1. From humble beginnings with her father as a landscaper and
her mother, who ran a daycare center, Yasmin Deliz, the half-
Dominican and Colombian actress, television personality and
singer, took her first step towards Hollywood with her first
major role in the movie Next Day Air (out now), as "Chita," a
strong ride-or-die chick who stops at nothing to support her
man. Much like the character she portrays, the Venezuelan
born, Queens, NY bred actress road to success was all about
hustle.
A natural born singer, at age 15, Deliz moved to Califor-
nia with her parents blessing to pursue music in 2003. But
the budding star's career was shaped early on. "I came out
singing," says the 22-year-old of her upbringing. "My father
was a performer by nature. I performed as a kid [and] I would
practice in front of the mirror singing and dancing. I was the
entertainment for the family. "
In California, Deliz lent her soaring vocals to then R&B
newcomer Brooke Valentine's 2004 hit single "Girlfight." Her
performance eventually led Subliminal Entertainment to court
and then sign her that same year. While recording her debut,
Yasmin went on tour throughout Europe doing background
vocals for artists on the label. While honing her skills on tour,
the songbird's big break in television came when a producer
told her to audition as a VJ for mun 2 music video show Vivo.
"Hosting is the way I got into acting," Yasmin reveals, who's
also affectionately known as Queenz, for her trademark hoop
earrings. "[It's funny] I had to get rid of my accent and long
nails. [Laughs]"
As Yasmin grew more comfortable in front of the camera, she
started writing and coming up with concepts for the show. In
2006, the Chicas Project was started, which showcased Deliz
and fellow mun 2 VJ Crash Barrera learning new talents from
surfing to performing outrageous stunts like skydiving, all the
while staying rooted in their Latin culture. "None of the Chicas
Project is scripted," she says. "We come in the morning of the
show and find out what we are doing. It's not about drama.
There is a mutual respect [between Crash and I] in order to
relate through differences. We're friends."
While excelling on the smaller screen, Yasmin shot at Hol-
lywood came when music video director, Benny Boom, asked
her to read for the role of "Chita" in his first motion picture
Next Day Air. "I was really nervous," she recalls. "I thought I
blew it and left. While I was driving, they called me back to tell
me I got the part. [I was so excited]!"
On set of Next Day Air, Deliz describes veteran actors like
Wood Harris and Donald Faison would lend her advice like,
finding her light and informing her that acting is about sincer-
ity. While music is Yasmin's first love, her plans are to focus
on acting for the moment. "Hollywood isn't easy, but I have
broken through so far and I hope to continue," the starlet ex-
plains. "I have been blessed in L.A. It has been good to me!"
- Lulaine Compe e