Veteran actress and model Patricia Velasquez (“The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns”) chatted about her new film “No Address,” which tackles the subject matter of homelessness.
On being a part of “No Address,” she said, “It is very exciting to use your art and your creativity into something that is so necessary. When you tell stories that have a hopeful ending, that is the best way of making people coming on board, especially when you are trying to make a difference.”
The film “No Address” is directed by Julia Verdin and written by award-winning writers Verdin and James J. Papa. “I worked with Julia in her last movie,” Velasquez admitted. “I got a call from Julia to do this movie, and I read it. I think Julia knows me very well because I have my own nonprofit foundation for the last 21 years. My character Gabrielle is a woman who is fighting for the homeless.”
“With this movie, I want people to know that there is hope for the homelessness situation,” she said. “Most importantly, in order for things to get better, we all need to put a little bit of effort such as by volunteering. There are resources out there. If we can do this as a community, we can grow so much. With the power of working together, we can make a difference in this massive problem that is homelessness. That way, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Aside from Velasquez, the all-star cast of “No Address” includes William Baldwin, Xander Berkeley, Lucas Jade Zumann, Ashanti, Beverly D’Angelo, Ty Pennington, Isabella Ferreira, Kristianna Loken, and Patricia Velasquez.
Motivations as an actor
On her daily motivations as an actor, Velasquez said, “As artists, you are constantly thinking of stories and creativity as a way of selflessly healing yourself. Also, healing the world as a result of that. My life goes into two different worlds: there is me as a mom, and then, there is me as the person who created the Wayuu Taya Foundation, which is sending humanitarian aid to Venezuela. Then, there is me as an actor, and I am finding more and more that the two things are intertwined. It is so crazy.”
“That is what motivates me: utilizing my art to tell stories that made a difference in a way that is enjoyable, hopeful, and entertaining,” she added.
Career-defining moments
On her career-defining moments, she noted that there have been many. “Even now, talking about this movie when I am seeing homelessness around my house, that has defined my career. Obviously, COVID helped define my career into doing more of these kinds of projects that bring so much joy and fulfillment,” she explained.
‘The Mummy’ films
She described “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” as “fun projects.” “Those were really fun,” she admitted. “The first ‘Mummy’ film taught me something: I came to LA just to do some general meetings, and I went to meet a casting director as a regular general meeting, and then, the next day, I got offered this big movie. When I got offered this movie, I didn’t think it was going to be so big.”
“This movie taught me that you should always be kind, and you should never take anyone you meet for granted because you never know what can happen. Also, I learned that everybody has the same value. Assistants are the ones that make or break the deals. In general, you have to be kind to everyone because you never know what can happen,” she added.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Velasquez said, “Taking Place.” “All of these different elements of my life are coming together, still forming, and taking place,” she said. “I am certainly enjoying the ride.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Velasquez said, “I can tell you that success is strictly tied to what you love doing. When you are happy doing what you love, that is success, and a result of that, financial stability. Success is to be able to do what you love, enjoy what you love doing, and to have the opportunity to do it.”
To learn more about actress and model Patricia Velasquez, follow her on Instagram and check out her official homepage.
