Latina Supermodel/Actress Patricia Velasquez Releases Straight Walk on 2/10 via Post Hill Press

[Joey Primero]

Straight Walk: A Supermodel's Journey To Finding Her Truth
By Patricia Velasquez

Out February 10, 2015 via Post Hill Press

Latina Supermodel, Businesswoman, Actress, Humanitarian and Mother
Shares Her Powerful Rag-To-Riches & Coming Out Story For The First Time Ever

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"The fantastic book 'Straight Walk' not only provides an inside look at modeling in the 90s, but it also tells a tale of love and acceptance." - Carolina Herrera, Fashion Designer

"Patricia's soulfulness and spirit is inspiring. Her story is both moving and empowering, and proof that we can come from nowhere, with nothing but love in our hearts and a good head on our shoulders, and do something to make the world a better place." - Russell Simmons, Co-founder Def Jam, entrepreneur and philanthropist

"This book is proof of the collective clout and power of strong women. When we all stand together and stand up for each, we, like Patricia can change the world." - Katie Ford, Former CEO, Ford Models and Founder of the Freedom for All foundation

"Patricia is one of the most impressive, determined people that I've ever met. Through her extraordinary life, both personal and professional, she has positively impacted and inspired the lives of so many - myself included." - Narcisco Rodriquez, Fashion Designer

"It is not easy to tell your story and especially difficult when a secret lays heavy on your heart...but the courage to open up and talk can free your soul and that is what Patricia has done in this wonderful story of her journey. I am so proud of her for writing this book and hope it invites others to feel free to share their own paths." - Mariel Hemingway, Actress and Author


Latina supermodel, businesswoman, actress, and philanthropist Patricia Velasquez will release Straight Walk: A Supermodel's Journey To Finding Her Truth on February 10, 2015 via Post Hill Press. In this intimate, inspiring and heartfelt memoir, she bares her soul and finally reveals the naked truth about her life. She poignantly recalls not only the triumphant story of working tirelessly to lift her family out of poverty, but also talks about her years of feeling isolated, living a lie and hiding her true self from those she loved most.

With this memoir, Patricia chronicles her remarkable career and her compelling coming out story for the first time ever. Patricia shares strong messages about acceptance, compassion, and the cultural differences she had to face throughout her life. Patricia, now a mother, hopes to start a dialogue between women everywhere in every culture - gay or straight - that encourages them to be open and empowered.

Raised in a male-dominated, underprivileged community in Venezuela, Patricia watched her mother struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table for their large family. It pained her to see her mother work so hard and Patricia was determined to escape this impoverished life. She learned early on that she at times had to compromise herself to get ahead, as she fought courageously to provide a better situation for her and her family.

When Patricia was in her late teens, a friend groomed her to enter the Miss Venezuela pageant, which opened the door to the modeling world. From there, her story weaves its way onto the runways of Milan, Paris, London, and New York, working for designers like Isaac Mizrahi, Karl Lagerfeld, and Carolina Herrera. Velasquez, who is touted as the first Latina Supermodel,  landed on the cover of most every major fashion magazine in the world and posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and Victoria's Secret. She helped redefine the standards of beauty, and even became one of the first Hispanic women to be the face of COVERGIRL in the U.S. market.

PRESS HERE<http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Walk-Supermodels-Journey-Finding/dp/1618689355> to pre-order Straight Walk now via Amazon.

About Patricia Velasquez

Patricia Velasquez was a runway model for Chanel, Gucci, and Carolina Herrera.  She has appeared on countless magazine covers including Cosmopolitan and Latina, and posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and Victoria's Secret several times.  Her acting credits include box-office successes such as The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. She has starred in and produced many independent films including Liz in September.  Her numerous television credits include Ugly Betty, CSI: Miami, Arrested Development, Rescue Me, Ed, and American Family among others.  A career highlight for Velasquez was starring in the lead role of School of the Americas, a play produced by Philip Seymour Hoffman for the Public Theater in New York.

Velasquez also built and runs The Wayuu Taya Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the living conditions of Latin American indigenous groups while maintaining respect their culture.  She is also a UNESCO Artist for Peace and has been frequently recognized for her charity work by multiple organizations including the United Nations.

A savvy entrepreneur, at HSN, Velasquez launched a line of organic hair care products called Taya Beauty, using ingredients from the indigenous communities of the Amazon through environmentally friendly and sustainable programs.  She lives in Los Angeles and New York.

Straight Walk: A Supermodel's Journey to Finding Her Truth
Patricia Velasquez
Published by Post Hill Press
February 10, 2015
Hardcover/$27
ISBN: 9781618689351

For more information, please contact PRESS HERE:
Joey Primero / Sarah Usher - 212.246.2640
joey at pressherepublicity.com<mailto:joey at pressherepublicity.com> / sarah at presshereproductions.com<mailto:sarah at presshereproductions.com>

Joey Primero
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