Everlayn Borges peers out of almond-shaped eyes from under a swirl of curls and waves. She is like a cat until she stirs with the spirit of a lioness. Long, shapely limbs stretch from her voluptuous body as her whole being animates her story. There is an undeniable presence about this multi-faceted actress-dancer-singer who was born of humble beginnings with enough ambition to reach the stars.Her tale begins in a town called Matanzas near the legendary Varadero Beach of Cuba. She is the daughter of a popular singer-musician who vanished at sea in a thwarted attempt to find freedom and opportunity in the United States and a doting mother who taught her how to dance. After her father's sudden disappearance, she was left with a legacy of talent as well as courage.Chosen at 8 to attend the prestigious School for Performing Arts in Havana, she excelled as a dancer, performing ballet and modern dance. Nine years of schooling groomed her to become a member of a touring Cuban dance troupe, which led to her own escape from Castro's rule. On tour in Mexico, the precocious young girl took flight. A harrowing journey took her from Juarez into Texas, across the Rio Grande and into a confrontation with police. Nonetheless, she made it to Miami where her dreams began to unfold.She performed for several years with Julio Iglesias, touring internationally as a singer and principal dancer and soloist. She also toured with Bertin Osborne and Eduardo Verastegui, and performed as a dancer in music videos with Julio, Willy Chirino and Michael Sterling. She has appeared on Sabado Gigante and on numerous television specials. Her credits also include being a principal in Showtime's series, "Going To California" and recently as co-host of the series, "Get Out."Shortly after her arrival in Miami, she got her first taste of being in front of the movie camera in the role of a dancer in Warner Bros.' The Specialist with Sylvester Stallone. It was as sweet as a mango. Everlayn's eyes opened to new possibilities and gave her ambition a boost knowing that as an actress she could have many more years on camera than she could on stage as a dancer. As she says, "I have to follow this because it will follow me."She has since appeared in the independent feature Dark Queen and will be seen as Miss Cuba in Michael Mann's much-anticipated big screen version of Miami Vice. It was a role that almost didn't happen, though almost doesn't count.Promised an opportunity to audition for the film, Everlayn found herself wrangling with casting agents insisting to be seen. There seemed to be a mix-up. When her protests landed on deaf ears, she had no option but to leave. In one of those rare "Hollywood moments," the director himself spotted her on her way out. Though he had seen over 150 hopefuls, hers was the face he was looking for.Within minutes she was on camera face-to-face with the acclaimed director. The camera loved her and so did Mann. Everlayn won the role. She will be seen as Miss Cuba, a high-class prostitute and contestant in the movie's fictional Miss Universe contest in the thriller starring Colin Farrell and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx.With another role under her belt, acting fever spiked higher. Since filming Miami Vice, she brought the house down as the feisty and hilarious 60 year old mamacita in the theatrical production of "Combing Through Life's Tangles." With her mane of curls and spitfire personality, a theme emerges. Fearless, funny and beautiful, Everlayn Borges can take on anything, including Hollywood.
