Maiah Ocando
{{Short description|Venezuelan actress}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Maiah Ocando
| logo =
| logo caption =
| image =VFSC.png
| caption = Ocando hosting Vanity Fair{{'}}s official viewing party and Tweet Up for the Emmys 2015
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| nationality = Venezuelan
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Entertainer, author, fashion designer, actress, internet personality
| website =
| pseudonym =
| channel_handle = MaiahOcando
| channel_display_name = Maiah Ocando
| years_active = 2011–present
| genre = {{Hlist|Comedy|fashion|beauty}}
| subscribers = 790 thousand
| views = 48.5 million
| associated_acts =
| silver_button = yes
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| stats_update = 10 July 2022
}}
Maiah Ocando is a Venezuelan actress and Internet personality now living in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Quendrith|title=ArcLight Women First-Ever Summit: Gretchen McCourt, Geena Davis, Cathy Schulman & More|url=http://awfj.org/awards-intelligencer/2015/11/09/arclight-women-first-ever-summit-gretchen-mccourt-geena-davis-cathy-schulman-more/|website=Alliance Of Women Film Journalists/|accessdate=3 July 2016}} She studied Fashion Design at the Brivil Institute{{cite web|last1=Martínez Santiso|first1=Andreína|title=Maiah Ocando: "Apuesto más al estilo que a la moda"|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/escenas/Maiah-Ocando-Apuesto-estilo-moda_0_124790092.html|website=El Nacional|accessdate=17 September 2015|archivedate=26 January 2013|language=Spanish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126052426/http://el-nacional.com/escenas/Maiah-Ocando-Apuesto-estilo-moda_0_124790092.html}}{{cite web|last1=Crisci|first1=Fabiana|title=Maiah Ocando: "El buen gusto como el paladar se pule"|url=http://www.guayoyoenletras.net/index.php/2012-08-06-05-07-46/personaje/101-maiah-ocando-el-buen-gusto-como-el-paladar-se-pule-por-fabiana-crisci|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826010101/http://www.guayoyoenletras.net/index.php/2012%2D08%2D06%2D05%2D07%2D46/personaje/101%2Dmaiah%2Docando%2Del%2Dbuen%2Dgusto%2Dcomo%2Del%2Dpaladar%2Dse%2Dpule%2Dpor%2Dfabiana%2Dcrisci|website=Guayoyo en letras|accessdate=17 September 2015|archivedate=26 August 2012|url-status=dead|language=Spanish}} and Filmmaking at the School of Cinema and Television in Caracas.{{cite web|last1=Cabello|first1=Anngie|title=Solo para ellas: el Visto Bueno de Maiah Ocando|url=http://comunicacionesdospuntocero.com/2014/08/07/solo-para-ellas-el-visto-bueno-de-maiah-ocando/|website=Comunicaciones Dos punto Cero|accessdate=17 September 2015|language=Spanish|archive-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920031934/http://comunicacionesdospuntocero.com/2014/08/07/solo-para-ellas-el-visto-bueno-de-maiah-ocando/|url-status=dead}} She is the host of the YouTube webshow Visto Bueno and writer of the book series of the same name. She co-created and hosted the online series She Looks Like,{{cite web|title=She Looks Like: La nueva serie de Maiah Ocando|url=http://estilove.com/she-looks-like-maiah-ocando/|website=EstiloVe|accessdate=1 October 2015|language=Spanish|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202095604/http://estilove.com/she-looks-like-maiah-ocando/|url-status=dead}} hosted "Holiday House"{{cite web|title=MiTú makes a name for itself in Latino creative community|url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/mitu-holiday-house-latino-influencers/|website=The Daily Dot|date=25 December 2014}} and was featured as a co-host on the TV and online series Vive El Verano for NBC Universo.{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=NBC Universo Pacts With Mitú for 'Vive el Verano' Shortform Series Starring Latino YouTubers|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/nbc-universo-mitu-youtube-vive-el-verano-1201553579/|website=Variety|date=30 July 2015|accessdate=1 October 2015}}
In 2014 Ocando signed a talent development deal with Disney-ABC for artist's services as a host for a future television show.
Early work
In 2011, Ocando contributed as a stylist{{cite news|title=Planetaurbe estrena serie grabada sólo con celular|publisher=Extra Anzoátegui|date=16 August 2011}} for the world's first online sci-fi series filmed entirely using only mobile phones.{{cite web|last1=Orozco|first1=Gisela|title=Yo Visto Bueno: Consejos prácticos de moda|url=http://www.vivelohoy.com/entretenimiento/8333024/yo-visto-bueno-consejos-practicos-de-moda|website=Vívelo Hoy|accessdate=21 September 2015}} The project, titled Planeta N8, was one of three finalists in the P&M Awards 2012,{{cite web|title=Planeta N8|url=https://vimeo.com/52502189}} and was developed for the Nokia N8 advertising campaign.{{cite web|title=Serie juvenil Planeta N8 fue grabada enteramente con equipos Nokia N8|url=http://www.ciberespacio.com.ve/2011/09/telecom/serie-juvenil-planeta-n8-fue-grabada-enteramente-con-equipos-nokia-n8/|website=Ciberespacio|accessdate=21 September 2015|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130005634/http://www.ciberespacio.com.ve/2011/09/telecom/serie-juvenil-planeta-n8-fue-grabada-enteramente-con-equipos-nokia-n8/|url-status=dead}}
Ocando's first webshow was Umoda TV,{{cite web|last1=Ruiz Leotaud|first1=Valentina|title=Cruzada web de la moda|url=http://www.revistadominical.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/cruzada-web-de-la-moda.aspx|website=Revista Dominical|accessdate=17 September 2015|language=Spanish|archive-date=7 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007111056/http://revistadominical.com.ve/Noticias/Actualidad/Cruzada-web-de-la-moda.aspx|url-status=dead}} covering emerging fashion designers, makeup artists, photographers and supermodels for the region. The series was featured on Planetaurbe TV, the first online TV network for youngsters in Latin America.
Before that, Ocando was a singer, who released a rock-pop album in 2005 titled A través de mis ojos{{cite web|title=Todos tenemos un pasado: Maiah Ocando|url=http://www.erikatipoweb.com/entretenimiento/maiah-ocando/|website=Erika Tipo Web|accessdate=21 September 2015}} ("Through my eyes"). The album contained ten songs, for which Ocando was the vocalist.{{cite web|title=Maiah: A través de mis ojos|url=http://sincopa.com/rock_pop/cdinfo_rock/maiah_1atraves.htm|website=Sincopa|accessdate=21 September 2015}}
''Visto Bueno'' and other projects
Ocando's Visto Bueno series was nominated for two Streamy Awards 2013 as Best International Series and Series of the Year;{{cite web|title=3rd Annual Winners and Nominees|url=http://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/3rd-annual-nominees/|website=Streamy Awards|accessdate=21 September 2015}} in 2014 in Fashion, First Person and Entertainer of the Year categories;{{cite web|title=4th Annual Winners and Nominees|url=http://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/4th-annual-nominees-winners/|website=Streamy Awards|accessdate=21 September 2015}} and again in 2015 in Fashion.{{cite web|title=5th Annual Winners & Nominees|url=http://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/5th-annual-nominees-winners/|website=Streamy Awards|accessdate=21 September 2015}} She was the first Latina to be nominated three years in a row,{{cite web|title=Maiah Ocando fue nominada a los Streamy Awards de Hollywood|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/arte-y-entretenimiento/140818/maiah-ocando-fue-nominada-a-los-streamy-awards-de-hollywood|website=El Universal|accessdate=21 September 2015|language=Spanish}} and hers was the only Spanish-speaking show nominated.{{cite web|title=La venezolana Maiah Ocando vuelve a ser nominada a los Streamy Awards|url=http://cochinopop.com/noticias/tv-2/la-venezolana-maiah-ocando-vuelve-a-ser-nominada-a-los-streamy-awards/|website=Cochinopop|accessdate=21 September 2015|language=Spanish}}
Ocando's content was featured on a regular basis on AOL,{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=AOL Pacts with MiTu, as Hispanic Online Network Keeps Expanding Beyond YouTube|url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/aol-pacts-with-mitu-as-hispanic-online-network-keeps-expanding-beyond-youtube-1201065894/|website=Variety|date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=5 October 2015}} Huffpost video, and the Uvideos platform.{{cite web|last1=Shaw|first1=Lucas|title=Univision Turns to MiTU for Short-Form Videos About Food, Culture and Beauty|url=http://www.thewrap.com/univision-turns-mitu-short-form-videos-food-culture-beauty/|website=The Wrap|date=16 December 2013 |accessdate=5 October 2015}} The Venezuelan website La Patilla{{cite web|title=Visto Bueno #23: Cómo vestirte según el tamaño de sus senos, por @MaiahOcando|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2013/03/15/visto-bueno-23-como-vestirte-segun-el-tamano-de-sus-senos-por-maiahocando/|website=La Patilla|date=15 March 2013 |accessdate=5 October 2015|language=Spanish}} and the Venezuelan TV channel Globovision also featured her work.{{cite web|title=Maiah Ocando te ayuda con tu estilo sin quedarte limpio|url=http://www.elpropio.com/fama/Maiah-Ocando-estilo-quedarte-limpio_0_422357778.html|website=El Propio|accessdate=5 October 2015|language=Spanish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201002111/http://www.elpropio.com/fama/Maiah-Ocando-estilo-quedarte-limpio_0_422357778.html|archivedate=1 February 2016}}
In 2014, Ocando landed a talent deal with ABC{{cite web|last1=Aguilar|first1=Dubrawska|title=Venezuelan videoblogger Maiah Ocando to participate in Pitbull's digital series|url=http://www.panamericanworld.com/en/article/venezuelan-videoblogger-maiah-ocando-participate-pitbulls-digital-series|website=PanAmerican World|accessdate=17 September 2015|archive-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706010224/http://panamericanworld.com/en/article/venezuelan-videoblogger-maiah-ocando-participate-pitbulls-digital-series|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Venezolana formará parte de Gentlemen's Code, nuevo proyecto de Pitbull|url=http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/estilo-de-vida/entretenimiento/venezolana-formara-parte-de-gentlemen-s-code--nuev.aspx#ixzz3m0casIYN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010101/http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/estilo%2Dde%2Dvida/entretenimiento/venezolana%2Dformara%2Dparte%2Dde%2Dgentlemen%2Ds%2Dcode%2D%2Dnuev.aspx#ixzz3m0casIYN|website=Últimas Noticias|accessdate=17 September 2015|archivedate=15 October 2014|url-status=dead|language=Spanish}} and moved to LA to continue working on her projects.{{cite web|last1=Laporte|first1=Nicole|title=How MiTú brought modern, latino-focused content to YouTube, and Hollywood|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3032953/how-mitu-brought-modern-latino-focused-content-to-youtube-and-hollywood|website=FastCompany|accessdate=17 September 2015}} She also signed a deal the same year to take part in the digital show Gentlemen's Code alongside the rapper Pitbull,{{cite web|title=El nuevo dueto de Pitbull no será musical…|url=http://la.eonline.com/venezuela/2014/el-nuevo-dueto-de-pitbull-no-sera-musical-fotos/|website=E! Online|date=13 October 2014 |accessdate=21 September 2015}} accompanied by Shira Lazar, Brittany Furlan, Simone Sheperd and Kandee Johnson. In September 2015, Ocando signed an endorsement deal with Ford Motors U.S.{{cite web|title=Maiah Ocando firma como imagen de importante marca de automóviles en Estados Unidos|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/03/10/maiah-ocando-firma-como-imagen-de-importante-marca-de-automoviles-en-estados-unidos/|website=La Patilla|date=10 March 2014 |accessdate=21 September 2015|language=Spanish}} It was also announced that NBC Universo had teamed up with several Latino social media stars to launch the series Vive el Verano, which has Ocando amongst its stars.{{cite web|last1=Contreras|first1=Milly|title=NBC Universo Teams up With Mitú's Latino YouTube Stars for New Series 'Vive el Verano'|url=http://www.latinpost.com/articles/69363/20150801/nbc-universo-teams-up-with-latino-youtube-stars-for-series.htm|website=Latinpost|accessdate=21 September 2015}}
For the 2015 Streamy Awards, Ocando was chosen by VH1 to be their promotional image.{{cite web|title=La Venezolana Maiah Ocando conducirá la viewing party oficial de los Emmys 2015|url=http://www.noticierovenevision.net/estrenos-y-estrellas/2015/septiembre/20/136479=venezolana-maiah-ocando-conducira-la-viewing-party-oficial-de-los-emmys-2015|website=Noticiero Venevisión|accessdate=21 September 2015|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131205000/http://www.noticierovenevision.net/estrenos-y-estrellas/2015/septiembre/20/136479=venezolana-maiah-ocando-conducira-la-viewing-party-oficial-de-los-emmys-2015|url-status=dead}} She also hosted Vanity Fair{{'}}s official viewing party and Tweet Up for the Emmys in 2015.{{cite web|title=Maiah Ocando conducirá la "Viewing Party" de los Emmy|url=http://www.2001.com.ve/en-el-chisme/110225/maiah-ocando-conducira-la--viewing-party--de-los-emmy-.html|website=2001|accessdate=21 September 2015}}
In July 2016, Ocando signed a content development deal with Univision. As part of the deal, Ocando and her partner, writer/producer, Gabriel Torrelles, created and starred a portfolio of new series on beauty, fitness, relationships, fashion and DIY projects aimed at multicultural millennial women in America, as well as serve as their digital correspondent, creating social content and formats for platforms such as Snapchat and Facebook Live.{{cite web|last1=Parga|first1=Monica|title=Conoce a Maiah Ocando, en preguntas de 10 segundos y sin filtro|url=http://www.univision.com/estilo-de-vida/trending/conoce-a-maiah-ocando-en-preguntas-de-10-segundos-y-sin-filtro/|website=Univision.com|accessdate= October 7, 2016}} In September 2016, Ocando joined the team of Noticias Univision #EdicionDigital.{{cite web|last1=PR|first1=Univision|title=Univision estrena noticiero digital multiplataforma: revive la primera emisión|website=Univision.com}}
In December 2016 Dear Maiah, a digital series starring Ocando, premiered. It was developed in collaboration with Fullscreen's AT&T Hello Lab,{{cite web|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2016/11/01/att-hello-lab-instagram/|title=AT&T Hello Lab Teams With Social Media Stars For Three New Shows On Instagram|website=Tubefilter|date=November 2016 |accessdate=March 21, 2017}} with Ocando serving also as executive producer and creative consultant for the series. A digital spin on an advice column, Dear Maiah encouraged Ocando's fans to ask her questions relating about everyday life. The show received nearly 3.3 million total video views, and was a finalist for "Best Use Of Instagram" and "Mobile Campaign" at the 9th Annual Shorty Awards in March 2017.{{cite web|title=The Ninth Annual Shorty Awards|url=http://shortyawards.com/9th/finalists|website=Shorty Awards|accessdate= March 21, 2017}}
In the spring of 2017, Ocando and Torrelles created a podcast called No sé, dime tú (I don't know, you tell me) which comments on pop culture, current events and their lives as immigrants fighting for the American dream in Los Angeles. The podcast was named one of the "9 Latinx Podcasts You Should Be Listening To Right Now" by Latina Magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.latina.com/9-latinx-podcasts-you-should-be-listening-right-now|title=9 Latinx Podcasts You Should Be Listening To Right Now|website=Latina|accessdate=November 1, 2017}}
Books
In 2013 Ocando signed a deal with Editorial Cadena Capriles and launched a collection of six books based on the Visto Bueno series. The collection sold out in six weeks. The digital version of the series reached #1 on Amazon in US, Spain and Mexico, and stayed on the best seller list for several weeks.{{cite web|title=Los libros "Visto Bueno" triunfan en las ventas digitales|url=http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/chevere/tendencias/video---los-libros-visto-bueno-triunfan-en-las-ven.aspx|website=Últimas Noticias|accessdate=21 September 2015|archivedate=February 2, 2016|language=Spanish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202145107/http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/chevere/tendencias/video---los-libros-visto-bueno-triunfan-en-las-ven.aspx}}
Personal life
Ocando is in a longtime relationship with writer and producer Gabriel Torrelles,{{cite web|title=Maiah Ocando y Gabriel Torrelles|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/arte-y-entretenimiento/150214/maiah-ocando-y-gabriel-torrelles|website=El Universal|accessdate=17 September 2015|language=Spanish}} whom she started dating in 2005 and married in 2014 in Los Angeles, and who is the co-creator and producer of Visto Bueno.
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Nominated !Award !Result |
|---|
| 2013
| 2013 Best International Series | {{nom}} |
| 2013
| 2013 Audience Choice Finalists for Series of the Year | {{nom}} |
| 2014
| 2014 First Person | {{nom}} |
| 2014
| 2014 Entertainer of the Year | {{nom}} |
| 2014
| 2014 Streamy Award: Fashion | {{nom}} |
| 2015
| 2015 Streamy Award: Fashion | {{nom}} |
| 2017
| 9th Annual Shorty Awards: Best Mobile Campaign | {{nom}} |
| 2017
| 9th Annual Shorty Awards: Best Use Of Instagram | {{nom}} |
References
{{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ocando, Maiah}}
Category:Spanish-language YouTubers
Category:Venezuelan emigrants to the United States
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Beauty and makeup YouTubers
Category:American comedy YouTubers
Category:21st-century Venezuelan actresses
Category:Actresses from Los Angeles
Category:Writers from Los Angeles
Category:21st-century Venezuelan women writers
Category:21st-century American women