Janina Gavankar
plays Eva "Papi" Torres, a Latina paramour who invades Alice's chart and
gives Shane a run for her money where the ladies are concerned. Papi
is a bit of a mystery. She's the Don Juan of limo drivers who seduces
women at an alarmingly high rate. Of the L girls, Alice and Helena are
already part of Papi's "solar system."
Janina - born November 29 to Pete and Mohra Gavankar is an American of Dutch
and Indian decent. Janina grew up in Joliet, Illinois and studied classical
music before pursuing an acting career. At a young age Janina trained in
Opera performance, classical piano, and orchestral percussion. She performed
in the singing group Endera, with whom she toured and released an album on
Cash Money/Universal Records. She has also worked on an Indian music project
with Pratichee Mohapatra, Deep, and Navraaz, has acted in a Bollywood movie,
and VJ'd for MTV India. Janina majored in Theatre Performance at the
University of Illinois in Chicago where she worked in theatre, commercials,
and independent films.
Janina, who is a self-proclaimed "nerd" and "tech geek" has nonetheless
played some very sexy characters. She appeared as Iona, a sultry (and very
nude!) vixen in "Cup of My Blood," a horror film about the Holy Grail. You
can also see her as Ms. Dewey, a sexy digital librarian with a strong
internet following who will address all of your search engine needs.
Janina currently lives in Los Angeles and is working on a new solo album.
Janina Says
Interests: Story tellin', music makin'
Favourite movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Favourite genre of music: Neo-World-Rock (Rock/Pop with a World Beat edge)
Favourite Composer: Rachmaninoff
Favourite photographer: David La Chapelle
Favourite game: Lumines
Favourite cartoon character: Batz Maru
Tools of the Trade: ProTools, my voice, my hands, my heart...
Interesting Facts
*Also known as "Janina Ziona" or "Janina Z" *Was one of 18 actors
out of 700 who auditioned chosen for the ABC talent showcase in 2004. *For two years Janina produced and directed the Illinois Junior Miss
Scholarship Program. *Was featured in the San Francisco band Recliner's music video for
their single "Float Away".
*In the "Tell Me What" recording/music video; Navraaz raps in Punjabi, Janina
sings in English, and Pratichee sings in Hindi. Deep is the producer. *For her "Tell Me What" video, Janina originally wanted to have the male
back-up dancers perform in female drag and the female singers in male drag.
*Janina's sister Sonya was in the Miss America pageant in 1997 as Miss
District of Columbia. She is now a journalist who has worked for CNN, ABC,
and the Freedom Forum. *Her father, Pete, is a microchip genius and has also produced an album for Rahul Dev "RD" Burman, the famous Indian composer.
*Her mother Mohra, is a businesswoman, columnist, and a very active
community volunteer who also holds a pilot's license. *Her grandfather was a Brigadier General in the Indian army.
*Is currently dating Angelo Sotira, the CEO of deviantART. *Shares "parenting" of an English Setter named
Bentley with boyfriend,
Angelo. *Doesn't drink or do drugs - her vices are: sex, food, rock & roll.
*Janina was a drumline captain in high school *Never listened to radio until college
*Is notoriously puncutal
Actress
Dash 4 Cash (2007) (TV) (post-production)
Bull Run (2006) .... Maria "L Word, The" (2007) TV Series .... Papi
Cup of My Blood (2005)
.... Iona Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) .... Field Reporter Dark (2003)
Barbershop (2002) .... Fine Woman Why Is God... (2001) .... Mina
Notable TV Guest Appearances
Playstation E3 Reporter (2006) Playstation E3 Futuristic Welcoming Hostess (2006) "Girlfriends" .... Waitress (1 episode, 2005)
"Strong Medicine" ....
Nurse Juni (1 episode, 2004)
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