For Denise Quinones a career in entertainment is a marathon and not a sprint. Since becoming Miss Universe in 2001 the alluring Puerto Rican beauty has demonstrated that slow and steady wins the race as she has strategically elevated her career by pleasing crowds on stage, in film and on television. The next frontier she plans to conquer is music. These days the enchanting chanteuse is busy promoting her first album, “Ruidos y Silencios.” It’s all in a day’s work for this versatile performer.
After her Miss Universe reign ended, and being the first to accomplish said feat on home soil, Denise completed a two-year conservatory acting program at the New York Film Academy. Bitten by the acting bug she pursued a career that seemed to come naturally – performing in front of hundreds of people. In 2005, the aspiring actress earned a role in the play, “Ana En El Tropicó,” which won her an HOLA award from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors and an ACE award. The following year, she led the cast of the Off-Broadway production of “Zanahirias.” In between curtain calls, Denise kept busy by appearing on television shows such as “Smallville” and “Freddie.”
Transitioning from acting to singing was no difficult task for this chameleon. Denise began vocal lessons as a child and has sung duets with greats likes Jose Feliciano and most recently Juanes. Marrying her love of the stage and music, she appeared in a version of the musical “Chicago” in the Dominican Republic which would reignite her passion for singing and introduce her to the producers who would help her produce her album.
The new album might feel familiar to some. If Sade were to release an all-Spanish language album, this is probably what it would sound like. The sultry smoothness of Denise’s voice is undeniable and each canción is made with lovers in mind. The first single, “No Soy Sin Ti,” is a romantic, R&B tinged slow jam that discusses the deep and intimate connections between two loving souls. It’s a track made for candle-lit dinners and midnight make-out sessions.
Denise’s latest project fits her well. She displays her range, groove and ambition and puts them all to good use. I converse with Denise and we talk about her past lives and her next act as a singing siren.
‘LLERO: Saludos, como estas?
Denise: Bien gracias, todo bien.
‘LLERO: I want to begin by asking you about your desire to be in pageants. Was it something you knew you wanted to do since childhood?
Denise: Well, not particularly. I was a ballerina at the age of seven and turned professional by the time I was 12. A friend of the family said I should go into modeling so I decided to do it, but I never took it seriously. Dancing was my passion.
‘LLERO: When did you start competing in pageants?
Denise: I was 18-years-old.
‘LLERO: Being in pageants can be demanding. Did you truly enjoy it?
Denise: Yes, because I had fun doing it. My parents weren’t the kind to add pressure. If I wanted to do it great, but if I didn’t [want to] that was ok too. Ultimately, the decision was up to me and I believe that is the healthiest route to take when dealing with a developing adolescent.
‘LLERO: That’s pretty amazing. They were quite supportive either way. If you watch shows like Dance Moms or Toddlers & Tiaras it totally isn’t like that. It’s pretty scary actually. Do you think that in general, pageants objectify women?
Denise: Unfortunately, yes. But there are different kinds of competitions. There’s a difference between a classy pageant and wet tee-shirt contest. At the end of the day, you have to take them for what they are – entertainment…nothing more, and nothing less. Pageants are superficial; that’s part of the reality.
‘LLERO: It seems like your career is taking its natural course. After winning the Miss Universe crown, you dove straight into acting. How was that?
Denise: It was a seamless progression for me. It’s something that has always attracted me.
‘LLERO: Now you can add songstress to your resume. Who are your musical inspirations?
Denise: Well there’s this one Spanish woman by the name of Concha Buika who is incredibly amazing.
‘LLERO: Funny you mention her because I have a friend who lives in Brazil and she literally just told me about Buika two days ago.
Denise: Asi es la vida amigo.
‘LLERO: You seem to have an affinity for the Dominican Republic.
Denise: Yes, the people of the Dominican Republic have embraced me with open arms. The producers of my album son Dominicanos.
‘LLERO: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Denise: Que los quiero mucho. Also follow me on Twitter (@DeniseQuinones9) and like me on Facebook.
No worries, Denise, we already do.
“Ruidos y Silencios” is available now on iTunes, Amazon.com and at your local music retailer.
Photo credit: Photos courtesy of Denise Quinones