Complex Blog » Fame

Real Fame: The Hottest Alums from LaGuardia High School

intern — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:58:35 +0000

The LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in NYC has bred so many successful graduates that it inspired a movie—the original Fame (1980) and now, the 2009 remake, which hits theaters tomorrow. We’ve already spotlighted Roc Nation rookie (and LaGuardia alum) Bridget Kelly, so with the release of the new Fame, we wondered if there are any other hot LGHS alums that look as bangin’ as our girl BeeKay. We did our research and here’s our list of LaGuardia High School’s hottest alumni…

NAME: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Class of ‘93
CLAIM TO FAME: Hollywood’s latest MILF just gave birth to a baby girl, fathered by husband Freddie Prinze Jr. We know what you did last winter.
CLICK NEXT TO SEE OUR LIST OF LAGUARDIA’S HOTTEST ALUMNI!

The Complex 7: Walter Perez

intern — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:07:29 +0000

Chances are, the name Walter Perez isn’t totally familiar yet. Until recently, he’s been under the radar with a grip of lesser-known films (Emilio, A Beautiful Life) and small roles in television shows (Judging Amy, Friday Night Lights). But with a starring role in Fame, comes…well, fame. At least that’s what it looks like for the star of the highly-anticipated remake of the ’80s classic, out in theaters tomorrow.

In the film, Perez plays tough-guy Victor Taveras. In reality, however, Walter is not so difficult to deal with. The wringer that is The Complex 7 refreshingly reveals more than what you’d expect, so check it out as he discusses tears, trekking, and Tarzan…
Interview by Tara Aquino

#1: WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Walter Perez says: Number one deal-breaker? That’s a tough one. I don’t want to say anything that’s related anything to her physically. I’d have to say she has to be spontaneous.

#2: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Walter Perez says: Favorite sneaker of all time, hmm. You know what, I’ve been rockin’ this Reebok. Reebok Brooklyn. [Ed.—We think he might mean the Loso edition.]

#3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Walter Perez says: [Laughs.] Last time I cried? I must’ve been watching a movie. What was that last movie I watched that I got teary-eyed? The one with Cameron Diaz and the girl, My Sister’s Keeper. That one.

Complex says: Most guys wouldn’t admit that so I completely, completely respect you.

Walter Perez says: [Laughs.] It was a sad movie. My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer so I can totally relate to the movie. So that’s why I got emotional. She’s good now. She’s really good now. She’s great.

#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Walter Perez says: I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. Go out ‘packing in a country, like in Ireland, with two or three of my closest friends.

#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Walter Perez says: Cottage cheese and pineapple. But not like the mixed cottage cheese with the pineapple already. No, I liked the canned pineapple, like sliced pineapples. I put it on top of the cottage cheese and just munch on it. I love it.

#6: WHAT IS THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Walter Perez says: Probably through a phone call. I thought that was not that bad. But I guess it’d be through a phone call. ’Cause you know when you see somebody crying or somebody sad, you just become more vulnerable. You just kinda want to take them back. I guess that’d be the worse way to break up with someone—through the phone. Not even give them the opportunity to see you one last time or give it to yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to see them one last time. So that kinda always sucks. But that’s kinda the worst way for me.

#7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Walter Perez says: I guess Halloween costumes don’t count. ‘Cause I dressed up as Tarzan and I went and bought this piece of fabric at the fabric store. It was like this leopard print and I just cut it up at the bottom ‘cause I was being cheap. I was like, “You know what, I don’t even wanna dress up.” So I just went there and I saw it and I got the idea.

Complex says: Wasn’t it cold?

Walter Perez says: It was really cold. I actually got sick that Halloween. I got so sick ‘cause on Halloween it was actually raining and that sucked. It was funny ‘cause we had set up this Halloween party at a friend’s house and we emptied out the pool, like completely emptied it out, like drained it. That’s where the dance floor was gonna be, in the pool, and we had just put stuff all over, like decorated. Then that night, like everybody comes and shows up. We have a cool DJ and stuff. Then it starts raining and everyone’s dressed up and it was horrible. And the pool starts getting filled up with water from the rain and we just started having fun with that water. So it was kinda nuts. But that’s probably the most embarrassing piece of clothing I’ve ever worn. Does that count?

TRAILER: FAME

YouTubin’ With The Stars: Naturi Naughton

intern — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:11:52 +0000

With Notorious out on DVD today, you know we had to holla at the number one (and, uh, TWOs) star of the movie. Sure, Gravy did his thing and all, but pause buttons were made for Naturi Naughton. Screw a bootleg—now we can finally analyze her memorable scenes in HD!

Seriously, though: The former 3LW member has already overcome plenty of adversity, from an unceremonious group breakup to harsh words from Lil Kim about her Notorious portrayal. With a starring role in the upcoming Fame remake (out in September), Naturi is ready to leave all the controversy behind. Still, when the lovely Ms. Naughton showed up at Complex last week (entourage-free, mind you), we had to get our Dr. Phil on and allow her to vent a little on the ups and downs of her career thus far. In this edition of YouTubin’ with the Stars, Naturi discusses her breakup with 3LW, her new movie role and why she’s not mad at Lil’ Kim…

Interview by Maurice Slade

CLIP #1: “BABY REMEMBER MY NAME,” COCO FROM FAME TV SHOW (1982)

Naturi says: This video is incredible. It’s kind of funny to look at an old Fame video like this and think that I’m doing a modernized version of this great film from the ’80s. Watching this video helped me realize how fortunate I am because this is a film that a lot of people are familiar with and have had a connection with for a long time. When people hear the theme song from Fame it brings them back to when they were growing up and to be a part of something like that is pretty cool.

CLIP #2: “PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND,” LIL’ ROMEO FEAT. 3LW & NICK CANNON (2001)

Naturi says: Oh no! This is a throwback. I cannot believe you guys found this. I haven’t seen this in like forever. Look at Lil’ Romeo. Oh my gosh! This was forever ago. I was like 16 years old. This is from when Nickelodeon just launched Jimmy Neutron. This was the single and theme song for the movie. It’s funny because I just saw Nick Cannon the other day and it’s like, wow, look how much history I’ve had with people in the business. You always end up crossing a person’s path again. That’s why you have to always do right and treat people right. Jessy Terrero shot this actual video. This is actually his directorial debut and now he’s shooting a lot of 50 Cent videos. We had so much fun shooting this video in L.A.

#3: 3LW ON MTV CRIBS (2000)

Naturi says: Oh my gosh! Why are you doing this to me? This is even further back around the time “Playas Gon’ Play” came out. This is in L.A. We lived in L.A. during the process of recording our second album. It’s weird looking at myself that long ago. Look at my clothes and my hair. I would have definitely done a lot of things differently.

CLIP #4: THE 3LW BREAKUP ON MTV TRL

Naturi says: Wow. I remember this. I remember everything. Especially when I see the images. I remember being at home watching this. I watched this live. I really don’t like looking at videos like this and it’s one of those things that’s petty. I look back at moments like those and I just remember that I am so much better and stronger because of all of those moments. So when I look at old videos like this I think, wow, Naturi you are strong, you are blessed, and you are so much bigger then drama. It’s a reminder of where I’ve come from and where I’m at now.

CLIP #5: LIL’ KIM SPEAKS ON HER PORTRAYAL IN NOTORIOUS MOVIE (2009)

Naturi says: Oh. I never saw this… All I have to say is, I didn’t write the script, I didn’t cast, produce or direct. I’m just an actress who put in her work. And as far as her saying that I never reached out to her; that is totally untrue. I would never want to play a real-life person without trying to contact them. The acting that I did is because I had a great director, a great acting coach and great co-stars. We did some great work and I’m not going to water down anything because someone feels like they should have had their way. Who knows it could have worked both ways. Talking to someone and listening to what they have to say could make you nervous—you stop focusing, you start doubting your own work, and you start trying to please them instead of focusing on the acting. I’m an actress and I’m going to do me at the end of the day. It’s no disrespect to anybody but I’m here to do me in this world and I definitely tried my best to have the input of Lil’ Kim and it did not happen. And I have so much respect for Kim. When I got the role I was like, I have to speak to Kim, so I reached out to [Lance] Un [Rivera] and there was conversation after conversation with Un but I never got any feedback from Kim.