Sexy McAllen actress sweeping indie awards

Originally, Veronica Loren's plan was to go to law school, but after her grandmother passed away, she lost ambition and became depressed.

"For a period I did not know what I wanted to do with my life," she remembers.

But then opportunity came knocking; she got a chance to sing in a karaoke club in McAllen. But like most novice performers, right before her first song, she had a bad case of stage fright.

"However, once I started singing all nervousness melted away as I looked into the crowd of smiling faces," she said. "I remembered that good feeling I had from my Grandmother when I sang for her."

Soon after her first gig, she realized she wanted to be in the entertainment business. So she packed up clothes, jumped in her Ford truck and headed for Los Angeles.

"I had never driven further than San Antonio before, I didn't even know how to use a map; but there I was, on my way to Los Angeles," she said.

Just a short while later, the girl who'd lost her ambition found August Evening. Rather, it found her.

"All I can say is God does work in mysterious ways."

Hometown: McAllen

Where you live now: Los Angeles

Job: Actress/singer

On the Web: www.myspace.com/vloren www.veronicaloren.com

Current projects: August Evening

People in your fields whom you admire and draw inspiration from: Cate Blanchette, Angelina Jolie, and Sean Penn.  Music-wise I look to artists like Selena, Bebe, and Lauren Hill.

Personal inspiration: Her grandmother. "She was a remarkable woman who encouraged me to sing and express gifts.  Without her support I'm not sure I would have ever had the courage to move to Los Angeles in the first place," she said.

When I first came back to the Valley after moving away I felt ... "like things had really changed.  I was amazed at how fast this city grows.  I'm still amazed." 

The worst movie I ever saw was ... Epic Movie was really bad. 

The movie I wish I had been in is ... Titanic

A musician I'd love to work with is ... Carlos Santana.  His music is timeless.

I would eat garbage to work with ... "I wouldn't eat garbage, girl."

One of the most important moments of my career was ... "Just getting started; I'll let you know in a few years."

What I miss most about the Valley is... My family, friends, Peter Piper and Whataburger.

Three favorite movies:

• Snatch,
• My Cousin Vinny
• Meet Joe Black

Three favorite music albums:

• Selena's Dreaming of You
• The Miseducation of Lauren Hill
• Santana's Supernatural

Behind the scenes: "In the last scene of August Evening in which I am wearing a yellow dress, I was stung by a scorpion while they set up the scene. It was already 3a.m. (on one of our many 18 hour days) and I was anxious to wrap up. The director was nervous because the nearest hospital was at least an hour away. I put on a brave face and told him not to worry that it wasn't that bad.  I loaded up on Advil since that was the only medication on set and shot the scene in a lot of pain and with a swollen thumb."

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