Mark Indelicato

As far as Justin entering high school, Indelicato says, “Justin is a freshman in high school this year, and he’s not what the other kids are. The kids are superficial and don’t look at him for who he is. You’re new in a school, you’re around people you don’t know, you’re intimidated by kids who’ve been there longer than you. So that’s kind of the gist of his whole problem.”

[Me] – I’ve always loved how they’ve handled Justin’s “different-ness”.  Anyone who’s ever been to high school knows this was coming, and although the writers work around the edges of what makes Justin different, the effect is still the same.

Indelicato agrees, I think:  He says, “I am a sophomore in high school, so I know what it feels like. It’s a comedic show, but they’re not sugarcoating it at all — it’s real. The way they are portraying Justin is something, I think, that could change someone’s life. I’m trying to portray this as reality because I’ve seen this happen. I’m in it, so I know exactly what’s going on there.”

According to Mark, when the troubles start in high school, he will have an ally.  “Marc helps him out. I think he sees that Marc went through the same type of thing. He went to a public school and dealt with being different. I think he’s kind of a role model. [Justin] just loves fashion and is fascinated by Mode and the people who work there. And I think Marc is there to be a mentor and to say, "Look, it’s OK to be different, it’s OK to not be a jock and not do what everyone else is doing. Do your own thing because you’re going to be great no matter what." And that’s a big thing for Justin.”

[Me] – I’ve always though these scenes between Marc and Justin have worked well.  And, they kind of reflect reality, I think.  At Justin’s age, the last thing you want is your mother stepping in to save you when you get into troubles.  And for a young man, an older male mentor, who has been through what you are going through, carries more influence in your life.

About Hilda: “She wants to protect him [Justin] so much, but she can’t anymore because he’s growing up and she can’t really tell him what to do. It’s hard for her, but I think it’s something every mom goes through. She’s really trying to cope with him taking that step towards being a young adult and making his own decisions and fighting his own battles.”

Tonight is the night!  The Ugly Betty season 4 premiere begins at 8/7c on ABC.  I won’t be doing a live blog this season (those rarely attracted people who actually read here – they were…interesting), but I WILL be Twittering.  If you aren’t following UglyBettyNews on Twitter, now’s your chance!  And, of course, come back later for my quick thoughts and famous novel-sized recaps!

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

My FIRST guess would be that this was a side excursion, and not part of a scene for Ugly Betty.  Actually, I hope I’m wrong and that this was filmed and will make it to the final cut of the episode.  The two are so cute here (not to mention the dolphin)!

I think Mark REALLY enjoyed this.  On Twitter, on the morning of October 5th, Indelicato tweeted, “starbucks, then swimming with the dolphins with Ana! this willget my mind off of everything. oh by the way i really did write a song ”

Four hours later, he tweeted this: “I had one of the most amazing, emotional, spiritual experiences of my life like 10 minutes ago.”

From what I have heard from other people who have done this, he was definitely talking about swimming with the dolphins. 

Were SO many pictures from this past weekend I can’t possibly show them all to you, for many reasons (it’s complicated).  But, I will try to post the best ones, because there are some amazing photos out there, especially of America Ferrera.  Interestingly, I have yet to find a pic of Michael Urie, but I’m going to keep trying. 

Images: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

“The sooner the better,” she says.  “We’re definitely looking forward to having a playmate for her.”

She was recently at an event at NYC’s Double Tree Metropolitan Hotel, wheeling little Paloma around.  “I brought her out because I couldn’t get a babysitter,” she says.

Welcome to parenthood, Ana.    I can really relate to how she describes the baby’s effect on her:

“She just started smiling,” Ana says. “She’s like [smiles] ‘a-ha.’ And it’s like [theatrics] melt, melt, melt, melt. That’s her latest thing – smiling. It’s always in the morning, and it’s like she’s trying to laugh. It’s almost like she’s coughing – like a cat coughing up a hairball. It’s so cute.”

As I recall, the funniest baby faces usually meant it was about time for a diaper change.

Having Paloma has also enhanced her relationship with husband Noah Lebenzon.

“It’s incredible,” she says. “It’s so much deeper. Before, you’re together, but there’s never that sense of ‘til death do you part, right? When she came along, I was like ‘oh yeah, now I get ‘til death do you part.’ We are together forever. There’s no one I respect more as a man and as a dad. He’s surpassing my dreams. I’m really lucky. Today is the one day he couldn’t babysit. He’s been changing diapers, he’s been getting up in the middle of the night walking her around, he’s been so hands-on and he still manages to be like ‘baby, you look beautiful. My God, you’re so sexy, you’re so beautiful.’ I’m like ‘are you for real?’”

The baby has also kept Ana close to her on-screen son, Mark Indelicato.  “Mark and I are inseparable,” she says. “His mom has become my fairy godmother because she’s been helping me so much with the baby, too.”

Get to work, Noah!  We expect an announcement soon. 

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

He’s got the gift!

According the NY Magazine’s “The Cut”, the Venezuelan aristocrat designer for such clients as Renée Zellweger, Jackie Onassis and Nicole Kidman saw some sketches of Mark’s denim designs (which we told you about here),  while he was touring her showroom last week.

Upon seeing them, Herrera reportedly offered Indelicato an internship on the spot.

At Indelicato’s Twitter page, when asked about the internship, he replied “next summer”.

Congratulations, Mark!  Actor, singer, and now designer-in-training!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

[MALIQ] male, 14-16, tall and good-looking, the popular high school bully. 2 scenes (no lines), actor should be comfortable with improving in the audition. Please submit all ethnicities. CO-STAR, POTENTIAL RECURRING.

Well, it would appear that Justin’s initiation into high school is not going to go smoothly.  Anyone who has followed the show and read the interviews with Silvio Horta and the other writers knew this day was coming.  Justin wlll get picked on, teased, even bullied.  It would appear that Justin’s tormentor will be named Maliq.

Considering this role currently has no lines, perhaps he will be introduced via flashback when Justin is telling Hilda about his first day in high school?  I can just imagine Hilda’s reaction, possibly overreaction.  Maliq had better hope he doesn’t run into Hilda on the street!

I’m trying to remember 9th grade, and this seems to be about right.  It was about that time that the “different” kids would start to go through hell at the hands of the more popular kids.  This part won’t be easy to watch, unless the writers are clever with their comeback/revenge scenarios.

And I can just imagine Mark Indelicato thriving in the role.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Ugly Betty News

He speaks to someone from Toronto about the fact that filming for Ugly Betty is going to start, as Mark puts it, “now”.  

They also talk about Ana Ortiz and her new baby – a subject that gets Mark excited.  He says he hasn’t spoken to Ana since she had the baby, but that she’s so happy right now.

I LOVE his teenage criteria for rating the Harry Potter movies: “I haven’t gotten bored”.  Mark does mention that each movie is its own story, keeping the series fresh and interesting.

He is also asked which Harry Potter character Mark relates to, and he very diplomatically answers “Harry”.

He then moves on to Michelle from Harry Potter’s Page, who finds out that Mark has read the first four books (he’s been a little busy the last few years, ya’ know!).  They then get into a Potter-geek discussion about which characters would win a battle with each other, and Indeclicato politely answers, then moves on.

It’s funny – the woman guiding Mark along seems more interested in her text conversation than the business at hand (on E! and the like, these people are usually out of view) .  I like this interview because it’s a little more raw and up-close.

And hurray that Ugly Betty filming is starting!  Hopefully, there will be some new set photos soon!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Image: Newscom

Of course, my first thought was, “Nice shoes!”  Those never seem to go out of style.  I literally had some just like them in the early 80’s.  I also love the specs.  Anyway, the beautiful young lady hanging off Indelicato’s arm, Hannah Ammon, looked very familiar to me.  A little research showed that she’s been out with Mark quite a bit lately.  For instance, here they are at the premiere of “Guys and Dolls”…

Image: Newscom

Hmmm.  Then, I remembered seeing this one from early February:

Image: SplashnewsOnline

There are quite a few more, as well.  Now, I generally shy away from speculating about the social lives of minors, but if you’re going to pose for the paparazzi multiple times, you kind of lose any expectation on privacy.

So who is Hannah Ammon?  It’s quite a mystery.  According to Mark’s Fashion Week diary, she’s a “friend from school”.  She’s got a page on BroadwayWorld, so it’s a safe assumption to say she’s a stage actress, although there’s no biographical info there.  She has no IMDB page. 

All I know is that Mark Indelicato REALLY likes her company when going to public events, and the two look fabulous together.

How long before we see Miss Ammon cast on Ugly Betty?  THAT would be some interesting casting.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Ms Ferrera is no diva!  At every appearance, she takes time to sign a few autographs.  And once again, I love her hair!  (I had no idea until Beatrice B mentioned it that many Latina women spend a lot of time trying to straighten their hair.  Me, I like the curls.).  Her boots, with the side buttons, are interesting as well.

And I LOVE this photo:

Mother and son!  (Kind of…)  Mark Indelicato really strikes a pose, doesn’t he? Ana Ortiz has the most beautiful smile.  And until the last episode, 3.16, Things Fall Apart, the writers of the show haven’t given her character much reason to smile.  Of course, that’s about to change, since Archie Rodriguez is coming into Hilda’s life.  It may only end up being a friendship, but Hilda seems to brighten around Archie (when she doesn’t want to punch him in the stomach).  Then we’ll get to see that beautiful smile again.

I’ll have more pics soon!

Images: splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

America Ferrera has the most beautiful hair.  Ana Ortiz looks cold in this pic, though.

One great thing about filming in NYC, and I hope they continue to do so, is the wonderful on-location shots.  (And that’s not just because that means there’s more spoiler-ish paparazzi photos from outdoor shots, although that’s a great side effect). 

This one is of the three younger Suarezes reading the script.  Is it encouraging that something is making them smile, even laugh?  The show has really been on an uptick lately; the writing seems sharper, the acting more focused.  I think that’s a happy coincidence; I’m pretty sure the last two episodes were filmed before the announcement of the hiatus.  Hopefully the trend will continue, and Ugly Betty won’t have to go up against American Idol anytime soon; if word gets around that the show is improving, maybe the rise in ratings that happened in 3.15, No Place Like Mode will continue.

Images: splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Also in the picture is Kerry Butler.

The event was hosted by Judy Gold and Carson Kressley. There was a special performance by Wicked composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and Cyndi Lauper, and a video message by Sir Elton John.

The guest list was huge and impressive. I will say that Michael Urie was on it, but somehow he avoided the cameras (at least I haven’t found anything so far). I have no doubt Urie will put something about it on his blog soon.

Indelicato, like his cast-mate Becki Newton, really seems to enjoy being out and about, and in the spotlight. I seem to find more paparazzi photos of him than any other Ugly Betty cast member.

On the show, I like the fact that Justin was the most grown up concerning the whole Elena situation. He was a refreshing change from all the siter-drama the past few episodes.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Ugly Betty News