Little Havana

November-December Issue 2015 Photographed by Catherine Asanov Natalie Gal is an American actress and model. She was born in 1989 to the family of an opera singer and a poet. Not surprisingly, she started studying ballet, gymnastics, arts, along with playing piano, singing, and performing in a theatre at the age of six. She is often compared to a young Angelina Jolie, considered to be a very promising young actress by media and magazines. She studied acting at NYU and speaks four languages fluently. Not only is Natalie represented by top model agencies around the world, but is also actively involved in various charities that are near to her heart, such as Artists for Peace and Justice and has done several campaigns for PETA. In September 2010, she was chosen to be the chairman of People Power Progress (PPP). She lives between NYC and LA, produces her TV show Fashion Destinations (airing on FashionTV), hosts a show on NEWTV, produces projects in Los Angeles and frequently travels to several cities around the world for work. She has starred in different movie productions and modeled for different brands such as Chanel, Cavalli, Alexander Wang, Prada, CoverGirl, Guess, Diesel, Alexander McQueen, and Revlon. She’s been on the covers of Grazia, Mademoiselle, Madam Figaro, and Modern Luxury to name a few. Currently she made a switch from modeling to acting, while still being an ambassador for many brands. She produces and stars in features with actors such as Samuel Jackson, Lindsay Lohan, Amber Heard and Kelan Lutz. Natalie recently hit the big screen in Jobs and Syrup. She is currently in the process of filming Enter The Fist with Danny Trejo. Since she is a self-proclaimed Miami lover, we couldn’t wait to hear the details… When in Miami you can catch me… Usually shopping! I enjoy all the Miami stores, little boutiques in all corners of the city, vintage shops in Wynwood Art District, or outside of SoBe. Of course, you also have to hit the big fancy ones, like Bal Harbour. After the shopping, I’m usually poolside at the Delano Hotel. I cannot tell you how many celebrities I spot during my visits there – so if you care for high-end people watching, then this is your place to stay. The biggest misconception about Miami is… That South Beach is the only place to be. I love Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Gables, the Design District, and Coconut Grove. I am a big location junkie for my photo shoots and I typically ask a photographer or art director if we can shoot somewhere interesting, old, weird, or local. So I personally check out those locations on the mission to find interesting places to shoot, and Miami has so many! The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… Juvia and Zuma all the way! I fell in love with Zuma when I first visited in London. It’s a hot spot for very attractive people (in case you want to meet a few wink-wink!). If you haven’t already, I dare you to order a few cocktails there, they are outstanding. Aside from the weather, the best reason to return to Miami is… There’s always something happening, music, art, fashion, and with new people. Of course, for me it’s Art Basel and Miami Fashion Week. Soho House is swarmed with people and hot outfits during MFW. I usually stay at SLS for MFW and get the most fantastic experience! For Art Basel, people come from all over the world to buy and celebrate art – its the best time to meet someone fun and interesting and get inspired by their talents. The first time I became really curious about Miami was… It was during my time as an up-and-coming, fresh-out-of-old-Europe model. I was instantly in love! I remember I went to the local coffee shop and everyone spoke Spanish there, which made the city appeal even worldlier to me. Then I was bedazzled by the Art Deco style, the atmosphere, the people, and then of course the hot nightlife. Miami felt instantly like the total package. Click here to view this post in MSM’s November/December 2015 digital issue