Nadine Velazquez

Nadine Velazquez is an American actress and model celebrated for her dynamic roles in both television and film. Born on November 20, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois, she is of Puerto Rican descent. Velazquez began her career with a McDonald's commercial and quickly transitioned into acting, landing roles in films like Biker Boyz (2003) and Chasing Papi (2003). She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Catalina Aruca on NBC's My Name Is Earl and later as Sofia Ruxin on FX's The League .

Throughout her career, Velazquez has showcased her versatility across various genres. She appeared in the critically acclaimed film Flight (2012), starring Denzel Washington, and played Jackie Ortiz in the History Channel's military drama Six (2017–2018). Additionally, she joined the cast of ABC's musical drama Queens in 2021, portraying Valeria, a member of a popular 90s girl group .

Beyond her acting career, Velazquez is passionate about mentorship and empowerment. She founded the organization "Follow Your Art," aiming to mentor teenage girls through challenging times . Reflecting on her journey, she has said, "I’ve never been driven to just be a celebrity or just get me on TV. Never ever. What’s always driven me is being successful and being good at what I do" .