Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Silva.
Hi Dani, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I immigrated to this country when I was 16 years old. My mom brought me here to run away from Venezuela’s economic crisis, where I took a modeling course when I turned 15. I was always a tomboy growing up and had no interest in “girly” things but for some reason, I asked my mom to sign me up at Claudia Fazzini’s modeling school and I had my first photoshoot.
Shortly after that photoshoot, I had a magazine reach out to us and publish photos of me wearing high couture from a Venezuelan designer. When my mom decided Venezuela was too dangerous for us and we had to move for a fresh start I was heartbroken but little did I know it was the best decision to move to the land of opportunities.
I went to Ronald Reagan SHS in Doral. My passion for modeling was still there so as soon as I got my driver’s license and paperwork ready I drove with my mom to several agencies located in Miami Beach. I still remember walking around Collins Ave and 5th Ave with those high heels hurting me. After knocking on several doors and getting all types of “no, you are too short” “no we have enough girls with your look” “no your hips are too big” or “you are too thick for this” I got to one agency that said yes. They signed me on the spot and I knew it was a good start.
I continued my education and went to castings whenever it didn’t interfere with my school. I understood very early that modeling was going to require more than being pretty so I went to college to get my business degree. I worked part-time part-time while in school, including Michael Kors at Dolphin Mall, Hollister at Int’l Mall, and even at a mall kiosk with hair products. Meanwhile doing test photoshoots, run to castings, do small fashion shows at clubs, and work promo jobs using my image.
When I finally graduated college I worked for Bank of America to give corporate life a try, very shortly I knew the 9-5 was not for me, and by that time I was starting to book some commercials here and there. I changed agencies and stepped up my game by being more selective on modeling gigs. I focused on my body and my modeling goals so I quit the bank and went full time on modeling. When my career took off I was signed with Mega Models and TDA. They were great and thanks to them I made my decision to focus my career on what I loved to do, being in front of a camera.
As the years passed, I started getting better in my auditions, which meant bigger jobs and clients. I slowly moved my way to bigger agencies and here we are now. I’m signed with one of the top modeling agencies in Miami, Wilhelmina Models, one of the top commercial agencies in Miami, Stellar Agency and I just signed with acting agent Monica Velez. I have booked over 40 commercials in 8 years, many national commercials, and several big print campaigns seen worldwide and in Times Square.
I never feel like I’m going to work because this is my passion. I’m now a grown woman with a family that luckily also books jobs with me. I’m now focusing my career on acting. I’ve studied acting with Stewart Solomon, Universal Casting, Larry Villanueva, and Adriana Barraza and now I’m with Ruben Morales. To me, acting is the next level and I can’t wait to show my skills on the big screen very soon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road if you want to succeed and be the best at what you do. My career has slow seasons but I’ve learned to keep myself busy with studying acting and sharing my fitness path with others through social media and private events.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for my work in TV Commercials, you can say my strength is the Latin market since I’m fully bilingual. I have to say I’m proud of my biggest commercials like Colgate, Olay, and my newest national featuring NBA stars which were seen on the Superbowl 2023. I think what sets me apart is that I show up every single time to give my best on set, I’m very professional and I always stay real and humble.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Uff this is a hard one, and I’m not the best with names but everyone who has believed in me since day one, Ricardo and Javier from Mega, Karen who signed me with Willy, Bianka, Ed Arenas, Cj, Carlitos, Cristina Rebull, Chris, Ruben and there are so many more that gave me the push to keep fighting and keep trying.
My job requires thick skin so even those who didn’t believe in me back then, and now they want to work with me, I thank them because they made me work harder to pursue my dreams. Never give up, and be relentless if you know you can be the best at something.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @danisilva.co
Image Credits
Aitor Mateo and Alessandra Fiorini
