With cascading, raven locks, a seductive stare and full pouty lips Mirtha Michelle Castro can easily be mistaken for Angelina Jolie at first glance. But like her infamous doppelganger, you have to look closer to see that her beguiling beauty is just the tip of the iceberg. Mirtha is a writer/poet-turned-actress who’s got people turning pages as well as heads. The result? A best selling book of poetry, Letters to the Men I Have Loved, which was released in 2014. Yet, she hasn’t stopped there: she just released her second book of poems Elusive Loves.
We caught up with Mirtha about how she overcomes the pretentiousness of Hollywood through her tight-knit relationships with friends, family and an occasional self-check. She’s the life of the party, but not into the party life and her #MCM isn’t who you think a force to be reckoned with.
‘LL: What inspired the idea of your new compilation of poems Elusive Loves?
Mirtha: I noticed I wrote a lot in Spanish throughout the years that I really loved it and I thought I should share it with Latino community. I decided to translate [the poems] into English because I still have a fan base that is primarily English-speaking. It originally started with my desire to expand to the Latin American market and give something back to my culture.
‘LL: In what ways would you say this book is different from your first best-seller Letters to the Men I Have Loved?
Mirtha: My new book of poetry discusses things I went through after my first book. It’s the seasonal cycle of romantic love. There are men who are elusive and infatuation in the summer could be hot, then in autumn things are falling part and by the winter it might be dead. I lived love stories and romances within the book.
‘LL: How has your idea of love changed since your first book was released?
Mirtha: Now, I am not as naïve. Although I still want to experience and am open to love, I’m able to see the signs clearer. Instead of wasting your time you learn who to give your love to.
‘LL: Do readers see you as some sort of relationship guru now?
Mirtha: Yes, when people meet me they tell me their problems. It’s cute and it’s flattering. Although I will give advice just like you would give advice to your girlfriends, I am simply going through the journey like everyone else. With Letters I learned a lot of the mistakes I made growing into a woman. In Elusive Loves, the reader will find other little gems and lessons.
‘LL: Chisme alert! What does a day off from writing or Hollywood look like for you?
Mirtha: I have an active social life but I’ve really been into spinning, it brings me balance. I love to stay home, eat and watch my favorite shows. I love Scandal, Blacklist, Quantico and CSI. I’m very eclectic, so one day I could be painting and another day I am just writing. Right now I’m listening to Adele, I love her songs and if I was a singer I would write like her.
‘LL: What would men be surprised to know about you?
Mirtha: That I’m an amazing cook! I can throw down almost anything Dominican. I make a really bomb ceviche and my own version of a seafood paella. And I make an amazing flan!
‘LL: What do you look for in a man?
Mirtha: First off he has to have a job! I live in LA and a lot of guys are good looking but they are trying to be actors or models and I know it’s great to pursue your passion, I’ve been an artist my entire adult life. But I am the artist, so I want someone with a real job. I want someone who is as motivated and passionate about what they do as I am. I also would like someone who takes care of himself, physically and spiritually. I even look at a mans’ relationship with his mother—it means he is going to know how to treat a woman.
‘LL: Did dating get harder or more interesting after publishing your first book?
Mirtha: Definitely! I’ve encountered the guy who is afraid of me writing about him and the guy who wants me to write about him. It’s interesting, for six months on my site I was writing a weekly column about everything I was living. But I had to step back and figure out if I wanted to do it anymore because everyone knew everything happening in my personal life.
‘LL: What is your biggest turn on? Biggest turn off?
Mirtha: Turn on –a smart guy that gets my mind and can talk to me about different things and understands what I talk about. Turn off –I don’t like when a guy brags a lot. If you have it, you don’t have to say it. Not only with material things; sometimes people brag about who they know and what they’ve accomplished.
‘LL: What is your favorite body part on a guy?
Mirtha: I love a nice stomach. I grew up in Miami and we were always at the beach so I was always checking them out. And no I don’t like the Instagram selfies of guys! No, no, no!
‘LL: What would be your ideal first date?
Mirtha: I like a quiet dinner with wine at a nice restaurant. The first date is to get to know the person more so I like it to be quiet so that I can hear the person talk.
‘LL: What would you say you love most about Latino men?
Mirtha: Honestly Latino men, are very affectionate. They hug you and they squeeze you, I love it. Also Latino men tend to be a little jealous and protective which is an amazing quality, without going overboard.
‘LL: What would you say you dislike most about Latino men?
Mirtha: They’re mujeriegos! They want to spread their love. A lot of men tend to be on the flirtatious side, which is in the Latin blood.
‘LL: What is a ‘LLERO to you?
Mirtha: When I hear that I think of my grandfather—someone with integrity, character and honesty. That’s a gentleman.
‘LL:Any new projects coming up?
Mirtha: I’m super excited for 2016 because I’m developing a television show based on Letters. I know the book has touched so many people and it’s a really great thing for the Latin community.