Selenis Leyva: Award Winning Actress Reveals her Workout, Diet and Beauty Secrets   

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have selected a profession of being an actress that requires a lot of hard labor, technical soundness and excellence in different faculties to finally succeed, how do you achieve that?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: My passion for the arts has always been so strong! I believe in working extra hard for what you love. I am not afraid of hard work and the ups and downs life has to offer. I come from a family that came to this country and sacrificed so much and that always propelled me to be better.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You co-starred opposite Viola Davis and Catalina Sandino Moreno in the courtroom drama film "Custody" directed and written by James Lapine. Tell us about this endeavor of yours?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: James is wonderful. I felt very lucky to have a chance to work with him. It's a great story. I was reunited with Catalina after our last project 'Maria Full of Grace". I know Viola will be phenomenal in this.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have acted on the New York Stage, including the iconic role of Celia Cruz in the off-Broadway hit "Celia". Elaborate on this acting exposition of your's as a creative artist?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: The stage is a magical place that requires true technique, I love it! It really keeps an actor on their toes. Playing Celia was wonderful. A dream come true. I grew up listening to her and admiring her. I will never forget that experience. We had a great run!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I recently started working with a great trainer, Jose Lopez at Bronx Barbell Club. He pushes me beyond anything I've ever experienced. I reached a point I needed to be pushed. He switches things up on me and keeps the work outs fresh and exciting. Using a combination of high intensity interval training, polymetric's and also boxing (which I love) from time to time to spice things up.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I love spinach! I use it in my salads, smoothies, I cook it, it's just perfect. I like to juice often as well. I enjoy food a great deal and I've learned how to cook healthier versions of old favorites.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I never go to bed with makeup on!! I love cleaning my face with Foreo. It leaves my face feeling clean and fresh. And I moisturize all the time. I also have a great dermatologist! I deep condition my hair often because it goes through a lot. I love L'oreal hair products, especially the Kerastase line.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words for the inspiring and budding actresses who all are your fans, what should they do for their climb to the ladder of success in field of acting?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: Be prepared to work hard! Very few people are discovered just sitting in a cafe. You have to be trained. You have to be educated. And you have to be prepared to hear the word "NO" a lot. But success is possible anything is possible.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Your role as Gloria Mendoza in the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black has been widely acclaimed. For this role, you won ALMA Award for Outstanding Special Achievement in Television (2014) and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015). Tell us about your experience working in this television series since 2013 till date?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: It's been overwhelming. So rewarding to be part of a groundbreaking show. We continue to educate and entertain and break barriers. It really is a dream job. We're pushing the envelope and dealing with stories that haven't been told and that excites me.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your inspiration and motivation that led you to your success in the world of acting?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I've admired several actors throughout the years. Rita Moreno, Miriam Colon are inspirational. Meryl Streep is extraordinary, so is Jessica Lange, Julianne Moore, Carol Burnett (comedic genius) Bryan Cranston is sublime! Tony Hale makes me laugh out loud every time! Julia Louis -Dreyfus is so great as well!! The list can go on and on. I love actors who are honest in their work!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have been associated with and being the first Hispanic Ambassador for the Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research (your brother being a 2x cancer survivor). This association has been dear to your heart, tell us how you have been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of your?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: My family went through very difficult years with my brother's battle with cancer. We are so lucky to have him with us today. So many people are dealing with this disease and I want to make sure the rate of success stories continues to rise. Gabrielle's Angel is doing so much towards funding for cancer research that it just made sense to join them in this crusade.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are a leading television star, film actress, stage artist and human rights activist. How you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I don't think much about all the things I am doing! haha that would overwhelm me. I just do it! I firmly believe that when you are passionate about things, you work out of love and respect and patience. With all these things in place it never feels like work. I also make time for myself. It's important to shut things down and regroup.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: ALMA Awards are given who accomplish and achieve equity for Latino talent among all art forms. You have won the 2014 ALMA Award, a Special Achievement Award for breaking barriers in the arts. What responsibility these awards bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities in the field of acting?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I don't over think any responsibilities that may be expected. I continue to do my work with as much truth as possible. I love what I do, I am always learning and evolving. Recognition is wonderful and I appreciate it but it's not why I started acting. I am very proud to know that I am representing Latinos in Hollywood. It's a really exciting time in the industry.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are an advocate for LGBT rights and works closely with LGBT Human Rights Organizations and Anti- Bullying Campaigns. Tell us more about this effort of yours?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: I believe in using your voice to speak against injustice. I have this wonderful platform now and I use it to bring forth issues important to me. I have always supported the LGBT community.

My dearest friends are gay and I have a transgender sister. I have always been very aware of the difficulties the LGBT community face. Aside from these reasons, I believe in basic human rights. I have a preteen daughter and I am well aware of the issues concerning bullying today. Social media has added to this and we all need to be aware of what we say and how that effects people.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Women Fitness and message for its visitors?

Ms. Selenis Leyva: Make sure you log on and support! Read the great articles and interviews. Healthy Living is the New Black!!!

To know more about Selenis Leyva, check her social network at:

• Twitter: @selenis_leyva
• Instagram: @selenisleyvaofficial
   

Women Fitness Team thanks Selenis Leyva for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.

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