Eliza Kaurate is destined to be one of the brightest stars to ever shine. There is such a positive energy whenever she walks into a room that it’s unbelievably contagious. In her life, she has had many high points and even more lows but still remains convinced that “Life needs to be lived to its fullest.” In her career, she has been featured in various magazine campaigns and commercials as well as major motion pictures. She has started her own DJ Company and by combining intense dance music and her energy…it definitely gets the house jumpin! When T.E.N. caught up with Eliza, she was in the process of moving across the country to continue her career and yet still found the time to write about her life growing up, her beliefs and “being to hell and back” while sending her answers via email for this interview.
TEN- How have you been?
Eliza Kaurate- I am at a very happy place in my life right now. My mind is at peace and harmony. J I’m healthier and happier then I’ve ever been!
TEN- You’ve recently moved from New York to LA California. Why did you decide to make the move and how is the transition coming along?
EK- I grew up in New York and I love my city, but I’ve always felt like LA was more of a place for me. New York is very energetic, stressful, career orientated city, you’re always in a rush – I feel like in New York people don’t take the time to stop and smell the roses. It is the finance capital, so people are always chasing money and seems like they’re not really LIVING life. In New York I never saw the stars at night, because of the high rise buildings (the dreamer side of me loves to gaze upon the stars at night). Los Angeles is the total opposite of New York – beautiful weather, beautiful people, friendlier -more laid back people, much healthier life style =). Life is too short not to be able to truly enjoy it. I am so in love with Los Angeles!!! Also my look is much more LA then NY.
TEN- You’re no stranger to moving places for your career. What was it like traveling back and forth between Latvia and the U.S. since the age of five?
EK- My mother moved to New York when I was 5 years old, so I would go to visit her, went to school for 6 months in NY, then would go back to Latvia, then years later came back to NY, then back again. It was very hard, as a kid, to constantly change schools… I can’t even recall how many schools I’ve attended. It wasn’t easy, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so it’s fine. J I grew up to have soviet AND American mentality – that’s a great plus as I can understand and relate to the best of both worlds (that definitely do not understand each other!).J
TEN- Will you still pursue your modeling career there or focus more on acting?
EK- I will definitely keep modeling, but without a doubt get into acting out here, in L.A.
TEN-What type of movie roles are you looking for?
EK- I can see being typecasted, but that’s fine with me – I can be the cute blonde chick in the movie J (joking!) J J J I’m just starting out, so I cannot be too picky, but I’d definitely prefer to play a fun, sexy, wild character.
TEN-You can be seen in the movie “Spiderman 3”. What was that experience like?
EK-It was awesome to spend 6pm -6am days on the set of such a great movie. Sam Raimi is such an amazing director – it was a prize to watch him work.
Me and my gorgeous friend Lauren Jones had such a fun time on the set – I smile every time I remember “Spiderman 3”. J
TEN- How did you become involved with modeling and what are some of the campaigns and magazines that you’ve done?
EK-I was constantly approached by agents ever since I was 16 (when I grew to be 5’10”), but never thought about it seriously until my sister took me to her photo shoot. I did a test shoot with a photographer she had worked with, got with an agency – did a lot of catalog work, swimwear, lingerie. I’ve appeared in several magazines – including a fashion shoot for Playboy, I was the face of Vabien lingerie line, Ultra Dance cover girl etc.
TEN- You’ve also been featured in T.V. commercials as well. Which ones could we see you in?
EK- I did a Dominos campaign, Axe commercial.
TEN- Is it true that you can speak 5 different languages?
EK- I speak fluent Latvian, English, Russian, studied Spanish in high school and college, currently learning French.
The South of France is the most beautiful place in the world for me – it truly takes my breath away, so I’m set on learning how to speak French fluently as well!
Spanish was easy to learn as you pronounce words very similar to Latvian. French is definitely a challenge, but I plan on spending a lot of time in the South of France – it is my paradise on earth, so I’m up for the challenge.
TEN- On your Myspace page, you say that: “You’ve been to hell and back.” Can you talk about that?
EK- I’m never the one to complain, because I love life more then anyone, but I’ve also had a tough life. My parents weren’t there to raise me, so I had to grow up on my own - without any guidance (a wild lioness is what you get!). I’ve dealt with all kinds of abuse through out my life. Since I was 15 hung out with street gangs, because I didn’t know any better. I come from a pretty poor family so had to even hustle up lunch money. I’ve lost the closest person to me, my best friend, my # 1 person in the world– my sister Katarina, she was my heart. Soon after that I got into a horrible car accident – saw my life flash before my eyes – I thank my guardian angel I’m still here. I’ve been betrayed so much, by people I’ve loved and trusted, had my heart and soul stepped on…that I’ve built a hundred walls around me. Experienced my first (and only) love with a man I would still kill for…and a heartbreak which nearly killed me. I’ve had an interesting life, with deep lows and amazing highs. I’ve experienced the very best that life has to offer as well, so I guess it balances it all out. J
TEN- You also say that: “You believe in God but not religion.” Why is that?
EK- There is too much fighting, discrimination and hate caused by religion. We all believe in God or Gods. Can we just get along? I was born Catholic, but I’ve studied different religions. There are other religions that make more sense, earliest Holy Scriptures explain much more. I used to go to St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, on Sundays, for mass (such a beautiful Church) but I don’t label myself catholic – I believe in reincarnation strongly.
TEN-You’re also involved with PETA. How did you become involved with them?
EK- When I was 14 years old, I walked into a vegetarian restaurant, with my father, and saw a poster with images of farm animals that said “Love Us - Don’t Eat Us”, and it just broke my heart. Since that day I became a vegetarian. I’ve always loved animals and wanted to get involved with protecting the innocent ones who can’t protect themselves, so I became a member of PETA. I remember donating the few dollars I had, in high school, to PETA. I’m still a member till this day, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is an amazing organization that I will keep supporting.
TEN- Tell me about your DJ gig “DJBADBUNNY”
EK- I used to be a big party girl – out almost every night in New York. One day a friend of mine suggested I become a model DJ. We came up with “Bad Bunny” as my dj name. I got the turntables, started practicing – music was always my escape from the world, it saved my soul. Played at a couple of events, and the response I got was amazing. www.djbadbunny.com is coming soon.
TEN- How did you meet Victoria Talbot and how has your career changed since then?
EK- I met Victoria through my agent Jason Konrad. She’s wonderful and has been a great influence on my career.
TEN- How do you feel when people describe you as “The next Pamela Anderson?”
EK- I adore Pamela – she is the reflection of perfection in my eyes! I can only wish to achieve such an iconic status!
TEN- Okay, here’s the question: “Tell me something disturbing about yourself that you’ve never revealed before in an interview.”
EK- Hmmmm...The fact that when I really like a song - I can listen to it on repeat for a month straight. If I like something – I obsess.
TEN- Is there anything else that you want to add or say?
EK- Check me out on www.allabouthype.com and my website www.elizakaurate.com . Oh and never forget to enjoy THIS moment, because this moment IS your life. J
I want to thank Eliza for making time for this unique interview and Victoria Talbot for again making it happen!