Siempre Mujer today announced the winner and three finalists of its inaugural Cover Contest. Presented by The Lincoln Motor Company, the contest gave the magazine’s readers an opportunity to shine, and revealed four fresh faces representing the courage, beauty and strength of Latinas.
Siempre Mujer invited readers to share their stories from April to July for an opportunity to appear on the cover of Siempre Mujer’s October/November 2014 issue, and win prizes valued at $10,000, including a trip to New York City for the cover photo shoot and a meet-and-greet with the editors, a four-night/five-day getaway for two to San Juan Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino in Puerto Rico, and a two-year subscription to the magazine. The winner also received a portfolio with professional modeling photos from the photo shoot.
Alexis Payne, the winner of the contest and “La Musa de Siempre Mujer,” is a 21-year-old Miami native studying public relations at the University of South Carolina. Chosen for her confidence and commitment to her career, Payne attributes her outgoing personality to her Uruguayan mother, who instilled in her a drive to succeed and pride in her Hispanic heritage.
Payne thrives on adventure. She has practiced gymnastics since she was six years old and recently took up wakeboarding and snowboarding. Like many young women, she cares about the way she looks, but refuses to let physical beauty define her.
“Being Latina does not mean that we only care about beauty and appearance,” says Payne. “I’m always fighting that stereotype.”
Payne made her national television debut on Sept. 30, when she joined Siempre Mujer Editor-in-Chief María Cristina Marrero to reveal the winner and finalists of the Cover Contest on Univision’s Despierta America.
The three finalists of the contest are Caridad Rodriguez, a Bronx, N.Y., native with Puerto Rican roots who doesn’t let difficulties get in the way of her goals; Melissa Rojas, a Mexican from Edinburg, Texas who aspires to be a successful physical therapist; and Marcy Linares, a Salvadoran who arrived in Los Angeles alone with a suitcase full of dreams.
Siempre Mujer readers also had the opportunity to select the people’s choice “La Musa de SiempreMujer.com” winner by voting on SiempreMujer.com during July. The winner, Los Angeles native Ahide Becerra-González, is also featured in the October/November issue of Siempre Mujer and on SiempreMujer.com, and received a four-night/five-day getaway to Aruba, and a two-year subscription to the magazine.
“The winners and finalists of the Siempre Mujer Cover Contest represent what Latinas are in this country: smart, hard-working leaders who are finding their own happiness,” says Marrero. “This is just the beginning of a lifetime of success for these beautiful and talented women.”
“The Lincoln Motor Company is proud to partner with Siempre Mujer and provide this opportunity to empower inspiring Latinas,” said David Rodriguez, Multicultural Marketing Manager-Lincoln. “La Musa de Siempre Mujer is a wonderful opportunity to integrate the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC, which launched this summer. The Lincoln MKC embodies qualities that align with the spirit of the La Musa program—confidence, beauty and class— which makes it a great fit with our Latina marketing efforts.”