After achieving mega stardom as one of Latin America’s top television actor’s, William Levy is ready for new challenges. Friday October 10 marks the opening of his first English language U.S. film, as a lead actor. “Addicted,” is an erotic thriller based on a Zane novel that also stars Tyson Beckford, Boris Kodjoe, and Sharon Leal.

The Cast of “Addicted”: Tyson Beckford. Boris Kodjoe, Sharon Leal and William Levy

Levy has the kind of story dreams are made of. Enduring the hardships of life in Cuba as a child, he managed to arrive in Miami at 15 where he soon began a modeling career. By the time he was 22 his talent and good looks led to appearances in Miami based reality shows.

He then moved on to the Spanish-language soaps “Olvidarte Jamás,” “Mi Vida Eres Tú,” and “Acorralada.” A starring role in “Pasión,” was his breakthrough role in Mexican soap operas. “Cuidado con el Angel” and “Sortilegio” were next, each earning record ratings, sometimes even beating ABC and CBS for viewers in the time slot.
“Triunfo del Amor”, “Mujeres Asesinas,” and “La Tempestad’ were his last Spanish language projects to date.

Known as ‘the Latin Brad Pitt,’ Levy made his entry to mainstream audiences as the third place finalist in “Dancing with the Stars.” Cameos in the VH1 series “Single Ladies, ” and “Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club” completed his previous U.S. acting work.

We spoke with Levy as he follows on the steps of Sofia Vergara, Javier Bardem and his idol, Andy García, and prepares to take America by storm by becoming one of Hollywood’s most successful Latin imports.

HOMBRE: What can you tell us about “Addicted”?
William Levy: “Addicted” is my very first film for the Anglo-American market. We filmed it before “Single Mom’s Club,” which was the second film I made which was more like a special appearance.
I would describe it as a sexy provocative thriller.
It has strong scenes, a strong story. It has been the biggest challenge I’ve had.

H: How so?
WL: It’s a character that has nothing to do with me. When you see the film and you see the twists it has and how the movie ends you will understand. I would never be like that, it has nothing to do with me, but oh well. To make those scenes it was the most challenging part.
I had a lot of preparation. It was my first film in english, so I had to prepare twice as much. But thank God I feel everything worked out well because of practice and preparation.

H: Tell us about the character you portray in the film?
WL: My character is an artist, a painter that’s very passionate about all that he does. The character of Zoe is portrayed by Sharon Leal. She is an artist’s agent and offers me the opportunity to be a part of her agency and work with her. It’s from there that an addictive relationship is born, personal and sexual. From there everything that happens in the film it’s because of this addiction. That’s why I told you it’s a provocative and sexy thriller. It’s a relationship that puts at risk her life and her family.

H: Since the character is an artist, did you go to galleries, work with painters? How did you prepare for the role?
WL: We had a painter who would check everything we did. With him we studied the movements made when painting, how to hold the brush, the time it would take to paint… For everything dealing with art we had a professional painter guiding us. I wanted to be close to the reality of it all. I didn’t want to act, I wanted to be a painter. That was a big part of my preparation and I am very apprciative with the producers that they managed to find an artist that would work with us.

H: And how is your talent with art? Tell us.
WL: (Laughs) More or less, more or less. As a child I would learn a little bit, but not from professionals. It’s good to work with professionals. It’s the details that shape a character. As a painter I can’t tell you that I’m very good, but I give my character a lot of passion.

H: And besides being a great actor, what other talents do you have?
WL: I love sports. That I can tell you I do well. I played sports all the time. Baseball, basquetball, a little soccer; anything that involves sports we’re there.

H: What’s your favorite baseball team?
WL: I’m a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

H: What would you consider were the greatest challenges in making this film?
WL: The fact that I was portraying a character that has nothing to do with me. When you have a character with whom you can relate, everything is easier. But when you have to do scenes that have nothing to do with you, I had to really study. I read about it, I saw real life scenes of when people react this way. That really helped with my character. How the character behaves, how he reacts with the circumstances he faces, understanding why he reacts the way he does. My character is very passionate, with a lot of personal problems. It took some time to get it together, but thank God everyone who has seen the film was very satisfied. The producers, the director; I hope audiences love it also.

H: After so much success in Latin American soaps, how do you feel to now be entering the North American film world?
WL: It feels great, but it’s a big responsibility to know there aren’t too many Latinos in the American market. To be a part of that small percentage of actors that exists is a big responsibility. I’m trying to put the name of Latinos very high. The more we let ourselves be known in a positive way, the more we’ll open doors for Latinos in this country. This is the most important thing for me.

H: And speaking of that, as a child, who did you admire?
WL: Andy Garcia. He’s Cuban, and being in Cuba you identified with him; the fact that he is outside of Cuba, doing what you want to do. I wanted to be an actor, I wanted to work on this, I loved acting. To project to people my feelings. I thought “Wow, he’s Cuban, he’s doing it; maybe one day if I manage to leave here, all you have to do is learn english and make your dreams real.”

H: After having made these two english language films, what role would you like to take on?
WL: My dream is to play El Zorro. As a child I would watch a soap opera about Zorro.
When you live in a country where you don’t have a lot of opportunites – even to leave the country- all your dreams can become real through a television show. I would watch Zorro and I would want there to be someone to come and save us. I wanted to grow up and be like Zorro. So then if I ever get the opportunity to take on that character it would be the role of my dreams.

H: Besides Andy Garcia, which other actors would you like to share the screen with?
WL: Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro; I would love to work with them. Also Kevin Costner, since I was a kid, I’ve watched everything he’s done. He’s also a great actor. I hope I have the aopportunity to work with them.

H: Our magazine is for Latin men of course, but because you are featured in it I know many women will pick it up, so as a service to our female readership I have two questions:
What type of woman do you like, and what is your idea of a perfect date?
WL: I like a woman that’s affectionate, sincere, loving, respectful, that’s happy with you anywhere. A woman that’s big into family.
That being said, the ideal date could be anywhere. For me the perfect date is not a place, it’s the company. That’s what maters. And, for me, any place with her would be ideal for me.

H: What are your next projects?
WL: Right now I’m resting; and looking at a few projects I’d love to make. Looking at the possibilty to realize them.
One would be an American project, the other a series in Latin America.

H: Finally, why should audiences see “Addicted”?
WL: You go to the movies to have a good time. People will leave with an unexpected ending. It’s good to see something unexpected and in the case of this film you have no idea what would happen. If you want to see a film that’s sexual, provocative; a film that’s a thriller, that has a lot of twists throughout the story, then you should go see “Addicted.” You will leave very happy with a completely unexpected ending.