Kamar de los Reyes opens the door to his ground-level Upper West Side apartment in his bare feet, wearing a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans. A smart woman recognizes this outfit--it's the universal "sexy/casual" look. Thing is, it only really works on those that know and understand their attractiveness, whose hopes are to maybe downplay it a little, make it look...effortless. De los Reyes, gracious as he is, does not strike me as an exception to this rule. A guy this classically good-looking simply cannot feign ignorance. And truth be told, it kinda worked. The decor of the place exudes "bachelor": dark walls, sparse furniture, plenty of wine on hand. The only external clues to Kamar, doting dad of five-year-old Caylen Luis de los Reyes, are found in the bathroom--Matchbox cars in the tub and superhero figures in the toothbrush holder. In addition to his status as One Life to Live's biggest heartthrob, Puerto Rican/Cuban de los Reyes is a devoted father who had to squeeze this interview in late one Sunday; my brunch suggestion was quickly shot down because, as he told me apologetically over the phone, "I have to take Caylen to church." Oh, my heart melts already.

A handsome, talented, passionate man who puts his family before anything else? Kamar is the guy; the one that would impress your mom and your tias beyond your wildest dreams.

The only hint to the other side of Kamar--the more, shall we say, intimate side of his persona--comes from the quick tour of his bedroom he volunteers when he learns this story is for UL's annual Sex Issue. The room speaks for itself: dark, almost burgundy walls ("It's not what it seems like; red is a very soothing color!"), a king-size bed covered by a red bedspread made of crushed velvet and several dark throw pillows, and, to the right of the bed, an enormous wood-framed mirror that almost takes up the entire wall.

Sure, it's sexy, but keep in mind it's also the man's private space, one of the only places where he can truly be himself. As an actor, de los Reyes understands that the entertainment industry he is now a part of does value having a certain look. On daytime television specifically, it encourages--if not requires--a healthy dose of sex appeal and good looks in order to fully validate an actor's talent and hard work. This can sometimes prove to be a frustrating environment for a man that looks in the mirror and simply sees an actor, not a "hunk."

As do-good police investigator Antonio Vega on ABC's One Life to Live, his popularity is immense, even for notoriously zealous soap fans. Along with Sherri Saum, who plays his on-again, off-again girlfriend Keri Reynolds, he makes up half of one of daytime TV's most adored couples. Vega's popularity in fictional Llanview is no less evident--his character has had his share of affairs, and let's just say Vega has sometimes had a hard time keeping his personal and professional lives separate. It makes for an intriguing watch, that much is true. But as a man fueled by a yin-and-yang of passion and intensity, de los Reyes' aspirations and determination reach beyond television, even while he remains grateful for the role that's brought him this far. As the son of highly-regarded Cuban percussionist Walfredo de los Reyes, Kamar is the only son that didn't follow in his dad's footsteps by pursuing music professionally (his brothers Daniel and Wally are sought-after musicians), though music remains an integral part of his life.

Later this spring you'll find de los Reyes working alongside another huge Latino talent as boxing champion Jose Beveagua in John Leguizamo's directorial debut Undefeated on HBO. "Working on [the film] was awesome. We all know [John Leguizamo] is a gifted actor, but I think everyone will agree that [as a director] he's equally gifted," he says. There are many sides to Kamar de los Reyes as well; I tried to uncover them all...

Mariel Cruz: First of all, I have to apologize; I don't generally watch soaps...

Kamar de los Reyes: Me either! Even on film I have trouble seeing myself. Especially when I'm in character.

Seems a bit strange. It must seem like you're watching yourself and someone else at the same time.

That's true. But on the other hand, when you're proud of something it's kind of nice to be able to see it.

Your dad is Cuban and your mom is Puerto Rican, but you grew up in Las Vegas. How did that happen?

My father is a musician; he was with a show that went from Cuba to Puerto Rico to Las Vegas, and he was offered a job in Vegas. It was a good opportunity for my family, so we packed up our bags and went.

How old were you when your family moved to Vegas?

Two. I grew up there, you know? But I spent a lot of my summers in Puerto Rico with my mother's family in Ponce.

Was it strange to grow up in Vegas? There were a lot fo Cubans in Las Vegas, believe it or not. We weren't all centralized in one neighborhood but we had plenty of Cuban friends that used to come over to our house. A lot of Cubans that came over in the '50s ended up in Las Vegas. Some were maitre d's, some were pit managers. But no matter what a Cuban does, the majority of them play congas and bongo. We used to have amazing jam sessions.

What was high school like for you?

I went to the only private high school in Las Vegas. My parents sacrificed a lot to put me through that school. The kids I went to school with were from very prominent families. There were actually a lot of Cubans at my school. High school was probably the biggest drag of my entire existence. There was a lot of stuff personally going on in my life--my parents had just recently gotten divorced. I was a very angry teenager. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go in at all. I say that in every sense of the word: emotionally, physically, spiritually. I was like one big growing pain.

Were there tensions between the white kids and the Cuban kids? Or did being Cuban make you more popular?

No. I was constantly trying to fit in. The clothes I wore, the way I did my hair. Cubans in general are perceived differently. The Cubans that came to the U.S. early are mostly the white Cubans from prominent families. At the time I experienced very little racism. I had my little run-ins but for the most part it wasn't that bad.

Do you experience it more now, as an actor? Being a Cuban/Puerto Rican man in a mostly white soap industry?

Well, let me say this: on our soap opera they make a hell of an effort. They've made a hell of an effort to have a diverse scene. You turn on One Life to Live and you'll see a prominent African-American family. The same with the Vega family. I don't believe that we have enough Latinos behind the scenes. In positions of power and decision-making we don't have enough Latinos or minorities. Early on, I got really sick and tired of playing the fucking gangbanger or the drug dealer. You start saying no to those stupid-ass auditions. Early on, unfortunately, you're forced to take thse stupid jobs. But sooner or later as a group we have to start saying no. [This industry] has to start getting with the picture and realize that Latinos are bright and smart and passionate and giving, and doctors and lawyers and politicians. I read this pilot the other day where the lead Latino character was a gardener. Can't you find something else to write about? But the majority of the people writing about us aren't Latino, so they don't know.

Do you think that people fetishize you or your character because of your background?

I hope not. [Television] is an extremely physical medium. It's unfortunate but it's part of the reason that we're not taken seriously. We're going for the 18 to 49-year-old women; that's the key age group. And they're looking for handsome guys that hopefully can act. I go in there and I thank God every day for what he blessed me with, whether it be talent or good looks or whatever the fuck it happens to be that day. I go in there to portray this character Antonio and how I look is really not up to me. I wasn't one of those people that went into this business and said, "Hey, I have a look." I felt I was talented and I had the resolve. I don't care if I go bald. I'm not in a soap opera because of my looks. If you want to perceive me that way, that's fine, but that's not why I'm here. It doesn't bother me either way. I'm going to act. You know, one percent of Latino actors are working and I'm one of them, so you think I'm going to get upset? Please, I'm working and I should be thankful and it's those people that keep me working.

Do you like your character?

Sometimes. The writing can be tough in daytime. It's a format, so that can be creatively stifling. Not all the time, though. There are times that it's kicking, on a good day. I try to have fun with it.

You didn't choose soaps as your original medium, right?

No. I was here in New York doing Shakespeare In The Park when [ABC] offered me a job. Initially I did theater and primetime. I did some really low-budget movies early on in my career in between that.

Theatre seems ideal, considering the abundance of energy that you have.

I dig that. I think that for my own psyche I should probably do one play a year. I did [City Center Encore's] Golden Boy last year. I wish it lasted longer. It kicked my ass but I wish it lasted longer.

Do you think acting is what you're supposed to be doing?

I have no doubt in my mind. I've been doing this for 15 years. It's what I do. It's what I know. I like the way I feel when I do it, I like the way I make other people feel when I do it. And that's important.

All your siblings and your dad are all successful musicians.

The obvious thing to do in my family is to put a drum in front of you. But no one ever force-fed me a conga.

Were they surprised at your choice to become an actor?

Early on I told my father that I didn't want to be in the back. I wanted to be in the front. I was a ham from a very early age. Drama is definitely part of who I was, still is. I'm sure my parents thought I had a better opportunity had I followed in my dad's footsteps. But if I'm going to go at something then I go at it--if I fail then I fail.

So you've never wanted to be more seriously involved with music?

Oh yeah, no doubt--I love music. That's how I got started in the business, actually--as a dancer, in musical theater. I was so devoted to acting that I passed up a lot of opportunities. In Hollywood you didn't want to be known as a dancer who was trying to be an actor. You just wanted to be an actor. I think it's changed but I wanted to be known as an actor so I stopped dancing. I wanted to be taken seriously. And now I wish I would have continued singing and dancing. Who knows what could've happened. Who knows what's going to happen...

Was there ever any pressure from your dad to follow only Latin music?

He wasn't around when I was listening to my music; I was mostly with my mom. I got to see him for short periods of time. It was difficult at the time, but we're grown men now and I love him. He still plays his ass off. I just saw him in Miami playing with people from back in the day in Cuba and he was jamming. He's full of energy and that stage seems to call his name. It's the same sort of drive I have.

Do you look at him playing and understand yourself a little bit more?

I do now, as an adult. No doubt. He supported five children as a musician for over 20 years. That's pretty impressive. My dad never worked any other job other than a musician since he was eleven.

Considering the theme of this issue, I think I should ask your definition of "sexy."

I like a woman who is soft. I like soft expressions, a soft demeanor, soft skin, a soft voice, soft lips. But I also like a woman who is strong in will, who's independent and intelligent and has her own opinion and can stand her ground when she has to. That's what I find sexy.

What do you think other people find sexy about you? I clean a mean kitchen! Ha, just kidding. I try to just be. I'm an extremely passionate man. I'm passionate about life. I'm passionate about sex, I'm passionate about women. I'm passionate. I'm also very gentle, I think the mixture of those two things is probably one of the more sensual things about myself. That obviously isn't going to work for everybody. You don't think so? Well, you know...

That's a good balance.

That's the key. The balance. I think that creates an energy that is extremely sexy. When a person can be passionate about what they love and gentle about what they love, you find something very beautiful and very sexual in that. Sometimes I'm too passionate. That's an emotion that I still to this day have got to learn to take better charge of. If I can somehow find a way to balance it better, I will probably be a better person for it, and the people around me will certainly benefit from it.