'Ravishing in Red' Photo Shoot

Vince Gonzales and Kikey Castillo

"Anyone can be a cover model"

...according to Vince Gonzales, a photographer and dear friend of mine, his motto is "I can bring out the inner cover girl in anyone".  

So when he asked if I would be his model for his glam shoot, I had a brief moment of doubt as I wondered if I could pull this off since I'm not 6 feet tall, I'm not rail thin nor do I have amazing chiseled cheek bones -- quite the opposite!  I'm petite, with curves and ample soft cheeks BUT I really wanted to look and feel like a cover model, who doesn't right?  Plus as an actress I do have a little dream of one day seeing myself on the cover of a fashion magazine.  Half reluctant, half very excited, I said yes!!  

The Results??  Let's just say that I'm very happy I put myself into Vince's capable hands because somehow I Razzled Dazzled that camera and pulled off a Ravishing in Red photo shoot! 

But just so you know, it took a Village to Raise this Cover Model...a team of professionals were rounded up to make me look and feel picture perfect!

• first person I called was Steve Galindo, my pal and stylist (thestyleguyde.wordpress.com).  He secured the luxurious red dress, other outfits, shoes and a few other misc. stuff but he was so much more than that, he was a great moral support on set
• then there was Narcisse Chico Kitabata the make-up & hair stylist (narcissechico.com),  a friend of Vince's but I definitely look forward to working with her again
• Lori Sandler of DragonHorse Studio (dragonhorsestudio.com) who loaned me the jewelry.  Believe it or not, she was a Facebook Friend who I'd never met until the shoot
• the wonderful producer, Donna Grillo (donnagrilloart.blogspot.com), or as I know her, Vince's better half
• Lucy Eagleson, the talented videographer 
• and of course the mastermind behind it all, Vince Gonzales (vinpix.com), who shot all the knockout pictures

xoxoxoxoxoxox Ravishing in Red xoxoxoxoxoxox
Pictures & Video

One of my absolute favorites of the shoot, just really captures a side to me that is rarely seen

I was having fun twirling in the dress, you can see the glee in my eyes

Great shot that shows off the beautiful Dragon Horse jewelry but I think subliminally, I'm inviting you to the gun show...call it Pilates arms :)

I like this shot a lot, it captures me in a state of bliss

disclaimer: A mock cover, not actual...just for fun

And BAM!!  COVER MODEL 
They say if you can visualize it, it can come true and I can see it!!!

I LOVE the behind the scenes video


Behind The Scenes Glamour Photo-shoot with Kikey Castillo from VINPIX on Vimeo.

White Hot Impact Awards

The 2012 Impact Awards were one for the record books this year.  It’s already been a month since they happened and I’m still enthused about all the positive energy and forward thinking that was abound that evening. 

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Impact Awards recognizes outstanding contributions to the positive portrayal of Latinos in media.  And I was there along with many other Latino leaders who came together to commemorate the achievements of the 2012 Local Impact Awards recipients:  

Actress, Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar, Fast and Furious movies)

TV Personality, Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer)

Actor, Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality, Traffic)

Actor, Efren Ramirez (Napolean Dynamite, Crank)

Actress, Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation)

Music artist, Taboo (Black Eye Peas) and 

Director, Chris Weitz. (The Golden Compass, New Moon, A Better Life)

Sounds awesome right?  And I started this very cool evening on the red carpet.  You would think I’m quite adept at doing the pomp and circumstance of this grand old Hollywood tradition but truth be told, I had butterflies in my stomach this night...not sure why but...I kinda liked it.  


I realized that the nerves in my stomach, as I was about to step out on the red carpet to get photographed and interviewed, were a subtle reminder that this could never get old for me and that I would never take these opportunities for granted.  When the flash bulbs started going off taking pictures of me and the interviews that followed...Gosh, I felt alive and my head was swimming in the realization that not long ago, I used to daydream about being at these types of Hollywood parties, doing their red carpets and mingling with these types of Hollywood people!  Butterflies in my stomach...wow, never felt so good! 

Actress & Host Kikey Castillo styled by: Steve Galindo photo by: Angela Maria Ortiz S.

friend and actor Dante Acosta and actress Kikey Castillo photo by: Angela Maria Ortiz S.

actress Kikey Castillo being interviewed by media

And get this, As soon as I walked off the red carpet I was greeted by a silver platter filled with sparking flutes of Moet & Chandon champagne and these beautiful woman holding giant sized Moet & Chandon bottles...had to take a pic, oh and Yes, I will take one, thank you...Wow! Now this is Celeb style!!  

After my friend and I basked in the VIP treatment for a bit we headed downstairs to the reception area to mingle before the gala.  


On my way there, I had to descended the grand stairs at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (the hotel Julia Roberts stayed in the movie Pretty Women) that opened up into an opulent setting where the reception vibe was buzzing with energy.  As I was taking each descending step I had this brief surreal moment where I felt like the Belle of the Ball gliding gracefully down the majestic grand staircase making my entrance to the ball, I know, it's silly and obviously I watch too many movies and TV!!!  But it really felt special so I tucked away the warm fuzzy feeling in my memory to relish at a later time.  

Stairs that opened up to the reception area photo by: Jose Vargas Ulloa

After my whimsical thought passed and I set my two feet solidly on ground (and out of the clouds) I was greeted by many of my friends in the "biz" including my friends at MALDEF - David Damian Figueroa, Thomas A. Saenz, Cynthia Gutierrez and actor Jordi Vilasuso, it had been awhile since I saw them last...since the 2010 LA MALDEF Gala where I was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  After some fun mingling with them and meeting new people it was off to our seats for the main program.

LtoR: Thomas A. Saenz, actress Kikey Castillo, Cynthia Gutierrez, actor Jordi Vilasuso and David Damian Figueroa

As a guest of Efrain Fuentes, Director of Diversity Programs at Disney, I of course had the honor and pleasure to sit at the Disney sponsored table, Disney was also the dinner sponsor for the event and what a showing!  Usually the food at these events can be a little less than tasty probably due to the mass production of the food but this year - it met my foodie standards!

Director, Diversity Programs at Disney, Efrain Fuentes and actress Kikey Castillo

Disney table up front and to the right...one of the best seats in the house :) photo by: Jose Vargas Ulloa

 

The Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were actor Rob Schneider and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols - who play Rob and Maggie on CBS's ¡Rob!  Truth be told, I've been a fan of Rob Schneider for a while!  Let's just say I saw 'Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo' and 'The Animal' in the theaters…yep he got my box office money :)  They were both really good and I had the pleasure of meeting them along with other cast members of ¡Rob! during the dinner intermission.  

What is the dinner intermission?  Well, about twenty minutes into the program there's an intermission where you eat and meet the other guests at your table before the program resumes.  But what really ends up happening...everyone jumps out of their seats to mingle and rub elbows with the whole room and for me it was super great fun this year.  


I usually tend to get shy during these moments but not this time, I was in butterfly mode and was very comfortable making new acquaintances.  Of course it didn't hurt that I had some Girl Power behind me...I ran into friend, Olivia Campos-Bergeron from CBS, who introduced me to quite a few people including the cast of ¡Rob! and her friend Alicia, publicist for CBS, also helped me make the rounds (what amazing gals huh?)

LtoR: Oliva Campos-Bergeron, Alicia, actress Claudia Bassols and actress Kikey Castillo

actress Kikey Castillo and actor Rob Scheider

actress Kikey Castillo and actor Cheech Marin

The two Kiki's, Comedienne and wonderful guest of 'Let's Talk!', Kiki Melendez and actress/host Kikey Castillo

Writer, Lemise Rory, and actress Kikey Castillo.  I performed one of her pieces at a CBS showcase 

And it was during the dinner intermission that I was able to steal Alex Nogales away for a slight moment, just long enough to take a picture with him and chat for a few brief moments.  Who's Alex Nogales?  Well to me he is a friend and a fan of my acting work ever since he saw me in the Imagen Award Winning stage production of "8 Ways to Say I Love My Life and Mean It!" and ever since then he's been like a little angel to me.  


But the public knows him as the man behind NHMC, President and CEO of National Hispanic Media coalition (NHMC) and a long time advocate of Latino rights in the entrainment business.  And of course, he is the man responsible for the NHMC Impact Awards... among many other great achievements. 

actress Kikey Castillo with President and CEO of NHMC Alex Nogales

After receiving a super great compliment from him about the future of my acting career, it was back to our seats for the rest of the gala.  Wait, this man believes in my future acting career?!  Holly Cow!!...OK, tucking this one away for a later time too.  


This is where the program really took off - the honorees accepting their awards.  And oh! What a magnificent treat it was!  Each and every one of them were so raw and open with us.  You could feel that they were letting us peek into their personal thoughts, lives, feelings and emotions.  There was a hushed intimacy in the room as they spoke to us with their hearts open as if we were their trusted friends...it was pretty darn special.  


A notable moment was when Demian Bichir, (Oscar nominee for Best Actor in 'A Better Life' but probably most well known for playing Esteban Reyes on Showtime's 'Weeds') made a surprise appearance to hand the Impact Award to friend Chris Weitz who was honored for directing 'A Better Life'.

  

actor Demian Bichir and director Chris Weitz photo by: Jose Vargas Ulloa

I wrapped up this glorious evening at the VIP after party for some more fun then soon after I was whisked away by my gallant white steed...ahem, aka my white SUV.  And as I drove off in stunned silence reminisncing of the fantastical evening where my dreams and reality melted into one ---- a night where I was inspired by the honorees on stage, a night of seeing old friends and meeting new ones, a night where I stepped out of my comfort zone and was embraced with open arms in Hollywood, a night where I secretly had another dream, that one day soon I too would be on that stage to receive an award.  



These are the moments in my life where it feels so pleasantly real that I am here. Here...living, breathing, working and socializing in Hollywood...WOW, this is certainly my crazy Hollywood Life and as my blog's name aptly captures it ...LIVIN' LA VIDA LA!

Kikey goes to the ALMA Awards: 'Red Carpet'

 

  

TUNE IN Friday

September 16, 2011

8/7C on NBC

www.almaawards.com

~ ~ Photo Blog ~ ~

So you saw how I got ready for the ALMA Awards in my previous blog 
 Kikey goes to the ALMA Awards: 'Behing the Scenes'

Now, not only see the results but also...

Take a journey down the red carpet with me before the show! 

Kikey Castillo 
photo by: Christopher Lozano

But first...
Ta-da!! Finished Starlet Look

Dress by Dina Bar-El, Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti, Purse: Heather Belle, 
Accessories: Tarina Tarantino
Styled by: Steve Galindo

Kikey Castillo and Bel Hernandez 
photo by: Christopher Lozano

Let the Red Carpet Begin!

Bel and I at the red carpet arrivals area waiting on Dyana 
to walk down the red carpet together. 
Naibe, our other 'Let's Talk!' co-host, is working the red carpet interviewing celebs for 
CNN en Espanol. 
We will stop by say hi

Ah there she is! 
Naibe is CNN en Espanol's entertainment reporter.  
Here she is waiting for all the action to begin.
We'll be there in a sec Naibe :)

Clark Russell and Kikey Castillo 
photo by: Christopher Lozano

Clark already turned our arrival photo into an ad for 
'be Clarked'!

What I tell you?? His drive and energy is unstoppable!

Kikey Castillo 
Photo by: Christopher Lozano

Having a great time.  
I don't know what Clark said but somehow I channeled 
Britney Spears...
I have gum in my mouth and I'm laughing really wide mouthed LOL

Dyana Ortelli, Bel Hernandez & Kikey Castillo

Let's Talk! hosts: Dyana, Bel and Kikey

paparazzi photo of us on the red carpet

Kikey Castillo & Target Dog

Me and the Target dog.

They always have this beautiful Target dog on the red carpet and you walk up to him and take pictures!

See.  Eva and Target Dog

Now Demi and Target Dog

Look at this Lucky Dog.  What a life!

Naibe Reynoso, Bel Hernandez, Kikey Castillo & Dyana Ortelli

Here we all are! The 'Let's Talk!' hosts.
We catch up to Naibe where she interviewed us on CNN en Espanol!

Kikey Castillo 
photo by:  Christopher Lozano

Solo red carpet time 

Eva Longoria & Kikey Castillo

Look who is over Eva's left shoulder!

I took a picture of Naibe interviewing Eva Longoria with my iPhone

Here's the picture I took.

Guess I was in the shot - Ooopsie : ) 

Kikey Castillo & Latin Heat

Being interviewed by Aaron Sanchez who covered the event for Latin Heat 

Bel Hernandez, Kikey Castillo & Latin Heat

Ms. Latin Heat herself, Bel Hernandez and I

 

Dyana joins us 

 One last paparazzi photo of us before the show starts, Dyana, Kikey, Bel with Actor Enrique Castillo The 'Let's Talk!' team co-hosts and exec prod/dir

Clark Russell & Kikey Castillo

Had to take a red carpet photo with Clark who made me look fabulous!!!
What I'd tell you about the hair, right?




Now time to head into the show...

Kikey Castillo & Fernando Vargas

But wait, look who I find on my way into the show I spot boxer Fernando Vargas.  I played his sister in 'Alpha Dog'.  Haven't seen him in YEARS! So I go up to him and say "Hi Fernando, I don't know if you remember me but I played your sister in Alpha Dog" he was like "Whoa! Yeah"  

We chat for a bit :)

Danny Trejo and Kikey Castillo

Now look who I run into!  

Gosh so many people to say hi to before getting to my seat!  

I have to say hi to sweetie pie Danny Trejo.  
I played his girlfriend in '513' an indie film (in post production).  So he and I are best buds LOL :)

Finally in my seat and the show is about to begin 
Phew!! 
*That's how a red carpet happens* 

First, it's a bit stressful when you're getting ready for the award show as you want to look and feel your best on the red carpet, 
next, it's a mad dash ON the red carpet,
but loads of fun 
because your running into your friends and colleagues 
then you rush to your seat because the show is about 
to begin
And finally the show starts and you are within feet of these phenomenal performances and artists!  
Quite an amazing time and memory.  

Thanks for coming with me on the Red Carpet!

Don't forget to watch the ALMA AWARDS, 
Friday, September 16, 2011 at 8/7C on NBC

Kikey goes to the ALMA Awards: 'Behind the Scenes'

How exciting!  The ladies of ‘Let’s Talk!’ were invited to walk the red carpet at the 2011 ALMA Awards.  So how am I going to get red carpet ready for the biggest Latino award show of the year?  Well you know that old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child”?  I say, “It takes a team to get Kikey Castillo red carpet ready”! 
 

Because let me tell you, No Way, No How do I wake up looking or feeling red carpet glamorous!  But with the help of some of my makeover guru’s, I can strut the red carpet like any other Hollywood Starlet.  Wait till you see my before and after look!  

~ Meet My Team ~

Clark Russell, 

Celebrity Stylist, VIP Make-Over Artist and Beauty Expert

 

My friend and famous celebrity hair and makeup artist, Clark and I go way back.  I was doing entertainment reporting for Latin Heat, and he made me over for a makeover segment back in 2008, awe, memories Clark :)  

I’ve since transitioned from covering the red carpet to being on the red carpet. And Clark has also been making his mark in his industry.

He's been growing his celeb clientele, increasing business at his Clark Russell Salon and even launching his very own product line called 'be Clarked'.  His energy and drive is unstoppable!  And he is a sweetheart of a guy who is always such a joy to work with!

Before: Definitely not Red Carpet Ready

A man in demand, Clark Russell made a house call to do my hair; turning my locks into a big ol’mane Roaaarrr, I’m a lioness.

My hair was one of my best accessories on the red carpet (wait till you see it), Clark is a genius!

Then as quick as he arrived, he was running out the door to Richard Glass Salon in Venice to do a 'Makeover' on Dayana Falcon, a contest winner that www.LatinHeat.com held click here for details.
 
I later met up with the crew at Richard Glass Salon so that Clark could apply my makeup.  

Dayana Falcon, Clark & Kikey at Richard Glass Salon

Thanks Richard being such a great host to us! xoxo Btw, Richard has worked with Oprah!!

Richard Glass, Bel & Kikey photo: Christopher Lozano

Follow Clark Russell on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/clarkrussellsalon or visit him at www.clarkrussellsalon.com

 

Steve Galindo,  

Celebrity Stylist & T.V. Personality

aka “TheStyleGuyde” is the stylist for our talk show, 'Let’s Talk!' so he was more than enthused to give me a fabulous red carpet look for the ALMA’s.  

His blog http://thestyleguyde.wordpress.com is the city of Beverly Hill's sponsored lifestyle and luxury blog. Way to go Steve!  He is a burgeoning talent and I am so happy to work with him now because he’s going to blow up. Watch out Rachel Zoe!

A little behind the scenes gossip, I had some dress drama!! I almost ended up with nothing to wear hours before the event!  My heart sank.  Let’s just say that through a series of unfortunate events I ended up with no dress in hand.  But TheStyleGuyde at the 11^th hour pulled off finding me yet another perfect dress, shoes, purse and accessories!

Friend Steve on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheStyleGuyde or follow his Beverly Hills Sponsored blog http://thestyleguyde.wordpress.com/

 

Stay tuned for my next blog (out tomorrow) 

 "Kikey goes to the ALMA Awards: Red Carpet"  

You will see me hair and make-up ready and wearing the fabulous designer duds!