Vanessa de Roide: “Knowing how to lose is just as important as winning”

Vanessa de Roide, Nuestra Belleza Latina’s 2013 social media correspondent, shares how she learned to accept rejections as blessings in disguise.

Vanessa de Roide wasn’t born a model, television host, or pageant titleholder. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, an average girl with big dreams. Her dedication, hard work, and years of preparing eventually landed her roles as a sponsored model and titleholder of Nuestra Belleza Latina 2012, which opened the door of opportunities for Roide to serve as the Social Media Correspondent for Univision network’s  “¡Mira Quién Baila!” and the current season of Nuestra Belleza Latina.

But before de Roide was able to enjoy the fruits of her labor as a well-known public figure, she had to face many rejections and overcome not always coming up a winner. Here, the young correspondent shares how she prepared for the world of entertainment and how those years taught her to accept rejections as blessings in disguise.

Social media corresponding is a new element for Nuestra Belleza Latina. How are you making the title your own?
It definitely adds an interactive element to the show. The audience is very engaged with the contestants, and in return the contestants can see the support they’re getting from their fans. With the show “¡Mira Quién Baila!” I was also a social media correspondent, and with both jobs I’ve tried to give our social media fans a behind the scenes look at everything that goes on in the studio. I definitely try to keep it fun and engaging.

It must be special for you to enjoy the show from a different persepective now.
It is because I know all the work that goes into this competition. But really, all the hard work begins years ago, at least it did for me. When I was really young, I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry, but it was my mom’s decision that I wait until I turned 16.

Why until that age?
Kids are just more mature around the ages of 15 and 16. Before then, I had an idea of what I wanted to be, but wasn’t mature enough to really prepare for it. My mom made the right choice of having me focus on school before I really pursued my career.

What are a few things that someone with aspirations of entering the entertainment industry should prepare for?
You have to be disciplined. You have to be physically prepared to endure long work hours and be healthy enough to not let fatigue get the best of you. And you have to be mature enough to accept all the criticism that will come your way. I’ve always ate pretty healthy food so I don’t do any type of strict diet. I think if young girls start eating healthy now, it’ll be easier for them to continue that lifestyle when they take on a busy career.

How can they prepare for all of this?
You have to take classes in everything that you’re interested in. When you show up to a casting, you have to be ready to demonstrate everything that you know and not let negative criticism affect your goals. There were many times when I was rejected, criticized, and not considered a winner. I’ve learned that knowing how to lose is just as important as wanting to win. And with all the times that you get rejected, you have to know that it’s because that wasn’t meant for you then and there. Maybe something else is waiting for you, or maybe you weren’t ready for it just yet.

But being acknowledged for your hard work feels better than not, right?
Yes, but it’s not everything. I entered a lot of competitions before Nuestra Belleza Latina, and lost many of them. I know it’s a hard feeling to be close to winning but not come out on top. But now I also know that all of those experiences of loosing and being rejected prepared me for where I am now. I am headstrong and don’t let negative comments bring me down, I am disciplined in my career, and mature enough to deal with whatever outcome awaits. The most important thing, ever, is not to give up and to not take it a loss. Take it as an opportunity to prove to the world that you can take it.

Watch Vanessa de Roide at 8pm/7central every Sunday on Univision’s Nuestra Belleza Latina 2013.