She's Nobody's Darling Arban Ornelas: singer & rising B-movie starlet
by Chris Parcellin
Arban Ornelas isn't your typical B-movie queen. Sure, she has the requisite curvaceous figure, topped-off with stunning exotic beauty and a free-spirited attitude. But being an actress wasn't something she'd aspired to since childhood--she actually broke into film at the suggestion of towering B-movie legend Julie Strain. Strain became a mentor of sorts to Ornelas, and soon the ravishing brunette found herself in the campy indie comedy "Bare Wench Project 2."

Ornelas followed that up with roles in two upcoming Troma productions. She also has her own comic book "Mahdvika" set to make it's debut, as well as recent forays into screenwriting and directing. But the sultry vixen's talents aren't limited to the world of film. Her band, an electronic duo called Darling Hate, is set to ink a deal with punk veteran Steve Severin's record label that should assure Ornelas of the chance to reach plenty of potential fans. And this budding songstress is also an avid photographer.

With all of these projects ready to pop for the gregarious beauty, this seemed like a good time to find out a bit more about her, and try to get some insight into what makes her tick.

You were raised in Beaumont, Texas. What were you like growing up?
I was a hellion of the first order! Growing up in Texas was a very "us against them" experience...Texas tends to be a Conformist Republican state, and freaks of all stripes tend to ban together! I found myself hanging out with a rich and colorful eclectic group of people including: Drag queens, graffiti artists, rockers, hip-hop heads, Slackers, artists, degenerates, intellectuals, and other rebels! I had a compulsive truancy problem, and got stoned regularly before 1st period, if I did attend school that day. I was enrolled in all creative "Gifted and Talented" and honors classes, except for Math...I was in BASIC, one step before remedial. Ha haaaa....I really didn't care about school and found my education elsewhere! I had my "Girl Interrupted" phase where I was in and out of teen mental institutions and therapy and "special schools"...They did not know what to do with me!

So, you were in more than one mental institution?
Well, we had to keep moving me around, because the insurance would only pay for 30 days at each facility. Each one was a totally different experience. Fortunately, man friends of mine we locked up as well, it was very popular to do this at the time, almost a trend: institutionalizing teenagers. Sort of like a day care for adolescents...heheee. Anyway, some were more plush that others. There was one, where all we did was hang out, play pool and watch "The Simpsons." But there were others, where at the slightest outburst, you'd be naked in a padded cell, with a shot of thorazine up your ass!

How did you get into acting?
My only acting experience was playing "Puck" in "A MidSummer's Night Dream" in the 7th grade! I completely fell into it after meeting Julie Strain for a photo session….She shot me and told me she could get me work as an actress, and the rest is history!

So, what's Julie Strain really like?
Julie is a raving bitch on wheels and I love it! She makes the best chili under the Sun, and is quite possibly the most generous person I know! She has magnificent discipline and is a fantastic role model for girls who want to own their sexuality! I am proud to say she is my Soul Sistahhh!

What was it like working on "The Bare Wench Project 2"?
The Bare Wench Project 2 is quite possibly the most embarrassing thing I've ever done! I hope you all can get a laugh at my expense! It wasn't that bad...any excuse to get naked in the woods is a good one!!!
Are B-movies the genre of film you initially set out to work in?
I have always LOVED Russ Meyer films and the exploitation genre. When I saw "Vegas in Space" one late night on USA, I knew I wanted to make movies like that! I've always prefered Julie Strain to Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts! Big, Busty. gutsy B-movie Goddesses are Wild and extrodenary! Mainstream American sweethearts like Sandra Bollocks make my stomach turn!

What sorts of roles would you really like to tackle?
I would like to continue playing Vampire Stripper types and a Sci-fi Heroine ala Barberella! I like "over the top" characters, where I can really let my ID go wild!

You've also done some directing. What sorts of projects have you done?
Right now I'm fine tuning a screenplay for a small independent project, I plan to produce, direct and star in...I'm also working on a line of fetish videos!

What is the screenplay about?
The screenplay is about a Burlesque Queen Murderess, it will be a musical ala Rocky Horror Picture Show!

What kind of fetish videos are you doing?
I am doing light bondage, smoking, boot worship, and ballet shoe fetish...to name a few!

You also have your own comic book? What's that like?
My Comic book "Mahdvika" is 7 years in the making! I'm teamed up with 3 phenomenal artist/writers: Memo Diaz, Israel Jovanovich and Charles Schneider. Heavy Metal magazine is interested. It is the story of a sexy, timeless Goddess, Mahdvika, and her travels and exploits throughout time!

I understand you made quite a stir at the 2000 San Diego Comic Convention dressed as Vampirella? Was that fun?
Being Vampirella at the 2000 San Diego Con was like being Snow White at Disneyland! It was fantastic to represent such a classic ICON, a dark and mysterious raven haired Goddess, both seductive and kitsch, like me!

Are you a big horror fan? What films do you like?
I am a rabid David Lynch fan. His psychologically twisted style is more permeating and frightening than most films in the horror genre. I do like "Carrie"...revenge fantasies are fun, and the occult genre.

What do you enjoy about photography?
The exciting part of photo shoots is the art direction, production design and costumes. Sometimes the planning is more fun than the execution. I like fantasy imagery and classic pin-up. My favorite photographers are the duo, Pierre and Giles.

What have you learned from working in showbiz?
I've learned to drink your milk and get to bed early! Have legal help when looking over contracts and be up-front and direct about everything! This is not the business to be "wishy-washy".

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I am a BIG NERD and love nothing more than to be on the Internet, read books and order take out and have movie marathons!

You're also a singer. What can you tell us about your band Darling Hate?
Darling Hate is being picked up by Steven Severin, of Siouxie and the Banshees for his online independent record label, RE: I have no interest in whoring it up for the big labels. Music as a business disgusts me, and I have no interest in being sold as mass-produced sausage.

What are your goals?
To be a pop-cultural CULT ICON! To make movies with the independent spirit of John Waters and be the female Russ Meyer!

What is your favorite Russ Meyer flick and why?
Do you really need a reason to love a Russ Meyer film? "Faster Pussy Cat Kill, Kill" and "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" are my two favorites. Tura Satana and Haji rock. I love the subject matter, bad ass go-go dancin' girl gang members tearin it up! "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" is just a joyous celebration of womanhood/eye-candy explosion!

What's your message for America's youth?
Fight the Power! Follow your Bliss! Be kind to strippers and READ CAMILLE PAGLIA!!!
© 2002 Chris Parcellin & D-Filed, All rights reserved.
All photographs © 2002 Arban Ornelas, All rights reserved.