Celines Toribio is more than just a pretty face. Not only is this Dominican bombshell a host for several internationally acclaimed variety shows in Latin America, but Toribio is also an actress and a youth mentor who dedicates an enormous amount of time helping young Latinas concentrate on their careers. She is determined to show the world that while she can play a sexy woman on screen without difficulty, she also has the acting chops that have earned her roles alongside Hollywood power players, including Edward James Olmos and Michelle Rodriguez. We spoke with the starlet about playing Hollywood’s Queen of Technicolor, tackling her most challenging role, and why she considers Salma Hayek to be her biggest role model.
nocheLatina: You are a sexy woman. What do you consider sexy?
Celines Toribio: Thanks for seeing me as a sexy woman. To me, sexy is to feel secure, have fun, and avoid forced feelings. It’s very sexy when a woman can be smart, pretty, and fun at the same time. It’s all about her personality, the way she carries herself, and the way she knows how to take advantage of her attributes.
nocheLatina: How did you get your start in being a hostess for so many important networks and shows?
Celines Toribio: Working very hard. I went to college and graduated with a degree in Mass Communications and Theater. Communication is in my soul.
nocheLatina: As a Dominicana, what was it like to play Dede Mirabal in Tropico De Sangre opposite Michelle Rodriguez?
Celines Toribio: I grew up in The Dominican Republic. I finished high school there. As a result, the history of the Mirabal Sisters was always a topic in class. It always impacted me and I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to play Mrs. Dede Mirabal. I view her as a wonderful human being. While her other sisters were fighting for democracy and freedom, she was fighting to maintain the family together.
nocheLatina: Talk about your other film, America, one of the many highlights from this year’s New York International Latino Film Festival. What was it like working with so many prominent actors, including producer Edward James Olmos?
Celines Toribio: America is based on the novel by Esmeralda Santiago, titled America’s Dream. It’s a film about powerful women and how a mother is willing to leave everything behind to protect her daughter. Mr. Olmos is co-executive producer of the movie and he also acts in it. It was great to work with him. Sonia Fritz directed the movie, but Edward was always on set. He also directed me a bit in acting and I learned so much from him.
nocheLatina: I know you’ve been focusing a lot on an acting career. What other acting projects do you have coming up?
Celines Toribio: My next project is Maria Montez: The Movie. It’s about Hollywood’s first “Queen of Technicolor.” Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Maria conquered Hollywood in more than 26 movies and generated millions of dollars for the big studios.
nocheLatina: What has been your most challenging role to date?
Celines Toribio: Playing Dede wasn’t easy especially because she is such an important person in my country and also because she was always on set when I was shooting her scenes. It made me kind of nervous, but now the biggest challenge will be to portrait Maria Montez. We are totally different physically and our voice tones are also different. I’ve been studying her for quit a while now. I hope the audience accepts me as a tribute to her career.
nocheLatina: What sort of roles would you like to play?
Celines Toribio: I’m interested in action/violent roles like police officers, doctors in emergency rooms, or drug addicts. The reason I say this is because for me the biggest challenge as an actor is to play something very far from you and I’m a very peaceful person. I have never been involved in police action, worked at a hospital, or used drugs. So imagine all the character study I will need to do to play those roles! That’s the fun part for me.
nocheLatina: You are involved in many organizations that help and nurture young Latinos. Can you talk about some of those endeavors?
Celines Toribio: It comes from growing up middle to lower class. I saw my parents work very hard to give my sister, my brother, and I an education. It makes me feel happy to know that if I have created a public career, I have to use that influence to touch and help others. There is no meaning in having some sort of power or pull if you don’t’ use it to help others. Four years ago I formed Latino Youth in Communication Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to help kids follow their dreams in the arts.
nocheLatina: Where do you find the time to do so much?
Celines Toribio: Right now it’s 2:15AM on a Wednesday and we’re conducting this interview. There isn’t enough time but everything has to get done. I got to do it now before I expand my family and become a mother. There are still a lot of goals I’d like to achieve.
nocheLatina: What’s your ultimate career goal?
Celines Toribio: To follow Salma Hayek's footsteps. She acts, produces, mentors, is a fashion icon, and a great mother. I believe in the phrase that women can have it all. I celebrate her life and career. I have also learned to be patient. It is like they say, ‘When you don’t see that things are happening…stay put. It means God is working.’ We have to give the Universe some time because God doesn’t work under pressure.
