“Humility is what makes us great”
When Zuleyka Rivera appeared on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York, during the presentation of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee at the 60th Grammy Awards with the song Despacito, the former Puerto Rican Miss Universe captured the attention of all the spectators.
The audience was amazed at Zuyleyka’s choreography, as in the video of the song, and ever since they saw her in the video clip, they wanted to imitate her steps. Just minutes after her appearance, she became a trend in social networks and the moment was recorded in the history of what was at that time a moment to choose the best and most listened radio in 2017.
This is how Zuleyka, a recognized model, actress, and businesswoman, surprised us at the 2018 Grammys. In this second edition of Estylo we spoke with her about this experience, her professional projects, her facet as a mother and, of course, her altruistic work in Puerto Rico, the island where she was born on October 3, 1987, and that was devastated last year by Hurricane Maria.
For the former Puerto Rican Miss Universe her success is the result of her daily work to achieve her goals. She is surprised by her talent and her self-determination to fight for her dreams of being better professionally and personally.
You recently took it a step further by being hired exclusively by the Telemundo Network for various presentations. How has the experience been so far?
Working for Telemundo for me has been a new beginning and without a doubt a great challenge. My professional preparation leaned more to the acting angle, something totally different from the presentation where people want to see you transparent and how you are. However, it has been a great experience that I longed for with all my heart. Nothing makes me happier than working and preparing myself daily to achieve my goals and give my son the best.
Working for Telemundo, you were excited to interview Will Smith in Los Angeles. What impressed you the most at that meeting?
Wow! First for me, it was surprising to interview such a figure that for a long time I saw in films and I admire very much. But let’s see, what surprised me the most was his humility. I loved him, I love him and I will love him. It fascinates me that he is that way because it confirms to me that humility is what makes us great.
Since you arrived in Miami with your son Sebastian José, 5 years old, what has been your biggest challenge?
I had and enjoyed a wonderful childhood in a town in Puerto Rico, where I could enjoy great natural beauty, neighbors who met every afternoon to run and play. Being able to combine my profession, which is in a big city, and being able to give him {an experience} as close to my childhood because that’s what I know, for me it has been one of the biggest challenges of living and being able to raise a child in a city.
Your work requires you to travel a lot. How do you succeed in being a mom and at the same time continue with your artistic career?
Who says not to have time for something, is because they are not interested in it. I value every moment with Sebastián José, as I value every moment of my work; but this job would not have been the same without my parents … his grandparents go out of their way to look after him and despite the hustle and bustle of my work, Sebastian is always in the best hands … now when I’m in Miami with him I do not leave him … he is my everything.
Zuleyka How are you in love?
Fine and you? -risas- With my 30 years I have decided to focus on me and whatever comes will come. The less focused I am on finding love, the better I do professionally. I am sure that soon I will reach a happy medium, and the right person will arrive to make an explosive combination and continue to devour the world.
Days ago you were present at the 60th celebration of the Grammy Awards, you stood out among the best dressed and your dance of Despacito with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. How has your life changed the experience of participating in the video of this theme?
These events that you mention as well as winning the Miss Universe, as well as having my own television program and other goals reached throughout my career, are the result of my doing my daily work to achieve my goals. It makes me feel very proud of myself, that at the end of the day is the only recognition I need, because I have always said that the day my dreams die of being a better professional and a human being, that will be the day my soul dies.
We also saw you participating in the Telethon to help the victims of Puerto Rico and said that your parents’ house in Salinas and your property suffered damages due to Hurricane Maria. Do you have any activity planned to continue helping your people?
In addition to the Telethon, we collect items for several weekends and fitness events with all the funds for Puerto Rico. This year we have 3 events on the fitness agenda as well, with half of the funds for the victims who still need so much help.
What message would you give to your Puerto Rican brothers affected by Hurricane Maria?
My Puerto Ricans are strong people … we are standing up. The best advice for them is to wake up every day with the desire to take on the rest {of the task} and move on. Every cloud has a silver lining.
What projects do you have for this year?
This year my focus is Telemundo. Working on the projects that we have together, I am very happy with this family. On the other hand, I want to continue developing my business side, several things that have to do with fitness are in the works but everything is very premature for now.
What cchallenges have you proposed to achieve in this New Year?
Work, share with my family, travel and be happy.
Surely Zuleyka will achieve the goals she set for this year and will continue to surprise the audience with her work, Puerto Rican pride and motivation to carve out a sustainable space in the list of successful Latina women.
By: Trina Intoci Ochoa.
