Daisy Fuentes
{{Short description|Cuban-American actress and model (born 1966)}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Daisy Fuentes
|image = Daisy Fuentes 2013 Alma Awards.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Fuentes at the 2013 Alma Awards
|birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1966|11|17}}
|birth_place = Havana, Cuba
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_cause =
|nationality =
|citizenship = Cuba, Spain, United States
|other_names =
|known_for = First Latina MTV VJ
|television =
|education =
|alma_mater =Bergen Community College, Paramus, New Jersey (majored in Communications)
|occupation = {{hlist|Model|television host|actress|weather presenter}}
|years_active = 1983–present
|height =
|spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Timothy Adams|1991|1995|reason=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Richard Marx|2015}}
}}
|partner =
|children =
}}
Daisy Fuentes (born November 17, 1966){{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/20031117.html|title=Today's Highlights in History|work=The New York Times|date=November 17, 2003|access-date=January 12, 2018}} is a Cuban-American model, television host, actress and former weather presenter.{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Perez-Feria|url=http://hudsonmod.com/daisy-in-full-bloom/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109111444/http://hudsonmod.com/daisy-in-full-bloom/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 9, 2016|title=Daisy Fuentes 'Just getting Started'|website=HudsonMod|date=July 26, 2012|access-date=October 25, 2018}} Fuentes became MTV's first Latina VJ (signed to MTV and MTV Latin America simultaneously) and Revlon's first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract.{{cite web| title = 1modelagency| access-date = August 8, 2009| url = http://www.1modelagency.com/models/daisy_fuentes.htm}}{{cite web|url=http://www.telemundo47.com/fotos/Daisy-fuentes-conducira-la-voz-Kids-ninos-competencia-musical-267588221.html|title=Telemundo 47|access-date=August 8, 2009}}
Early life and education
Daisy Fuentes was born on November 17, 1966, in Havana, Cuba, to a Cuban father and Spanish mother. In 1969, when Fuentes was three years old, her family fled the country to escape Fidel Castro's regime and moved to Madrid, Spain.{{cite web|url=https://cubansinamerica.us/prominent-cuban-americans/art-entertainment/daisy-fuentes |title=Fuentes, Daisy - Cubans in America |accessdate=27 February 2023 |website=www.CubansInAmerica.us}} Four years later, she moved with her family to Harrison, New Jersey, US, where she attended Harrison High School, was voted homecoming queen and "best looking", and graduated in 1984.{{cite book |last1=Riggs |first1=Thomas |title=Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television |date=2007 |publisher=Cengage Gale |location=Detroit, MI |isbn=978-0-7876-9050-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L-VkAAAAMAAJ |language=en}} An aspiring hairstylist, she enrolled in cosmetology school with dreams of opening her own salon.{{cite web|url=http://www.happi.com/articles/2009/03/daisy-fuentes-style-pro|title=Daisy Fuentes, Style Pro|last=Cosgrove|first=Joanna|publisher=happi.com|access-date=1 September 2011}} Later, she enrolled at Bergen Community College where she majored in communications.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Career
While still a college student, Fuentes was hired to present the weather at WNJU-TV 47, the local affiliate of Spanish-language TV network, Telemundo. Shortly after, Fuentes took a position with New York's Univision affiliate WXTV-TV 41 where in addition to being the weather anchor, she reported for the evening news.
In 1988, in addition to her weather duties, Fuentes hosted MTV Internacional,{{Cite web|url=https://entretenimiento.terra.cl/tv/daisy-fuentes-te-acuerdas-de-esta-sexy-vj-de-mtv,17b69864db83e310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html|title=Daisy Fuentes, Terra.cl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221234013/https://entretenimiento.terra.cl/tv/daisy-fuentes-te-acuerdas-de-esta-sexy-vj-de-mtv,17b69864db83e310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html|archive-date=2016-12-21|url-status=dead}} a one-hour Spanish language music show that aired in Latin America and the U.S. on Telemundo Network which made her well known in the Spanish-language TV market in the U.S. and Latin America. Fuentes joined MTV in 1993, becoming the first Latina VJ in the U.S., while also hosting shows for MTV Latin America. While at MTV Fuentes was also a host of the fashion and modeling series, House of Style. She became one of that network's more popular hosts and soon was courted by companies to be a spokesmodel.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/galleries/mtv_vjs_where_are_they_now/mtv_vjs_where_are_they_now.html|title=MTV turns 30: MTV VJs: Where are they now?|date=1 August 2011|publisher=NY Daily News|access-date=31 August 2011|location=New York}}{{cite web| title = Film| access-date = 2009-08-09| url = http://www.film.com/celebrities/daisy-fuentes/biography/14766840}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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 making her the only female host of the show. 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,as well as Baywatch. Also in 2000, she starred opposite Steve Borden (professional wrestler 'Sting') in the made-for-TV movie Shutterspeed.
Fuentes has appeared on many magazine covers and has starred in na
television advertisements 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.{{cite web| title = Latina Viva| access-date = 2009-08-11| url = http://www.latinaviva.com/50226711/daisy_fuentes_in_fitness_magazines_september_cover_she_talks_about_latin_women_body_image_and_curves.php}} In 2005, Fuentes appeared on the three page cover of People en Español's "50 most beautiful" women.People en Español Fuentes has hosted numerous TV shows and specials.{{cite web| title = Entertainment Drive| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://www.edrive.com/edrive03/celebs/daisy-fuentes/index.html}}{{cite web| title = Myfoxny| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://media.myfoxny.com/green/daisy.html}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
In 2004 Fuentes successfully launched the first clothing line bearing her name.Wilson, Eric and Barbaro, Michael. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/business/yourmoney/17vera.html?pagewanted=3 "Can You Be Too Fashionable?"], June 17, 2007. Accessed December 3, 2007.
File:Daisy Fuentes at Heart Truth 2009 runway.jpg show|alt=A brunette woman wearing a strapless red dress poses on the end of a fashion runway]]
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2009/01/daisy-fuentes-from-vj-to-style-pro/|title=Daisy Fuentes, From VJ To Style Pro|date=9 January 2009|last=Ellenberg|first=Celia|publisher=style.com|access-date=1 September 2011}} Her workout game for the Wii, Daisy Fuentes Pilates, was released in August 2009.{{cite web| title = G4TV Pilates Game for WII| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://g4tv.com/games/wii/61875/daisy-fuentes-pilates/index/}}
Each year Fuentes sells about $300 million worth of goods, including hair care, fragrances, clothing, sunglasses, and accessories at Kohl's department stores.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/fashion/selling-eyeglasses-even-in-contacts.html|title=Adding Glitter to Eyeglass Frames|last=Brodesser-Akner|first=Taffy|author-link=Taffy Brodesser-Akner|date=5 August 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=30 August 2011}}
Fuentes signed a prescription-eye wear licensing deal with Zyloware for a women's Latina-driven collection of prescription glasses.
Currently, Fuentes is co-presenter of La Voz Kids on Telemundo,Miller, Michael (May 5, 2015). [http://www.people.com/article/daisy-fuentes-relationships-men-dating-health "Daisy Fuentes Knows What Men Want: Comfort and Confidence!"]. People. the Spanish-language TV version of the show The Voice with kids and judges Paulina Rubio, Prince Royce, and Roberto Tapia.
Fuentes offered relationship advice on the "Matty's Dating Advice Corner" segment of the Fantasy Focus podcast with Matthew Berry.Carter, Caitlin (August 4, 2014). [http://www.musictimes.com/articles/8359/20140804/mtv-33-anniversary-our-favorite-vjs-then-and-now-carson-daly-daisy-fuentes-chris-hardwick-and-more.htm "MTV's 33rd Anniversary - Our Favorite VJs Then and Now: Carson Daly, Daisy Fuentes, Chris Hardwick, And More"]. Music Times.[https://www.espn.com/radio/play/_/id/10125210 ESPN's "Fantasy Focus Football"] ESPN Radio. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
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.{{cite web| title = Daisy Fuentes Biography| website = Answers.com| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://www.answers.com/topic/daisy-fuentes}}{{cite web| title = Celebrity Athletes| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://athletes-celebrities.tseworld.com/entertainment/hosts/daisy-fuentes.php| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811233139/http://athletes-celebrities.tseworld.com/entertainment/hosts/daisy-fuentes.php| archive-date = 2011-08-11| url-status = usurped}} 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.{{cite web| title = Social Miami| date = 16 May 2009| access-date = 2009-08-08| url = http://www.socialmiami.com/socialeyes/St-Jude-Angel-and-Stars-Gala.asp}} 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.
Fuentes currently{{when|date=September 2020}} hosts "A New Leaf" on NBC Saturday mornings, sponsored by Ancestry.com. "A New Leaf" will follow everyday people on the cusp of key life inflection points, using family history, genealogy and sometimes DNA analysis to help guide them on their journey of self‑discovery. Along the way, viewers will learn about different cultures as our featured guest uncovers new information about their family's heritage. Each week, "A New Leaf" will teach viewers the importance of appreciating and understanding their family history in order to make important decisions and enact positive changes in their lives. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=13929 |title=Circuit | Los Angeles |publisher=Jewish Journal |access-date=2011-11-10}}
Personal life
Fuentes considers Harrison, New Jersey, to be her home, even though her parents left New Jersey for Miami.{{cite web|url=http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/chh/bio/fuentes_d.htm |title=Daisy Fuentes Hispanic Heritage |publisher=Gale.cengage.com |access-date=2011-11-10}}
Fuentes was married to actor and model Timothy Adams from 1991 to 1995. She met Luis Miguel when she interviewed him that same year; the pair dated for three years before breaking up in 1998.{{cite news|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/slideshow/latino/entertainment/2010/10/06/women-luis-miguel/#slide=1|title=The Women of Luis Miguel|access-date=2 September 2011 | work=Fox News|date=2010-10-06}} She went on to date singer/songwriter Matt Goss, and he moved into her Hollywood Hills home, and they were engaged in 2003 but did not marry and broke off the relationship in January 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/01/22/daisy_fuentes_is_back_on_the_market_|title=Daisy Fuentes Is Back On The Market|date=22 January 2010|publisher=starpulse.com|access-date=2 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072338/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/01/22/daisy_fuentes_is_back_on_the_market_|archive-date=5 February 2012}}
Fuentes started dating singer/songwriter/producer Richard Marx in August 2013. On December 23, 2015, Fuentes and Marx officially married.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/richardmarxmusic/photos/a.181896790554.155690.170148395554/10153921062390555/?type=3&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/170148395554/10153921062390555 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Wedding Announcement|publisher=Richard Marx Music Official Facebook|date=December 25, 2015|access-date=December 25, 2015}}{{cbignore}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20121231040010/http://www.mtv.com/videos/shows/house-of-style-collection/789036/ep-40-daisy-fuentes-swimsuit-shoot.jhtml Daisy Fuentes] at the Music Television (House of Style)
- {{IMDb name|0004942|Daisy Fuentes}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.worldpokertour.com/players/?x=profile&poker-player=1849 |title=World Poker Tour profile |access-date=2006-02-08 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110132443/http://www.worldpokertour.com/players/?x=profile&poker-player=1849 |archive-date=2006-11-10 }}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fuentes, Daisy}}
Category:Female models from New Jersey
Category:American women in business
Category:Participants in American reality television series
Category:Actresses from Havana
Category:People from Harrison, New Jersey
Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States
Category:Cuban people of Spanish descent
Category:Bergen Community College alumni
Category:American people of Spanish descent
Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent
Category:Spanish people of American descent
Category:Opposition to Fidel_Castro
Category:Actresses from New Jersey