Dominican Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega has formally announced her engagement to Shalim Ortiz. Shalim is the son of Dominican TV and show business star Charityn Goico and Puerto Rican TV producer Elin Ortiz. Shalim grew up in show business in Puerto Rico and subsequently in Miami, when the family moved there. He is preparing the launch of a CD and Amelia Vega has plans to act in the film, “La mas bella,” based on the life of Simon Bolivar and his life companion and lover Manuela Saenz, as reported in El Observador of Venezuela. Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz will be starring in the film, and there is also the possibility that Halle Berry will join the star-studded cast. Vega made her film debut in “The Lost City,” an Andy Garcia production starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall that was filmed in the Dominican Republic, due for release later this year. Salma Hayek starred in the film version of “In the Time of the Butterflies,” based on the story of the Mirabal sisters who were killed during the Trujillo dictatorship.
Both Shalim and Amelia Vega have been developing their artistic careers with Emilio Estefan in Miami. Amelia Vega is the niece of popular Dominican music star, Juan Luis Guerra.