Patricia Velasquez Writes About Growing Up, Modeling, and Who She Really Is in Her New Memoir

Patricia Velasquez is considered by many to be the first Latina supermodel in the world. She has a pretty solid career in both modeling and acting, but there was thing she never really wanted to talk about until she released her memoir, Start Walking. Velasquez is a lesbian.  

In her book Velasquez talks about growing up poor in South America, being “discovered” by a hairdresser, and all she had to go through to compete in the 1989 Miss Venezuela pageant. Even though she didn’t win the pageant, Velasquez’s modeling career took off. She was touring the world, modeling in London, Milan, Madrid, and of course, Paris. She was featured in the pages of Victoria’s Secret, Maxim, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Soon her career turned to acting when she got the role of Anck-Su-Namun in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.  

Even with all her fame, she still felt a little out of place and unsure of herself. That all changed when she met funny lady, Sandra Bernhard. She met her backstage and felt an instant connection. While it took a little bit of time, Velasquez was soon dating Bernhard. Though the relationship may not have lasted, Velasquez finally understood who she was. You can’t put a price on that.  

Since then Velasquez has come out to her family, which all of them support her. She hopes her book will help ease some of the prejudices that remain in the Latin community. I think we all strive to be comfortable in our own skin. I can’t imagine all the struggles Velasquez has gone through, but I’m happy she’s in a good place now.  

For pics and videos of Patricia Velasquez in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, check out Mr. Skin.