Sometimes when you're producing or directing something, and which I've been at fault to do in the past, you find yourself trying to do a portion of everyone else's job because you're just trying to be so in control and you think that you have to be hands on, on absolutely everything. You give your sense, you give your keynote to make sure the DNA is consistent. I think that's all you can really do.
Wilmer ValderramaFor me, honestly, I'm an actor. There's one thing I know how to do - act. And that's all I know how to do. Through our work, [actors] can trigger awareness.
Wilmer ValderramaDoing this movie [Fast Food Nation] made me realize that our bodies are digesting things that it's not meant to digest. It's pretty bad for you. The cast is [now] very, very aware of where we get our food and what we put in our bodies.
Wilmer ValderramaI can honestly say from my experience, my family and I had to start from scratch. We left Venezuela back in 1998 and sold the few things we had to come to America in search of the American dream. We went through really tough times. There were moments where we were wondering are we going to make it.
Wilmer ValderramaAs a Latin man, obviously immigration has been a part of my culture for decades. [I] grew up understanding what you go through in order to come to this country and searching for that American dream.
Wilmer ValderramaI grew up in Venezuela, and when I was 14-years-old, my parents decided to sell everything and come to America. Five of us lived in a two bedroom house. It wasn't a sad truth, it was just the way it was [at the time]. That feeling is so universal for every immigrant.
Wilmer ValderramaI played sports, so I understood quickly I shouldn't be eating fast food because it was slowing me down, making me feel lousy and lazy, and my instincts were not working as they should.
Wilmer ValderramaI think psychology would be an easy transition and figuring out the human mind somehow.
Wilmer ValderramaWhen I was 10 years old, we'd pick out a cow and boom! They'd hit it in the head with a hammer, lift it up by the back legs, and skin it in front of us. Then I'd take the head home and make soup
Wilmer ValderramaAs Latinos, we are so aware of what people go through in order to come to America. It's very interesting to do research on something that's been culturally a part of your existence.
Wilmer ValderramaThe thing that I really like is psychology. I love the human mind. I love the choices you make based on your experiences and instincts and your development based on such experiences and so I guess that's why I love acting so much.
Wilmer ValderramaNo matter what our situation is, there's always a way to celebrate life and there's always a way to start again.
Wilmer ValderramaI actually didn't read the book [Fast Food Nation]. I wasn't aware of it. But when I read the script, I thought "Wow." It became a project that was just so exciting to be a part of. Maybe a few times in a career [you] get a chance for a role that really means something, and this was it.
Wilmer ValderramaI want to be some kind of a pilot. And the other thing that I really like is psychology.
Wilmer ValderramaSometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves with any kind of job we have that we kind of forget that we do this because it's supposed to be fun because we love it.
Wilmer ValderramaWhen things get dark, they're going to get darker, and at that very moment, that's when you hang on that much tighter because that's when salvation and light come.
Wilmer ValderramaYou get caught up sometimes in the deadlines and the pressures and certain things that you can't really control that you forget that this is supposed to be an enjoyable journey.
Wilmer ValderramaI know my girlfriend is free-spirited. I know she's so charming that it's disarming. I get it. And I know that every man is going to fall in love with her.
Wilmer ValderramaFor me, I understood the gift of being able to empower others and to not do everything yourself.
Wilmer ValderramaI was always wondering why the first ten minutes of eating fast food is heavenly and then after those ten minutes you start feeling like s**t?
Wilmer ValderramaThere comes a time in your life where you're called to not only reinvent yourself but to rebuild your spirit. It's so relevant today.
Wilmer ValderramaGet into the relationship for the right reason because it's a great support system, because it's a great compliment to your life, because it's someone that actually fulfills you and makes you happy.
Wilmer ValderramaIt was very interesting [book Fast Food Nation] because all my friends who were in college, [and] this book became almost mandatory for them to read.
Wilmer ValderramaMy dad had a couple of professions in mind for me. He either wanted me to be a doctor because he said male doctors make a lot of money, or he wanted me to be a soccer player. Myself, I thought that I would really love being a pilot for the Air Force. I really wanted to be a part of the Air Force.
Wilmer ValderramaSometimes you're so nervous about piloting something that you could probably just not empower others to finish what they're supposed to.
Wilmer ValderramaI think at some point you have to empower others and really allow everyone else to do what they're hired to do and what they're brought onto the team to do.
Wilmer Valderrama