An Interview with Candela Ferro
Living the American Dream


by Susan Heeren
Liquidsquare, Inc.

One of the most admired Spanish television personalities, Candela Ferro has more than a decade of experience in the area of television and journalism, both in the U.S and abroad. She currently presents Telemundo's "Ripley's Aunque Usted No Lo Crea" but, it is through her work as a co-anchor for Telemundo's "Ocurrió Así" that helped her pave the road to success.

Born in Santa Fé, Argentina, Candela was a communications major at the University of Buenos Aires. She later worked as a model in Argentina and abroad for important international fashion designers and multinational cosmetic campaigns; she has hosted numerous television shows and now lives and works in Miami, Florida where she will be presenting at this year's Fashion Week of the Americas event, March 19-22nd.

FWA: You started as a model then slowly discovered your passion for reporting-how did that evolve?
Candela: "Well, I studied journalism in Buenos Aires and that gave me my basis and I have always liked television, I have found it to be a place to express myself. Modeling was limiting," she goes on to say, "through television I can reach mass audiences and combine my studies with everything else that I like. It permits me to reach many different kinds of people through a variety of stories."

FWA: Briefly, tell me the story of how you get involved with Telemundo
Candela: "I decided to send them my resume just after I arrived in the U.S. in August of '99, just as I had done with many different networks, I had worked as a television model in Argentina and then, without expecting any response, International Telemundo producers offered me a position, no recommendations, no connections, it was pure destiny…"

FWA: What are you currently working on?
Candela: "My main focus now is Ripley's Aunque Usted No Lo Crea, my new weekly program, in addition to supporting special events such as Fashion Week of the Americas.

FWA: We know that you want to stay in Television, but where do you see yourself in the future? Is producing a show something that may interest you?
Candela: "My goal and dream is to have my own show at night, a talk show that would appeal to the Spanish-speaking audience, with our own interests and humor, I think that we really need that."

FWA: What about getting into film?
Candela: "I think that cinema is something that I have pending-I truly think that I have a dormant talent, and I would love to work with independent directors."

FWA:What type of programming is missing for the Hispanic viewer both in Latin America and in the U.S./Hispanic markets?
Candela: "I feel that we need more sitcoms, half hour programs with the same characters every episode that the viewers can relate to who tell stories, involve friends in a fun and relaxed environment"

FWA:Let's talk for a minute about fashion…. Would you consider yourself a fashion guru?
Candela: "Yes, I do…I really enjoy watching trends and tendencies, I am addicted to fashion magazines and I love to see how designers are evolving, it is important for me to be aware of what is happening in the world of fashion." "I also feel that looking my best is very important for my viewers."

FWA:What made you want to get involved with Fashion Week of the Americas?
Candela: "Laurenco Adott is an Argentine designer who does my wardrobe, he has participated in the event and I feel it important to support rising talent as well as established designers coming to the United States for exposure."

FWA:How do you think that governments should support their designers coming to the United States?
Candela: "This is an art, like any other, and it should be considered as much"-"I show my support by buying from these Hispanic designers like Adott and Silvia Tcherassi"

FWA:What do you see as being a "must have" this season?
Candela: "Without a doubt, a sun dress." "With buttons and bright prints like fresh flowers, a revival of the 50's, I love prints with cartoons and pop art with Mark Jacobs being my favorite."

FWA:Candela, coming to the U.S. without support, having language and cultural barriers, you are the true definition of living the "American Dream"-what do you attribute to your success here?
Candela: "My success is a reflection of a lot of work, a great passion for my profession and ironically, being in the right place at the right time…"

FWA:We know that your country, Argentina, is very important to you, if you could send your fellow Argentines just one message that everyone would receive, what would that message be?
Candela: "I would tell them to keep working hard, I would remind them that they are an incredibly creative, hardworking and talented nation full of loving people-and that is what will save the country."

FWA:Finally…if you were doing a story on Candela Ferro, and could describe yourself in only one sentence what would you write?
Candela: "I would define myself as is a mysterious young woman full of dreams, like a great box of surprises ready to adapt to and triumph in whatever life brings her…"