Eduardo Xol

Eduardo Xol
Eduardo Xol (middle) in June 2011
Born	Eduardo Torres Xol (1966-02-19) February 19, 1966 Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation	Television personality, designer, entertainer, social activist and businessman

Eduardo Torres Xol (born February 19, 1966) is a Mexican-American actor, singer, television personality, designer, entertainer, social activist and businessman.^[1] He is most known to U.S. television audiences for his work as a designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which formerly aired on ABC.^[2]

Childhood and education

Xol was born on February 19, 1966. He is the oldest son of Eduardo and Mirna Torres. He grew up in East Los Angeles, California. His younger siblings are Monica Cayon and Ernesto Torres.

Before joining the cast of designers on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Eduardo had experienced a wide variety of accomplishments on both a national and global level. At one time, he was one of the youngest musicians to be scouted and selected to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of ten.^[3] By age 13, at the request of the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico, he also traveled on an exchange program to give a series of piano recitals.

During his teens, Eduardo joined the Braand Theatre Company to perform at The Palm Beach Club in Cannes, France. It was during this time that Eduardo also made his feature film debut in the groundbreaking “Zoot Suit” with Edward James Olmos while dancing with the Mexican Dance Theatre of Los Angeles. His continued creative passions led him to enroll in the University of California, Los Angeles theatre program. While immersed in his studies, Eduardo began directing and producing several musical theatre comedy revues, which toured throughout the United States.

Early career

Xol headed south to Latin America, where he fulfilled his desire of working in music and television in Mexico under the stage name of “Edi Xol”. He starred in several worldwide-syndicated telenovelas including Acapulco Cuerpo y Alma, Sentimientos Ajenos and La Jaula de Oro while producing music and videos.^[2]

His production company partnered with BMG U.S. Latin to produce his first solo album, La Pasión, and the first single "Somos" ("We Are") was nominated for a Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year.^[4][5][6] His representation of the United States at the International Music Festival at Viña Del Mar, Chile brought his appeal to a worldwide audience. Soon, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Somos magazines featured the charming and down to earth Eduardo as one of Latin America's most eligible and gorgeous bachelors.^[7]

In 1998, Xol decided to make the United States his home base once again as he transferred his experience in musical composition and entertainment production into the world of lifestyle and design.^[8] He began spending important time with his father as he learned the art of caring for bonsai trees. It was this return to plants that solidified his design aesthetic and life philosophy.^[9][10]

Television

As one of the co-stars of ABC’s internationally syndicated TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Eduardo’s compositions, especially in exterior design, have been on display for millions of people each week. He joined the cast in Season 2. He recently wrapped Season 8. Series reruns began airing on TV Land on Tuesday August 7, 2007.^[11] The show is also in syndication on CMT.^[12]

Partnerships

Eduardo’s work extends into all forms of media. In addition to his monthly column that he authored in People en Español and AOL Latino, he has been featured and produced segments for Good Morning America, and was named among the “100 Most Influential Hispanics in America” by Hispanic Business Magazine.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

In 2010, Hayneedle announced the launch of the Hayneedle.com Backyard Summer, a multi-million dollar, integrated marketing campaign aimed at bringing variety to America’s homes with Eduardo as its celebrity designer offering his expertise and advice for outdoor design, outdoor living and landscaping.^[26] As part of the relationship, Eduardo executive produced and starred in a popular webisode series "Hayneedle Your Home" for the e-retailer.^[27] The relationship continued throughout the fall with a new campaign, "Countdown to Company", in which Eduardo gave decorating and entertaining tips to prepare for guests during the holidays.^[28]

Xol has become a respected voice in both the Hispanic and English language markets, having partnered with companies such as the Ford Motor Company, Sears, Waterford Crystal, The Occasion Group/Taylor Corporation and DirecTV.^[29]

Books

HarperCollins published Eduardo’s first book in the Spring of 2007 titled “Home Sense”, which was awarded the Best Self-Help Book at the 2008 International Latino Book Awards.^[30][31][32] His second book, “Extreme Entertaining Made Simple”, was published by the Penguin Group in the fall of 2008, and focused on entertaining for the senses and is one of the few lifestyle entertainment titles to include a CD of originally composed and licensed music.^[33][34][35]

Charity work

Eduardo Xol brings his wealth of diverse artistic training and education to many charities, especially to his role as co-founder of the ALUMI Media Group, a non-profit organization that brings alternative learning through media arts to students in underserved communities in the Los Angeles area.^[36]

His philanthropic work has also made an impact on a national level. Eduardo has worked with the Lupus Foundation of America to increase public awareness as part of the Band Together for Lupus Campaign.^[37] An avid supporter of the Lupus Foundation, Eduardo has been committed to this particular cause as his sister Monica has been living with lupus for the past ten years. He recently created a garden oasis for his sister as part of his web-series for Hayneedle.^[38]

Eduardo has been an avid supporter of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) over the years and has shot public service announcements as a part of the “Be an Ally & a Friend” public education campaign in both English and Spanish (with actresses Sofía Vergara and Zoe Saldana).^[39][40] Eduardo has also recorded a public service announcement for the Michigan Humane Society and has worked in conjunction with The Trevor Project, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.^[41]

References

External links

• Official Site
• Eduardo Xol at the Internet Movie Database