Model Latina is an American reality competition show in which aspiring models compete against one another in fashion and cultural challenges. They are judged by a panel of fashion experts and celebrities from the American Latino entertainment industry. Model Latina is the first modeling competition of its kind to feature Latinas from all over the United States. The show airs on the cable network NuvoTV. As of July 2012, five people have won the competition. Winners typically receive a one-year contract with leading modeling agency Q Management, a cash prize and an opportunity to be a NuvoTV host.

Format

Each season of Model Latina has 10–13 episodes and begins with 10–20 contestants. Contestants are judged weekly on their overall appearance, participation in challenges, runway work and best shot from that week's photo shoot. In each episode, one contestant is eliminated from the competition, and in rare cases, a double elimination occurs.

Hosts and judges

The series employs a panel of judges who critique contestants' progress throughout the competition. Throughout its broadcast, the program has employed three different hosts and eleven different judges. Ellie Rodriguez was the show's host for seasons 1–3, and was replaced by Jazmín López for season 4 and by Jocelyn Pierce for season 5. The original judging panel consisted of Franco Lacosta, Jeffrey Kolsrud and Katrina Campins. For season 2, the original panel returned as guest judges with Jorge Ramon, Jai Rodriguez and Jennifer Gimenez as the main judges. Lacosta and Annette Rosario replaced Rodriguez and Gimenez for season 3 and Kolsrud served as the only guest judge. Tomiko Fraser Hines and Alex Cambert replaced Rosario and Ramon for season 4. For season 5, Carlos Ponce and Inés Rivero replaced Hines and Cambert.

Series overview

NuvoTV has aired 5 installments of the Model Latina franchise, beginning with Model Latina, season 1 (or Model Latina: LA) in 2008. Each season has been filmed in a different location within the United States.

Model Latina: LA

Model Latina, season 1 (or Model Latina: LA) was the first season of Model Latina. It originally aired on NuvoTV from 27 July to 12 October 2008, and was hosted by Ellie Rodriguez. The judging panel consisted of photographer Franco Lacosta, Q Management's CEO Jeffrey Kolsrud and reality star Katrina Campins. The season was filmed in Los Angeles, California. The cycle's catchphrase was “Beauty is only the beginning.” The winner of the competition was 25-year-old Jessica Caban from The Bronx, New York, emerging as Sí TV's (now NuvoTV) first ever Model Latina, with Darlenis Duran placing as runner-up. Caban's prizes were a modeling contract with Q Management, a photo spread in Latina magazine, an opportunity to be a Sí TV host, clothing from the Anna Fong Collection and a cash prize of US$10000.

Contestants

Semi-finalists Finalists

Episodes

Results

Challenges

Model Latina: Miami

Model Latina, season 2 (or Model Latina: Miami) was the second season of Model Latina. It originally aired on NuvoTV from 2 August to 18 October 2009, and was hosted by Ellie Rodriguez. The judging panel consisted of Jai Rodriguez, Jennifer Gimenez and Jorge Ramon. The season was filmed in Miami, Florida. The cycle's catchphrase was “Passion. Style. Sophistication.” The winner of the competition was 21-year-old Codie Cabral from Murrieta, California, with Christine Juarbe placing as runner-up. Cabral's prizes were a modeling contract with Q Management, an opportunity to be a Sí TV host and a cash prize of US$10000.

Contestants

Episodes

Results

Challenges

Model Latina: NYC

Model Latina, season 3 (or Model Latina: NYC) was the third season of Model Latina. It originally aired on NuvoTV from 2 August to 25 October 2010, and was hosted by Ellie Rodriguez. The judging panel consisted of Jorge Ramon, Franco Lacosta and new judge Annette Rosario. Online castings took place on March 15, 2010. The season was filmed in New York City, New York. The cycle's catchphrase was “Competition Beyond the Runway.” The winner of the competition was 20-year-old Elora Pérez from Queens, New York, with Jessica Santiago and Nashlly Estefania Sokoli both placing as runners-up. Pérez's prizes were a modeling contract with Q Management, an opportunity to be a Sí TV host and a cash prize of US$25000.

Contestants

Episodes

Results

Challenges

Model Latina: Las Vegas

Model Latina, season 4 (or Model Latina: Las Vegas) was the fourth season of Model Latina. It originally aired on NuvoTV from 15 August to 24 October 2011, and was hosted by Jazmín López (replacing Ellie Rodriguez). The judging panel consisted of Franco Lacosta and 2 new judges Alex Cambert and Tomiko Fraser Hines. The season was filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cycle's catchphrase was “Bigger. Brighter. Bolder.” The winner of the competition was 25-year-old Erika Marie Cavazos from Weslaco, Texas, with Stephanie Pagan placing as runner-up. Cavazos's prizes were a modeling contract with Q Management, an opportunity to be a Sí TV host and a cash prize of US$25000.

Contestants

Episodes

Results

Challenges

Model Latina: South Beach

Model Latina, season 5 (or Model Latina: South Beach) was the fifth season of Model Latina. It originally aired on NuvoTV from 28 May to 23 July 2012, and was hosted by Jocelyn Pierce (replacing Jazmín López). The judging panel consisted of Franco Lacosta and new judges Carlos Ponce and Inés Rivero. The season was filmed in Miami Beach, Florida. This was the first season of Model Latina to include only 10 contestants and air fewer than 13 episodes. The season's 10 episodes were broadcast over a nine-week span. Each episode was shortened from the previous 60 minutes to 30. The winner of the competition was 21-year-old Muriel Villera from Hialeah, Florida, with Marlene Cruz and Oneisys Amador placing as runners-up. Villera's prizes were a modeling contract with Q Management, an opportunity to be a Sí TV host and a cash prize of US$25000.

Contestants

Episodes

Results

Challenges

Sponsors

For season 1, Hewlett-Packard and Southwest Airlines were the commercial sponsors. Verizon Wireless, Fuze and Wrigley were series sponsors for season 2. The series sponsors for season 3 were Verizon Wireless, Bloomingdale's and Orbitz. For season 4, Verizon Wireless and Orbit provided sponsorship. Verizon Wireless and Revlon were series sponsors for season 5.