Courtesy of Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press.
Antonio Villaraigosa was the mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. Before taking part in a Zócalo event that asked “How Much Can We Expect of Our Leaders in Crisis?,” he spoke in the virtual green room about how he spends time stuck in traffic, his hidden talent, and the advice he has for young people going into politics today.
What’s your favorite Dodger Stadium memory?
Throwing out the first pitch. Usually if you’re a politician they boo you. But because I had just won, and I hadn’t taken office yet, people went wild.
I’m not a great athlete, and my security detail knew that. That week I had thrown the first pitch at a couple of Little League games, and both times I threw a wild pitch. So my security detail wanted to practice. I must have practiced for 15 minutes. That was it. And the next day I went to Dodger Stadium and threw a strike.
The following Saturday I went to another Little League game in Encino and threw a wild pitch. But I threw a strike when I needed it the most.
What was the last thing that inspired you?
I’m inspired quite frequently. Whenever I see an underdog overcoming the odds, it inspires me. If I see a movie about someone excelling beyond what they ever imagined, I get inspired. I just read a story about Chris Gardner, [whose story was turned into the film] The Pursuit of Happyness, and it inspired me. I remembered watching the movie and crying.
How do you pass time when you’re stuck in traffic?
I hate to say it, but I’m usually on the phone. Or listening to music—I love music. I listen to a lot of Latin music, but I’m very eclectic in my musical taste. So I listen to classical jazz. Sometimes even country. But I would say I listen to a lot of rap music. Hip hop.
Who’s an artist you’ve been listening to a lot?
Paloma and Bad Bunny.
What is your favorite L.A. hang-out spot?
I go hiking a lot. I used to hike almost exclusively in the Palisades. But because I live under the Hollywood sign, I hike a lot by the sign.
What’s a class that stood out to you as an undergraduate student at UCLA?
I think it was an English II class. I got into UCLA because of affirmative action … I started that class unsure if I [belonged at UCLA], and I left it with an A.
What’s your hidden talent?
I have unlimited energy.
Where does that energy come from?
I love life.
Last question: What advice do you have for young people going into politics today?
Don’t be cynical.