Dominican Denny Méndez was elected Miss Italy in the city of Salsomaggior, on 7 September. Born in the Dominican Republic of Dominican parents, the new 18-year old Miss Italy has lived there since 1991 when her mother, divorced from her father, married an Italian who she met when he visited Santo Domingo as a tourist. Four of her aunts are married to Italians and also live in Italy.
In an interview with the Listin Diario, she attributed her win to “luck,” but advised immigrants that “one has to prepare, train, and avoid a reputation for crime, and let ourselves be recognized for our positive contributions.” She explained that she won with the vote of Italian television viewers who gave her 1,133,000 votes. Two juries objected to her because she has no Italian lineage and her physique is more of the Caribbean exotic type than that of an Italian.
She says that after her election to represent Italian women, her life has changed from going to school to be a tourist guide and normal things, to working in fashion and other shows, advertisements, and press interviews. She said that on 23 September she will participate in a fashion gala in Plaza Navona in Rome, and on the 30 September in the Teatro Nuovo de Milano, modeling with the top models in the world including the Briton, Naomi Campbell.
She has not received training as a model, but says she aspires to being a top model in her own style, which is not to be compared to anyone.