Actress and author Blanca Blanco has embraced the festive season, modelling a striking red leotard that channels a modern, glamorous Mrs Claus. The images, captured by photographer Filip Shobot for the Daily Mail, feature the star surrounded by pink and gold balloons, creating a celebratory Christmas atmosphere.
A Glimpse into Blanco's Hollywood 'Nice List'
Beyond the festive photoshoot, the Washington state-born actress opened up about the Hollywood stars who have made her personal "nice" list after a decade of industry encounters. Brad Pitt and Zoe Saldana emerged as top contenders for their kindness and humility.
Blanco recalled meeting Pitt in 2019 at a private Hollywood party for the film If Beale Street Could Talk, shortly after his split from Angelina Jolie. "He was such a gentleman - so sweet and kind," she shared, noting an unexpected shyness and reserved nature. "He is humble and down-to-earth, not to mention respectful."
Her encounter with Zoe Saldana occurred during promotions for the musical Emilia Perez. "We really bonded and had fun talking about acting," Blanco said. She was particularly impressed by Saldana's strong family values and active listening skills. "She took her time to listen and speak and to be in the moment. Not a diva."
A Heartfelt Tribute to a Mentor
Blanco also shared a moving tribute to her longtime friend and mentor, actress Sally Kirkland, who passed away in November at the age of 84. Kirkland was a friend for over 17 years and considered Blanco her protégé.
"Her passion for her work was impressive," Blanco reflected. "She never wanted to retire; the work of developing a character kept her happy." She marvelled at Kirkland's ability to memorise a monologue in seconds, attributing it to an autobiographical memory. Blanco described her as "loyal, caring, driven, thoughtful, and down-to-earth," with a profound empathy for others.
"She would say, 'Do things with honesty, and all will work out,'" Blanco recalled, highlighting Kirkland's belief in using personal trauma in acting as a path to healing.
The Diet and Fitness Regime Behind the Figure
Blanco's enviable physique is maintained through dedicated diet and exercise. She is a proponent of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which focuses on whole foods, reduces sodium, and cuts out sugar. U.S. News & World Report ranked it the number one Best Heart-Healthy Diet for 2025.
Her typical day includes oats with berries or eggs with avocado for breakfast, a salad with chickpeas and tuna for lunch, and chicken or salmon with vegetables for dinner. She limits carbohydrates to just once a week, believing it "shocks the body" and improves processing.
Her daily fitness routine is a concise 20-minute workout performed first thing in the morning. It consists of 100 mini crunches, a five-minute plank, and 50 lunges. "I do this to get a strong core and because I love having mini abs," she explained.
Recently, she has shifted focus to strength training over intense cardio to combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). "When you maintain muscle mass then you not only look better but you move better and your risk for injury is lower," she stated. Giving up red meat earlier this year also helped her lose 10lbs.
Blanco firmly stated she would not use drugs like Ozempic for weight loss, preferring to "sweat it out at the gym."
Professionally, Blanco stars in the new film Finding Nicole, now streaming on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime. Based on a true story, it follows Nicole Beverly and her children surviving domestic violence. Blanco plays the role of Katarina Lopez alongside co-stars Sean Whalen and Richard Tyson.
