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Model Latina Winner Makes Herstory

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Season I of Si TV's Model Latina came to an end last night with Jessica Caban chosen as the chica rockin' the most beauty, brains and culture. The 5'5" Bronx-based boricua got her start in the industry at 19, as the runner-up for Jennifer Lopez's model search and was later featured in a fashion spread for YM magazine. In 2002, she was featured in N.Y.-based merengue rappers Proyecto Uno's "Holla" video before hosting BET's Viva Americana for a year. After her parents told her about auditions, Caban made sure she was first in line.

Season I of Si TV's Model Latina came to an end last night with Jessica Caban chosen as the chica rockin' the most beauty, brains and culture. The 5'5" Bronx-based boricua got her start in the industry at 19, as the runner-up for Jennifer Lopez's model search and was later featured in a fashion spread for YM magazine. In 2002, she was featured in N.Y.-based merengue rappers Proyecto Uno's "Holla" video before hosting BET's Viva Americana for a year. After her parents told her about auditions, Caban made sure she was first in line. I guess the early bird really does get the worm. SiTV.com chatted with the self-described rice and beans lover to find out what's next on her plate.

SITV.COM: What was it like living in L.A. with the rest of the ladies?
JC: It was awesome being able to talk to girls who can relate to being turned down at auditions because you're too short, too chunky, and you don't have light eyes or blond hair. It gave me more incentive.

SITV.COM: Was there less drama than say America's Next Top Model?
JC: I think there was more. Latinas naturally have more sazon. Victoria and Karina would get into it. People have opinions, but Latinas are passionate and take it to another level. At the end of the day, we'd brush it off our shoulders. No one held grudges.

SITV.COM: Who were the most interesting people you met on the show?
JC: I really liked Franco Lacosta, one of the judges. He inspired me with the advice he gave me at each elimination and helped me grow with each challenge. It was cool to see a Latino doing his thing, representing his culture well. And he was gorgeous.

SITV.COM: What was your favorite challenge?
JC: The music video. I won that challenge. I love that it didn't exploit women. It was for Mexican rapper Veze Skante's video about a woman who represents the ideal model to him. Jessy Terrero, who's big-time, directed it.

SITV.COM: So you didn't feel like a piece of meat?
JC: No, everyone was professional—the director, the artist—they came and introduced themselves. I didn't make too much side conversation. I was just there to do my job. If you respect yourself, people respect you.

SITV.COM: How was your final challenge?
JC: I wasn't feeling too well that day, so it was stressful. We had to direct, produce and star in a fashion show. We did everything—met with the designer [Eduardo Lucero], got clothing to the set, put up chairs, got the models ready, dressed them, undressed them, and then dressed ourselves and ran out there. It was crazy. If I were to lose to anyone, I wouldn't mind losing to Darlenis.  She's the type of girl who's thinking about the future. She wants to open a youth center and give back to her community. I still talk to her.

SITV.COM: So what now?
JC: I've been doing a lot of auditions for print ads and commercials, background work for Law & Order, and I'll probably do a show for Si TV. I want to go through doors that ordinarily wouldn't open for me because of my height. Ultimately, I want to start my own production company and provide a platform for young Latino actors.

SITV.COM: Your hair is bananas. How do you keep it so fly?
JC: I learned from my mistakes. I used to have blond highlights and streaks, and use mouse and all this crap. I dyed it back to my original color, let it grow out, and kept trimming it. Even if it's just half an inch, trim you hair! I try not to use a blow dryer. Another secret for all my Latinas: put olive oil in your hair! It works like a moisturizer and washes right out. It's the bomb.

SITV.COM: Well, you definitely taught this Latina a thing or two. Congratulations!

Comments

we love you jessica, congrats.

the girl that didnt get eliminated tonight 11/25 is FN HOT.. ! guy from Vegas..

The judge that said that girl has "MAN" hands looks like a MAN.. total SHEMAN... LOL

jc just want to say STUNNING. you look beautiful.. now let me get a bottle or 2 of that remy ... gurlllll.... congrats.

OMG.. I JUST SAW MY GIRL ON A POSTER ALL OVER THE BARRIO! JESSICA YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!!! REMY MARTIN JUST SPIKED THERE SALES WITH YOU ON THOSE POSTERS...LOL... THAT RED DRESS AND YOUR HAIR AND MY GOD THAT FINE AZZ GUY GIRL YOU LOOK AMAZING.... SO PROUD OF YOU AND WANT TO WISH YOU MORE AND MORE SUCCESS.. FROM YOUR FAM AND FRIENDS OUT HERE IN THE HOOD. ROCK IT GIRL CAUSE YOU GOT IT.. :)

JESSICA, JESSICA, JESSICA, JESSICA !!!

JESSICA CABAN THE FIRST EVER MODEL LATINA. YEYYY.\r\nEL BARRIO LOVES YOU AND THE BX LOVES YOU TOO. YOU REPRESENTED UP IN THAT HOUSE. YOUR STILL JESI FROM THE BLOCK! GO GIRL. LOVE YOUR MUSIC VIDEO AND WHEN YOU SANG THE CHORUS THAT WAS AWESOME.

Loved you on latination, complex and of course ML you are just beautiful and your hair is just BUD. please tell us what shampoo you are using and what lipstick... I love your lips.

OH and By the way I LOVE Your nose and your BOOBS. No one can change! Jessica, Jessica, Jessica ... WE LOVE YOU... can't wait to see more of your projects keep up the good work.... COMPLEX WAS AWESOME! GO BORRICUA..

I want to tell Jessica Caban that this is part of the industry. when one makes a difference and others become jealous you have to expect them to write negative remarks about you because there is no other way for them to express themselves. What they really want to say to you, you are beautiful and I am angry that I can not stand next to you cause you just stand out and make me look like a MONKEY or a DONKEY. Jessica this kind of effect that you have on others only tells me one thing, that you have arrived into stardom. CONGRATS! People Love You. lol.

B\r\n E\r\n A\r\n U\r\n T\r\n I\r\n F\r\n U\r\n L\r\n Love you.

I think you're an ugly ***. *** off you Nuyorican piece of ***. You only won because those other nuyorican bitches sold out darlenis. *** you and your welfare kind.

congrats to you Jessica... a job well done, wishing you all the best.

OMG... I saw Jessica on the train and I have to say You are so beautiful... even more so in person... I want to tell you that I watched the show from the begining and you were my first pick... so happy you won I believe that you deserved and earned the tittle of ML. Good Luck and hope that you can succeed in HOLLYWOOD !!!\r\nanother FAN... MAYA.

this comment below me is so right. Thank you for inspiring me to hang in there and that anything is possible if you dont give up. You have been trying to make it since the JLO contest and look at you now. You are beautiful.

Hey Jess,
I think you are awesome you are a role model for every latina girl and women out there struggling with the usual negative stereotypes and therefore give up chasing their dreams and it is great that every once in a while you can see with one person how far people can get chasing their dream and even though Im only 16 I hope that later on when Im old enough I can participate in one of these competitions and do as good as you did so that on my way I can inspire others as well. And prove to myself and others that trying to reach your dream can in the end be worth it.

Daniela

hi jessica, i just wanted to explain to the haterz how i understand why they are hatin. when you are born with natural beaty it is totally impossible to hide the sex appeal. jessica i watched that episode in ml that the fat judge was like saying your too sexy. well i understand what you were going through cause i have the same thing. i was born with natural sex appeal and people hate you for it cause they notice how everyone has to look at you and you don't even have to make an effort to be noticed. anyway, jessica take your natural beaty and make the best of it. best of luck !

just read your Q/A. Congratulations to you and all the other models! Wish you the best of luck in the future =]]]]\r\n\r\n - Whitman 818

whats good cuzo you look mad sexy ;;;jacob ;;;\r\n

mira bella... tu eres la mas bella.. te amo. yo quiero decirte que tu eres la modelo latina y nada te lo puede quitar.. que dios te vendiga jessica.

I LOVE YOU JESSICA! YOUR #1 FAN. CHINO!

hey i saw jessica on the latination show and i also saw her on a commercial for burlington. jessica you look amazing!! i think that you are so pretty and talented you spoke so well on latination and how you talked about your family and had no shame in saying that your family is poor and this is why you work so hard. can not wait to see the second season of ml and hope that you are part of it cause you are the first ml...lol..

you are so beautiful. i watched the show and i watched latination. congrats on your win and best wishes to you. dave.

hi jessica i watched the show model latina and i have to say that you were my first pick. i was so happy when you won i know that you are one of the most real girls in that house and you deserve to win i saw your latination show and i think that you looked beautiful i hope that all your dreams come true and wish you lots of success. your magazine spread is beautiful and i know you will do great..

hey i watched latination and i just wanted to say you are so sweet and well grounded. i love how you said you and your mom changed cans and you did what you had to do. you look like the type that had everything handed to you and after watching the show i was really impressed with your story it is truely the classic diamond in the rough story... wishing you all the best. your fan Mark... OH AND THAT MUSIC VIDEO IS THE BOMB...LOL.

congratulations!!! you rocked it in miami and i was so touched and inspired by you, you are truely an amazing person. i wish you the best in all that you do... lot's of luck and besos to you.

congrats on all your success you were my pick on ML i just knew you would be either the winner or runner up and you won. I love the spread and i will be watching Latination. God Bless.

www.LatiNation.tv/wheretowatch
Calling all Jessica Caban Fans!!! While I am still constructing her Fabulous #1 Fan website for you. Where you will find info., photos & more... I thought I would give you an update on her. Check her out THIS SUNDAY on LatiNation on MY9 @ 3:30 or 4pm (she is the featured story & it is first) I WILL BE WATCHING.
Love Your #1 fan
Alberto

OMG... AWESOME... you look gorgeous! Jessica you are truly beautiful.

hey check out Jessicas' 5 page spread in Duo Magazine. go to DuoMagazine.com then scroll down and click on subscribe then scroll down and click on browse latest issue and then click on the one with Jessica Cabans name on it. Congrats!!! you look amazing.

dear Jessica the haters are back! they don't know weather to hate on you or si tv. lol. these girls are pathetic!i say get a life! it don't matter what any of you LOSERS say! Jessica won and YOU can not change it!! now what i do want to say is that i went to school with jessica and if anything she might of had a reduction cause she always had BIG BOOBS! and i want to say get a life you losers do something with yourself and stop talking shyyt!jessica is a georgous girl she has always had haters so it's not new to her... she knows how to handle you LOSERS! LOL. girl stay strong. maria.

NO!! I am in lLOVE with HER!!!!!

I am in LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jessica YES they are RIGHT!!! you look exactly like a SEX SYMBOL! you remind me of those actresses from back in the days and i have to say your body and your face just captivates and demands attention. your video was done in a very professional and tasteful way with very well known people. i must say that i enjoyed watching the show it was great and i have to say the judges were so funny i was actually routing for jessica from the begining you were one of my favorite and i was really happy jessica keep working hard because they won't be able to keep you back for long. lol... good luck!!! fan.

pues mira que NO! ML is Beauty, Brains, Bravado... and i have seen WORST in your spanish NOVELAS from your pais.ML has come together to show that we can do TASTEFUL videos and not let this industry or individuals take advantage of women. ML showed nothing more then what you see on TV today or at the BEACH sometimes you go to other PAIS and in the streets you see more. this is the reason why we need these type of opportunity to stop porn. to show the next generation THAT there is a right way to show there beauty and how to express there art.. the winner was Super Inteligente..Good Luck Si TV.

this show looks more SEX LATINA then model latina entiendo que quieren ratting gente que vea el show pero deberian buscar aparte de cara bonita una persona inteligente, en mi pais model latina es alguien que pueda inspirar a la nueva generacion que tenga un titulo universitario o que este en la escuela no nada mas haciendo videos de la manera que MODEL LATINA hace se ven mas como pornografia barata y pienso que si siguen esa linea no de le doy mucho tiempo de vida a ese show

jessica i love the pictures in Latina magazine you look awesome i want to say i watched the show and you really did well you held it down even when the critizium was so harsh i was screaming at the tv...lol... you did good girl. don't listen to the negative people you are not the only one they put down... congrats!!!

jessica i met you in the new york auditions i have to say thank you so much for the advice and the support i have to tell you that i made it to the house and i am so excited just to think that i am here and i never thought that i would be picked it is just an awesome feeling. i now know why you were so happy and grateful for being able to participate in ml1. good luck in your future and i hope to see you for ml2. you are an amazing person and so positive i know that you will be doing great things. god bless. and i have to keep my name anonymous you know how it is.lol.

your body is SICK!!! I would love to meet her. Oh and STOP HATIN .. this girl is HOT!

calling all jessica fans!!! google jessica and you can see all the great things she's done and doing representing her latino culture! yeah baby. your fan Frankie!

Jessica you are too beautiful! Si TV got it right!!! lol.. haterz only do this to FAMOUS people so Hey consider yourself FAMOUS!!HAHAHA. one fan Tone

Jessica you are a very beautiful girl, if you even read all the garbage these people write on the site please don't take it personal. these are people that have no jobs and mean nothing! you in the otherhand are very busy and if you get no gigs or if others are doing better is not what matters. I have to say Si TV got it right and if you have a few rotten apples that don't agree then that's there opinion. obivously the JUDGES made there decision and No One can change that! I have to say Thank You to Si TV for this site and giving SOME deserving Latinas a chance.

jessica we are very happy that you won. by watching the show i can tell that it was not easy. you prayed and comforted most of those girls on the show and this is what i fell in love with your caring for others. i did pick you from the begining and i am really happy for you congrats. good luck in the future a fan Raymond.

Jessica we are going to start a FAN Club for you and this way your fans can join and not have to be bothered with haterz. it does not matter what these haterz say! these girls are down right biotches and they are just hatin on the winner. Jessica just watch the show it's all right infront of your nose you won FAIR AND THAT IS THAT! all the other girls were so dumb and silly and some lied on TV it's just riduculous on how you would lie on TV.... STUPID! Jessica and Darlenes are the winners, but it all came down to who had more experience. and I have to say Jessica had more. Amor to you both.

Sorry... CHARGES. \r\n\r\nA.T

Dear Jessica my name is Andrew Taylor and if you want to stop this Campaign on destroying your name and character in this business please just write to me here by saying YES I WANT TO BRING CHRAGES.. and I will contact you in private by email. This should of been stopped a long time ago. I'm sure SiTV knows who's behind all this and they need to get involved.\r\n\r\nA.T

Hey if you want to talk about body parts!!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH VICTORIA'S FINGERS!!! they are SCARY n NASTY. Its like she has more bone than skin.

BEAUTIFUL... That is all I have to say! \r\n\r\nby John.

Honestly you are stupid, Jessica has a beautiful nose. it's what makes her unique. you are a serious hater which one are you? Jessica you did a hell of a job, you did your business and are deserving of your tittle, don't listen to the lozers. I would like to see this B***H picture to see what she looks like we as LATINAS come with different features and that's what makes us SPECIAL Jessica you would totally look different if it were not for your nose. YOu are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL don't change for no one. I saw this girl in person and I have to say Jessica is not only beautiful but really sweet

Honestly, I think they made a bad choice on the winner. Take a look at her nose. It's as if she were a coke addict. I figured in order to represent the beautiful latinas of today, they should have pick someone with lesser flaws.

I LOVE AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL, SO WHEN I HEARD ABOUT "MODEL LATINA" I KNEW I HAD TO WATCH IT! AS I TUNED IN FROM THE VERY FIRST EPISODE, JESSICA INSTANTLY BECAME MY FAVORITE. I WATCHED EVERY EPISODE, AND CHEERED HER ON THE WHOLE TIME. NOT ONLY WAS SHE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, BUT SHE KEPT IT REAL, STAYED TRUE TO THE LATINA CULTURE, THE OTHER GIRLS, HERSELF, AND MOST IMPORTANT GOD, SHE PRAYED LIKE A TRUE LATINA WOMEN WOULD! THE GIRL DID THE DAM THANG, AND SHE ROCKED IT! CONGRATULATIONS CHIQUITA! YOU OWN THE "MODEL LATINA" TITLE!

SINCERELY,
CANDIS

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