Vents Magazine
Sol Romero Talks Hollywood Highlights and Future Happenings
[as originally published on ventsmagazine.com]
Sol Romero is an actress and international recording artist from Mexico City. She’s appeared in such films as “Casino Royale” (Daniel Craig), “The Legend of Zorro” (Antonio Banderas), “Edge of Darkness” (Mel Gibson), and most recently “Memory” (Liam Neeson, 2022). Sol became an instant sensation in Switzerland when she released her hit single “Turn It Up” in 2015, which shot straight into the top ten on the Swiss music charts. Vents had the privilege to speak with the worldly woman herself about life, music, and the exciting world of Hollywood.
Swiss and Mexican heritage is quite the distant mix. How did your parents meet?
My Swiss mom wanted to learn Spanish because she thought it sounded so romantic and exotic. So, she went to Mexico and was the personal assistant to a counselor in the Canadian embassy. She had some friends there who knew some of my dad’s friends. They met at a party one weekend. When my dad saw my mom, he instantly fell in love with her. Fifteen days later he gave her an engagement ring. My mom didn’t really say give him an answer, just put the ring on and 6 months later they were married.
You have traveled a lot, and lived in different places. What is your earliest memory, and where was it?
I think I was 2 years old. I was on a train in Italy with my mom, traveling to the coast. I have the faintest memory of that.
When did you know you wanted to be an actress? Were those around you supportive?
I think I always wanted to. I remember doing that test that tells you what career would be best for you — your personality. They all said “you’re going to be an actress or a model or singer.” Since then I’ve wanted to be an actress, and before that I was always singing and dancing — all sorts of other goofy stuff. My mom has been super supportive, my daughter, and obviously my husband.
“Casino Royale” was an exciting film. How did you come about being part of that film?
I had done some work on “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” with Robert Rodriguez. After that, I went to Switzerland and while I was working there, I was talking with one of my friends from Mexico. He mentioned he was working on “The Legend of Zorro” with director Martin Campbell and said it would be cool if I came to meet him. When I arrived, I remember saying, “I don’t want to meet anybody. I just need to work.” But then he offered the part of an extra on the film, and I said, “Sure, no problem. I’ll be an extra.” The first day I was there, Martin asked for two really beautiful girls to walk alongside Catherine Zeta Jones for a scene in the market. From there we connected and started dating. When he began work on “Casino Royale” he wanted me to be there, so he asked whether I wanted to have a couple lines in the film. I said, “Yeah! You don’t have to ask me twice!”
Is there a different kind of energy on the set of films like “Casino Royale” and “Zorro” than on other film sets? Do you have to prepare in unique ways for each environment?
I think almost all of the sets I’ve been on with Martin are pretty intense. Because Martin is so professional, he won’t tolerate when people are being disrespectful. Martin always has a very hard-working team around him — everybody knows what they need to do, and they do it.
You wore a dress that got a lot of attention at the premiere of “Casino Royale.” What about the dress “spoke” to you? What did you like about it?
I think it may have been a different Bond premiere that got a lot of attention, “Spectre.” For “Casino Royale,” it was a black dress with sparkles. You can get me with anything that sparkles — I love sparkles.
Were you a big fan of James Bond before the film? What was it like to be a part of a project in an iconic story?
Actually, my dad was a huge fan before he passed away. He would take me to see all of the Bond films. I remember watching “GoldenEye” when I was very young and thinking it was boring. My dad would say, “This is so epic! The most epic movie ever!” It’s funny because I had forgotten that when I met Martin. I completely forgot about that until two or three years ago. Being part of a James Bond film, being on the “Casino Royale” set, and just getting to know everyone, Barbara, Michael, and everybody, at the beginning it was super surreal. I hadn’t had anything to do with such big film in the industry. I initially felt out of place and super shy.
Do you have a dream role?
I would love to do an epic renaissance story, a medieval story that is incredibly dramatic.
How many languages do you speak?
Spanish, German, Swiss German, English, and with French it’s not 100%, but I get by. I can also understand Bulgarian, and I’m studying Russian.
You are also an accomplished singer. At any point in your life, did you have to overcome stage fright? Do you have any advice on how to overcome it, for those who may struggle with it?
I still have stage fright. I’m always kind of nervous. I think you just have to close your eyes, jump in, and do it. Of course, a little tequila beforehand can help you shake off the nerves too [laughs].
What are you currently working on in music world?
I may collaborate with French Montana on another track. I have a producer who’s worked with J Balvin. My stepson is honestly an epic producer, so we’re supposed to do a song together too.
Follow Sol on Instagram @solromeroofficial. To learn more about Sol, visit solromeroofficial.com.