Ricky Martin

Photographed by Russell Baer America Olivo is a true multitalented artist, where education meets seemingly endless creativity. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the opera theatre program at The Juilliard School in New York, she landed a job opening for Ricky Martin in China. During this time, along with three friends, she formed a Spanish/English pop band, called Soluna and signed a multimillion dollar record deal with DreamWorks Records/Universal Music Group. For 6 years, Soluna toured the U.S. and Latin America performing with Enrique Iglesias and Mark Anthony. In the last 10 years, she has appeared in 40 television episodes, 16 films, and several on-stage performances. When she’s not performing, she and her husband, Christian Campbell, produce live shows, web, and television series. America Olivo currently recurs on Chicago P.D., Defiance, and Degrassi: The Next Generation. She can also be seen in the upcoming Mission: Impossible–Rogue Nation with Tom Cruise. She and her husband have recently established a production company named EsoteriCam Productions. They are both spokespeople for Baby Quest Foundation, which provides grants to prospective parents who need financial assistance to create a family when they can’t “naturally” do so. When in Miami you may catch me… Having lunch in Coconut Grove or shopping at vintage boutiques on Biscayne Boulevard. The biggest misconception about Miami is… That it’s just a big fashion show centered around superficial, body conscious beauties. I prefer to think of Miami fashion as body “unconscious” that encourages people to be free, courageous, and unreserved. The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… The Terrace at the SLS South Beach Hotel. It reminds me of being at an Italian cafe in Lake Como, where my husband and I were married. I’m a sucker for pancakes and their Olive Oil Mini Pancakes are to die for. What surprised me most about Miami was… That you don’t really need to pack a lot. It’s always a freeing feeling to let go of my black clothing and leggings, and trade them in for vibrant colors, flowing fabrics, and bathing suits. I’m also often surprised by how fast Miami natives make me feel comfortable every time I visit. Aside from the weather, the best reason to return to Miami is… My husband and I usually attend the week long Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert. Miami shares some amazing qualities with this festival such as: self-expression; the sense of living in the moment rather than that rat race rush; the feeling of community; and the importance of music, dancing, art, and culture rather than business. The first time I became really curious about Miami was… I was obsessed with La Música Latina growing up. Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine drew my attention towards Miami. I couldn’t wait to hear the Cuban rhythms en vivo! Click here to view this post in our July/August digital issue. Click here to view our online issue.