“This show will do for talking about sports what talking about sports has done for sports,” said David Javerbaum, the former EP and head writer for The Daily Show With Jon Stewart who is overseeing content for Fusion’s nightly block of satire programming.

Fusion is the new ABC/Univision joint venture debuting Monday.

Delgado Smith’s credits include television appearances on The League and New Girl, as well a role in Paranormal Activity 3.

Velazquez Starring in the Indie Film “Sister”

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez has lander her own sister act…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of the indie drama Sister.

Inspired by true events, the story centers on a struggling, self-centered actor (portrayed by Reid Scott) forced to take custody of an 11-year-old adopted sister that he barely knows.

Velazquez, appearing in the second season of TNT’s Major Crimes, joins a cast that includes Illeana Douglas, Serinda Swan, John Heard and Barbara Hershey.

David Lascher is directing from a script he co-wrote with producer Todd Camhe.

Velazquez’s credits include television roles on Prison Break, My Name is Earl, Hart of Dixie and The League, as well as a breakout role in the film Flight with Denzel Washington.

Sister is currently filming in Los Angeles.

Velazquez Cast as a Series Regular on TNT’s “Major Crimes”

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez will be going on a Crimes spree this summer…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of TNT’s drama series Major Crimes as a series regular.

Velazquez, who starred opposite Denzel Washington in Flight last year, will portray deputy district attorney Emma Rios on the upcoming second season.

Newly assigned to the Phillip Stroh case on the spin-off of TNT’s hit series The Closer, Velazquez’s character Emma interviews Rusty (portrayed by Graham Patrick Martin) about his involvement as a key witness in the murder case. She immediately causes a stir within the department, coming into conflict with Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) when she questions Raydor’s intentions as Rusty’s guardian and challenges her authority.

Velazquez’s television credits include My Name Is Earl, Hart of Dixie, Raising Hope and recent recurring role on FX’s The League.

On the big screen, Velazquez recently appeared in Dwayne Johnson’s Snitch and will next star in Aztec Warrior.

The second season of Major Crimes will premiere on Monday, June 10 on TNT.

Velazquez Flying High in “Flight”

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez’s career is taking flight…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican actress is starring in Flight, a film that not only had her sharing steamy screen time with Denzel Washington, but allowed her to fulfill one of her professional dreams.

In Flight, the story of a heroic pilot with a devastating secret, Velazquez portrays one of the flight attendants responsible for helping passengers during a plane crash.

“I always wanted to scream and cry and plead for my life in a movie, and this is my chance!” said the Chicago-born beauty.

Velazquez, best known for her role as Catalina Aruca on My Name is Earl, has appeared on The League and Hart of Dixie.

She, who discovered her love for acting as a little girl, began her professional career in a McDonald’s commercial playing a drive-thru lady.

From there her career took flight, with roles in films like War with Jason Statham, and the made-for-TV film Husband for Hire.

In Flight, Velazquez plays Katerina Marquez, the lover of Washington’s character, who works alongside Washington on a doomed flight after a night of sex, alcohol and very little sleep.

“The series My Name Is Earl made me known, but I think this movie will change the way the industry sees me,” said Velazquez, who hopes to use this opportunity to help Latinos break into the Hollywood limelight.

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