‘Empire’ Breakout celebrity Jamila Velazquez Dishes on Romancing Hakeem & Her music that is solo

Jamila Velazquez into the “Be real” episode of “Empire” airing Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 on FOX.

Because it’s oh-so-good — you may have noticed there is lots of Latin star power, most notably from Becky G and Pitbull, both of whom guested on recent episodes if you’ve been watching Empire this season — and you better.

But on last week’s Oct. 14 episode, a new sound emerged, also it ended up being a face we’dn’t seen before. Nevertheless, she had Hakeem in love, had us a lot more than intrigued and had Twitter blowing up. That voice/face includes a title, plus it’s 19-year-old Jamila Velazquez, an actress/singer of Puerto Rican, Dominican and Ecuadorian descent who’s making her Hollywood dreams become a reality.

The very good news is the fact that beautiful solamente of hers we heard (“Lago Azul,” a Spanish address of Linda Rondstadt’s “Blue Bayou”) won’t end up being the final. There is a complete many more Jamila where that originated from — she is in 9 from the 18 episodes in period 2.

We called up the singer/actress that is budding who’s originally from Bronx, ny, it is in Chicago right now shooting the show. She provided us the information on everything Empire, her influences that are musical and just just just what she’s got cooking into the months ahead both regarding the music and television front side.

If you need a different sort of taste on her behalf noise other than her Empire music, check always away her heartfelt pop/rock ballad “Nothing as if you,” which she composed by herself and reminds us of a new Shakira straight straight back within the time. There’s a bilingual type of that, too, so that the opportunities for crossover stardom are endless.

And do you know what, A&Rs? She’s still unsigned! Though probably maybe not for very long…

Just How did you secure the Empire role?

I’ve been acting and performing since I have ended up being a little woman and I also began auditioning since I have ended up being 15. After about couple of years of auditioning is when we booked my very very first part on Law & Order: SVU, I quickly got a recurring component on this show called Twisted on ABC Family. After which, literally per week before we auditioned for Empire, i acquired just a little visitor component on Orange could be the brand new Ebony (the future 4th season). I became therefore pleased whenever i acquired the decision about Empire because my loved ones and I also are such big fans of this show. I happened to be really wondering, why aren’t there any Latinas on the website? And lo and behold, they penned part for the Latina.

Therefore awesome! Exactly what can you reveal regarding the character?

Laura Calleros is her title and she’s a Nuyorican through the Bronx. You will have a relationship sooner or later between her and Hakeem. Personally I think like she’s just really genuine, in comparison to everyone else Hakeem can be used to using the services of. She’s a lady whom actually demands their respect and works difficult; she’s maybe maybe not the nature to fall asleep her method to the very best. I believe doing is considered the most part that is exciting of from the show, because before this, We wasn’t really heading out here and https://hookupdate.net/sapiosexual-dating/ doing any gigs. I became actually stressed like it’d be amazing practice to get better at being a performer and commanding the stage because I knew they would make me sing and dance but I also felt. It truly introduced my self- confidence.

That needs to be this kind of fun set. Do you really connect to Cookie Taraji P. Henson at all?

It really is! She’s simply great, constantly improvising. I think that’s one of the better areas of the show could be the freedom for the cast to generate their things that are own. It creates it additional enjoyable to view and she’s positively usually the one whom brings that the absolute most to create.

These are the Cookie Monster, does she accept of this relationship with Hakeem?

Well, you’ll see…laughs

Who’s your favorite character regarding the show?

We just love Porsha (Ta’Rhonda Jones), whom plays Cookie’s associate. This will be her very first job that is acting she’s simply therefore charismatic. She’s always bringing the comedy.

We heard “Lago Azul,” that will be gorgeous. Is indicative of Laura’s noise in the show?

There’s likely to be more formal tracks from the show plus some features with Hakeem . It is gonna be dope. Most of the tracks come in English, for the reason that metropolitan pop noise. I experienced really never ever heard about “Blue Bayou” before this, but my loved ones did. I was given by them the back ground and revealed me personally the singers that sang it before me personally. We adored it; We thought it absolutely was the introduction that is perfect my character.

Please elaborate!

Well, into the scene you can view that this is certainly her performance that is first song begins suprisingly low and quiet also it simply develops up from there. There’s so much room to actually, really sing for the reason that song. It had been perfect she’s doing but then eventually she just lets go because she’s not sure what.

That are your musical impacts?

Growing up, I actually loved Cher; she’s a symbol, has been around amazing movies and she’s had a great amount of hits, too. Fiona Apple is certainly one of my favorites. We have a range that is wide I go from Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains to Future and Drake. I always loved Amanda Miguel when it comes to Latin music. That’s whom my moms and dads revealed me whenever I began performing ballads that are spanish. I love Laura Pausini not to mention Shakira, because she’s simply amazing.

Whenever do you find out you’d that big sound?

I liked to sing nevertheless when I happened to be around 10 my parents had been like, “There’s one thing here, she will actually repeat this.” We took vocal classes until I became about 14 or 15. We haven’t done coaching that is vocal because I’m busy utilizing the show, however it’s certainly one thing i wish to make contact with it because i would like it.

So what’s waiting for you personally for you personally beyond the show?

I’ve a track called “Nothing as you” on YouTube — it is a classic, alternate, pop/rock break-up song, and that is kind of where i do want to go, but I might additionally get in an alternate way. And I’m still auditioning for acting functions. In my situation, both acting and performing just mesh. I favor telling tales so that they both make me just because happy.