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Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara—
arguably the hottest sitcom star in
history—sets Miami ablaze.
By Humberto Guida
Photographs by Steve Erle
132 oceandrive.com
is the curvaceous
bombshell whose portrayal
of a hilarious Latina
housewife on prime-time network
TV has elevated her (along with
hilarious Latinas everywhere)
to the apex of pop-dom.
Sofia Vergara, a former model-turned-Spanish language television host-turned-telenovela star,
has now accomplished the ultimate crossover into American culture. And she’s not just doing it
with her bodacious looks. Vergara—who was nominated for an Emmy last year and is up for a
Golden Globe this month—plays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s smash hit Modern Family, and
is making her mark as a bona fide actress, albeit one with a delicious signature Spanish accent.
“One of the things I’m very proud of is the fact that I am representing Latin culture with an
accent so strong that I don’t understand half the things I say myself,” Vergara jokes with that sexy,
unmistakably Colombian inflection. “But it’s good that there can be a loud Latina woman acting
crazy on American television. America is ready for more Latin culture mixed in with its own.”
The role of Gloria was written with Vergara in mind.
Series creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd had Blue sequin minidress, Oday Shakar ($3,375). odayshakar.com. Diamond, black-diamond and platinum chains,
seen her comedic chops on display in the short-lived sitcom Neil Lane ($15,150–$110,000). neillanejewelry.com. Glitter
The Knights of Prosperity. They quickly envisioned Vergara as pumps, Stuart Weitzman ($395). Aventura Mall, 19575
the fiery housewife opposite Ed O’Neill’s Jay Pritchett. The Biscayne Blvd.; stuartweitzman.com
show itself is one of television’s most wildly popular sitcoms
ever. Shot in a distinctive “mockumentary” style, Modern Opposite page: Leopard-print gown with jewels, Dolce &
Gabbana (price on request). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour
Family not only garners high ratings and critical acclaim, but Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.; neimanmarcus.com. 18k-rose-gold
in 2010 won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
earrings with black diamonds ($17,500), 18k-rose-gold bangle
“I never would have dreamed I’d be on such an amazing with black diamonds ($18,000), 18k-white-gold bangle with
show. We knew when we started filming that it was going to rubies ($16,500), Rina Limor. Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour
be special,” Vergara explains. “I met with the creators, and Shops, see above. Candy Rose ring, Brumani (price on
request). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops; saks.com.
instantly we knew we’d make Gloria loud and proud of her Satin lipstick-red pumps with Swarovski-crystal embellishculture. And I’m happy she’s a little crazy too. There aren’t ment, Giuseppe Zanotti ($695). Bal Harbour Shops;
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enough characters with her sabor on TV.”
“I love to work.
And I have to
thank God
every day for
having the
best job
in the
world.
Hopefully in
some way I
deserve all
this. But I’m
never
sure I do.”
Up to now, Vergara had been regularly cast for her looks and sex appeal rather than
her comedic prowess. But with the success of her role on Modern Family, these days she’s
considered one of the funniest women on TV—which has deservedly led to even more
juicy roles. In 2009, Vergara played the troubled jailhouse mama in Tyler Perry’s Madea
Goes to Jail, and stars next in this summer’s live-action feature The Smurfs. So is the epitome of a hot-blooded Latin looker comfortable with being laughed at?
“I was always the class clown, ever since I was a little girl. I always preferred to make
people laugh,” Vergara says, offering one of her trademark “was dis?” facial expressions.
Vergara is certainly the embodiment of a particular kind of American dream. But
her journey has been as turbulent and demanding as it’s been glamorous. Surprisingly—
considering her youthful looks—she’s the mother of a 19-year-old-son, Manolo, whom she
had when she herself was only 20. Everything she’s received since has been the result of
hard work and focused determination.
Vergara was born in Barranquilla and attended a bilingual school along with her
five siblings. Known as “La Toti” to family and friends growing up, she never displayed
aspirations to be a star. Her original plan? Dentistry. “I never saw myself as an actress.
I still don’t. But back in Colombia I just wanted to study and work to support my son,”
she says. “It was just by chance that I got the opportunity to model, and everything just
happened after that.”
The gorgeous young Colombian bombshell’s discovery was as wonderfully clichéd as
they come: She was spotted by a photographer while walking on the beach. After that,
modeling jobs turned into TV spots in no time, and in 1995 she landed her first serious
gig, as cohost of Univision’s travel series, Fuera de Serie. That job entailed a major move in
her life and career: leaving Colombia for Miami.
“I was 22, a single mother, and I picked up everything I had, which was very little but
really my whole life. I brought my son, my mother and my sister to Miami. It was difficult,
but it turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done because it opened up the doors that led
me to where I am now,” Vergara explains.
Making her transition to a new country a little easier was the fact that Vergara felt completely
at home in Miami, where she still maintains a residence. “I loved Miami from the moment I
arrived. It made things so much more comfortable for me: to be in South Beach in the ’90s,
around so many Latin people in a vibrant culture, with such perfect weather. I still love going
to Lincoln Road and just seeing all the people, the palm trees. It’s a beautiful place.”
In the years since, Vergara’s career has been on a steady rise, though her personal tribulations were in no way over. In 2002 she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “It was a
tough thing for me, but it made me much stronger. I have family and I’m a mother, and I
knew I could get through it.” Another trauma involving her boyfriend also recently made
headlines. Nick Loeb, a former Florida politico and current Hollywood producer, was
involved in a serious car accident that left him hospitalized for three weeks. According to
reports, Vergara often slept at the hospital and has tended to him at home since. But with
the worst of that ordeal behind them, Vergara can now focus on the glory that is coming
her way thanks to the universally loved character she helped create.
“It’s a very special time in my life, and the best thing about being a popular character
on a hit show is that I know I have a great job next year,” Vergara exclaims. “Honestly,
people ask me, What’s next? I say I just want to do it all. I love to work. And I have to thank
God every day for having the best job in the world. Hopefully in some way I deserve all
this. But I’m never sure I do.” OD
Styling by Deborah Waknin
at The Wall Group • Hair
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McAdams for MAC at The
Wall Group • Manicure
by Beth Fricke using OPI
• Digital Services and
retouching by A.I. Digital
Imagination • Special thanks
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rug courtesy of HStudio by
Shlomi Haziza
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