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Maria Valverde

What she’s having
A Hyde Park Swizzle — a blend of muddled mint leaves, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and gin — at New York City’s Dear Irving. Though she usually just orders a flute of the fizzy stuff: “My favourite drink is Champagne,” Valverde says. “I love the bubbles and the taste, but you get very, very drunk.”

ID check
Born 24-3-87, in Madrid.
Breakthrough role: She won a Goya Award at age 16 for her film debut in the acclaimed Spanish indie drama The Weakness of the Bolshevik. What, you mean don’t own the DVD? Also played the wife of Moses (portrayed by Christian Bale, naturally) in Ridley Scott’s mega-budget, 3-D epic, Exodus: Gods and Kings.

Ready to roll
“I have a house in Madrid, and I go back and forth between there and London. When you’re an actress, you have to live with your suitcase ready. I’m nomadic. I love that life.”

Aural obsession
“I’m obsessed with Spotify. I have a rock star inside me; I really love music. I don’t play an instrument. I can’t sing. But dancing makes me really happy.”

Instinctive actress
“I’ve never been in a proper [acting] school…Sometimes I miss the technical things, but I think you have to lose your mind and lose control and do whatever you want. I think intuition is the most important tool.”

How to date her
“I want a guy who’s very quick, sharp, even mean, with clever jokes. I love to laugh.”

By Susanna Gooch
Photographed by AnaÏs & Dax

For the full article grab the May 2016 issue of MAXIM Australia.

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Laura Archbold

Bloody Maria