Nadine E. Velázquez (born November 20, 1978) is an American actress and model known for her roles as Catalina Aruca on My Name Is Earl and Sofia Ruxin on The League. She has also appeared in films such as Blast (2004), A Day in the Life (2009), Flight (2012), Snitch (2013), and Ride Along 2 (2016), and was a cast member on the TV series Major Crimes.

Nadine Velázquez
Velázquez c. 2006
Born (1978-11-20) November 20, 1978 (age 45)
Occupations
Years active2003–present
Spouse
Marc Provissiero
(m. 2005; div. 2011)

Early life

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Velázquez was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is of Puerto Rican descent. After graduating from Notre Dame High School for Girls,[1] she earned a Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Columbia College Chicago in 2001.[2] She has a brother named Nelson.

Career

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Velázquez has appeared in print ads, television, and film. Her first acting role was a McDonald's commercial as a drive-through lady.[3] She was originally cast as Fernando Sucre's girlfriend, Maricruz Delgado, in the Fox television series Prison Break but took the role of Catalina Aruca in the NBC series My Name Is Earl instead. Her first film roles were in the movie War with Jet Li and Jason Statham, and in the Oxygen Network original television film Husband for Hire. She was one of the actors in the 2006 monologue show Skirts & Flirts.[4] In 2006, she was named #39 in the annual Maxim Hot 100 list.[5] Velazquez was one of the judges in the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant and the host for the Miss USA 2009 pageant.

In 2011 Velazquez appeared in the pilot episode of ABC's reboot of Charlie's Angels as Gloria Martinez, one of the titular "Angels". Her character was killed off after a few minutes of screen time and was replaced by Minka Kelly. She appeared in a recurring role in FX's fantasy football sitcom The League and on The CW's comedy-drama Hart of Dixie.

In 2012, Velazquez appeared in the movie Flight, playing flight attendant Katerina Marquez, a supporting role opposite the main protagonist character played by Denzel Washington.[6] In 2013, Velazquez reunited with her former My Name Is Earl cast members for a guest appearance in Raising Hope.[7] Velazquez joined the main cast of the TNT series Major Crimes, beginning with season two.[8] She plays Emma Rios, a DA, who is a romantic interest of Raymond Cruz's Julio Sanchez. Cruz played Paco, her boyfriend, on My Name Is Earl.

On March 8, 2021, it was announced that Velazquez was to join the cast of ABC's music series Queens, alongside Brandy, Eve and Naturi Naughton.[9][10][11][12] In May 2021, it was announced the show was being picked up for a full series.[13][14][15][16] On October 1, 2021, the first promo single from Queens (“Nasty Girl") was released featuring Velasquez alongside the cast: Brandy, Eve, Naughton and Velazquez.[17] A music video, directed by Tim Story, was released on the same day.[18] This was followed on October 18, 2021 by another rap song from the Queens soundtrack: "The Introduction", which was co-written by Nas.[19] Queens debuted on October 19, 2021 and reviews were largely positive; Caroline Framke of Variety praised the quartet's musical offering, calling their raps “sharp and distinct […] making clear their talent as both individuals and a swaggering collective”.[20] Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter called the show “Impressive […] lavish […] magic”.[21]

Personal life

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Velazquez married talent agent Marc Provissiero in 2005. They divorced in 2011.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 Biker Boyz Allison
2003 Chasing Papi Attractive Woman at Conga Club
2004 The Last Ride JJ Cruz TV movie
2004 Blast Luna
2005 Hollywood Vice Marla Flynt TV movie
2005 Sueño Claudia
2005 House of the Dead 2 Private Maria Rodriguez TV movie
2007 Kings of South Beach Olivia Palacios TV movie
2007 War Maria
2008 Husband for Hire Lola TV movie
2009 A Day in the Life Special Agent Natasha
2009 All's Faire in Love Mathilda
2010 PSA: An Important Message from Women EVERYWHERE Woman Short
2010 Byron Jessica Short
2012 Guitar Face Ana Lucia Short
2012 Flight Katerina Marquez
2013 Snitch Analisa
2014 My Sister -
2015 Win, Lose or Love Nancy Gander TV movie
2015 Love Is a Four-Letter Word Rebecca TV movie
2015 Clarity Carmen
2016 Ride Along 2 Tasha
2016 Crawlspace Melanie Alexander
2016 Within
2016 The Charnel House Charlotte Reaves
2016 The Bounce Back Kristin Peralta
2016 Aztec Warrior Lisa
2018 Sharon 1.2.3. Sharon #2
2018 Discarnate Maya Sanchez
2019 A World Away Lyra

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Bold and the Beautiful Anna Episode: "Episode #1.4155"
2004 Entourage Janeen Episode: "New York"
2005 Las Vegas Myra Gonzalez Episode: "Mothwoman"
2005–2009 My Name Is Earl Catalina Aruca Main cast
2009 CSI: NY Marcia Vasquez Episode: "Dead Reckoning"
2009 Gary Unmarried Sophia Episode: "Gary and Allison's Friend"
2009–2015 The League Sofia Recurring cast
2010 Scrubs Nicole Episode: "Our True Lies"
2010 CSI: Miami Sarah Walker Episode: "Sudden Death"
2010 Hawaii Five-0 Linda Leon Episode: "Ko'olauloa"
2011 Charlie's Angels Gloria Martinez Episode: "Angel with a Broken Wing"
2011–2012 Hart of Dixie Didi Ruano Recurring cast: Season 1
2013 Raising Hope Valentina Episode: "Making the Band"
2013 Arrested Development Rosalita Episode: "It Gets Better"
2013–2015 Real Husbands of Hollywood Herself 5 episodes
2013–2017 Major Crimes D.D.A. Emma Rios Main cast: season 2; Guest: Seasons 3 and 6
2014 Killer Women Martina Alvarez Episode: "La Sicaria"
2014 The Exes Alessandra Episode: "The Devil Wears Hanes"
2016 Z Nation Camilla Episode: "Doc's Angels"
2017–2018 Six Jackie Ortiz Main cast
2018 The Guest Book Anne Episode: "Tonight You Become a Man"
2021–2022 Queens Valeria "Butter Pecan" Mendez Main cast

References

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  1. ^ "Nadine Velázquez, Actress (profile) – Cook County (IL) Clerk's Office". Archived from the original on April 10, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  2. ^ Vaccino, Steven. "Celebrity College Flashback: Nadine Velázquez," U.S. News & World Report, September 26, 2008.
  3. ^ Maxim October 8. 2008, p. 78
  4. ^ Gloria Calderon Kellett (March 14, 2006). "Skirts and Flirts Premieres at The Hudson Mainstage Theatre". LatinHeatOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  5. ^ "Nadine Velazquez of 2006 Hott 100 on Maxim.com". Archived from the original on June 10, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  6. ^ "'Conversations with Ross, Featuring Nadine Velazquez". rosscarey.com. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Roots, Kimberly. (January 23, 2013) Raising Hope Season 3 Cast – My Name Is Earl Reunion. TVLine. Retrieved on July 13, 2013.
  8. ^ "Nadine Velazquez to be a Series Regular on TNT's 'Major Crimes' - Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on July 13, 2013.
  9. ^ Otterson, Joe (March 8, 2021). "Brandy Joins ABC Music Drama Pilot 'Queens'". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  10. ^ Haylock, Zoe (March 8, 2021). "Brandy to Return to TV in ABC Hip-Hop Drama Queens". Vulture. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Cuby, Michael (March 9, 2021). "Brandy Will Star in a New ABC Drama About a Reunited Hip-Hop Group". Nylon. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Brandy, Naturi Naughton, Eve, & More Continue Shooting New ABC Music Series 'Queens'". thatgrapejuice.net. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "'The Wonder Years', 'Queens', 'Maggie' & 'Abbott Elementary' Picked Up to Series at ABC". Deadline Hollywoodb. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "ABC Announces Full Season Order Of 'Queens' Starring Brandy, Eve, & Naturi Naughton". thatgrapejuice. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  15. ^ @QueensABC (May 14, 2021). "Queens is a new drama coming to ABC. #QueensABC @TheRealEve @4everBrandy @naturinaughton @nadinevelazquez" (Tweet). Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Nemetz, Dave (May 14, 2021). "ABC Orders The Wonder Years Reboot, Hip-Hop Drama Queens, More to Series". TVLine. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  17. ^ "Nasty Girl (single)". Apple Music. October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  18. ^ Abraham, Mya (October 1, 2021). "Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton, And Nadine Velazquez Drop "Nasty Girl" Single, Ahead Of 'Queens' Premiere". Vibe. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "Queens Cast The Introduction". Apple Music. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  20. ^ Framke, Caroline (October 18, 2021). "ABC's 'Queens' Lets Brandy, Eve, Crafty Melodrama Shine: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  21. ^ Han, Angie (October 18, 2021). "Queens Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Nadine Velazquez (December 29, 2013). "Nadine Velazquez's blog: Goodbye 2013". NadineVelazquez.blogspot.ca. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
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