CreatorsTina TurnbowDecember 11, 2023Ana Villafane, Columbian, Salvadorian, beauty, vintage, Joe's Pub, NYC, Jared Leto, style, Tina Turnbow, The Bare Magazine

Ana Villafañe

CreatorsTina TurnbowDecember 11, 2023Ana Villafane, Columbian, Salvadorian, beauty, vintage, Joe's Pub, NYC, Jared Leto, style, Tina Turnbow, The Bare Magazine

Cuban / Salvadorian beauty Ana Villafañe reunited with us recently (we shot her way back when she was promoting “New Amsterdam”) we are excited about her upcoming solo performance “Cheaper Than Therapy” at the iconic Joe’s Pub in NYC December 14th. Scroll on down to find out about her recent hip replacement recovery, filming in Colombia with James Franco for her upcoming indie biopic “Castro’s Daughter” and all that keeps her beautiful inside and out. We have always been in awe of her striking features but mostly it was her open kind heart, sharp mind and wicked sense of humor that sold us! Thanks for coming back to bare Ana…our forever muse.

The Bare Magazine: Thank you for taking time to shoot in the midst of rehearsing for your Joe's Pub performance! Can you describe a little about how it all came about, and what you're excited for people to experience?

Ana Villafañe: Thank you for having me! I’m stepping into an entirely new era, so it felt good to reconnect. The last two years have stripped me down in a lot of ways. I feel more raw and vulnerable, but I’m excited to really let people in to that space for the first time.

Bare: How does music/singing fulfill you in a way acting doesn't? Especially when it's performing in front of a live audience….

AV: Music came first for me. I started acting professionally when I was nine, but it was only because theatre was my outlet for singing. Gradually I fell in love with the freedom of becoming a character. But most people don’t know I have a degree in music, not drama or musical theatre. I’ve always intentionally kept that side private. Maybe to protect myself. For me, acting is a connection to the world through a character and a story, whereas music feels like it doesn’t have any filter. Both have to be honest to work, but being Ana is a lot less comfortable. Less safe. I think I needed to grow into myself enough to develop what it is I want to say in the world when it’s not from a script.

Bare: On the acting front, can you share what we have to look forward to down the road?

AV: “Castro’s Daughter” was pushed to release in 2024 due to the strike, like so many other projects. It’s been a rough time for our industry and I’m just glad we can all move forward now. I feel like creatives across all fields are really ignited and there is a kind of a renaissance going on. Being back onstage with “Sinatra” makes my heart really happy too. I knew I was craving it because being onstage will always feel like home.

Bare: Tell us a bit about your Colombia trip and hip replacement? You mentioned on our shoot it was the first time you could sit comfortably in that position….

AV: I fell in love with Colombia. We filmed in both Bogotá and Cartagena, and it just felt so natural to live in Latin America. Spanish is my first language and I felt a deeper part of me unlock. I tend to get really depressed for a bit after I finish any project or close a show, but this one hit different. And then of course I chose to get a hip replacement six days after we wrapped. I have to laugh at the extremes. Suddenly I went from filming this epic movie to being in constant physical (and non physical) therapy. It took a few weeks to walk and six months to start exercising again.

(Laughing as I write this) Yes, I’m obsessed with sitting with my legs crossed now. Like a kid. I could never do that before so it’s like my whole life I missed out on this one really simple thing that nobody ever thinks about. But the mobility was simply not available to me before. “Little” daily wins like that make me think “okay, hold on— I do deserve to feel good.”

Bare: You are incredibly fit! describe your usual fitness / eating regime.

AV: I love to run— especially in New York. But I also do a lot of hot yoga to balance that out. My diet is gluten free and usually dairy free, but don’t tempt me with a cheese board with a glass (bottle?) of red wine… that’s my weakness.

Bare: How do you like to recharge and unwind? do you have some self care indulgences?

AV: My favorite way to relax is taking an Epsom salt bath. That and acupuncture— I love WTHN in the city. But being active really is my go-to form of self care. Nothing clears my mind like running— in London it’s Hyde Park, in New York it’s downtown along the west side highway. Keeping it real, sometimes it can also be going to Joyface and dancing to ABBA til 3am to replenish my soul. Because balance.

Bare: You have amazing skin and brows. how do you look after those? are there some skincare products you use religiously?

AV: As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten low key religious about my skincare routine. I use all La Roche-Posay products. Hydrating face wash, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C serum and moisturizer with SPF every day. But I also do face cupping because my friend (and beauty guru) Jenna Rennert got me into it. I use Sunday Riley CEO Glow oil which I discovered at Liberty of London and it quickly became my secret weapon. For brows I see Nadia at Eye Design Studio in New York and she works her magic. Game changer.

Bare: Did you enjoy the creamy glowy makeup for the shoot? any new makeup products you've been into lately?

AV: I’m usually such a black liner, heavy eye girl! It felt scary and refreshing to do something totally different. And in this case so much more soft. Sometimes all I need is a nudge out of my own comfort zone.

I’m currently realizing that I absolutely love Fenty beauty products. My skin doesn’t feel tired. Plus it’s one degree of separation from Rihanna.