Interview by Latina Bohemian and Haskiri Velazquez
From Dyckman, NY to Hollywood, as a Dominican-Puerto Rican actress, producer, and visionary, I want to prove that breaking stereotypes is possible. From a young age, acting captivated me, and as I got older, it became a calling I knew I had to pursue.
Growing up, I moved between both my parents’ places, navigating two worlds while chasing my dreams. I would take the subway to auditions, always holding onto a strong vision for my future. Of course, there were moments that tested me—setbacks, tough decisions, and times I had to rethink my approach. But I refused to give up, and every challenge only fueled my drive even more.
My breakthrough came when I booked the role of Daisy in ‘Saved by the Bell’. Just two months into filming, the pandemic hit, halting the world—but not my spirit. Through uncertainty, I stayed grounded in my purpose. Daisy’s fearless and resilient attitude mirrored my own, serving as a reminder to always push forward and dream massively.
LATINA BOHEMIAN: I came upon your big break during the recession back in 2020. Daisy put a smile on my face. She made me feel heard, valued, and seen. Looking back now, would you play a similar character?
HASKIRI: That’s amazing! I’m so happy you connected deeply with my character. Honestly, that’s always my goal when I take on a role—to bring the character to life in a way that allows the audience to resonate with them, take something meaningful away, feel encouraged, or even just find a moment of relief from whatever they’re going through.
I’d love to keep playing these types of roles because they give me the chance to showcase my own underdog journey and truly immerse myself in these characters. Acting isn’t just about performance—it’s about storytelling, connection, and impact. If my passion for acting can collide with my personal storytelling, then that’s a beautiful way to create something magical.
I know firsthand what these experiences feel like—emotionally, physically, and mentally—which is why I strive to bring authenticity to every role. It’s more than just acting; it’s about doing these stories justice and inspiring others along the way.
LB: During your lead role and feature roles in other projects, did you ever feel like it was surreal? Especially coming from a working-class background, imposter syndrome is real when you leave “the hood”.
H: Definitely. I never let go of my younger self—the girl who grew up on Dyckman, wishing and dreaming for these moments. I carry her with me every day as a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much more there is to accomplish. I’m an emotional person, and when I give myself the space to sit and reflect on everything—the good and the bad—I can’t help but cry and have those ‘pinch me’ moments.
But with that, imposter syndrome creeps in. I remember my first time alone in LA, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. It was hard to process it all—I felt like I was floating, like it wasn’t real. It was such a weird feeling. Then, you meet people and hear their stories, and suddenly, a part of me felt like young Haskiri’s story wasn’t enough, like I needed to live up to some kind of image.
That’s when self-doubt kicks in, and you start feeling like you’re not enough. But I’ve realized that’s a false narrative. The reason I was able to book roles like Daisy and Rosa is because I was myself. Being open about who I am has allowed me to connect with these characters—and, more importantly, with the audiences who see them.
LB: Where is your headspace now, are you diving into other ventures?
H: I’m diving into so many new ventures right now. I’ve been working on my own short film, aiming to pitch it with a concept attached, and if all goes well, secure funding to turn it into a feature. Storytelling—whether through acting, writing, or creating—has always been my passion, and I’m excited to step into this new chapter.
I also received my first producer credit on ‘Development’, a project I had the pleasure of leading. Wehad an incredible team, and the film was featured in festivals like LALIFF, NYLFF, Seattle Latino Film Festival, and more.
But beyond the wins, the past two years have been a journey—one that tested me mentally and emotionally. It took a toll on my mental health, but looking back, much like my upbringing, I’ve found the lessons in all of it. I’m genuinely grateful it happened because I’ve grown tremendously from those experiences.
Now I can finally see the bigger picture and why it all unfolded the way it did. In the midst of it all, I founded Self Visionary—a movement and community dedicated to empowering girls to step into their fullest potential. Through Self Visionary, I’ve returned to YouTube, creating real, unfiltered content about personal growth, life lessons, and becoming your best self.
By sharing my own journey—the highs, the lessons, and everything in between—I want to show others that they are more than capable of building the life they dream of. This community is growing, and I can’t wait to continue building it with those who are ready to chase their dreams and make them a reality!
L: Would you ever be open to being a talk show host? I find you to be very relatable to all women. Your charisma and hustle mindset are admirable.
H: For the longest time, I’ve envisioned myself hosting a talk show or game show (there it goes—my recent endeavor, Self Visionary). Growing up with two brothers, competition became second nature to me, so a game show would be right up my alley. I actually got to be on Celebrity Family Feud, which was a total full-circle moment. I used to watch it back on Dyckman in the bedroom I shared with my siblings—then suddenly, I was on it.
I’m also a huge fan of baking competition shows and could absolutely see myself as a judge. I wouldn’t turn that offer down for a second! I even got the chance to be on ‘Top Chef’ Family Style, and seeing everything behind the scenes was mind-blowing. Those kids were such incredible cooks!
But beyond game shows and competitions, I’d love to host a show that brings people from all walks of life together—a space where they can share their stories so we can better understand one another. A show that leaves viewers feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
L: What is your motto and how does acting continue to make a great impact in your life?
H: “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” Another phrase I’m living by is “Amor Fati”, which translates to “love of one’s fate.” It’s about fully embracing every part of your journey—the wins, the losses, the lessons—because everything happens for a reason. Every experience, good or bad, is necessary to get us to the places we’ve dreamt about.
With that being said, I see acting continuing to unfold the way it’s always meant to.
I can’t control what others do or which roles come my way, but I can control myself. Right now, I’m focused on continuing to invest in myself—just like I always have. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that hard work does pay off.
And when the opportunity comes, you better believe I’ll be ready for it. The best is yet to come.
Haskiri Velazquez is an actress and producer from Dyckman, New York. She is best known for her roles as ‘Daisy’ on Saved By The Bell Reboot and ‘Rosa’ in The Forty Year Old Version. Check out Haskiri’s new podcast episode about storytelling, now available on NXTBOSTON Podcast by El Mundo Boston. You can also follow her on Instagram and subscribe to her Youtube Channel.
Latina Bohemian is a poet, creative writer, and podcast director from Greater Boston. Her recent work has been featured in El Mundo Boston, Worcester Magazine, and Tell Digital Literary Magazine at BHCC. Follow Latina Bohemian on Instagram to see more of her writing.
