In a candid interview this week, a prominent star from Chicago P.D. revealed the playful nickname his co-stars gave him during the early days of filming—long before he underwent a major physical transformation that has since caught fans’ attention.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar, who portrays Detective Kevin Torres on NBC’s hit series, spoke openly about the camaraderie on set, sharing how his colleagues affectionately teased him about his appearance. “They used to call me ‘Tiny Torres,’” Aguilar admitted with a laugh. “It was all in good fun, and honestly, it kept the atmosphere light during some of the more intense scenes we were shooting.”
The actor’s confession comes as fans continue to notice the striking changes in his physique over the past few seasons. Aguilar has been candid about his dedication to fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness—elements that have not only enhanced his on-screen presence but also contributed to a personal transformation he describes as life-changing. “I knew I wanted to be healthier, stronger, and more confident,” he explained. “The nickname became almost ironic once I started seeing the results of my hard work.”
While the nickname may sound teasing, Aguilar emphasized the supportive nature of the cast. “Everyone on Chicago P.D. has been incredibly encouraging. Even when they were joking, it was never mean-spirited. We all push each other to be better—not just in acting, but in life,” he said.
Fans of the series have long admired Aguilar’s portrayal of Torres, noting his ability to bring depth and nuance to a character who often grapples with high-stakes investigations and moral dilemmas. Yet behind the scenes, his journey has been equally compelling. The actor credits his transformation to a combination of disciplined workout routines, a balanced diet, and a mental commitment to self-improvement. “It wasn’t just about looking different; it was about feeling different—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” he remarked. Aguilar’s revelation has sparked a wave of social media conversations, with fans praising both his dedication and his ability to embrace humor on set. Clips and images from earlier seasons are being shared widely, highlighting just how far the actor has come since being dubbed ‘Tiny Torres.’
The Chicago P.D. ensemble is known for their close-knit relationships, and Aguilar’s story offers a glimpse into the playful dynamics that help make the show feel authentic on-screen. As the series continues, viewers can expect to see the actor tackle even more challenging storylines, all while carrying the confidence that comes from hard work and camaraderie.
Reflecting on his journey, Aguilar offered advice for anyone looking to make a significant life change: “Embrace the process, laugh at yourself along the way, and don’t be afraid of a little teasing—it just means you’re part of a team that cares.” With his nickname now a badge of honor rather than a jest, Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s story serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that transformation is possible with determination, support, and a sense of humor.
Quick on the heels of famously sassy, phrase-turning R&B singer and reality TV star Tamar Braxton’s announcement her recently released album, “Bluebird of Happiness,” will be her last — at least for a while — and news that her husband, music executive husband Vincent Herbert, founder of Streamline Records, was legally ordered to pay Sony more than $3.7 million to settle a lawsuit over a 2013 advance, the couple hoisted their grandly proportioned and glamorously appointed Mediterranean mansion in Calabasas, Calif., up for sale at $15 million.
The Herbert-Braxtons, married in late 2007 after about five years together, purchased the 13,716-square-foot mansion inside the double-gated Estates at The Oaks enclave in April 2013 for $10.5 million and public records show since then there have been several notices of default filed and subsequently canceled against the two-acre spread that provides a total of seven bedrooms and nine full and two half bathrooms between the main house and poolside guesthouse.
Wrought iron and glass front doors open to an entry vestibule and foyer with black and white floral-patterned inlaid floor and a floating, wrought iron railed staircase that curves up to the bedrooms on the second floor. The main living and entertaining space makes a great sweep across the rear of the residence with gleaming wide-plank hardwood floors laid in a classy chevron pattern.
A central gallery with glossy grand piano is flanked to one side by a lounge with semi-circular sofa in front of an ornate fireplace and to the other by a “champagne bar” modeled after The Dorchester Hotel in London with tufted velvet sofas and a stately wood-paneled ceiling.
Arched French doors open the vast space to an immense, stone-paved loggia with retractable canvas shade awnings and a bowling alley-length dining table that easily seats at least two-dozen al fresco diners. With elaborately carved cabinetry, granite countertops and a super-sized commercial-style range under a hand-hammered copper hood, the kitchen is open to a spacious informal dining area that, in turn, opens to a family room with fireplace and French doors to the backyard.
The three-story mansion’s creature comfort also include a home theater, a game room, an office, a wine cellar with tasting room and, unsurprisingly, a recording studio along with an elevator, an camera-equipped security system, a gentlemen’s lounge with authentic barber chair, a mirror-walled gym and a subterranean parking garage that will accommodate over a dozen cars. The mansion makes a U-shaped embrace around a broad and grassy courtyard with swimming pool and spa beyond which a soccer pitch-sized lawn gives way to a panoramic view over rugged ravines and undeveloped mountaintops.
Some of the other, equally sized and similarly luxurious estates in The Estates sections of The Oaks are owned by reality television’s Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian, Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Jay McGraw, elder son of extraordinarily well-compensated TV therapist Dr. Phil McGraw, and his Playboy model wife Erica Dahm.