‘Nuestra Belleza Latina’ Winner Vanessa De Roide Discusses the Horror of Twelve Girls and One Bathroom [INTERVIEW]

Vanessa De Roide is the latest winner of Univision’s incredibly popular reality competition 'Nuestra Belleza Latina.' Translated into English it means “Our Latin Beauty.”

Winning the contest means De Roide will be the newest member to the Univision network. Not only will she appear on select Univision shows, she will grace the cover of Cosmopolitan Español and she will appear in the 2012 edition of People en Español’s “50 Most Beautiful People."

Vanessa took a moment to discuss her future goals, Nuestra Belleza Latina and what she'll be doing next.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am from Carolina, Puerto Rica and I am 24 years old. I studied Public Relations at the University of the Sacred Heart. Right now I am living with my mother and brother.

Tell us about the Nuestra Belleza Latina contest

It is a reality show. It is really about showing the heart of the girl and who can win the competition. We have challenges that we had to face that tested us both mentally and physically. It tests out each girl to see how strong we are to be in the television industry. Each week we had challenges that went on for three months.

It (the competition) was 24/7 with twelve girls, one bathroom, and one room. Living with them was very hard because we all had very different personalities. It was very hard. It was not a typical pageant.

Why did you decide to become a contestant?

The very first thing was to have the opportunity to work with Univision in TV. And also they had $250,000.00 in cash and prizes. So that was very good motivation for me to enter.

What was the competition like with the other women?

It was very hard because there were times that one day we were friends and the next day we were enemies. We had “catfights” because we are all very different. It is like a family, we fight but then we are all happy.

Every reality show has a villian. Was there anyone like that on your show?

Well, I think that we all wanted the same thing. We were all at some point being bad, but one person in particular? No, no I don’t think so.

Can you tell us the details of the Univision contract ?

It is $250,000.00 in cash and prizes and a one year contract with Univision. Now I will wait to see what Univision will determine on what show will be the best for me. I would like to get into anything that has to do with Entertainment or News.

What are your career goals now that you won this contract with Univision?

Well first, I want to take classes for diction. I want to talk better and how to express myself. I want to work in entertainment, maybe 'El Gordo y la Flaca' or maybe 'Despierta America'. I don’t know where they are going to put me. I really want to work to learn from them. It has been a great experience. I want to thank all the people who have supported me, because it was by voting also. Many people voted for me and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be the queen. So I want to thank everyone. The audience really supported me and I’m very, very thankful for them.

How tough was it participating in a competition that not only judges votes, but the television audience gets a vote as well?

I was just trying to be myself. I just wanted people to know me by who I was. We didn’t have any email, cell phones, internet, or any connection with anyone. That was very good because we just only concentrated on ourselves. I wanted to be myself and be real. If people saw my fear on a challenge then they would see my fears and how I would react. I wanted to connect with the audience by being real.

You are also going to be included in the 2012’s People en Español’s coveted “50 Most Beautiful People” edition. Congratulations.

Thank you. This has been an honor. This has been the most beautiful thing that ever happened because I am going to be in that magazine and also on the cover of Cosmopolitan en Español. I am like in heaven. I have never thought that I would be in this moment. I am very thankful for this opportunity.

Is there anyone that you look up to as a role model in the entertainment industry?

I love Roselyn Sanchez. She is my inspiration. She first won on a beauty pageant and then starting dancing and acting. I really want to be just like her. People compare me to her also. I don’t know if it is because of my black hair or my face.

We heard you have plans to move to Miami. Personal or professional reasons?

Currently, I live in Puerto Rico, but all of the Univision studios are in Miami. So I want to be where the work is, so that is why I am going to Miami.