Isabel Chez Gala, a Venezuelan actress and model, has become a familiar name in the fashion industry since her appearances on various fashion shows. She is also married to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, thus making her a dual citizenship of both Venezuela. While some criticize her for her close relationship with the late President, Hugo Chavez, others applaud her choice of living abroad and working hard in her career. She earned a degree in architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she became known as a fierce critic of capitalism. A devout Catholic, she was not expected to get a high paying job since her conservative views were considered incompatible with Bolivarian socialism.
Isabel Chez Gala’s sudden fame could be attributed to her appearance on the season seven of Dancing with the Stars, which debuted on ABC on May 12. She impressed the judges with her skills as a dancer, but seemed uncomfortable answering questions about her political views, preferring to stick to her modeling work. In fact, when asked if she considered herself a Hispanic woman, she answered, “I am not Hispanic, not Latin American, I am an actress.” Though she justified her answer by saying that she had been studying acting, viewers were left wondering how a little-known Venezuelan could have made a name for herself in Hollywood. Was she a role model for Americans who are divided between left and right?
Despite her lack of major roles in popular TV shows, she is still able to command high-paying contracts as an actress in Spanish-language films and commercials. This is largely due to her status as a dual national, as she has lived in both the United States and Venezuela for several years. Although many celebrities with U.S. nationality often get accused of cultural Appropriation, it seems more reasonable to view Isabel Chez Gala as an example of how being a dual national can lead to success in Hollywood. Her experience as a foreign student has given her access to many influential people in the film industry, allowing her to develop an appreciation for how the business operates. For anyone hoping to break into Hollywood, this kind of networking can be crucial to your career.