Exclusive Interview with Model and former Miss PR Teen [Natalia Rivera]

[MPRUW] What impact has winning the Miss PR Teen title had on your career in modeling and mass media? [NATALIA] It was a big and important impact for my career and for my development as a role model and as a human being because I found out the true meaning of having CONFIDENCE and how that specific quality can take you directly to your destiny or place in life. I found the power that words have , so you could use them to communicate your true essence, intelligence, talent and personal experiences that can help other young people follow their personal dreams. Miss Puerto Rico Teen brought me lots of great offers and experiences in the modeling and acting industry, and of course, Ive found that passion to speak and communicate ideas as Host for different events with Editorial Televisa(La Chica Mark 2007, Cosmopolitan busca la Chica Tressemme),Elite Model Look, MDA Association, Anda Pal Cara(for PRHFW07) and Luis Santiagos events as well. All of this special offers have helped me grow to be a better person each day and to meet people that in the future can help me get to where I plan to go in life. [MPRUW] Many of our visitors want to see you representing Puerto Rico internationally in a pageant like Miss Universe or Miss International. What do you tell them? [NATALIA] Well, I really feel honored that they see that I have the required qualities to represent Puerto Rico, and from my experience, the best feeling is when you have your country in your chest and KNOW you are giving it all and making your country proud. I love pageants, and I cant say I wont compete again, because you always learn something new and it teaches you things and values that college education cannot, but right now my priority is to study in Sagrado Corazon, finish a Chilean soap opera that is in the making here in beautiful Puerto Rico and prepare myself for a future and solid acting career. But I consider that all of this preparation can help me do a great representation if I choose to compete later on. I let it all in Gods hand. [MPRUW] If you were to chose a beauty queen from Puerto Rico as your favorite, who would you chose and why? [NATALIA] That is a hard question! All of our beauty queens have had their unique way to glow but, Id have to say Roselyn Sanchez because she has planted a positive and productive seed of success in the American ground by developing a solid acting carrer, she has been a great presenter in different important international events, but most important a strong woman who has fought for the position as an artist that she now owns; That is where I want to be, to be able to be successful in everything I do, to represent the talent, integrity, intelligence, and power we puertorricans have. [MPRUW] Recently, the international pageant scene has been shaken by incidents like Priscila Perales' [current Miss International] drunk driving intervention in Mexico. Do you think she should have been stripped from her title? If you could chat with Priscila about this incident, what would you tell her? [NATALIA] People make mistakes, but this industry does not forgive anybody. Beauty Queens are the example of how every woman should aspire to be: educated, intelligent, confident, successful, humanitarian, and most importantly, being able to make good decisions in life. I think that Priscilla is a beautiful girl and maybe if given a second chance she would learn from this experience and do a better representation of a complete and real beauty queen and spokesperson. Im nobody to judge anyones acts or decisions; so I would just talk to her positively, have a good conversation in general and just give her my advice on how important it is to maintain a good image in this industry.

[MPRUW] Have you ever experienced any type of sabotage to your participation in a pageant? [NATALIA] I think that every good competitor has had not so pleasant moments in the process of participation. Womans tend to be very malicious and maybe aggressive in their way of competing; I have always said that its got to be something in the hormones(jajaja). But in the end, you make the best of it,and personally Im the kind of person that plays clean and maintains focus in her personal development and how I could do better. I always have a tool box with me full of CONFIDENCE, TOLERANCE, PERSEVERANCE, POSITIVE VIBE and WORDS, FAMILY and FRIENDS, MAKE UP of course!(jejeje), but most importantly the SERENITY and COURAGE that GOD gives me each day to follow my dreams. [MPRUW] We know you participated in the casting process for the upcoming second edition of Univision's reality tv show, "Nuestra Belleza Latina". Tell us a little about that. [NATALIA] Oh my God! News travel fast! Well let me tell you guys that Im very excited with this pageant because it takes me directly to my professional interests that is acting and hosting, all of this with a little bit of runway and exercises that will help me to keep growing. I went to the last casting and brought a big bag with me, right? With everything I needed and it the last moment (I dont know how) I found a P.R Flag. So you could obviously guess that I was the only one who entered proudly with my Flag! I feel very comfortable and happy with the interview held by our gorgeous Cynthia Olavarria, Julian Gil(whom I did an acting scene with) and distinguished trainer of Beauty Queens Osmel Sousa. Starting this New Year I did a promise to myself: Work double harder with myself to reach every goal and opportunity given, prepare myself physically and mentally, help those in need of a hand and positive words, and to bring for the first time the title of NUESTRA BELLEZA LATINA! And if not, I just know that God has better plans for me and I will keep growing from these beautiful experiences from the work and industry I have dedicated myself to since I was 13 years old. Its my passion, and I will not rest until I get to where I want to be in life. Perseverance and determination will open the lock of Success. Never forget IT.