What makes a person one of Miami’s most interesting men? For Christian Guerrier, founder and CEO of the Miami-based The Millennials Project, it’s a commitment to ending violence toward women and children and becoming their greatest allies.
So Guerrier has rounded up those he considers Miami’s “most interesting men” and will introduce us to a new one each month to raise money for domestic violence prevention, beginning tonight. (Event info below)
Here, we introduce you to April’s star, Spanish actor Alberto Mateo, who’s interestingness we tested by asking him some pretty random questions. Check back in May to meet the next.
How’d you end up in Miami?
I moved from Spain to Miami four years ago. I’m a Spanish actor, so I was brought to Miami to present an award at a Telemundo award ceremony. I was only supposed to stay for one week, but then I was offered a permanent job, so I ended up staying. One week turned into four years. Now, I live in Edgewater.
What’s your favorite thing to eat?
I love paella — I like cooking and my friends say I’m a good cook.
Where do you like to go grocery shopping?
I miss seeing real food and fish, like in the markets in Spain. You don’t really get to see this stuff at grocery stores in the U.S., it all feels so manufactured. But I guess I just go to the supermarket, like Publix or places where I can find international food.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a teacher, and then I realized I really liked to act. I thought it wasn’t a real job — I thought it was more of a hobby. So when I went to college, I studied engineering. I got my degree, but then I decided to go to drama school, and since then I’ve been working as an actor.
What shows have you been in?
I worked in Spain for 20 years, so I’ve been on a bunch of TV shows and in plays. In Spain, I gained fame for a character I played in an Allstate commercial. Now, most Latin people know me as “mala suerte,” or “bad luck,” which was the character that I played. I’ve also done several different series for Telemundo and Univision. I still do a few Allstate commercials.
In January, I did a play at the Miami-Dade College auditorium which was about domestic violence. Now, I’m working for Micro Theater in Downtown Miami, both as a director and an actor. On Saturday, I’ll be in have a play at the Miami-Dade College auditorium, it’s at 8 p.m. and it’s called “Los Libres Cautiverios de Ricardo y Leonisa”
Where do you like to shop?
I like Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Zara. I also like sportswear, athletic, casual clothes. It really depends on the day, but now I have a rehearsal at the Micro Theater, so I’m dressed pretty casually.
What’s the weirdest thing about you?
I can’t multitask. I can only do one thing at a time. Like, when I’m working on a character, I’ll just say “don’t talk to me, I can’t hear you.” I can block people out when I’m focused.
What’s your favorite place in Miami?
For drinks? I like to go out in Wynwood. I like Gramps a lot. I tried El Patio and it was really nice — it had a nice patio and terrace, good music, and nice people.
For just relaxing, I like to go to the beach. Being in nature, by the sea, it helps to be in the sun and to be relaxed and be in touch with myself.
Are you a feminist?
I think women and men are equal. We have the same rights we are all people and human beings. Domestic violence is a problem for all of society, and the word domestic indicates something that is a private problem, but now it’s a problem for all of us. We have to end that notion that “It’s not my problem,” it’s a problem for all of us. We have to talk more, we have to break these taboos, and we have to help women who are facing violence. It’s something I have to do.
