Dascha Polanco’s rise to stardom seems to be unstoppable, and for the Orange Is the New Black star it must be a dream as she draws in recognition for her bright career.
Starring as Dayanara Diaz on OITNB for two seasons, Polanco has been added to the main cast is just the first of her many accomplishments. Currently prepping for her upcoming role in David O. Russell’s film Joy, where she will be starring alongside Jennifer Lawrence as her best friend, Polanco has just been awarded the Latino coveted The Lupe Award.
“Pinch me, I must be dreaming,” said Polanco, discussing her recent successes in an interview, she goes on to describe feelings about earning the Lupe Award, “It makes my stomach get full of butterflies, because…I don’t feel entitled, and at times I feel like ‘why am I getting this?’ Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve what I am getting.”
How very wrong, yet truly humble the Dominican is regarding her recent burst of notoriety in Hollywood due to her hard work.
The Lupe Award is an award that is given to Latino figures within the entertainment industry who have attained a significant amount of spotlight and that shows a promising and enriching future within the entertainment world. The award is given to those selective few who have attained this high level of success throughout years of hard work and essentially going under the radar until hitting it big.
“It’s an honor to be acknowledged, especially to be acknowledged from your own people,” adds Polanco,. “I try my hardest to work hard and represent my Latino culture to be the best at whatever I put my mind to and to be rewarded at this point in my career it’s a an honor. I am humbled by it and I am so thankful for it.”
Named after the late actress, producer, activist Lupe Ontiveros known for her numerous roles within such movies and shows like As Good As It Gets, Selena and Desperate Housewives, Ontiveros not only worked hard to make herself a name in Hollywood but also devoted herself to ensuring that the TV and film industry provides roles to other Latino actors.
Like Polanco, past recipients of the Lupe Award including HBO‘s Looking star Raúl Castillo and Jane the Virgin star & Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez.
“It takes a moment at times for me to actually realize that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing and it’s OK to feel uncomfortable or to get a little scared or to feel like I don’t deserve it. It’s just an honor. It really means a lot to me for my people to support me…It’s just amazing.”
The Lupe Award will be presented to Polanco at the 16th annual The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Latino Media Awards which is to be hosted at the W Hollywood Hotel on June 27.
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