Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza

Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza is a Puerto Rican actress, television host, dancer, model, and beauty queen. She achieved international fame after being crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 and subsequently winning the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles, California. Beyond her pageantry achievements, she is known for her work as a telenovela actress in various Telemundo productions and for starring in the 2017 music video for "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi.

Rivera was born on October 3, 1987, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and was raised on the island by her parents, Jerry Rivera and Carmen Mendoza, alongside her brothers, Jerry, Jr. and Jose Rivera Mendoza. Before entering national pageants, she won the local title for her hometown of Salinas and placed as the first runner-up in the Miss Teen Puerto Rico competition.

On November 10, 2005, Rivera competed as the representative of Salinas at the Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 pageant, where she won the title and was crowned by Cynthia Olavarría. She became the second woman with noticeably mixed features to capture the title. On July 23, 2006, she represented Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe pageant held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Competing in swimsuit, evening gown, and interview rounds, she was crowned winner by outgoing titleholder Natalie Glebova. At eighteen years old, she became one of the youngest Miss Universe winners in history. Shortly after her crowning, she briefly fainted during a press appearance due to stage light heat exhaustion and the weight of her heavy, chained dress.

Rivera was the fifth Puerto Rican delegate to win Miss Universe and the first with noticeably mixed African and Indigenous heritage features. During her reign, she resided in New York City, sharing an apartment with Miss USA Tara Conner and Miss Teen USA Katie Blair. Her official duties included global travel to destinations such as Japan, Indonesia, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, India, Brazil, and Mexico. In April 2007, she appeared at WrestleMania 23 alongside Rachel Smith and Katie Blair. Her reign concluded on May 28, 2007, when she passed her crown to Riyo Mori in Mexico City after ten months.

Following her pageant reign, Rivera launched an acting career, debuting in the 2007 Telemundo telenovela Dame Chocolate alongside Carlos Ponce and Karla Monroig. She subsequently established a reputation playing antagonist roles, including Rocío Lynch in Alguien Te Mira and Diana del Valle in Aurora in 2010. Following a brief break, she returned to acting in 2012 as antagonist Sandra Díaz in Rosario. She later accepted a lead antagonist role in Cosita linda and made an appearance in the film Runner, Runner.

From late 2010 through early 2013, Rivera was in a relationship with professional basketball player J. J. Barea. She gave birth to their son, Sebastián José Barea Rivera, in Minnesota on February 18, 2012. The couple's separation was formally announced in April 2013. In 2018, Rivera expanded her commercial profile by becoming a brand ambassador for Eravos.