Call her today’s Ava Gardner or Countess von Bismarck, Mexican actress Laura Harring is one sexpot that knows how to sizzle. It’s hard to resist the statuesque beauty whose never ending curves and chocolate locks never fail to captivate viewers, including legendary critic Roger Ebert. Before she was compared to fellow glamour star Rita Hayworth, Harring, or “Laurita” as she was called by her family, was a timid child who soon discovered the art of dancing as a way to communicate with the world. By age 12, she survived a drive-by shooting and at 16, she flew to Switzerland to attend one of the top schools in the country. Soon after she turned 21, Harring was the first Hispanic to win the Miss USA crown. Yet despite all of her accomplishments, Harring soon chased the glitzy lights of Hollywood. After working as a social worker in India, traveling the world, and then becoming a royal through marriage, she did exactly that with no regrets.
From a femme fatale to a sultry seductress who easily charms both men and women, Harring isn’t afraid to let audiences know how sexy and talented she is. She’s already worked with notable leading men, including Javier Bardem, John Travolta, Denzel Washington, and the late Raul Julia, just to name a few. Currently, she’s co-starring in the hit television series “Gossip Girl” as Chuck Bass’ (played by Ed Westwick) reported long lost mother Evelyn Bass. Even while working with some of the hottest stars of Hollywood, Harring easily commands the screen. She speaks with nocheLatina about her famous journey to Hollywood, how she helped an impoverished nation long before Angelina Jolie, and why she would love to star in a remake of West Side Story.
nocheLatina: Describe your experience in nearly being struck by a bullet as a child. How did this incident impact you later in life?
Laura Harring: That experience made me appreciate life even more! It made me show love and appreciation to my family and friends and live more in the present. I’m not worried about the future or thinking so much of past painful experiences, but appreciating each day.
nocheLatina: Before you became an actress, you chose to travel and become a social worker in India. Why did you choose this route, as oppose to heading straight to Hollywood as most aspiring actresses do?
Laura Harring: When I became a social worker in India, where I did manual labor work, it was not fashionable or trendy to do so. This desire to help was innate in me. I was so transformed by that experience that I came back totally changed: more grateful, appreciative, and willing to do little things that would make a big difference, such as showing support to my mom by helping her wash dishes without her having to ask me, or do favors for my friends if they were in a crunch. That's what friends are for. I feel that friends are not disposable, but permanent journeys. They send out a helping hand when in need and reach out to celebrate our successes! What fun is it to have success if there is no one there to share it with? One thing I learned among my travels from a beautiful monk that I studied with is that if I can't see a plate of food, does it exist? The answer is no. We are all in this together to grow, help, share, and show love.
nocheLatina: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue acting in Hollywood?
Laura Harring: When I worked opposite Raul Julia in the NBC three hour special The Alamo, Thirteen Days to Glory. I was inexperienced, but watching the masterful thespian singing and belting his lines effortlessly like an un-shy canary made me catch the acting bug. It was only years later that I realized that I have worked with what’s considered as the BEST actors in Hollywood, like Raul Julia, William Hurt, Javier Bardem, and Forrest Whittaker.
nocheLatina: You were recognized as the first Latina to win a Miss USA title, yet you've been considered “too white” to play a Latina in the film industry. What are your thoughts on today's Latin actors and how Latinos are being portrayed?
Laura Harring: The times have changed and I’m lucky that I am able to play American and Latina roles, but mostly I play American. Don't ask me why. It's a question I have been asking myself for 20 years, and I can't find an answer, especially when I dance every single Latin dance in the world and speak Spanish fluently! I don't know. I stopped trying to figure it out. I roll with the punches and am much happier now with this attitude. No use in going against the current. When life gives you lemons, what do you do? You make lemonade. Being happy with what comes is the secret. I love being grateful on a daily basis. When I count my blessings, I get even more!
nocheLatina: Would you say that Mulholland Drive became your defining role as an actress in Hollywood?
Laura Harring: Yes. I am honored to be in a timeless piece. I call it a piece because the critics called it a masterpiece and I agree. Mulholland Drive doesn't die! It's similar to a fine wine, it gets better with age! That Mulholland Drive is best film of the decade by the Los Angeles Film Critic Association.
nocheLatina: How difficult was it for you to take on your role as Sara, a character that you both gained and lost 30 pounds for Love in the Time of Cholera?
Laura Harring: The weight was easy to gain and like pulling teeth to lose! Javier (Bardem) was vey supportive. At one point he surprised me when he stood up for me and told the super talented Mike Newell (film director) that I had gained enough weight! I giggled...I loved playing Sara. She’s so cute, cuddly, juicy, and there's lot of woman there!
nocheLatina: What have been some of the surprising things you've discovered from the famous co-stars that you've worked with?
Laura Harring: That they are all real people and have same needs and desires as everyone else.
nocheLatina: After having one of the sexiest scenes in film opposite actress Naomi Watts, is there someone in particular that you wouldn't mind having a steamy scene with?
Laura Harring: I'm so in love right now, so no one appeals to me! I'm an exclusive, monogamy-loving creature.
nocheLatina: What are your thoughts on being compared to Hollywood screen legends Ava Gardner and fellow Latina Rita Hayworth?
Laura Harring: Those comparisons were my dreams come true! But I never intended those comparisons, nor did I try to emulate the old Hollywood iconic stars, they happened naturally and spontaneously. When I read the International Herald Tribune comparing me to Rita Hayworth at the Cannes Film Festival, I was shocked! The lovely Anne Miller said that if Rita Hayworth had been alive, she would have scratched my eyes out. I don't believe it. I think Rita and I would have been friends. I love supporting my female friends. There's a lot of power in the sisterhood.
nocheLatina: As a woman who famously wore over millions of dollars in shoes and a necklace at the 2002 Academy Awards, what are some of your most important fashion must-haves for a night out on the town?
Laura Harring: Anything black! I'm back to wearing black. I think it's because I moved to New York for six months! I might even stay longer. I moved there because I was shooting a nice arc on ‘Gossip Girl,’ which is airing now. I've wanted to move to the Big Apple for over 10 years. When I finally did, it was another dream come true. I’m still LA-base too, but am spending more time on the East coast. I love the fashion, sophistication of the people, the plays, the culture, the restaurants, and more importantly, the people walking the streets.
nocheLatina: I've read that if given the opportunity, you would want to play Maria in a film remake of West Side Story. Do you still feel this way?
Laura Harring: I am interested in playing lots of different roles and that is why I love being an actor. I am an actor that gets opportunities to play a diverse array of characters: from abused moms to abusive, from sexy to chunky and funny. The innocence Maria has is what attracted me to the role. West Side Story is a great story and I think it should be made to indicate how being separated from people creates trouble and pain in life. The feeling of togetherness is what makes us feel alive and peaceful. Fulfilled.
