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Mexican import Martha Higareda is following in the footsteps of actresses Dolores Del Rio and Salma Hayek in coming to Hollywood after making a career for themselves in their native country.
The Latin beauty made her American debut alongside Keanu Reeves (Matrix, Speed) and Forest Whitaker in Street Kings in 2008. Now the Mexican-born actress is starring in the sequel to Joe Carnahan's Smokin' Aces with Tom Berenger and Vinnie Jones (X-Men: The Last Stand) as a sexy hired killer in Smokin' Aces 2: Assassin's Ball.
In the straight-to-video DVD, the Mexican-born actress who won an MTV Latino movie award for Favorite actress, seduces her victims before killing them with her kiss of death but she also shows off her action skills in her first action role.
Which proved more troublesome for the crossover beauty? The action scenes or playing up sexy? She reveals her answer to CineMovie and her experience so far in Hollywood.
What has been the most difficult part about crossing over to Hollywood?
There's so many challenges. In the beginning when I arrived, it was the language. English is not my main language but then I thought 'I'll embrace it'. This is my personality and when I go into auditions I show them what I can do.
What would be your ultimate role?
A role that challenges me.
When you worked with Mr. Matrix Keanu Reeves in Street Kings, did you ask him for any advice on action movies?
I watched him while he was training and he's a guy I admire a lot. He's so dedicated in his career and a very kind person. So anytime I had free time, I would sit next to him and ask him. I feel like I have to learn so much from so many people. I'm new here and there is always something to learn from everyone.
And what was the best advice from Keanu?
He told me 'don't take this seriously.' And I agree with him.
And now with your own action movie in the Smokin' Aces sequel, how did you prepare mentally for the intense action scenes?
In this movie, there was a lot of testosterone on the set. So it was very exciting. For me, right before I hear action, I just breathe and think 'here I go. Let's take out of all that energy on the screen.' It really was super fun to work. I would love to do it again.
 Your deadly weapon is your lips but you do have some gun play in a bar scene where a dozen people are shooting at each other. What was going through your head then? Watch the clip.
I was using two guns and I had to keep thinking not to put them on the same level because you have to be careful of the chambers jumping all over the place. Besides that, everything is exploding around us. Vinnie (Jones) and I were looking at each other thinking 'oh my god are we really doing this?' I said to Vinnie 'come on! You've been doing this forever.' He said, "I know but every time it's exciting. We had a lot of fun.
How was it working with Vinnie?
Between our accents we couldn't understand each other but we laughed a lot.
Are sexy scenes tougher?
It's a lot of work. I know people might think that's the easiest part but it's not that easy. I'm not like the character, so you really have to be brave. As an actress, what is super interesting is that you do things that you wouldn't do in your life. So you have that excuse to be naughty.
Speaking of naughty, you dress up as a nun for one of your kills in a church. Did you have fun playing dress up with the habit?
I did but what I was really thinking about was how my dad was going to tell me something after watching the movie but it's part of my job.
And there's nothing more scary than having a disapproving parent. Our vote is for the playing up sexy as the winner for most difficult.
Catch the high-flying action and Martha in the Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins Ball now on DVD.
DVD Special Features
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