Queens model wins SiTV’s contest

Elora Perez’s family and friends anxiously watched the final episode of SiTV’s “Model Latina NYC” on Monday, October 25 to find out who won.
To their surprise, Perez was announced as the winner of this year’s competition.
“It was very exciting,” said Perez, who is from Rosedale. “I couldn’t tell them anything. I could only tell them I was in the finale.”
SiTV, an English-language network geared toward the Latino community, premiered its third season of their modeling competition “Model Latina” on August 4.
As part of the modeling competition, Perez spent a month living in a Manhattan loft with 12 other aspiring models, competing in style and catwalk challenges. Perez said this was the first time she had spent time away from her family, whom she is very close with, especially her mom.
As the winner of “Model Latina,” which was set in New York City, Perez won $25,000 and a modeling contract with Q Model Management.
The 21-year-old Queens native of Dominican and Panamanian heritage auditioned in Queens Center Mall for a spot on the show. Perez said she had no previous modeling experience.
“I said why not? Then I got casted into the show,” Perez said during an August interview with The Queens Courier.
With no previous experience, Perez said at times she felt like the underdog, but slowly gained confidence as she moved further in the competition.
Since winning the competition over the summer, Perez said she is more confident, and that now she no longer cares if people say mean things about her.
“Before the show I would have been intimidated,” Perez said. “I would have gone home and cried.”
But now, Perez said that it doesn’t matter what others say.
“You have to find peace with yourself,” she said. “I’ve gained confidence.”
Maria Perez-Brown, head of programming and executive producer of “Model Latina,” said the show was created to provide role models for young Latinas.
“My advice is to put your fear aside, fear can keep you from doing a lot of things in life,” Perez-Brown said.
Aside from working on promos for the show, Perez said her life is pretty much the same, even though she is still excited for what will come next.
“It’s pretty fine and back to normal,” Perez said.