Happy Birthday, Gina Torres: The 20 Most Beautiful Afro-Latinas on the Planet!

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Lauren Velez, 47

In 1995, there were few actresses of color on primetime television, but Lauren Velez didn’t let that stop her from rocking the role of police officer Nina Moreno in the hit TV series, New York Undercover. The Puerto Rican actress made her feature film debut that same year opposite Rita Moreno in the hit movie, I Like It Like That, and her stellar performance earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Actress. 16 years later, Velez is still just one of a handful of women representing Afro-Latinas on television, as Captain Maria Laguerta on Showtime’s hit serial killer drama, Dexter.