Best Known As: The former host of MTV Internacional
A Cuban-American bombshell, Daisy Fuentes was one of the most visible MTV stars of the 1990s. Born in Havana, Fuentes went to high school in New Jersey and got her start reporting the news at New York station WXTV, the local affiliate for the Latin network Univision. In 1988 she became host of MTV Internacional and then went on to host House of Style and other shows on the music network. She also co-hosted (with John Fugelsang) America's Funniest Home Videos from 1997-2000 and became a regular presenter at beauty pageants and awards shows. In the 21st century she got a fresh burst of fame by appearing in infomercials for Winsor Pilates, a yoga-type exercise system.
Scoring a rare double, Fuentes has endorsed both Revlon cosmetics and M&Ms candy.
First Major Screen Credit: America's Funniest Home Videos (1990)
Biography
Striking actress and model Daisy Fuentes can attribute at least some of her fiery allure to her Latin roots. She was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1966, though she moved with her family to Madrid, Spain, when she was only three. Four years later, the Fuentes family relocated again, this time to Harrison, NJ. Fuentes grew to an impressive 5'10" tall and began reporting the weather for WXTV Channel 41 weather while studying journalism at Bergen Community College. She was promoted to evening news anchor by the time she was 19, at which point she was spotted by the folks at MTV. They recruited her to host MTV Internacional, which later became MTV Latino. Her lovely features and effervescent personality struck a chord with viewers everywhere, and Fuentes was soon appearing on shows all over the MTV universe, even trying out her acting chops with appearances on shows like Dream On and The Larry Sanders Show. She married beefy actor Timothy Adams in 1990, though the couple parted ways in 1994.
As Fuentes grew in popularity as an on-air personality, her name began to carry great value. She began a career as a spokesmodel, eventually associating her face and name with such brands as Revlon, American Express, Miller Lite, Pantene, and M&M's. She also hosted her own work-out video, made appearances on countless awards shows, music countdowns, and talk shows, and hosted America's Funniest Home Videos for three seasons. As the 2000s rolled in, Fuentes continued to surf on her notoriety, appearing on everything from I Love the '80s to Baywatch. In addition to her work as an actor and model, Fuentes has become actively involved in charity, helping raise money for breast cancer research and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
Daisy Fuentes (born November 17, 1966 in Havana, Cuba) is a Cuban-born Americanmodel and television personality. Daisy Fuentes broke barriers as MTV's first Latina VJ (Signed to MTV US and MTV Latin America simultaneously), and as Revlon's first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract.[1][2] Fuentes is an international TV personality, TV producer, fitness and beauty expert, and mogul. She is considered a role model for the growing millions of Latina-American women in the U.S.[3]
Fuentes was born in Havana, Cuba to a Cuban father and Spanish mother. When Fuentes was three years old, her family fled the island due to political turmoil and moved to Madrid, Spain. Years later, she and her family moved to Newark, New Jersey. Fuentes did not speak any English, and her Latino schoolmates had trouble understanding her heavy Castilian accent. Fuentes toned down her accent, and learned to speak English, while watching I Love Lucy episodes. Soon thereafter, she moved with her family to Harrison, New Jersey, where she attended Harrison High School, was voted Homecoming Queen, and graduated class of '84. Fuentes started modeling during her senior year in high school. While studying communications at Bergen Community College, she was hired as the weather-girl for WNJU-TV, the Telemundo New York affiliate station. Shortly after, she moved on to New York's Univision affiliate where she became the weather anchor and reporter for the evening news.[2]
Daisy Fuentes has appeared on many magazine covers and has starred in nationally televised ads for Revlon, Pantene, American Express, M&Ms and others. Fuentes also appeared in Fitness magazine's September cover. 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.[5] In 2005, Fuentes appeared on the three page cover of People en Español's "50 most beautiful" women.[6] Fuentes has hosted numerous TV shows and specials such as The Miss Universe Pageants, Fashionably Loud, America’s Funniest Videos, MTV’s House of Style, CNBC Talk All Stars, Eco Zone, Ultimate Style, and Countdown To The Latin Grammys which earned Fuentes an Emmy for outstanding achievement as host.[7][8] Currently Daisy is set to host and Co-Executive produce the nationally syndicated show American Latino.[9]
In 2004, Fuentes successfully launched the first clothing line bearing her name, sold exclusively by Kohl's Department Stores.[10] In June 2007, her clothing line came under intense scrutiny after the National Labor Committee reported that they were using a Guatemalansweatshop to produce their clothes. According to Charles Kernaghan, director of the NLC, the factory workers earned $0.90 to $1.12 per hour. In response, Kohl's stopped selling a few styles in Daisy's clothing line.[11]
On August 4, 2009, the video game Daisy Fuentes Pilates was released for the Wii. It is the first pilates game for the console.[12] Fuentes is writing her first book, entitled Unforgettable You, to be published by Simon and Schuster in the Spring of 2010.[13]
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.[14][15] Fuentes has been the celebrity chairman for the annual St. Jude Angeles & Stars gala in Miami since its debut in Miami more than 5 years ago, raising millions of dollars for this organization.[16] Fuentes has also worked with many breast cancer awareness causes such as the Revlon / UCLA Women’s Breast Cancer Research program. 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.[5]
Fuentes 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.[18]
