Jetsetting With Telenovela Star Katie Barberi
Jetset Extra has been catching up with some of the hottest stars on the red carpet to find out how they choose their destinations, what they pack for their getaways, where they want to return again and again, and all about their latest project. We talked to Telemundo telenovela star Katie Barberi to get the 411.
Q: What type of traveler are you? (ie: adventurer, cultural explorer, free spirit, rejuvenator, spa aficionado, etc.)
A: Traveling is absolutely my favorite pastime. I love seeing this amazing world that we live in, and plan to see the whole thing if I can! I have had the opportunity to see many different ways of life, working all across the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. This means I can appreciate many different types of vacations. I love to go to the mountains and retreat in the cold and snow- if there’s skiing that’s awesome (bunny slopes!). I love a great beach vacation. I love the water and sand and the great food that comes with a vacation like Cancun or Miami. But I have to confess that my favorite places to be are New York or Chicago, where theatre and museums abound. Seeing great theatre and art for me are transcendental experiences.
Q: What types of activities do you like to do on your travels? Do you look for a place where it’s quiet and you can relax, or someplace that has great activities or nightlife?
A: I was very into the whole “nightlife” thing when I was younger (like everybody), but now I love to see a great play or musical, be inspired by great artwork, have a lovely meal with friends and family, and see breathtaking architecture. I’m very intrigued by our nation’s history, and that of any other country for that matter, so a tour of a town with legendary history is also fantastic.
Q: When thinking about where you will travel to next, what inspires you to make a decision? And what, if any, research do you do on that destination?
A: Time has taught me to appreciate the places that make you feel “at home.” I check the Internet for all the great possibilities, to see as much as I can of the place I’m visiting. The local newspaper website is always a good guide. But when it comes to my favorite destinations, Chicago and New York, I am always thrilled to stay at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago and the New York Helmsley Hotel!
Q: What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken, and why?
A: I find that any place you go can be an opportunity for wonderful memories. It depends on who you’re with. Seeing a great play with my theater- loving actress-mother Audrey and watching her be moved by a performance will always bring tears of joy to my eyes. A great sunset shared just about anywhere with my boyfriend Craig Hurley is always unforgettable and incredibly romantic.
Q: What is the “best” food find you’ve ever found on a trip?
A: Just today we had lunch at the Lockwood Restaurant at the Palmer House Hilton, and had the best spinach salad and ahi tuna sandwich, prepared by the amazing chef Valerie Benner, that I’ve ever had! Good food is one of the greatest joys we can experience. I also have to say that the thing I miss the most about my time in Mexico filming telenovelas on Televisa is the fantastic enchiladas suizas you can get just about anywhere!
Q: What, if anything, do you always take with you when you travel?
A: My Blackberry, my tinted moisturizer by Benefit, a cool evening purse by my favorite designer Pat Field, and my boyfriend!
Q: What’s your best piece of travel advice?
A: Enjoy every minute! Take it all in, and always remember: Many people in this world will never have the chance to see the amazing place that we’re seeing, wherever it is!
Q: Is there a destination where you can’t imagine not returning?
A: New York!! I can’t give up a good theater trip! I have to see every great musical I can. There is nothing more artistically fulfilling for me than watching a great performance.
Q: What are your favorite weekend getaways? How many pieces of luggage do you REALLY take with you?
A: Actually, I would like to brag that this last trip to Chicago I took was THE first time in my life I didn’t check a bag! Of course, the obligatory shopping trip to the greatest consignment shop I’ve ever visited, “Elite Repeat,” made packing for the trip home almost impossible! But I did it!
Q: Where would you like to travel next?
A: I have always dreamed of Europe, but have never wanted to go until it was with the right guy. He’s here now, and it turns out I’ve known him for 23 years. We worked together on a series in Los Angeles called “Freddy’s Nightmares.” I was 17 and he was 20, and every time he walked in the makeup room or on the set my heart would go pitter-patter. He paid no attention to me whatsoever! He says it was because I was 17 – I say it was the 80s hair! Nonetheless, 23 years later he wrote a book about his experiences in the entertainment industry called “27 And All Washed Up” and sent me a message on Facebook telling me he had written about me in his book! I was sure he was married but it turned out he was available, as was I, and now eight months later we’re having a great time! He doesn’t really want to fly that far until Richard Branson unveils his fleet of spaceships to the public, but he may be out of luck! Have the right man next to me, will travel.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming project(s)?
A: I start the third season of “Grachi” for Nickelodeon Latin America in August, reprising one of my favorite characters ever, “Ursula.” She is so much fun to play, and the show has been a tremendous success worldwide, so it’s a great experience all around! I am also starting a jewelry line called “Mariposa Katie,” a name based on my fan club, “The Mariposas,” that I am very excited about! I’m busy but feel very blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to do what I love! Thanks for the questions- it was a pleasure!
Be sure to keep in touch with Katie on Twitter and Facebook.
Katie on IMDB
Katie on Wikipedia
Katie Barberi’s Bio: A self-proclaimed workaholic and number-one telenovela star Katie Barberi has made her mark on both American and Latino audiences starring as “Perla Navarro de Sandoval” in Telemundo’s latest telenovela series, “Corazón Valiente.” In addition to her role on “Corazón Valiente,” Katie also stared as “Victoria ‘Vicky’ de Noriega” in the Telemundo series “Mi corazón insiste en Lola Volcán“– both of which had the highest ratings in Latin soap history. Katie’s dynamic on-screen persona has given her the ability to branch out to new followers. Katie goes tween- friendly in the second season of Nickelodeon Latin America television series “Grachi,” where she plays the character “Úrsula.” Katie currently resides in Miami with her beloved Maltese, Sugar.
