Daisy Fuentes

Daisy Fuentes
Fuentes at the 2013 Alma Awards
Born	November 17, 1966 Havana, Cuba
Nationality	Cuban-American
Citizenship	United States, Spain
Alma mater	Bergen Community College, Paramus, New Jersey - (majored in Communications)
Occupation	Model and Hostess
Known for	First Latina MTV VJ
Spouse(s)	Timothy Adams (m. 1991–95) Richard Marx (m. 2015)

Daisy Fuentes (born November 17, 1966) is a Cuban-born American television host and model.^[1] Daisy Fuentes broke barriers as MTV's first Latina VJ (signed to MTV and MTV Latin America simultaneously), and as Revlon's first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract.^[2][3]

Early life

Fuentes was born in Havana, Cuba, to a Cuban father and Spanish mother.^[1] When Fuentes was three years old, her family fled the island due to political turmoil and moved to Madrid, Spain. Fuentes learned to speak English while watching I Love Lucy episodes. Soon thereafter, she moved with her family to Harrison, New Jersey, where she attended Harrison High School, was voted homecoming queen and "best looking", and graduated class of '84. Fuentes started modeling during her senior year in high school.^[3] An aspiring hairstylist, she enrolled in cosmetology school with dreams of opening her own salon.^[4] While studying communications at Bergen Community College, she was hired as the weather-girl for WNJU-TV, the Telemundo New York affiliate station. Shortly after, she moved on to New York's Univision affiliate where she became the weather anchor and reporter for the evening news.^[3]

Career

She was first hired in 1988 as the host of MTV Internacional, a one-hour Spanish language music show that aired in Latin America and the U.S on Telemundo Network. Later, Fuentes joined MTV in 1993, becoming MTV's first Latina VJ. She also was a host of the fashion and modeling series, House of Style, among other correspondent gigs. With MTV she achieved name recognition as one of that network's more popular hosts and soon was courted by companies to be a spokesmodel.^[5][6] She later landed a role on the ABC soap opera Loving. Fuentes appeared on shows such as Dream On, The Larry Sanders Show, and Cybill. From 1994 to 1995 she hosted her own talk show, Daisy, on CNBC. She was the co-host of America's Funniest Home Videos, along with John Fugelsang, from 1998 to 1999. She hosted the ALMA Award, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, the 1998 World Music Awards, the 1999 Billboard Latin Awards, and the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe pageants. She guest-starred in the TV series Queen of Swords episode "Running Wild" in 2000. Also in 2000, she starred opposite Steve Borden (professional wrestler 'Sting') in the made-for-TV movie Shutterspeed.

Daisy Fuentes has appeared on many magazine covers and has starred in nationally televised ads for Revlon, Pantene, American Express, M&M's and others. She was the first Mind, Body, Spirit Superstar, which was created to generate awareness of top women's health causes and work to promote change.^[7] In 2005, Fuentes appeared on the three page cover of People en Español's "50 most beautiful" women.^[8] Fuentes has hosted numerous TV shows and specials.^[9][10]

In 2004 Fuentes successfully launched the first clothing line bearing her name.^[11]

Fuentes modelling in the 2009 Heart Truth show

She made her debut in the haircare category with an all-natural hair care line called Daisy Fuentes Style Pro in March 2009 to mass retailers.^[4][12] Her workout game for the Wii, Daisy Fuentes Pilates, was released in August 2009.^[5][13]

Fuentes sells about $300 million worth of goods, including hair care, fragrances, clothing, sunglasses, and accessories at Kohl’s department stores each year.^[14]

Fuentes signed a prescription-eye wear licensing deal with Zyloware. Zyloware is an eyewear manufacturer that also has licensing deals with the American Idol judge, Randy Jackson, and Sophia Loren, for a women’s Latina-driven collection of prescription glasses.^[14]

Currently, Fuentes is co-presenter of La Voz Kids on Telemundo,^[15] the Spanish version of the show The Voice with kids and judges Paulina Rubio, Prince Royce, and Roberto Tapia.

Fuentes can be found offering relationship advice on the "Matty's Dating Advice Corner" segment of Fantasy Focus podcast with Matthew Berry.^[16][17]

Philanthropy

In addition to her work as an actress and model, Fuentes has become actively involved in charity, helping raise money for breast cancer research and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Daisy Fuentes speaks often in support of charities including the March of Dimes and Starlight Children’s Foundation.^[18][19] Fuentes has been the celebrity chairman for the annual St. Jude Angeles & Stars gala in Miami since its debut in Miami more than 7 years ago, raising millions of dollars for this organization.^[20] In 2007, Fuentes worked for Girls On the Run, a non-profit prevention program that encouraged preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.^[7]

Fuentes has also worked with many breast cancer awareness causes such as the Revlon / UCLA Women’s Breast Cancer Research program. She received an award at The Wellness Community West Los Angeles Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards dinner for her commitment to spreading breast cancer awareness, particularly in the Latino community.^[21]

Personal life

Fuentes considers Secaucus, New Jersey, as her home, even though her parents left New Jersey for Miami.^[22] She has one sister, Rosana Fuentes Brijbag (born June 25, 1971), who lives in Miami with her family.

Fuentes married actor and model Timothy Adams from 1991 to 1995. She met Luis Miguel when she interviewed him in 1995. The pair dated for three years before breaking up in 1998.^[23] She went on to date singer/songwriter Matt Goss. He moved into her Hollywood Hills home, and they were engaged in 2003 but did not marry.

On December 23, 2015 Daisy married singer/songwriter/producer Richard Marx.^[24]

References

1. Daisy Fuentes 'Just getting Started interview.
2. "1modelagency". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
3. "Worldofceleb". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
4. Cosgrove, Joanna. "Daisy Fuentes, Style Pro". happi.com. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
5. "MTV turns 30: MTV VJs: Where are they now?". New York: NY Daily News. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
6. "Film". Retrieved 2009-08-09.
7. "Latina Viva". Retrieved 2009-08-11.
8. People en Español
9. "Entertainment Drive". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
10. "Myfoxny". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
11. Wilson, Eric and Barbaro, Michael. "Can You Be Too Fashionable?", June 17, 2007. Accessed December 3, 2007.
12. Ellenberg, Celia (9 January 2009). "Daisy Fuentes, From VJ To Style Pro". style.com. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
13. "G4TV Pilates Game for WII". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
14. Brodesser-Akner, Taffy (5 August 2011). "Adding Glitter to Eyeglass Frames". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
15. Miller, Michael (May 5, 2015). "Daisy Fuentes Knows What Men Want: Comfort and Confidence!". People.
16. Carter, Caitlin (August 4, 2014). "MTV's 33rd Anniversary - Our Favorite VJs Then and Now: Carson Daly, Daisy Fuentes, Chris Hardwick, And More". Music Times.
17. ESPN's "Fantasy Focus Football" ESPN Radio. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
18. "Daisy Fuentes Biography". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
19. "Celebrity Athletes". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
20. "Social Miami". Retrieved 2009-08-08.
21. "Circuit | Los Angeles". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
22. "Daisy Fuentes Hispanic Heritage". Gale.cengage.com. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
23. "The Women of Luis Miguel". Fox News. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
24. "Daisy Fuentes Is Back On The Market". starpulse.com. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2011.

External links

• Daisy Fuentes at the Music Television (House of Style)
• Official website
• Daisy Fuentes at the Internet Movie Database
• "World Poker Tour profile". Archived from the original on 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2006-02-08.