Mayra Verónica

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Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In this
Spanish name, the first or paternal surname
is Aruca and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.
Mayra Verónica
Verónica in 2021
Born
Mayra Verónica Aruca Rodríguez

(1980-08-20) 20 August 1980 (age 43)
Havana, Cuba
NationalityCuban American
Occupations
  • Singer
  • model
  • actress
  • television personality
Parents
  • Arturo Aruca (father)
  • Mayra Rodriguez (mother)
Modeling information
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Musical career
LabelsSyco[1]
Websitehttp://www.mayraveronica.com/

Mayra Verónica Aruca Rodríguez (born on August 20, 1980) is a Cuban singer, model, actress, and television public figure who became popular for her appearances on Spanish-language television.[2][3][4] Verónica's role in Univision's Don Francisco Presenta brought her to the attention of FHM magazine's US edition. After appearing in FHM, she was included in its 2004 calendar and went on to do additional magazine work. She has taken part in many Spanish-language television shows, as well as appearing in music videos and television commercials.[3]

In 2012, Verónica signed an exclusive worldwide co-publishing deal with

Warner Bros. Records.[5]
The Cuban-American's career has seen her grace the covers of FHM, Shape & Maxim, along with high-profile national ad campaigns with L'Oréal, Coca-Cola & Nike.

She is a spokeswoman for the

USO
.

Early life

Mayra Verónica was born in

Havana, Cuba, where her father was a member of Cuba's big band, Los Dada. At the age of six, she moved to Miami with her mother,[3] Mayra Rodriguez, leaving behind the rest of her family, including her father, Arturo Aruca, and sister, Giselle Guzman. Her father came a year later and reunited with Veronica and her mother, while her sister was unable to meet them until thirteen years later. Mayra grew up with little money and food was sometimes scarce.[3][4]

Pageants and modeling

Verónica continued school, and after joining a local beauty pageant and becoming Ms. Miami, the photographer who covered the event was captivated by Mayra's photos, and invited her to his studio for free sessions. Thus, Mayra obtained her first modeling book and signed with a local agent in Miami. The agent sent her to an audition for a local TV entertainment news show "Miami Hoy" (at the time Mayra was at Florida International University majoring in psychology and theater). She did not know much about being a reporter but determined she could act like one.[3]

She began as a correspondent but was promoted to celebrity hostess for Miami Hoy. She interviewed celebrities like

Media One) was bought by AT&T Corporation
and subsequently closed.

Verónica landed a

made-for-TV movie called The Suitor and did commercial campaigns for Nike, L'Oréal, and Coca-Cola. Univision announced a new show hosted by Don Francisco
. They wanted Verónica to be their model and co-host but with one catch. Due to her ample curves, her last appearance on screen for the day would entail her backside presented before turning around to face the camera, to which she gladly agreed. Once the show aired, the model with the great backside became the talk of Latinos everywhere, so much so, the American press became interested.

Cover girl

USO
asked her to tour with the troops.

USO tour

The

General James Cartwright, actor Wilmer Valderrama, and comedian Russell Peters, traveling to six countries in six days: Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Turkey, Africa, and Greenland. The troops' response was overwhelming and although Verónica had previously decided not to do any more calendars, she changed her mind and appeared on one in 2008, dedicating proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.[6][7]

Upon her return from the tour, she was described as a "modern-day Betty Grable".[8] Verónica continued touring with the USO and became an official spokesperson, appearing with then-President George W. Bush and Gary Sinise on a panel for C-SPAN about the organization.[7]

On July 2, 2009, the

USO and UNICEF
, and brought them to the bell-ringing ceremony.

Verónica continued her work with the troops by visiting the wounded at

Camp Lejeune
.

Music

Verónica collaborated on her first album with Univision Network in 2007, which was titled Vengo Con To (Comin' At Ya With Everything).

Universal Motown
, which put out a second single from the album titled "Mamma Mia". A third single, "Es Tan Dificil Olvidarte", dedicated to fallen troops, put Verónica in the top 10 on the pop contemporary charts. In 2014, Veronica's song "Mama Mia" was nominated for "Best Latin Dance Song of The Year" by the 29th Annual International Dance Music Awards (IDMA).

Verónica began 2010 on the cover of

Billboard Magazine again in July 2011, for the release of her new single "Freak Like Me", which reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Charts.[10] In March 2012, Mayra Veronica's video "Freak Like Me", featuring Antonio Sabato Jr. who plays Verónica's love interest, was added to MTV Hits & VHI Latin America on full rotation.[10]

Veronica's "Ay Mama Mia" The Remixes went number 1 on Billboard's

Hot Dance Club Play chart in March 2013. "Ay Mama Mia" was produced by Grammy-nominated producers, Dave Audé & Roy Tavaré. The video was directed by the Actor/Director Larenz Tate
. The original Spanish music video reached over 12 million views on YouTube.

Veronica's "MAMA YO!" is a collaboration with the Italian Electro Swing band The Sweet Life Society. The production is a remake of Carmen Miranda's "Mama Yo Quero". The electro-house track debuted on the US Billboard Dance/Mix Show chart and saw success in Europe and North America. The music video has over 10 Million combined views on YouTube.

Discography

Studio albums

  • 2007: Vengo Con To'
  • 2012: Saint Nor Sinner (Unreleased)

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Airplay
Heatseeker Songs
Dance/Electronic Digital Songs
2010 "If You Wanna Fly" 13 17 21 5 -
2011 "Freak Like Me" 3 18 – 28
2013 "Ay Mama Mia" 1 - - -
2014 "Mama Mia" - - - -
2014 "No Boyfriend (No Problem)"
(with Sak Noel, DJ Kuba & Neitan; featured vocalist) 		- 39 - -
2015 "Mama Yo!" - - - -
2015 "Party Crasher"
(with Nilz Van Zandt; featured vocalist) 		- - - -
2016 "Outta Control"
(with Sean Paul, Yolanda Be Cool; featured vocalist) 		- - - -
"—" denotes a release that didn't chart. 2022 "VEN"
(featured vocalist) 		- - - -
"—" denotes a release that didn't chart.

Label signed

  • 2013 Mama Mia: Syco Music/Sony Music UK (worldwide) Ultra Music (US & Canada)
  • 2015 MAMA YO!: Warner Bros. Records Territory Worldwide licensed to excluding: disco: wax/Sony Music Scandinavia, EGO Music (Italy), Central Station Records/Universal Music Australia
  • 2015 No Boyfriend: Sony Music (worldwide) Ultra Music (US)
  • 2015 Officially signed an artist deal with Warner Bros. Records (worldwide)

See also

  • List of famous Cubans

References

  1. ^ "Radar Online | Hottest Celebrity Gossip & Entertainment News". 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  2. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Biography: Mayra Verónica". AllMusic. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "13 Questions With Mayra Veronica". Ask Men. IGN Entertainment, Inc. 2007-03-03. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2024-04-26. Page 2.
  4. ^ a b Mayra Veronica's Profile Archived 2017-06-25 at the Wayback Machine. singersroom.com
  5. ^ Myra Veronica Archived 2015-10-24 at the Wayback Machine artist profile at Warner Bros. Records
  6. ^ Peters, Veronica and Russell. "Vice Chairman USO Tour". Gallery. United Service Organization. Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
  7. ^ a b Fisher, Joseph (2008-11-10). "Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Celebrity Guests to Give Thanks to Service Members on Annual USO Tour". USO Tour. USO. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  8. ^ Lane, James (2008-11-12). "Celebrity Mayra Verónica Model Supports Troops On Annual USO Tour". Entertainment News. Indie News. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  9. ^ Roy, Barsha. "Who is Mayra Veronica? All about Sam Asghari's ex as she praises him over relationship with Britney Spears". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  10. ^ a b Mayra Veronica's Pop Anthem "Freak Like Me" Brings Lyrics To Life In Seductive New Music Video Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. prnewswire.com. August 22, 2011,

External links

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