Mayra Verónica facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mayra Verónica
Verónica in 2021
Born	Mayra Verónica Aruca Rodríguez (1980-08-20) 20 August 1980 (age 44) Havana, Cuba
Nationality	Cuban American
Occupation	Singer model actress television personality
Parent(s)	Arturo Aruca (father) Mayra Rodriguez (mother)
Modeling information
Height	5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Musical career
Labels	Syco

Mayra Verónica Aruca Rodríguez (born August 20, 1980) is a Cuban-American singer, actress, and model. She is also a well-known television personality. Mayra became famous for her appearances on Spanish-language TV shows. She has also been in music videos and TV commercials.

In 2012, Mayra Verónica signed a deal with BMG Chrysalis in the US. In 2013, she joined Simon Cowell's music label, Syco Music (Sony Music). Her first music collection, "Mama Mia," came out on August 29, 2013. Later, in 2015, she signed a big record deal with Warner Bros. Records.

Mayra has been on the covers of magazines like Billboard Magazine and Shape. She has also worked in big ad campaigns for brands like L'Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Nike. She is a spokesperson for the USO, which supports military members. Mayra also started MVA Entertainment Group. This company helps promote and manage independent music artists.

Early Life and Moving to the US

Mayra Verónica was born in Havana, Cuba. Her father was part of a famous Cuban band called Los Dada. In 1984, when Mayra was young, she moved to the US with her mother. They had to leave her father and sister behind in Cuba. Her father joined them a year later. However, her sister could not reunite with them until thirteen years later. Mayra grew up with very little money. Sometimes, there was not enough food for her family.

Mayra was a very smart student. She was able to attend ballet school by making friends with other girls. These friends could afford the training. This helped her get through tough times at home.

Becoming a Model and TV Star

Mayra continued her education. She entered a local beauty pageant and became Ms. Miami. A photographer at the event was very impressed by her pictures. He invited her for free photo shoots. This helped Mayra create her first modeling portfolio. She then signed with a local agent in Miami.

Her agent sent her to an audition for a TV show called "Miami Hoy." At the time, Mayra was studying psychology and theater at Florida International University. She did not know much about being a reporter. But she was determined to learn. She started as a correspondent. Soon, she was promoted to a celebrity hostess for "Miami Hoy." She wrote, produced, and edited her own segments. She interviewed many famous people, including Donald Trump and Hugh Hefner.

While working, Mayra also traveled to New York. She continued her acting training at the Lee Strasberg Institute. This helped her improve her skills. The TV station was later bought by AT&T Corporation and then closed.

After graduating from college, Mayra decided to focus on acting full-time. She moved to New York City. She starred in shows for PBS and movies like The Suitor and Pledge This!. She also did commercials for Nike, L'Oréal, and Coca-Cola.

Later, the TV network Univision started a new show. They wanted Mayra to be a model and co-host. She became very popular with Latino audiences. Her unique look made her famous.

Supporting the Troops with USO

Mayra Verónica joined a special USO tour for Thanksgiving. The USO is an organization that supports US military members. She traveled to six countries in six days. She visited places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany. She went with important people like General James Cartwright and actor Wilmer Valderrama. The soldiers loved her performances.

After this trip, Mayra decided to create a calendar in 2008. She gave the money from the calendar to the Wounded Warrior Project. This project helps injured soldiers. People started calling her a "modern-day Betty Grable" because she supported the troops so much. Mayra continued to tour with the USO. She became an official spokesperson for them. She even appeared with then-President George W. Bush to talk about the USO.

In 2009, Mayra was asked to ring the NASDAQ bell for the Fourth of July week. She used this chance to bring attention to two groups she supports: the USO and UNICEF. She also visited wounded soldiers at Camp Lejeune.

Music Career

Mayra Verónica released her first album, Vengo Con To (Comin' At Ya With Everything), in 2007. It was a reggaetón album. One song, "Vengo Con To," reached the Top 40 on Billboard charts. Another song, "Es Tan Dificil Olvidarte," was dedicated to fallen soldiers. It reached the top 10 on pop charts.

In 2010, Mayra was on the cover of Billboard magazine again. Her new song, "If You Wanna Fly," did very well. It reached number 9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart. In 2012, she released an album called Saint Nor Sinner. Her song "Freak Like Me" also made it to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Charts in 2011. The music video for "Freak Like Me" was even shown on MTV Hits.

In 2013, Mayra's song "Ay Mama Mia" became number 1 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Dance Club Play chart. The music video for this song got over 12 million views online. "Ay Mama Mia" also became the official theme song for a movie called The Sons of The Buena Vista Social Media Club Musica Cubana. It was also a very popular song on the video game Just Dance. Simon Cowell signed Mayra Verónica and this song to his music label, Syco Music.

Mayra also worked with the band "The Sweet Life Society" on a song called "MAMA YO!" This song was a new version of "Mama Yo Quero" by Carmen Miranda. It became popular in Europe and North America. The music video has over 10 million views. Later, it was remixed with Sean Paul and called "Outta Control." Mayra continued to release dance hits like "No Boyfriend No Problem" and "Party Crasher."

After the pandemic, Mayra Verónica returned with a new Latin song. Her song "VEN" was released in April 2022. She wrote it with Carlos Celles. She plans to release a ballad called "Que Mas" in late 2024.

Discography

Studio albums

• 2007: Vengo Con To'
• 2012: Saint Nor Sinner (Unreleased)
• 2022: Ven

Singles

Record Labels

• 2013 Mama Mia: Syco Music/Sony Music UK (worldwide) Ultra Music (US & Canada)
• 2015 MAMA YO!: Warner Bros. Records Territory Worldwide licensed to excluding: disco: wax/Sony Music Scandinavia, EGO Music (Italy), Central Station Records/Universal Music Australia
• 2015 No Boyfriend: Sony Music (worldwide) Ultra Music (US)
• 2015 Officially signed an artist deal with Warner Bros. Records (worldwide)
• 2022 Officially signed a record deal with BMG Records (Worldwide)

Filmography

Key

Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Mayra Verónica para niños

• List of famous Cubans