Ever since the 1960s with Naomi Sims, there has been a growth in diversities reaching the runway, appearing in front of fashion covers editorials internationally. Our latest series brings you mixes of all races around the world–the hottest new generation. Inspired by National Geographic’s Changing Faces article.
Monic Pérez, Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico native Monic Perez was just a regular college student who had never even thought about modeling when one of her professors convinced her to enter the Miss Puerto Rico pageant.
She received her big break upon winning the Miss Puerto Rico pageant, and competed in Russia for the Miss Universe title, where she was a semi-finalist. She moved to New York City shorty thereafter, and started modeling professionally. Her bookings soared due her to her ethnic ambiguity and great versatility.
Select credits include promotions for historic lifestyle brands such as JC Penney, and Avon, and numerous national TV commercials for various spirits.
Off-duty, Perez considers herself a great outdoorswoman She enjoys traveling (naturally!), being one with nature, and trying new foods. The Registered Nurse is also currently involved with the Ricky Martin Foundation, which focuses on the well-being of children and condemns human trafficking, and sites Google as “the best creation EVER!”
Photography and interview by Lauren Engel
Tell us about your upbringing and how did it shape the person you are now?
Since I’m the oldest of my siblings to a single mother who was going to school and working 24/7 to raise our family, I spent a lot of time teaching myself how to cook amongst other things kids my age were probably not doing yet. I remember when I was about 10 years old, I had to get my sister ready for school in the morning because my mom would already be at work. I wouldn’t say I had a difficult childhood though because that’s what I knew. Although, when I look back at it now, I was WAY too young. But I don’t think I would change a thing about my childhood because it made me very independent and mature really early on in my life.
Describe where you grew up.
I grew up in a neighborhood in Puerto Rico called Barrio Maricao. It’s located in the town of Vega Alta and mostly lower class but I loved everything about it! It was quite charming. I spent a lot of time playing in the streets and running around being a tomboy with my cousins and neighbors.
What inspired you to study nursing at the University of Puerto Rico? Do you see it as a possible career still in the future?
My grandmother and I were unbelievably close but she practically lived at the hospital because she was always very sick. It broke my heart seeing her struggle so much with her health. I always told her when I grew up I would be her personal nurse. That always made her smile. She passed away a month into my freshman year in nursing school but I always told myself I would think of her whenever I cared for a patient. My life took a different route after I graduated with my bachelors but I definitely wouldn’t mind going back into the health field if I ever have to. Caregiving is my passion.
How did you get into shooting travel videos and drone photography?
I visited my dad in Texas last year and at the time he had just bought a drone. I had no idea what it was but he was really excited to show me what it did. Once he got it off the ground and I saw what it could do, I fell in love! I ordered mine a month later and now whenever I travel anywhere cool my drone is the first thing I pack.
While we were shooting, you talked about how small the fashion industry is back home in Puerto Rico, what changes would you like to see?
I think Puerto Rico still needs to embrace color and diversity when it comes to beauty. In my island there are so many beautiful Caribbean women and Joan Smalls, one of the most important faces in fashion right now, achieved her success after leaving Puerto Rico. I think we would have more famous international models if this changed.
What inspired you to compete in beauty pageants?
It’s quite funny actually. One of my professors during my third year in college insisted I sign up for the Miss Puerto Rico. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but went for it anyway. I had zero skills in basically everything you need to do to win a pageant (there’s embarrassing proof somewhere in YouTube). Gladly, I met a now great friend of mine who believed in me, gave me all the tools and introduced me to a bunch of people who in a matter of 2 or 3 months, changed me into a more confident woman. Thanks to them I won and went on to competing in the Miss Universe! I never would’ve imagined I’d get to do something like that.
What did you learn most from doing pageants?
You can’t ever be scared of failing. Worrying about the negatives and not taking risks is the worst thing you can do to yourself.
What was it like/how did you go about shifting from doing pageants to modelling?
I was lucky enough to have met with Luiz Mattos from IMG models right before I left for the Miss Universe and he told me jokingly that he hoped I didn’t win the Miss Universe because he wanted to work with me in New York. I obviously wanted to win the competition more than anything but I was beyond excited to have an AMAZING plan B. After I got back from Miss Universe I moved to New York right away to start modeling. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy. Especially because I never did any REAL modeling before. There is no better school than living New York surrounded by fashion and great models. I am so grateful for the opportunity Luiz and the whole IMG family have given me.
