is the cu rvaceous bombshell whose portrayal of a hilarious Latina housewife on prime-time network TV has elevated her (along with Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara— arguably the hottest sitcom star in hilarious Latinas everywhere) history—sets Miami ablaze. By Humberto Guida to the apex of pop-dom. Photographs by Steve Erle 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. Blue sequin minidress, Oday Shakar ($3,375). oday- Series creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd had shakar.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 Opposite page: Leopard-print gown with jewels, Dolce & ever. Shot in a distinctive “mockumentary” style, Modern 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 Shops, see above. Candy Rose ring, Brumani (price on be special,” Vergara explains. “I met with the creators, and 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 embellish- culture. And I’m happy she’s a little crazy too. There aren’t ment, Giuseppe Zanotti ($695). Bal Harbour Shops; enough characters with her sabor on TV.” giuseppezanottidesign.com

132 oceandrive.com Up to now, Vergara had been regularly cast for her looks and sex appeal rather than “I love to work. 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 epit- ome of a hot-blooded Latin looker comfortable with being laughed at? And I have to “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— thank God 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 every day for 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.” having the 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 best job 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 in the 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 world. 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 tribu- lations 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 Hopefully in 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 some way I 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 deserve all 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 by Jen Atkin at The Wall Red satin strapless gown, Dolce & Gabbana (price on request). Bal Harbour Shops, this. But I’m Group • Makeup by Kayleen 9700 Collins Ave.; dolcegabbana.com. 18k-white-gold and diamond bracelet ($89,000), McAdams for MAC at The platinum and diamond bracelet (price on request), 18k-white-gold and diamond ring Wall Group • Manicure ($25,000), 18k-white-gold and diamond necklace (price on request), 18k-white-gold by Beth Fricke using OPI ear clips with sapphires, diamonds and tsavorites ($55,500), Van Cleef & Arpels. Bal • Digital Services and Harbour Shops; vancleef-arpels.com. Red suede peep-toe pumps, Christian Louboutin never retouching by A.I. Digital ($845). 155 NE 40th St., Miami; christianlouboutin.com Imagination • Special thanks to Siren Studios and The Opposite page: Saffron faille one-sleeve gown with black grosgrain ribbon, Carolina Sagami Group • Ottoman and Herrera ($3,990). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.; carolinaherrera.com. Yellow- rug courtesy of HStudio by diamond necklace (price on request), diamond bracelets ($69,190 each), yellow-diamond sure I do.” Shlomi Haziza earrings (price on request), Chopard. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.; chopard.com