Latest news with #Leguizamo
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Risk Of Authentic Leadership: Leguizamo And Gamino Reveal It's Power
Hugo Gamino leads culinary strategy at @hispanickitchen What happens when your childhood dreams seem impossible—not just because they're hard, but because no one who looks like you seems to have done them before? That question threads through the work of Emmy-winning actor John Leguizamo, chef and culinary strategist Hugo Gamino, and the senior leadership team at nglmitú—a digital media company. In a time when cultural identity is both contested and commodified, their stories reveal a critical lesson for every business leader: success isn't linear; it ripples out from authenticity. Born of pain and discomfort, authentic leadership and storytelling open the doors to mentorship, connection—and business opportunities. This was the response Hugo Gamino received from a high school guidance counselor after expressing interest in becoming a chef. The advice was dismissive. But other adults offered something better. An English teacher encouraged him to write, without worrying about grammar. That writing space opened the door to self-reflection. A principal helped widen the path. Later, Gamino encountered the book Kitchen Confidential by the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain—a raw, unfiltered look at the culinary world—and something began to click. Equal parts comedy, autobiography, and social commentary, Freak broke ground in 1998 with Tony ... More nominations for both Best Actor and Best Play and earned Leguizamo a 1999 Primetime Emmy But it was Freak, Leguizamo's one-man Broadway show, that provided the earliest model for what storytelling could be. Equal parts comedy, autobiography, and social commentary, Freak broke ground in 1998 with Tony nominations for both Best Actor and Best Play and earned Leguizamo a 1999 Primetime Emmy—the first Latino actor to win in that category. The HBO special's success launched a series of solo works and influenced a generation of performers, including the then-unknown duo of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. 'That's when we wrote Good Will Hunting,' Damon told Leguizamo during a recent film shot in Sicily. In Freak, Damon and Affleck saw that everyone had stories that matter. Gamino, watching Freak as a high school senior, saw something else: a man who looked like him modeling honesty, messiness, and emotional range. Now, Gamino is a key figure at HK (Hispanic Kitchen), the culinary arm of nglmitú. But his trajectory wasn't linear. It curved through fashion, professional kitchens, burnout, and reinvention—each pivot shaped by storytelling, and a gradual willingness to stop hiding the parts of himself he feared would be rejected. John Leguizamo speaks with both gravel and fire. In a recent conversation, he wore a cap that just barely obscured his hair—dyed white for a role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Around his neck: a thick chain. His energy toggles between ease and urgency, hurt and transcendent. 'I didn't know people like me could be actors,' he said, remembering his upbringing in Jackson Heights, Queens. 'At fifteen, I didn't even know the word 'representation.'' Instead, he found reflection in Eugene O'Neill—proof that family dysfunction, brokenness, and rage belonged on stage. That permission would inform not only Freak, but the foundation of his creative work. But for Leguizamo, storytelling wasn't just about revelation—it was about accountability. 'I think every artist should confront themselves in their offerings. You have to be examining your demons, your Achilles, figure out your blind spots!' he said in a follow up conversation. 'I had to look at my family, my parenting, and weaknesses as the head of my whole family. How have I been lacking and possibly toxic in ways I was not aware? That's when a piece of writing can be searing and have real consequence in our times.' The act of creating becomes, in Leguizamo's view, an excavation, a confrontation with pain and discomfort that most people would rather look away. His solo shows were never just personal—they were cultural reckoning, starting with his own reflection. In 2022, NGL Collective (of which Leguizamo was a co-founder) and mitú merged to form nglmitú, now one of the largest Latinx digital media platforms in the U.S., reaching 15 million followers. While the company's offerings span entertainment and lifestyle content, its stated goal reaches deeper: to reflect the bicultural identity of U.S.-born Latinos navigating multiple worlds. 'Our job is to entertain and inform,' said Joe Bernard, Chief Revenue Officer. 'But it also means helping brands build real connection with our audience—because the need for that is huge.' The company's work lands in a cultural and political climate marked by division and demographic anxiety. 'We're a community that is oftentimes demonized,' Bernard noted. 'The work of reflecting its vibrancy, pain, humor, and rage is not just creative—it's urgent.' In that context, what nglmitú produces isn't just content—it's signal. A reframing of what Latinx identity means, especially for those raised speaking English, immersed in American culture but often treated as outsiders. In a time when cultural identity is both contested and commodified, Gamino's stories reveal lessons ... More about authentic leadership Food, in this landscape, is not just nourishment or nostalgia—it's narrative. For Vanessa Vigil, Chief Brand Officer, the connection is deeply personal. 'My mom would sprinkle stories from her upbringing while cooking,' she said. 'That's how I felt connected to my culture.' The culinary arm of the company, HK, now serves as a platform to preserve and reimagine those memories. Much of Latinx culinary heritage, Vigil pointed out, was never written down. Recipes were passed by touch and taste. 'Now there's this moment of realization—we're losing it,' she said. 'We want to be a place of encouragement, not intimidation.' For Gamino, the work is also a tribute. 'When I was ordering food in D.C., it was coming from some of the same fields my mom worked in,' he said. 'Some of the farms in South Texas where my friends used to pick grapefruits before football practice. There's a deep connection. I feel an obligation to honor that.' That honor sometimes shows up in humble dishes. Asked which childhood meal deserves more attention, Gamino named migas: fried tortilla strips scrambled with eggs. 'I still eat it. I feed it to my kids,' he said. 'It was born out of what we could afford. And now, like the story of my generation, it's been reinvented—with tomatoes, chorizo, confit.' Earlier in his career, Gamino masked his origins, afraid others would discredit him. 'I wanted to be seen as an equal,' he said. 'But I was scared people would judge me for being from a border town in Texas.' He no longer adopts the anglicized pronunciation of his name. 'Being authentic,' he explained, 'is leaning into discomfort. Saying, 'This is who I am. This is how I speak.' It brings an open invitation for criticism—but I'd rather face that than be invisible.' That principle—of choosing discomfort over concealment—has shaped both his leadership and his content strategy. And it mirrors Leguizamo's own arc: a move from self-censorship to creative confrontation, from fear to artistic risk. The stories shared by Leguizamo, Gamino, and the leadership at nglmitú point to a larger truth: success, when built on authenticity, does not follow a straight path. It ripples—through memory, discomfort, humor, and pain. Through Broadway stages, Emmy awards, and kitchen tables. The legacy of a show like Freak isn't just that it broke new ground—it's that it gave others permission to look inward. To confront family myths, inherited silence, and the friction between cultural pride and societal pressure. Discomfort is not the enemy of business—it's the signal of untapped potential and connection. Leguizamo and Gamino remind us: if you want to reach people, you have to risk being seen. The future of authentic leadership isn't about polish. It's about presence.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Leguizamo Says His Wife 'Just Found Facebook': 'It Still Connects Older Generations Together' (Exclusive)
John Leguizamo's wife Justine Maurer is venturing out into the social-media space! The actor stars in the new dramedy Bob Trevino Likes It, in which a young woman named Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) friends his character Bob on Facebook, mistakenly believing he is her estranged father Robert Trevino (French Stewart). And in real life, Leguizamo, 64, tells PEOPLE, "My wife just found Facebook." "And oh my gosh, she is loving it because she's connecting with people from high school, and she's connecting with people from elementary school," he adds of Maurer, whom he met in the early '90s and tied the knot with in June 2003. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Related: From Love to Hate, How Stars Feel About Social Media "It's so wild. But even though it's outdated, it still connects older generations together," Leguizamo adds of the social-media platform. In Bob Trevino Likes It, the actor's titular Bob bonds with Lily (Ferreira, 28) as she navigates a familial plight. Off camera, Leguizamo and the Euphoria star hit it off right away considering "there was a lot to connect with," including their Latinx backgrounds and respective roots in Queens, New York. "We played basketball, [had] a couple of meals with Tracie Laymon, the director," he tells PEOPLE. "And Tracie also knew that you gotta do a little method stuff; you gotta hang out. So [Barbie and I] were able to create this bond and this relationship." Related: John Leguizamo Jokes He Got His 'Plumbing Skills' for New Movie from Playing Luigi in Super Mario Bros. (Exclusive) Leguizamo has decades of experience in fatherhood in real life, too, as a dad to two kids with longtime love Maurer: daughter Allegra, born in 1999, and son Lucas, born in 2000. Allegra has followed in Leguizamo's footsteps as an actress and filmmaker; in fact, her short film Flash Warning premieres next month at the Miami Film Festival, and she'll appear with her dad onscreen for the first time in the upcoming movie Tin Soldier. "She's incredible. She's so talented, and I'm not just saying that as her dad," Leguizamo says of his oldest child. "I'm objective." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! And while he "had some trepidations" about Allegra getting into the industry, as it can be "pretty terrible sometimes," he tells PEOPLE that his daughter has been "in it for the right reasons." "She's not in it for the fame or the money or the glory; she's in it for the work and the craft," Leguizamo says. "And when you're in it for that, you're always happy. You're always content." Bob Trevino Likes It is in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York City now, with a wider release slated for March 28. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Leguizamo tells ‘The View' hosts that DEI is about undoing ‘500 years of being oppressed'
Progressive actor John Leguizamo defended Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) on Friday's episode of "The View," telling the panel these initiatives are about undoing "500 years of oppression." During a Friday appearance on the ABC daytime talk show, Leguizamo criticized President Donald Trump's executive orders ending federal support for DEI programs. "It's terrible," he said. "I mean, removing plaques of Black and Latino and women heroes. Just—I mean, what kind of action is that? It's like a White-only club." Bill Burr Tells 'The View' Elon Musk Going To 'Trash' The Planet Leguizamo also suggested that DEI was supposed to give "equity" to minority groups that had previously been the victims of segregation, lynching, redlining, and other discriminatory practices. "This was to undo 500 years of being oppressed. To give us equity. Give us a chance to get to the same level as everybody else," he continued. Read On The Fox News App After Leguizamo claimed that Americans support DEI, co-host Joy Behar said that White people dislike diversity programs because it jeopardizes their "control." 'The View' Co-hosts Cheerlead For Rosie O'donnell Fleeing To Ireland To Escape Trump "Some White people," Leguizamo replied, garnering agreement from Behar. "I don't think it's all White people. But some White people don't want that diversity, and that's why [Trump] has to demonize DEI." Leguizamo has been a strong proponent of diversity programs in the United States. During last year's Emmy Awards, Leguizamo gave an impassioned speech about representation in Hollywood. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture "What's up? I'm John Leguizamo, and I'm one of Hollywood's DEI hires. That's right. DEI, the D is for diligence, the E is for excellence, the I is for imagination. And everyone in this room tonight has dedicated their lives to diligence, excellence and imagination, so we are all DEI hires. And man, what a beautiful and diverse room this is tonight," he said in September. He went on to call for the industry to produce more stories made by and about minority groups, including Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, disabled, and LGBTQ Americans. Several months earlier, Leguizamo took out a full-page ad in The New York Times asking Emmy voters to recognize candidates of article source: John Leguizamo tells 'The View' hosts that DEI is about undoing '500 years of being oppressed'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Leguizamo Slams Trump's Anti-DEI Administration: 'It's Like A White-Only Club'
John Leguizamo is giving President Donald Trump's administration a piece of his mind. The Colombia-born actor dropped by 'The View' on Friday to promote his new film 'Bob Trevino Likes It,' but kicked things off by slamming Trump for abolishing federal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that aimed to give marginalized communities a chance. 'It's terrible,' said Leguizamo after 'View' co-host Joy Behar broached the subject. 'I mean, they're removing plaques of Black and Latino and women heroes — what kind of action is that?' he continued. 'It's like a white-only club. DEI was supposed to be to help give us equity for Black and Latinos because we've been here for 500 years, 400 years.' The Pentagon has removed thousands of website pages honoring the history of people of color, women and members of the LGBTQ community and their military contributions, which even included baseball icon and U.S. Army veteran Jackie Robinson. While some of these pages were restored, including the 'Sports Heroes Who Served' tribute that featured Robinson, an appeals court ruled in favor last week of Trump's executive orders seeking to end government support for DEI efforts. Trump called DEI efforts 'immoral discrimination programs' in January; Leguizamo argued Friday these initiatives were warranted due injustices of the past and cited some examples of systemic racism and oppression to make his case. 'There was segregation, lynching, redlining; we were experimented on, we were kept from jobs, from going to the best places, churches, parks,' he said. 'This was to undo 500 years of being oppressed … to give us a chance to get to the same level as everybody else.' 'I think Americans do want inclusion,' he added. 'I think Americans do want diversity. They grew up with Latino, Black people, Asian, and they know that we have value. They're neighbors; they're in love with us, you know? We're lovely people — we're very sexy.' Despite succumbing to his instincts as a standup comedian and wisecracking, Leguizamo isn't taking Trump's crackdown as a joke. He said the president 'has to demonize DEI' because 'some white people don't want' diversity out of fear of being surpassed. 'They have to make us feel like we're getting a leg up and we don't deserve it, but all the Black and Latin people that I know who are in positions of power have to be five times better than their white brothers and sisters.' Military Children Reportedly Barred From Library Books In 'Orwellian' Book Purges When The Trump Administration Calls Jackie Robinson 'DEI,' Here's What They're Really Saying Jordan Klepper Exposes This 'Sloppy' Trump Admin Move Amid 'DEI Purge'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Leguizamo Says He Went on Viagra After Hair Loss Medication Stopped His 'Thing' from Working During Sex
John Leguizamo is having intimacy challenges. On Friday, March 21, The Menu actor, 64, appeared on The View to promote his new movie Bob Trevino Likes It. After making his entrance, co-host Joy Behar asked him if he enjoyed their Hot Topics segment, a conversation about sex. 'I'm on Propecia, so it's a different thing," Leguizamo said, referring to his hair loss. "Propecia for your hair makes your thing not work as much, so then you have to take Viagra to undo the Propecia." "But, I want to have good hair,' he quipped. 'It's an up-and-down thing.' The audience laughed before Leguizamo teased, "I'm sorry I started so rudely!" Related: John Leguizamo Jokes He Got His 'Plumbing Skills' for New Movie from Playing Luigi in Super Mario Bros. (Exclusive) Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. During the show, Leguizamo later opened up about the release of his new project, Bob Trevino Likes It, and his love for working on indie films. In the movie the actor plays the titular Bob, whom a young woman named Lily (Barbie Ferreira) friends on Facebook thinking he is her estranged father Robert Trevino (French Stewart). Inspired by true events from writer/director Tracie Laymon's life, the story sees Lily and Bob strike up an unlikely yet poignant online friendship — which kicks off in person when Bob, who works in construction, stops by Lily's house to help her fix a faulty toilet. Bob Trevino Likes It opens in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York City on Friday, March 21, with a wider release on March 28. Read the original article on People
