"Angelica Dupaya - The Truth About"
Interviewed by Pierce Wells - August 2006
I was waiting on the lobby at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. I was half an hour early. I was quite eager to meet Angelica. We never met before, but I have been a big fan of her images plastered all over the web. I was on my third cup of coffee, when something told me to quickly turn my head to the right, as there was a special aura of a woman walking through the lobby. I was distracted among other hotel attendants and guests, including who might have been Colin Farrell. They all had the same reaction. Apparently, something told them too, that they must "turn to look". It was my dear Angelica in jeans, sheer earthtone flowing blouse, and heels. She's blessed with long beautiful brown locks, which blended well with her glowing skin tone. The scene could have been a hair commercial. She was graceful and more beautiful in person. In fact, she looked nothing like the photos I saw. She was stunning with hardly any make up, a natural beauty, and I must say, flawless skin. I stood up immediately to greet and we shook hands. She immediately apologized for being late. She was very pleasant, sweet, professional, and articulate. I was, quite honestly, glad to know she is very intelligent. I felt almost lucky that her eyes were focused on me. Even though it was not difficult to get distracted by the gawkers, her attention was on this interview. After the interview, my impression on Angelica is that this girl is very much in tune with herself and knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. I was sold.
PW: What’s the truth about Angelica Dupaya?
AD: (Laughing)…Let me start by telling what’s not true about me. I feel the need to explain certain issues because it affected my family. When it comes to family, I will do everything to make things right or at least let the truth be known. I have never ever posed for Playboy, not that there’s anything wrong with that, because I like the publication. I was approached by a Playboy Magazine scout once before for a possible centerfold, but I didn’t like the idea that I was required to be fully nude. I considered it at the time, but later decided that it wasn’t for me. I do not mind doing “non-nude” nude, which I have done before, but not ever fully nude. There were topless photos of me that were all over the web at one point or another. I do not endorse these images, as I have never posed topless before, therefore this isn’t a real person. These are digitally enhanced images and would appreciate it if these people would stop posting them. This is the truth. In fact, we've threatened to file lawsuits againsts the websites doing this. There’s also a porn site owner who bought a whole bunch of actors’ domain names and pointing them to her adult sites. She's cybersquatting my name, angelicapamintuan.com. Other actors are suing her. In fact, Spike Lee just won and got his name back. We're in the process of getting mine back.
PW: How did you cope after the auto accident? (Angelica suffered from a serious injury from an auto accident in 2002)
AD: It was tough. Prior to the accident, I was a workaholic and if I wasn’t working, I’d either be in the gym, running, or doing yoga. I was very active and moved around a lot. So it really turned my life around "360". The changes were very traumatic. Recognition and acceptance were the biggest challenge. I definitely had a hard time trying to keep my spirits up, but once I accepted the situation, I was fine. I read a lot of books, mostly spiritual. I recommend Deepak Chopra’s and Eckhart Tolle’s. Any of their books are amazing. They helped me get through a great deal. I also refreshed my chops with books on acting, which I acquired during classes with acting coach, Howard Fine. Having a great family nearby was precious. They were around me most of the time. I had some friends who picked me up and took me places to get me out of the house.
PW: You were able to squeeze in some work, I understand.
AD: I was obviously very limited in mobility, but since I had surgeries on both of my feet, when the left leg had a cast on, I was able to drive to my auditions a few times, against my doctor’s orders. Having to walk into an interview with crutches was a challenge, but I made it work to the best of my ability. I was able to do print work for swimsuit. I had to be carried around during the shoot, however. I felt bad for the person who was in charge of having to carry my fat butt around. The accident definitely lost me a lot of time. In this business, you have to move pretty fast. I really didn’t know how I was going to be able to start over. I had 6 total surgeries in a 3-year span. My feet will never look the same and as a woman, it was a tough issue to get over the fact that they are now deformed, but I believe things happen for a reason, however, so I just have to accept certain things out of my control, stay positive, and make it work.
PW: Your Liz Claiborne "Bora Bora" Fragrance was launching all around the world during the time, as well. Were you able to attend any of those?
AD: I was only able to make one launch, which was the first one, and that was before the accident. The ones after that, they (Liz Claiborne) offered to send a limo to pick me up, and have a wheel chair ready when I arrived, but my agent, at the time, advised me against it, so I didn’t go to any one. Which I regret, because they (Liz Claiborne) have been really generous and were so much fun and wonderful people to work with. Poor George had to do them by himself. I’m sure the ladies didn’t mind that I wasn’t around.
PW: George Stults from 7th Heaven was casted as your love interest.
AD: Yes, we actually, previously worked together on another print ad, a few years before Bora-Bora. So when we met before the trip to Hawaii (Bora-Bora was shot in Hawaii), we both couldn’t figure out where we had seen each other before. Then it dawned on me and then we laughed about how wild that was.
PW: Anyone special in your love life?
AD: I just ended a very long and exhausting four-year relationship. Getting out of that was probably one of the best things I did for me. I am in a good place in my life where I actually get to choose. I had always been with someone all my life and never had a break to get to know myself and learn how to live my life the way I like it. Make no mistake, I’m the the type that will stay with the right person for a very long time. In fact, I’ve only had a few boyfriends my whole life because I like being monogamous, but the more you grow, the more you learn of what exactly it is you want.
PW: So with that said, what’s your ideal man?
AD: The mold of the man I have in mind is someone who’s in touch with himself. I am very independent. My parents stopped supporting my brother and I at an early age. It was a good thing, because we learned what it’s like to work for what you have. I paid my own way through college. I earned everything I have on my own, so my standards are naturally high. I don’t like confrontation, arguing, and being in a negative environment makes me uncomfortable, so I walk away immediately from those. I understand life comes with problems and know the sun does not shine every day, but I like to be happy and my philosophy will always be to “live happy”. I do believe in communication, but I believe in communicating calmly. Life can be a complete chaos at times, but screaming into someone's ear is not for me. I love cuddling and being romantic and can just be when I’m with someone I trust. I don’t trust very easily either. It takes a lot for me to trust. I like intelligent conversations, but I also love lunacy and stupidity that causes big bursts of laughter. I like a man who makes me laugh out loud. That's important to me. Money can never ever buy love, so that isn’t an issue for me, but I do like men who pay for dinner when we’re out. I am very generous and love to buy things for my man. Paying for dinner on a date, however, is an issue for me. A man who’s past 26, who still didn’t have his own money and would take from his parents, is a loser in my book. So anyway, as you can see, to be with type of person I am, it would take a “real man”. I also believe a relationship is about “give and take”. So it’s pretty simple. I want someone who is confident enough in himself to teach me more about things that I have not learned and vice versa.
PW: Who’s your favorite actor?
AD: I have a lot of favorite actors. One of them is Sean Penn. I like him because he is, obviously, extremely talented. He is professional and not “Hollywood”, and by that I mean, he’s down to earth, easy to talk to, and not at all into the “glamour” or “fame” of it all. I have actually met him in person and was lucky to spend Thanksgiving with him, his wife Robin, and their kids. It was a while back, so I doubt that he will remember me, but he might. He was filming the gathering for a home video and I remember blushing when he put the camera on me and he said that I was “beautiful”. Oh, to hear that from “Sean Penn”. Are you kidding me? Who wouldn’t blush! Anyway, I like him because can play a very different character each time. I also like Clive Owen. He’s so talented and sexy. He’s the epitome of the “man”. My next favorite is Denzel Washington, which we all know, is a great actor. I have never ever seen him do a bad movie. I will always be a Mel Gibson fan. He’s talented no matter what. I forgive him for his "melt-down". We've all had meltdowns, even worse than that. I forgive him. He's earned it. Then there's "McDreamy", Patrick Dempsey, who lives up to the name...and an excellent actor. I remember him from his earlier movie "Can't Buy Me Love". I cannot be bothered when I'm watching "Grey's Anatomy". I'm addicted to it. One of my favorite actresses is Charlize Theron. Her acting is "effortless". She did such a phenomenal job on "Monster". I am a big Sandra Oh fan on "Grey's Anatomy". I think she's an amazing actress and very fun to watch.
PW: What’s on the map for you?
AD: I own an on-line clothing store that carries my favorite clothing that I like to wear. Although, I love other high-end couture wear from Gucci, Chanel, Prada, etc., in my store, we carry a lot of affordable items that I actually wear as well. I love Frankie B. Jeans, it’s my all time favorite because it makes my butt look nice and I think it’s universally flattering as well. I also love plain boy beaters and comfortable pliable items, so I have my own line of tanks and dresses that are sexy and comfortable. That takes up a lot of my time right now because we opened the store in January of 2005 and it’s growing. I’m constantly thinking of other ideas to expand my company, Knights & Angels, Inc., so you might see me come out with something else. I am also involved in different charities and my main concern are the seals that are getting slaughtered in Canada. I am also trying to get other people to recognize it, as I, myself didn't actually find out it was even occuring until about a year ago. I love animals, in general, and will do what I can to get involve and help somehow. I’d also like to put more attention into acting. Acting keeps me balanced and in a way, is therapeutic. That’s were I like to use my anger towards. I have a lot of anger in me that I don’t like to dump on a person, so that’s when it comes out, in acting, which is why I know I can be a great actress. I’ve been out of the loop, so I’d like to get back into that, and if a good audition is available, I will be ready. Dancing is also on the map. I'd like to take up hip-hop.
PW: Who’s around your circle of life?
AD: My family, I have a huge family and we’re all extremely close. My sister, Jaimee (an aspiring singer), is my best friend. I try to spend as much time with them as possible more now. I was traveling a lot before and have been a “no-show” consistently, so I’d like to be around more often. They are within the vicinity of me, so we don’t have to travel far. My other priority is just to stay focused. My life is on the right path now, so I just need to keep moving forward and upward. I’m not looking for another serious relationship right now either. I’m just having fun and that will come when it does. I also have a beautiful cat that keeps me sane. Her name is actually Katrina, but I call her “Boo-boo-ung-fufu”, it’s weird, but it makes me want to burst into a big laugh right after I say it. She’s smart and funny. She fetches like a dog, but she only does it for me. She was saved from the Katrina disaster in the Gulf Coast, so she’s extra special. So far, everyone’s fallen in love with her. I also love to see friends regularly. All my life I have only kept quality friends who help me grow and vice versa.
PW: What are your favorite things to do for fun?
AD: I love to dance. I can dance anytime, any place where there's music. I like to paint in spurts. I use acrylic on canvas and have painted a few "Angelica Originals" for friends (laughing). I love to sing karaoke. I like to go to the movies. I consider yoga "fun". I like casual and formal dining. I like to stay home, watch DVD movies, and eat. I like to bake, in fact I am a great baker, but I do stick to healthy ingredients. I was such a health freak at one point in my life that everything healthy started to taste good to me, including the ones that taste like crap to a lot of people. I’m over that phase though. I’ve learned it’s okay to have some bad grease in your food once in a while. I can cook easy meals like baked fish and chicken with vegetables. I’m not very good, but I also like to ski. I haven’t tried, but I want to rock climb.
PW: The women would probably want to know how you keep your skin healthy because now that I’ve seen you in person, I will rave about it.
AD: (Seemingly embarrassed and smiling) I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes my skin. My mother has great skin, so does my father actually, so I guess I consider myself lucky. I wash my face before and after going to bed with a facial exfoliant, then I moisturize. I like the Boscia line these days and I use the night cream. I don’t put my face in the sun often, and I do wear an SPF 15 or more during the day. I drink loads of water and green tea all day long. I am also a big fan of Bikram Yoga, which is hot type yoga where the room is heated to 110 degrees. You sweat profusely for an hour and a half while you stretch. It’s amazing and I recommend it to everyone. I always feel like a new person when I get out of the studio after each class. My skin has always looked and felt amazing for days, after each class. I also try to follow the Dr. Perricone diet plan, which focuses on skin.
Most importantly, because I love to keep busy, I love to sleep, as well. Now that I’m happier, I sleep better too. Sleep keeps you looking young and healthy. One of these days I’d like come back here (Chateau Marmont), turn my phone off, and lock myself in and just sleep for two days straight…that’s my next project. (smiling)
PW: Any “spiritual” advise?
AD: I'm not sure that I would give any kind of advise to anyone right now, but this one has worked for me..."Once you start analyzing what others like, you're done, you lose. Know your heart. Know the truth about yourself, who you are, and what you are here to be. Once you find that, the rest will follow, and life will be so much easier and fruitful."
