While Wilmer Valderrama is best known for  his role as “Fez” or his player ways, I recently learned there was another side to this Venezuelan cutie. I ran into him and a host of other Latino celebs while attanding the annual Cielo Latino AIDS fundraiser gala. That’s right, gala AKA I had to get all dressed up.

Cielo Latino is an annual event thrown by the Latino Commission on AIDS to raise money and awareness about AIDS as it affects our community. It’s the largest fundraiser event trageted specifically to us and it was an honor for me to attend and rub elbows with the likes of Rosie Perez, Wilmer Valderrama, Dayana Mendoza (Former Miss Universe), Lupe Ontiveros and MTV Tr3’s own Carlos Santos.

Ok, so I had a start struck moment with Wilmer AKA Fez. He’s so friggin cute in person (though a lil short for me). I harrassed his bodyguard relentlessy until he took a picture of us together. Then I realized the flash wasn’t working and I started all over again with someone else’s camera (pic coming soon). But long before those shenanigans, I did actually speak to Wilmer on his activism and his message for our youth regarding AIDS. Check out what he had to say under after the jump…How do you feel about being picked to co-host the event?
It’s really an honor. Rosie Perez and Dayana Mendoza are great friends of mine. It’s very special to come together to not only celebrate our Latin culture, but also educate the public about the importance of HIV awareness.

Have you been affected personally by the disease?
Yes. I have done volunteer work and met countless children that have the disease and who have touched my heart. The majority of the people affected aren’t just getting the disease through sexual relations. There are a number of ways to be contracted with the illness and for me it’s important to support events like these to come together and try to take everything seriously.

Speaking of visiting hospitals, do you have any upcoming volunteer work you want to talk about?
No, not right now. I have traveled to Iraq and several countries to do volunteer work and right now I am working on a movie about post tramatic stress syndrom, which is a very important topic as well. There are a lot of soliders that are coming back from war with a lot of mental and physical issues. The movie follows two soliders that are battling to get adjusted to life in the States after war. We filmed in New Mexico with America Ferrera. It’s a very important movie titled “The Dry Land.”

Any other projects?
Yes. I just wrapped a movie that comes out in September called “Days of Wrath” with Lawrence Fishburne. The movie talks about violence in our neighborhoods.

What was the best part of filming it?
Playing the bad guy. I was the villian in this movie.

You like playing the bad guy?
Well in the beginning of my career I always did comedic roles. It’s important for me to keep it different.

Do you have a message for the youth?
Yes. Be strong. To help each other and educate each other. We are all in this struggle together.

Photos via Getty & Yanira Arias