‏Apollonia Kotero‏

Apollonia was born Patricia Kotero in Santa Monica, California, to Mexican parents, Maria S. (Torres), a caregiver, and Victor Manuel Kotero, a restaurant manager. She initially pursued fame and fortune via work as an actress, singer and a model. After winning the Miss San Pedro beauty competition and a stint cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980's, Kotero began acting in roles both in film and television such as CHiPs (1977), Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982), Fantasy Island (1977), Matt Houston (1982) and Knight Rider (1982).Apollonia landed the role of a lifetime while auditioning for Prince for his first ever feature film. Winning the starring role opposite Prince in the blockbuster musical Purple Rain (1984), which, received an Oscar. Apollonia 6, also featured supporting singers Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie. Apollonia 6 went on a world wide tour to promote the blockbuster single "Sex Shooter." Apollonia had originally recorded a version of the song "Manic Monday" for the 1984 Apollonia 6 album. Written by _Prince (I)_, the song would later become a worldwide hit single for the girl group, "The Bangles". "Take Me with U" is Apollonia's highest charting single, reaching #25 on the Top 40 chart in the United States. Apollonia left the Prince camp in 1985 to pursue a role on television in Falcon Crest (1981). She was allowed to appear under her own stage name, 'Apollonia', and also performed several solo songs, none of which would be released (one of the songs, which was often played and referred to on the show was a title called "Red Light Romeo," which was written by U.S. songwriter Jon Lind who had penned the U.S. #1 hit, "Crazy For You," for Madonna). Kotero stayed on the show for 10 consecutive weeks, playing the girlfriend of teenage heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas. In 1988, she released her first solo album, simply titled 'Apollonia', on Warner Bros. Records. Containing high energy dance music, three singles were released from the album: "Since I Fell For You," "The Same Dream," and "Mismatch."Kotero then released the 1997's bilingual balled "Stay With Me." Apollonia went on to star in roles such as Ministry of Vengeance (1989), Back to Back (1989), Black Magic Woman (1991) and a couple of Italian productions, Woman's Secret (1992), Cattive ragazze (1992), and returned to television on shows such as Sliders (1995) and Air America (1998). Also, hosting The Jazz Channel's Latin Beat, program. During this period an exercise video (encouragingly titled Go For It) was also released. Apollonia can be seen on E Channels Celebrity Homes and MTVs Cribs, with friend Carmen Electra, The Test and Rendezview. In 2005, Apollonia formed a multi-media entertainment company, Kotero Entertainment. Kotero Entertainment is partnering with a number of producers to produce a children animated television series, featured films, and television. Kotero Entertainment also manages young talent such as television and film star Sascha Andres and young pop singer Nikki Barreras, also known as Nikki B. More recently, Kanye West's 2007 hit song "Stronger," used her name in the lyrics, and on December 1, 2007, she appeared at a Project Angel Food charity event in Beverly Hills, California.