Laura Gómez is an actress probably best known for portraying Blanca Flores on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. You may have also seen the Dominican actress as Selena Cruz on Law & Order: SVU. She will also play Dama Montero on the HBO mini-series, Show Me A Hero, which was created by David Simon and directed by Paul Haggis and tells the story of the Yonkers desegregation crisis of the 1980s. Laura can also be seen in the upcoming film, Daughter of God alongside Keanu Reeves and Mira Sorvino. Orange is the New Black will return for its third season on Netflix on June 12.
Laura was nice enough to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule recently to answer a few questions from us.
1. You walk into a bar. What do you order from the bartender?
Depending on the type of bar, a dirty martini or a Stella. Wine only at a wine bar.
2. Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter?
Ricky Gervais.
3. What’s currently waiting for you on your DVR/TiVO?
An episode I missed of Louie.
4. It’s your last meal — what are you going out with?
For starters, a well done French onion soup, and some appetizer that includes artichokes, and most likely a glass of red wine. Then as an entrée, a tasty seafood paella and finally a crème brûlée and/or fresh fruit, which hopefully includes some delicious Dominican mangoes. And to finish it all, a cup of coffee. It’s my last meal, so I don’t mind overeating.
5. What websites do you visit on a regular basis?
Netflix, HBO Go, Indiewire, and I read newspapers online nowadays, mostly the New York Times and El Pais from Spain.
6. What’s the most frequently played song on your mobile device?
My choice of Most Played is very mixed. Couldn’t say it is just one song. I’d say a mix that includes Argentinean band Bersuit Vergarabat, Concha Buika, Calle 13, Rubén Blades, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Joan Manuel Serrat, Juan Luis Guerra, Jorge Drexler, Tom Waits, Marc Anthony, Calamaro, Caetano Veloso… So, you see, very eclectic and not exactly cohesive.
7. The first face that comes to mind when you think “punchable”?
Rick Perry, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump. In no particular order.
8. What’s the last thing you Googled?
Information on the American occupation in Dominican Republic back in 1916 and a fighting band called “Los Gavilleros” for a screenplay I’m considering co-writing with my aunt about the topic.
9. Dogs or cats?
Cats in New York… Dogs when I visit Santo Domingo.
10. Best concert of your life was…?
Marc Anthony circa 1997 in Dominican Republic, and then I was lucky enough to see a concert with Spanish singers Joan Manuel Serrat, Ana Belén, Victor Manuel and Miguel Rios, also back in the ’90s in Santo Domingo. For any Latin person… Priceless!
11. What book are you most likely to give as a gift?
It varies from person to person. Last book I gave was Paul Auster’s The Invention of Solitude.
12. What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
After a very hard breakup, I went away on a long trip. My best friend made me a personalized CD of amazing songs he knew I’d love for me to listen to while I was gone. He had written specific instructions as to how he had designed it and how to use it. I still have the CD and the long letter that went with it.
13. South Park or Family Guy?
South Park, although I love Seth MacFarlane’s humor.
14. You have an entire day to do whatever you want. What would you do?
If it’s summer, I’d like to go to some isolated beach with my boyfriend where we can just “be.” If it’s winter, it would probably be a Sunday and I sometimes love to do what I call “stay in the cave” and watch a film marathon on Netflix and then some Anthony Bourdain to finish a perfect quiet day. So, I’d do that.
15. What movie can you not resist watching if it’s on?
A Place in the Sun. The Godfather.
16. The sports team or teams you’re most passionate about?
Brazil during the World Cup.
17. Where did you eat the best meal of your life?
In a little place called “Merlin’s Bistro” in the Isle of Wight in England. It was magical!
18. The last movie you saw in a theater?
Not many chances to go to the movies lately, but the last one was Wild Tales and I went twice.
19. Who was your first celebrity crush?
I believe it was Andrew McCarthy in Pretty in Pink. Before him there was a Mexican child star popular in Latin America called Pedrito Fernandez. He was probably about 12, and I was about 7 and in love.
20. What would you cook if Nic Cage was coming to your house for dinner?
I don’t cook that much, so I’d probably make some simple pasta dish with some asparagus and brussel sprouts on the side. That or I’d order some sushi. You better go for it, Nic!
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