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As a student at University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Delisi Araceli Duarte passes for any other person trying to get an education. This student, however has some exciting experiences outside of the classroom. Delisi Araceli is Miss Latina World 2008, a big accomplishment for any 25-year-old, or anyone else, for that matter. Delisi beat out around 20 other women from countries such as Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Spain to win the title.
Before winning, Delisi worked as a model and actress in Los Angeles, New York, and San Antonio, her hometown. She acted in episodes of That’s So Raven and Friday Night Lights, and in commercials for Univision and Telemundo. As a model, she walked the runway for fellow Latina Jennifer Lopez.
With these activities, as well as working full time in her father’s law firm, Delisi is already busy. These accomplishments, however, don’t include the one most dear to her - her charity work. If you happen to be attending a charity event in the San Antonio area anytime soon, and you see a Latina with a crown on, it’s possible that it’s Delisi.
Latinitas Magazine: In what ways has being Miss Latina World changed your life?
Delisi Araceli: I can honestly say that it has changed me as a person in general. You know, it’s not necessary to do a lot of charity work in your reign, but I wanted people to remember me as someone who gave back to the community. So I started off by doing a little bit of charity work, and then it just became a platform that I didn’t really think would become so large and so meaningful in my life...I enjoy giving back to people, and it’s such a blessing to give back to people and get that instant gratification with that smile and that hug and that thank you...Also, you know, you get to do some fun photo shoots as well!
LM: What is the best part of being Miss Latina World?
DA: The best part, I’d have to say is becoming a Latin role model. I would have never considered myself one in the past, but it kinda comes with the territory. It's definitely one of the best parts of my title, however working with the kids would have to be another one as well.
LM: Tell us about the community service that you do. Which are you most passionate about?
DA: There are two that I’m most passionate about. I’m actually a board member of the Catholic charity Guadalupe Home. Guadalupe Home is a home in San Antonio that can fit up to 10 mothers and 10 children. Basically it’s a place for single or homeless mothers to go when they are with child or they just had a child...They have people to care for their child, classes to help them learn how to take care of their child, they also help them get a job, get their life back in shape again, and give them that hope...The second charity would have to be Any Baby Can. Any Baby Can was one of the first charities I worked with with my title. They work with children that are disabled, and also their siblings and helping them cope with having a brother or sister that has special needs...They truly help in so many different ways.
LM: What made you decide to go back to school?
DA: When I came back from New York, I really had to regroup. I was somewhat successful in Los Angeles, and not as successful in New York, as I’d hoped...I needed my family. I needed some support, and I was just trying to figure out: What am I doing with my life?...One of my dad’s friends, Mr. Medrano, said, “...I think if you have a degree, even if you are successful in acting and modeling, it’ll still help you and it’s never too late to get an education. I believe in you so much, I will help you pay for your school if you go back.” As soon as he said that, I said, “Oh my God. I would be dumb not to take this opportunity.”
...When I did the Miss Latina World pageant, I did it specifically for the scholarship. The scholarship is $20,000. That’s a lot of money, especially for school...
LM: What is school like after being a model, an actress, and Miss Latina World?
DA: At first, it was intimidating...When I first started, I was really nervous, because I didn’t know what to expect. So it was a little nerve wracking at first, and then I kinda got into the swing of things. I made sure I did my homework as soon as I got home...[For] one of my professors, we had to write a lot of papers...It would be a little difficult for me to find the energy and the time to write a 10 page paper. I had to be honest with my professor and say, “Listen, this is what I do." This helped because my professor would go over a paper with me in advance. Due to my schedule, I had to stay ahead in class, or I'd fall behind...I enjoyed it! I had so much fun in school...I learned something new on a daily basis...
LM: What is the key to juggling school, work, your Miss Latina World duties, your friends, and your family?
DA: A good calendar! I put everything on my iPhone, on my calendar at work, and my calendar at home. When I’m on the go, I can look at my phone and be, “Ok. What am I doing?” When I’m at work, and I don’t have my phone out, I can look at my calendar, and remind myself what I’m doing. When I go home, and I’m going to bed, and I’m trying to remind myself, I just look at my calendar. If I always have a calendar around me, I can visually see: Ok, I have so many days to do this. Also, I’ve learned from my mistakes too. Obviously, I will only do two appearances in one day,at the most. Anything more than that exhausts me.
LM: Who are your role models?
DA: Salma Hayek, for sure. That lady has done everything! She’s an actress, she’s her own executive producer, she has this company and that company...I want to be that person that can say, “Yes, I’m an actress, but I can also produce my own movie...” [Sonia] Sotomayor, who may possibly be the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice. She is obviously a wonderful role model. Not just for me, but for young Latin women everywhere...
LM: As a model and an actress, did you ever feel pressure to change your body?
DA: Of course. When I was in Los Angeles, I did modeling. I was 120 [lbs] and 5’7’’, and I felt like I was fat. I would workout in the mornings, I would workout in the evenings. I would do shakes. I would do protein bars. I would eat healthier than any person I’ve ever known. It was difficult, because I hated it...Just to make it from 120 to 115. When I was 115, I would look at pictures and I would think, “Oh my God! This is just too skinny. You could see my bones, and I’m Latin. I’ve got huge hips. How is this possible?” It was just the modeling industry, so I stopped doing runway, and that helped out a lot...I mean, if you were a size two, you were too fat...I started only working out once a day, and I let myself have a couple of bad meals. I got to be at a healthy weight, and I enjoyed it. Believe it or not, when I was at a healthy weight, I had more people interested in having me do print work, or event modeling...New York was even worse! Because they have a lot more runway models over there. I just took a little bit of time until I was able to appreciate my curves. I have huge hips. I can’t help it. I’m Latin, and I think it looks unnatural for a Latin woman not to have curves. I think if you embrace it and you’re happy, then that’s all that should matter...And then, go figure, when I [gained some weight], I became a J.Lo model for her first clothing line. I think that kinda helped a little bit. When J.Lo came out with her first clothing line, and it embraced those curves, I thought, “Oh my gosh! What am I doing? She wants me to embrace those curves.”
LM: What projects do you have lined up next?
DA: The Salvation Army is celebrating 120 years in San Antonio this month. They asked me to help promote that, and a program called Change for Change...Well, they brought the big, Alpha kettle of all kettles to San Antonio from Houston. It’s like this 6 foot tall, 6 foot wide kettle. The goal is to fill it with change...It’s something I’m proud of. I also started to host pageants. I’m going to host a pageant in October in Laredo, Tx. In June, I’m going to judge a Texas state pageant. Which is exciting. I’ve always been the one on the stage, and I finally get to judge somebody.
August 2009
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