Local News
Dania Ramirez: The ‘Premium Rush’ Interview
D
ania Ramirez was born on
November 8, 1979 in the
Dominican Republic and
was raised there by her grand-
mother from infancy until the age
of ten when she was sent to the
United States to rejoin her parents.
She graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in Communication from
Montclair State University where
she was also a standout on the
school’s volleyball squad.
Dania’s professional career
began as a model in New York
although she got her big break into
show business when Jay-Z cast
her in the music video “Streets is
Watching.” Today, she has become
one of the hottest young actresses
in Hollywood, co-starring in sev-
eral of the most successful movies
and highest-rated television pro-
grams of the past few years.
She was recently cast in the
highly-anticipated Lifetime TV
series “Devious Maids,” debuting
in 2013, which is being produced
and written by “Desperate House-
wives” creator Marc Cherry. On
the show, Dania will play Rosie
Falta, one of four Latina maids
employed by the rich and famous
in Beverly Hills.
Her other film credits include
American Reunion, X-Men: The
Last Stand, Quarantine and Fat
Albert. She made her film debut in
Spike Lee’s “The Subway Stories”
for HBO, which led to two other
Spike Lee projects, 25th Hour and
She Hate Me. Dania was unforget-
table as Blanca on the critically-
acclaimed HBO drama “The
Sopranos,” as well as on the NBC
cult hit “Heroes” and HBO’s
award-winning “Entourage.”
As a model, Dania was named
the face of CoverGirl and has been
featured in its advertising cam-
paign for a couple of years run-
ning. She also appeared opposite
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs in the
CIROC “Luck Be a Lady” cam-
paign that ran all around the
world.
C
O
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
Here, she talks about her new
movie, “Premium Rush,” an
action thriller co-starring Joseph
Gordon-Levitt.
Kam Williams: Hi Dania,
thanks so much for the time.
Dania Ramirez: Thank you for
talking to me, Kam. I have a
movie coming out. I need you.
[Laughs]
KW: [Laughs] So, what interest-
ed you in Premium Rush?
DR: A couple things. When I
consider a film, I really look at the
character first to see if it’s some-
thing that I can dive into and bring
to life. And second, it looked like
a lot of fun. I was going to be rid-
ing a bike all through New York
City. That kinda sold me. And
that’s what the movie is really, just
a lot of fun!
KW: How would you describe
your character?
DR: Vanessa’s a badass Domini-
can chick on a bike who also has a
heart of gold. She’s just graduated
from college, hasn’t found a job
and becomes a bike messenger in
the meantime. She’s really
focused in her relationship with
Wilee [Joseph Gordon-Levitt].
She’s tying to get him to care
about living and about the future. I
really loved playing her, because
she’s a very honest and endearing
character. She’s sort of tough
when she’s on the bike, but caring
and vulnerable when she’s off it.
KW: Larry Greenberg is won-
dering whether Vanessa is very
different from Alex, the character
M
M
U
N
you played on Entourage.
DR: Absolutely! They’re both
charming in their own way but
Vanessa is New York and tough,
while Alex is and just fun and
business focused.
KW:
Professor/filmmaker/
author Hisani Dubose would like
to know if you did any of your
own stunts.
DR: I did as much as I could, but
there were certain things I just
couldn’t do like where my charac-
ter jumps off the bike and flies
through the air before hitting the
ground. But I did do the one where
she crosses over the Hudson
River, and that was scary.
KW: Marlene Canty asks: How
dangerous was it to shoot on loca-
tion around Manhattan with bikes
zooming in and out of traffic?
DR: It was very dangerous,
because you’re on a bike going in
and out of traffic. There’s nothing
protecting you. The whole movie
we’re riding bikes and going fast.
Joseph had to get 31 stitches after
an accident where he went through
a cab’s windshield. I fell off my
bike every single day, and I found
I was more worried about avoid-
ing pedestrians than hitting a car.
KW: You probably were able to
handle such a physically demand-
ing role because you’re very ath-
letic and played volleyball in
college. Did you watch any of the
Olympics?
DR: Are you kidding? [LOL] I
couldn’t turn it off, especially the
volleyball, which I watched all the
way to the end.
KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles
asks: Was this a role you were
comfortable with and what do you
see as the ideal part for yourself?
DR: Yes, I was very comfortable
with it. I absolutely loved it. The
ideal part for me is any challeng-
ing, three-dimensional role that I
could throw myself into. I’m real-
ly looking forward to playing a
romantic lead in an independent
film where I can explore a variety
I
T
Y
C
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dania Ramirez in ‘Premium Rush’
of different emotions.
KW: Richie Von Der Schmidt
asks: Is it just a coincidence that
your love interest Turtle from
Entourage sort of looks like AJ,
your love interest on the Sopra-
nos?
DR: [Laughs heartily] To be
honest with you, I don’t know that
they look alike. I see them as two
completely different people. Aside
from the fact that they’re both
white, I don’t see much similarity.
They’re both really charming, and
my character was sexually aggres-
sive in both roles, so maybe that’s
what might make them come
across as alike.
KW: What do you think of the
Dream Act, which went into effect
recently, giving undocumented
immigrants an opportunity for
education and employment?
DR: I think it’s fantastic that a
lot of immigrants will be given
more of a shot to show what we’re
here for. They’re here to work, and
to strive for a better life for them-
selves and for their families. So,
I’m excited about it!
KW: The Tasha Smith question:
Are you ever afraid?
DR: Everyday! That’s what
drives me.
KW: The Columbus Short ques-
tion: Are you happy?
A
L
E
N
D
DR: Yes, very!
KW: The Teri Emerson ques-
tion: When was the last time you
had a good laugh?
DR: [Roars with laughter] Right
now!
KW: What is your guiltiest
pleasure?
DR: Cooking.
KW: What is your favorite dish
to cook?
DR: Any Dominican food.
KW: The bookworm Troy John-
son question: What was the last
book you read?
DR: Right now I’m reading
Chrissie Wellington’s autobiogra-
phy, “A Life without Limits.” She
won the Iron Man competition
three years in a row.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/o
bidos/ASIN/1455505579/ref=nosi
m/thslfofire-20
KW: Is there any question no
one ever asks you, that you wish
someone would?
DR: Not really.
KW: The Sanaa Lathan ques-
tion: What excites you?
DR: What excites me? Love!
KW: The Uduak Oduok ques-
tion: Who is your favorite clothes
designer?
DR: I have too many favorites to
See DANIA on page 5
A
R
S EATTLE 2012
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Thursday August 23
JON SOLO: SEATTLE PRESENTS FREE SUMMER
CONCERT. Indie rock and funk jams from Jon
Solo and special guests. Noon – 1:30 p.m. City
Hall Plaza, 600 4th Ave. Seattle
Saturday August 25
VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR THE BIG DAY OF PLAY. We
need volunteers to help organize the Healthy
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner August 22, 2012
Parks, Healthy You event. If you want to give
something back to the health & fitness
community then come join as a volunteer. 8 a.m.
– 5 p.m. Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand
Point Way NE. Please contact Aretha Alexander
at parksvolunteer@seattle.gov
Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion, explores the
cultural roots and contemporary influences of
Tibet through live performances, cultural displays,
hands on activities, food and much more. Noon
– 6 p.m. Both days. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison
St.
FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH & EDUCATION FAIR & RUN AT
JUDKINS PARK. The event is both a fundraiser and
an opportunity to enhance and support a culture
of academic excellence and well-being among
communities of color. 10 a.m.
Tuesday August 28
FREE ARTS IN THE PARK AT THE PUYALLUP FARMERS
MARKET. All supplies are provided, and artist
assistants will be on hand to help out. Stop by,
create art and learn more about upcoming art
creations. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pioneer Park and the
Plaza at City hall, Puyallup, WA
Saturday – Sunday August 25 – 26
SAND MANDALA CREATION TRADITIONAL DANCE
AND BBC FILM HIGHLIGHTS TIBET FEST. Seattle
DANCING IN THE PARK: DANCING ‘TIL DUSK. Live or
DJ music and social dancing on a real dance
floor. Beginner lessons is from 6 – 7 p.m. Then the
dancing begins at 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Westlake Park. Free entertainment for the whole
family.
Saturday September 1
6TH ANNUAL BLUES FOR FOOD FEST. Our goal is to
have an organic and entertaining blues
alternative to Labor Day. Noon – 9 p.m.
Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE.