Rosie Vela

About Rosie Vela

Rosie Vela is an American model, actress, singer and musician. While attending the University of Arkansas as a music and art major, she began modeling and soon became one of the most in-demand models of the 1970s. She appeared on the cover of Vogue multiple times, as well as in many other magazines and print and television ads.

She took a small number of acting roles, most notably in Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate in the role of Beautiful Girl, one of Kris Kristofferson's love interests. She also appeared in the Chinatown sequel The Two Jakes.

In the mid-80s, Vela recorded Zasu, her debut album. Produced by Gary Gary Katz, it featured contributions from Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan, Rick Derringer, Michael Been of the Call and Tony Levin of King Crimson. The album's jazz pop style was well received by critics, but did not do well commercially and is now mainly remembered for its role in the reunion of Steely Dan following their early 80s break-up.

Vela subsequently became a member of Electric Light Orchestra, providing backing vocals and occasionally writing songs with bandleader Jeff Lynne, who was her boyfriend at the time. She is also an accomplished visual artist and painter.