Dayanara Torres
Encyclopedia
Dayanara Torres Delgado (born October 28, 1974) is a Puerto Rican
actress, singer, model, and former Miss Universe
.
Torres was discovered at age 17 while walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta in her hometown, and was invited to represent Toa Alta
in the annual Miss Puerto Rico pageant
. She won the pageant and the right to represent Puerto Rico in the 1993 Miss Universe
pageant. In 1992, she participated in the Miss International
pageant and became a semi-finalist. The same year, she earned second place at the Queen of the World contest.
Torres won the crown in the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City on May 21, 1993. Torres' victory in the pageant caused some controversy because of the claim that she was still a minor; however, Torres had turned 18 several months before the contest. Her victory also raised some eyebrows, as she did not top any of the pageant's segments. When Torres returned home to Puerto Rico
, she was received with a massive parade.
During and after her reign as Miss Universe, she became an ambassador for UNICEF, traveling through Asia and Latin America
in support of the organization. She created the Dayanara Torres Foundation which has provided scholarships to poor students in Puerto Rico
and the Philippines
. In 1994, she went to Manila to crown the new Miss Universe and during the ceremony, she sang "A Whole New World" as a duet with Peabo Bryson
.
(who is half-Puerto Rican). During that time, she also filmed Linda Sara
(1994), a Puerto Rican
film
directed by Jacobo Morales
in which she was paired with fellow Puerto Rican singer, Chayanne
. She also became a staple figure on Philippine television every Sunday on the show ASAP Mania, where her dancing skills gained her the informal title "Dancing Queen".
During her time in the Philippines, Torres learned to speak Tagalog
, the main language of the country and she had a four-year relationship with Filipino actor Aga Muhlach
, who is now married to Charlene Gonzalez, Miss Universe 1994 top 6 finalist. Torres and Muhlach first met on the set of her first Philippine movie, Basta't Kasama Kita
(As Long As I'm With You) In 1995 she also did the dance movie "Hataw Na!" (Start Dancing!) with fellow Puerto Rican and Filipino O.P.M artist Gary Valenciano
in 1998 he starred with Action Star/Game show hostCesar Montano
In a comedy action flick Type Kita Walang Kokontra! (You're My Type, Nobody Can Meddle!) she also became part of the Music Variety Show ASAP (variety show)
When it first aired in 1994 as a Host for 5 years as she came in and out of town in 1997-1998 as she came in and out of town in 2007, she visited the Philippines but could not perform due to the fact of schedule conflicts.
In 1995, Dayanara won as Best New Female TV Personality in the 10th PMPC Star Awards for Television, an award night celebration held every year in the Philippines. She was the 1st and only Puerto Rican Female Actress won in a Philippine Awards Night.
in 1998 and released her first and only album called Antifaz
. It reached the top of Billboard charts in Latin America
and the Philippines
. She also starred in several theater productions on the island. That same year, a "Dayanara" doll
was released and sold out in both Puerto Rico
and the Philippines
.
On September 1, 2005, Torres debuted in an American soap opera
, playing a small role on The Young and the Restless
. The program's producers expressed an interest in future appearances. To date, Torres has not made any other appearances on the show. Torres later starred in Watch Over Me
, a MyNetworkTV
primetime drama.
On March 6, 2006, Torres had emergency surgery in New York to correct an intestinal obstruction that was detected after she felt pain during a flight from Los Angeles the previous day.
In 2008, Torres was included in People magazine's "Most Beautiful People" list. During the celebration ceremony, Torres noted that she authored the self-help book "Married to Me" when she failed to find a book to help her with her 2003 separation from Marc Anthony
in bookstores.
, with the intention of going to college to become an orthodontist.
Torres married singer Marc Anthony
on May 9, 2000 in Las Vegas
. They have two sons, Cristian Anthony Muñiz (5 February 2001) and Ryan Anthony Muñiz (16 August 2003). Their marriage was rocky, and they separated in the summer of 2002. They later reconciled and renewed their vows in a spectacular ceremony held in Puerto Rico in December 2002.The couple's final separation was in October 2003 and Torres filed for divorce in January 2004.
In 2003, a Miami waitress filed paternity charges against Anthony. Multiple DNA-tests, the last in August 2004, disproved her claims.
Torres has been linked to professional actor Amaury Nolasco
.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
actress, singer, model, and former Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
.
Torres was discovered at age 17 while walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta in her hometown, and was invited to represent Toa Alta
Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Toa Alta is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northern coast of the island, north of Naranjito; south of Dorado and Toa Baja; east of Vega Alta and Corozal; and west of Bayamón. Toa Alta is spread over eight wards and Toa Alta Pueblo...
in the annual Miss Puerto Rico pageant
Miss Puerto Rico
Miss Puerto Rico is the common name or sash used to identify a Puerto Rican representative in an international pageant. Currently, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico and Miss Earth Puerto Rico are the official national preliminaries to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth...
. She won the pageant and the right to represent Puerto Rico in the 1993 Miss Universe
Miss Universe 1993
Miss Universe 1993, the 42nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico on May 21, 1993. Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico was crowned as Miss Universe 1993...
pageant. In 1992, she participated in the Miss International
Miss International
Miss International is an annual international beauty pageant held since 1960.The current Miss International is Fernanda Cornejo, from Ecuador...
pageant and became a semi-finalist. The same year, she earned second place at the Queen of the World contest.
Torres won the crown in the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City on May 21, 1993. Torres' victory in the pageant caused some controversy because of the claim that she was still a minor; however, Torres had turned 18 several months before the contest. Her victory also raised some eyebrows, as she did not top any of the pageant's segments. When Torres returned home to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, she was received with a massive parade.
During and after her reign as Miss Universe, she became an ambassador for UNICEF, traveling through Asia and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
in support of the organization. She created the Dayanara Torres Foundation which has provided scholarships to poor students in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. In 1994, she went to Manila to crown the new Miss Universe and during the ceremony, she sang "A Whole New World" as a duet with Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, born in Greenville, South Carolina...
.
Torres in the Philippines
After the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, Torres landed several movie roles, made television appearances, and received offers to endorse products. She became a celebrity in the Philippines and lived in the country for five years. She also appeared in more than 10 movies, including Hataw Na, a film with Filipino actor and singer Gary ValencianoGary Valenciano
Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
(who is half-Puerto Rican). During that time, she also filmed Linda Sara
Linda Sara
Linda Sara is a Puerto Rican film directed by Jacobo Morales and starring singer Chayanne and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. The film was released in 1994.-Cast:* Dayanara Torres - Young Sara* Chayanne - Young Alejandro* Daniel Lugo - Gustavo...
(1994), a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales is an auteur, whom many consider to be the most influential film director in Puerto Rico's history.-Life and career:...
in which she was paired with fellow Puerto Rican singer, Chayanne
Chayanne
Elmer Figueroa Arce , best known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo-albums and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.-Early life:...
. She also became a staple figure on Philippine television every Sunday on the show ASAP Mania, where her dancing skills gained her the informal title "Dancing Queen".
During her time in the Philippines, Torres learned to speak Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
, the main language of the country and she had a four-year relationship with Filipino actor Aga Muhlach
Aga Muhlach
Ariel Aquino Muhlach , commonly known as Aga Muhlach, is a 2-time Gawad Urian and FAMAS award-winning Filipino actor and product endorser...
, who is now married to Charlene Gonzalez, Miss Universe 1994 top 6 finalist. Torres and Muhlach first met on the set of her first Philippine movie, Basta't Kasama Kita
Basta't Kasama Kita (Movie)
Basta't Kasama Kita is a 1995 Filipino film produced by Star Cinema, directed by Rory Quintos.-Background:...
(As Long As I'm With You) In 1995 she also did the dance movie "Hataw Na!" (Start Dancing!) with fellow Puerto Rican and Filipino O.P.M artist Gary Valenciano
Gary Valenciano
Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
in 1998 he starred with Action Star/Game show hostCesar Montano
César Montano
Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...
In a comedy action flick Type Kita Walang Kokontra! (You're My Type, Nobody Can Meddle!) she also became part of the Music Variety Show ASAP (variety show)
ASAP (variety show)
ASAP Rocks is a musical variety show in the Philippines broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The show is presented by its main hosts Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. The show first premiered on February 5, 1995, and airs live Sundays...
When it first aired in 1994 as a Host for 5 years as she came in and out of town in 1997-1998 as she came in and out of town in 2007, she visited the Philippines but could not perform due to the fact of schedule conflicts.
In 1995, Dayanara won as Best New Female TV Personality in the 10th PMPC Star Awards for Television, an award night celebration held every year in the Philippines. She was the 1st and only Puerto Rican Female Actress won in a Philippine Awards Night.
Return to Puerto Rico
Torres returned to Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in 1998 and released her first and only album called Antifaz
Antifaz
Antifaz was the first album by beauty queen turned actress and singer Dayanara Torres. The album was produced by Arturo Diaz and Don Stockwell under Tropix Music distributed by Sony BMG...
. It reached the top of Billboard charts in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. She also starred in several theater productions on the island. That same year, a "Dayanara" doll
Doll
A doll is a model of a human being, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have traditionally been used in magic and religious rituals throughout the world, and traditional dolls made of materials like clay and wood are found in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. The earliest documented dolls...
was released and sold out in both Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
On September 1, 2005, Torres debuted in an American soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, playing a small role on The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
. The program's producers expressed an interest in future appearances. To date, Torres has not made any other appearances on the show. Torres later starred in Watch Over Me
Watch Over Me
Watch Over Me is an American Television series that debuted on December 6, 2006 on the television network MyNetworkTV. Twentieth Television produced 66 episodes to air weekdays. The limited-run serial is an adaptation of Argentine series Resistiré....
, a MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
primetime drama.
On March 6, 2006, Torres had emergency surgery in New York to correct an intestinal obstruction that was detected after she felt pain during a flight from Los Angeles the previous day.
In 2008, Torres was included in People magazine's "Most Beautiful People" list. During the celebration ceremony, Torres noted that she authored the self-help book "Married to Me" when she failed to find a book to help her with her 2003 separation from Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
in bookstores.
Personal life
Torres has two older brothers, José and Joey, and a younger sister, Jeannette. She finished her studies in Colegio Santa Rosa in Bayamón, Puerto RicoBayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
, with the intention of going to college to become an orthodontist.
Torres married singer Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
on May 9, 2000 in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
. They have two sons, Cristian Anthony Muñiz (5 February 2001) and Ryan Anthony Muñiz (16 August 2003). Their marriage was rocky, and they separated in the summer of 2002. They later reconciled and renewed their vows in a spectacular ceremony held in Puerto Rico in December 2002.The couple's final separation was in October 2003 and Torres filed for divorce in January 2004.
In 2003, a Miami waitress filed paternity charges against Anthony. Multiple DNA-tests, the last in August 2004, disproved her claims.
Torres has been linked to professional actor Amaury Nolasco
Amaury Nolasco
Amaury Nolasco Garrido is a Puerto Rican actor, best known for the role of Fernando Sucre on the television series Prison Break, and for his role in Transformers.-Early life:...
.
Awards & recognitions
- Press Club of the Philippines 1995 (a.k.a PMPC Star Awards for TV) - "Best New TV Personality Award" for ASAP on ABS-CBN 2 (Winner)
- Premios Juventud 20062006 Premios JuventudThe third annual of the 2006 Premios Juventud edition will be held on July 13, 2006 at the BankUnited Center from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. It will be broadcast live by Univision Network at 8 pm EST....
- "Chica Que Me Quita El Sueño" (Winner) - Premios Juventud 20072007 Premios JuventudThe 2007 edition of the Premios Juventud was held on July 19, 2007 at the BankUnited Center from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.It was broadcast live by Univision Network...
- "Supermodelo Latina" (Winner) - Premios Juventud 20082008 Premios JuventudThe fifth annual edition of the Premios Juventud youth awards show was held on July 17, 2008 at the BankUnited Center from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida....
- "Quiero Vestir Como Ella / Ella Tiene Estilo" (Nominated)
Movies
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Linda Sara Linda Sara Linda Sara is a Puerto Rican film directed by Jacobo Morales and starring singer Chayanne and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. The film was released in 1994.-Cast:* Dayanara Torres - Young Sara* Chayanne - Young Alejandro* Daniel Lugo - Gustavo... |
Young Sara |
| 1995 | Basta’t Kasama Kita Basta't Kasama Kita (Movie) Basta't Kasama Kita is a 1995 Filipino film produced by Star Cinema, directed by Rory Quintos.-Background:... |
Princess Marinella of Bavaria / Ella |
| 1996 | Hataw Na / Dance Now /Groove | Anna Alvarado |
| 1999 | Type Kita Walang Kokontra | Sabel |
| 2009 | The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone | Amelia |
TV series
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Access Hollywood Access Hollywood Access Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and... |
Herself |
| 1999 | La Cenicienta | Cenicienta |
| 2004 | The Young and the Restless The Young and the Restless The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin... |
Elise Tomkins |
| 2006–2007 | Watch Over Me Watch Over Me Watch Over Me is an American Television series that debuted on December 6, 2006 on the television network MyNetworkTV. Twentieth Television produced 66 episodes to air weekdays. The limited-run serial is an adaptation of Argentine series Resistiré.... |
Julia Rivera |
Books
- 2006 - "Sonrisas Sanas y Hermosas de Ricky y Andrea" (co-author with Steven Fink)
- 2008 - "Married To Me: How Committing To Myself Led to Triumph After Divorce" (co-author with her sister Jeannette Torres-Álvarez)
- 2009 - "Casada Conmigo Misma: Como Triunfé Despues Del Divorcio" (Spanish translation of her book "Married To Me:...")