Jamila Velazquez

Jamila Velazquez (born November 27, 1995), is an American singer and actress, best known for her recurring roles as Sarita in the ABC Family series Twisted (2013-2014) and as Laura Calleros on FOX's primetime musical-drama series Empire Season 2 (2015–2016). She began singing and performing where she won a talent show in 2010.

Life and career 1996–2003: Early life and career beginnings

Velazquez was born in the Bronx, New York to Dominican, Ecuadorian, and Puerto Rican parents. She also has a younger sister named Jada Velazquez. Her younger sister and her parents reside in Rockland County, New York. Velazquez was raised in the Longwood-Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Growing up, she attended Catholic School, and by the age of six was enrolled in acting class.

She began singing and performing in kindergarten. When she was just eight years old her acting teacher saw a glimmer of talent in her, which led to booking her first role on an off-Broadway play called "The End of You".

That sense of determination followed throughout high school. She would trek everyday from Rockland County, where she moved when she was eleven, to Midtown Manhattan to attend the Professional Performing Arts High School. At first, she was a vocal major, but then switched to drama her sophomore year.

2011: Come Home Raquel

Jamila Velazquez first appeared in a movie drama Come Home Raquel, as playing the lead role Raquel in 2011. Raquel is a 13-year-old girl living in Queens, New York, struggles to make sense of her life after the deportation of her parents. Things quickly change upon the arrival of a new teacher and the return of her long lost uncle.

2012, 2015: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Later in 2012 she guest-starring in a TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in season 14, episode 4 "Acceptable Loss" as prostitute Pilar Morenas. In 2015, she played again as Pilar Morenas in season 16, episode 15 "Undercover Mother" and season 16, episode 23 "Surrendering Noah".

2013: Twisted

Velazquez joined the cast of the ABC Family's new series Twisted in 2013, as the role of Sarita. She is a minor character in Twisted, former best friend of main character Lacey Porter and murdered student Regina Crane. Sarita is an elitist and manipulative girl who enjoys humiliating people she deems beneath her.

2015-2016: Empire

On August 3. in 2015 it was announced that Jamila Velazquez was joining the cast as Latina girl Laura Calleros from Bronx, New York, on Fox's Empire Season 2. She is the lead singer in Lyon Dynasty's Latin-American girl group of Mirage a Trois. Laura is a girl who really demands Hakeem's respect and works hard, she is a major recurring character and the ex-fiancée of Hakeem Lyon. Laura Calleros first appeared in Empire Season 2 "Poor Yorick".

2016: Orange Is the New Black

Velazquez has a cameo role in the comedy-drama series Orange is the New Black in June 2016.

Artistry

Velazquez is described as a pop/rock ballad singer. As growing up she really loved Cher, but Fiona Apple is one of her favorites. She goes from Led Zappelin and Alice in Chains to Future, Drake, Laura Pausini and Shakira, but when it comes to Latin music, she always loved Amanda Miguel that her parents showed her when she started singing Spanish ballads.

Velazquez wrote her first song "Nothing Like You" and it was realised on January 23, 2015, it's also a Spanish Version called "Nada Como Tu". The song is classic, alternatice, pop/rock break-up song.

Discography

Solo songs

Empire Music

Filmography