Valerie Velazquez (born July 6, 1985) is an American National Top 5 Finalist in the Miss Latina US Pageant, singer, philanthropist and

creative Creative may refer to: *Creativity, phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is created * "Creative" (song), a 2008 song by Leon Jackson * Creative class, a proposed socioeconomic class * Creative destruction, an economic term * Creative dir ...

entrepreneur. Velazquez represented Texas as a two time Miss Texas in 2008 & 2009 and finished 3rd Runner-up in the National beauty competition representing her Mexican, Spanish, and Italian heritage. Velazquez is on the Board Of Directors of 501 (c) (3) non-profit Beauty for Freedom in New York City where she campaigns to end

human trafficking Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extrac ...

. She's worked with

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

Nominated Producer

Mack Damon Mack Damon (born December 22, 1972, in Independence, Missouri), is a record producer and recording engineer based in San Antonio, Texas. Originally a musician at an early age, he has also worked as: a touring musician, Session musician, a session m ...

on a track for action film Machete directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis, however the song was not chosen for final film release. In July 2016 Velazquez was asked to ring the

Nasdaq The Nasdaq Stock Market () (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Stock Market) is an American stock exchange based in New York City. It is the most active stock trading venue in the US by volume, and ranked second ...

Opening Bell at the Opening Bell Ceremony to raise awareness for her ongoing efforts in philanthropy and causes. Velazquez now resides in Manhattan.

Life and career

Born in Texas, she was raised in San Antonio and attended Texas State University where she became the first Latina to be named Best Actress in university history for her role as Audrey in

Little Shop Of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors may refer to: * '' The Little Shop of Horrors'', a 1960 film directed by Roger Corman ** ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (musical), a 1982 musical based on the 1960 film ** ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (film), a 1986 film adaptat ...

. Prior to, Velazquez performed the national anthem for former President of the United States, the then Governor of Texas, George W. Bush at the Texas Capitol in

Austin Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

to raise awareness for the National

Red Ribbon The red ribbon, as an awareness ribbon, is used as the symbol for the solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS, and for the awareness and prevention of drug abuse and drunk driving. In Canada the red ribbon represents Canadians with Multiple ...

Campaign. She began her early singing career performing at various San Antonio Spurs National Basketball Association games at the San Antonio Alamodome and AT&T Center from 1996 to 2011, and in 1998 performed the national anthem for the Boxing Lightweight Division World Championship bout of Azumah Nelson and Jesse James Leija which would be the late Azumah Nelson's final bout. In 2011 she left entertainment after personal struggles and the death of her late father which she explained on Catholic radio show, Mary's Touch. She began a full-time career as a philanthropist and entrepreneur. In 2011 she produced STRUT 512 which was announced as Austin's Official Day of Proclamation by Mayor Lee Leffingwell in celebration of Austin's food, fashion, and philanthropy. In 2014 she produced The Better World Awards honoring those who better the world during the Formula One race in the United States. She awarded Pamela Anderson for her activism in Animal Rights with

Peta Peta or PETA may refer to: Acronym * Pembela Tanah Air, a militia established by the occupying Japanese in Indonesia in 1943 * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an American animal rights organization * People Eating Tasty Animals, an ...

, alongside Kweku Mandela, grandson of

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...

References

External links

ValerieVelazquezOfficialWebsite
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Velazquez, Valerie 1985 births Living people American Roman Catholics Actresses from San Antonio American actresses of Mexican descent 21st-century American women