Yudy Leissy Rengifo is a model, psychologist, mother and athlete from Buenaventura, Colombia, now living in the United States. She is the current Miss Wesley Chapel – Virreina Elite 2025 Nuestra Reina Latina. In this interview, she talks about her pageant journey, her authenticity, self-care, travel and the gratitude that keeps her going.
This interview was originally published in Spanish. Read the original in Spanish
Yudy Leissy Rengifo @yuleissy81
Yudy Leissy Rengifo @yuleissy818
From Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, a land of flavor, resilience and salsa, all the way to the United States, Yudy Leissy Rengifo embodies the story of a woman who never gave up on her dreams. A model, psychologist, mother, athlete and the current Miss Wesley Chapel – Virreina Elite 2025 Nuestra Reina Latina, she represents Latin elegance with purpose and discipline.
Proud of her Colombian roots, Yudy carries in her heart the warmth of her people and the cultural richness of the Pacific region. Salsa, sports and an active life are an essential part of her identity, as is her commitment to self-care and mental health. She entered school pageants at age six, planting a passion that now blossoms with international strength.
With authenticity as her trademark, she inspires through her social media—especially Instagram and Facebook—where she shares fitness routines and messages of self-love and female leadership. As a conscious influencer, she understands the power of the digital platform and uses it to educate, motivate and strengthen the self-esteem of other women.
In this exclusive interview for Perumira Global Talent Magazine, we discover a well-rounded queen: beauty with discipline, glamour with values and success with gratitude.
1.- Yudy, thank you so much for accepting our invitation. You’re originally from Colombia and now live in the USA. What have you always loved about the city where you were born and raised? Which lifelong hobbies do you still practice and can’t give up? What brings a smile to your face or fills you with joy?
Hello, thank you so much for the invitation. It’s a pleasure for me to be in this magazine.
My name is Yudy Rengifo, and I’m from Buenaventura, in the department of Valle del Cauca. What I like most about my city is the quality of its people, the family-like warmth they radiate and, of course, its exquisite cuisine.
I love salsa, I really enjoy music and I love sports. Sweet little gestures make me smile, I love being pampered, I’m very affectionate, and I like to receive the same as I give.
2.- Model – Beauty Queen, Miss Wesley Chapel – Virreina Elite 2025 Nuestra Reina Latina. How did you decide to take your first steps into modeling and pageantry? How does it feel to do what you love, what you’re passionate about? Is it easy?
It all started when I was six, when I took part in a school pageant. Then, at 15, I competed in the inter-school contests representing my school, Icoterpo, and afterward I ventured into modeling at the Williams Perlas academy in Buenaventura.
I feel very proud and fulfilled to see that I never stopped dreaming or working toward my dreams. I confess it wasn’t easy, and for years I thought I wouldn’t make it, and today I enjoy it so much because I have the time to do it, and it’s a beautiful experience. And it has been completely worth it.
3.- Yudy, you are aware of your growth as a person, a model and a beauty queen, and you are becoming more of an influencer and opinion leader every day. How do you handle this? How do you like to interact with your followers? What is your favorite social network?
Yes, I’m very aware of my growth as a person, as a model, as a beauty queen and as a leader. I handle it with responsibility and commitment, so I can have a positive influence on those around me, from my role as a psychologist, mom and athlete.
I like to interact with my followers in an authentic way, with respect and responsibility, especially through sports. I’m a champion of self-care, and every morning I share my gym routines to motivate them to take care of their health and well-being.
My favorite platforms are Instagram and Facebook, although I also use TikTok. (@yuleissy81 –
4.- What do you think is Yudy’s distinctive, unique trademark in everything she does as a person and as a model?
My trademark is my authenticity. Everything I do and convey comes from the heart, discipline and self-love. I want to promote values, self-care and healthy habits.
5.- Which values, forms of care and habits are important to have or adopt in order to be a model?
I believe it’s essential to stay authentic, to have confidence in yourself and to have a strong mindset to take criticism and handle long working days. Discipline is also key, not only mental discipline but also physical and emotional self-care.
6.- How did you feel the first time you modeled in front of a photo and video camera? What did you feel the first time you were in a beauty pageant?
Mmmm, I felt very nervous, but thank God the cameraman was very kind, guided me and made me feel secure. It was a beautiful experience and I learned a lot. In my first pageant I also felt nervous, but above all joy and excitement about the experience I was living.
7.- Yudy, would you like to venture into the entertainment industry at some point in your life, such as TV, radio or acting? Have you always been outgoing?
Yes, absolutely. I would like to take part in those spaces, and I feel I’m ready to do it. I’ve always been an outgoing person, and I love everything to do with the media.
8.- Yudy, what do you think about the power that social media and new technologies have?
I think social media and new technologies have a great deal of influence and also bring a lot of pressure, especially for young people. However, when used well, they can be a wonderful tool to educate, motivate, inspire and bring about positive change in society. In my case, I consume what nourishes me, and I use my social media to inspire and motivate in a positive way.
9.- What would you say to parents who don’t support their children’s talent? And what advice would you give to young people who have talent and skills but don’t dare to take the next step?
I would encourage young people to step out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to take the first step.
To parents, I would say to observe and nurture their children’s tastes and interests without imposing their own or rejecting their children’s. It’s important to give them tools to develop their own path, which will strengthen their self-esteem, their independence and their future.
10.- What lesson does this experience leave you with each day, in a world full of glamour, designs and beauty, both as a person and as a human being?
It leaves me with the lesson that true beauty comes from within, from self-love, discipline, humility and gratitude. It also teaches me to grow, to value every process and to be a better version of myself every day.
11.- What is your view on the empowerment of women in recent years, as they reach top positions all over the world? How can this situation be improved?
I think it’s wonderful and necessary. Female empowerment has allowed women to occupy important spaces and show their capability, leadership and strength.
To improve this situation, it’s essential to keep educating from a place of respect, promote equal opportunities, support other women and foster self-confidence from an early age.
12.- Yudy, what motivates you, and why do you feel grateful every day?
I’m motivated by being able to grow, learn, positively influence others and fulfill my dreams. Every day I feel grateful to God, to my family, for the opportunities I receive and for every experience that allows me to be a better woman, mom and professional.
13.- Do you like to travel? Which countries have you already visited? Which other countries would you like to see? Which places do you recommend visiting in Colombia and in the USA?
Yes, I love to travel. I have visited Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the whole Caribbean region, Spain, Italy, Greece, France and the United States.
I would like to see Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey, China, Australia, Portugal, Peru, Argentina, Brazil and many more, hehehe.
In Colombia, I recommend Buenaventura, especially Juanchaco and Ladrilleros; Cali, the Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero), Medellín, Cartagena, San Andrés, the Amazon and La Guajira. Colombia is beautiful in all its splendor.
In the United States, I recommend Las Vegas, New York in the summer and in December, Los Angeles, San Diego, St. Augustine, Key West, San Francisco and New Orleans.
14.- Ping pong
– Marriage: Union
– Abortion: Decision
– Best movie: Extraordinario
– The worst: Mamma Mia
– Children: My whole life
– Dancing: Flavor
– Singing: Joy
– Machismo: Inequality
– Politics: Broken promises
– Favorite food: Fried fish with patacón
– Character: Firmness
– Percentage of craziness: 100%
– Great love: He knows who he is
15.- These lines are yours, Yudy.
First, I want to thank God for being my guide and my strength. To my husband and my children, for being my fundamental support, my guide and my compass. Thank you for giving me the space to keep dreaming and for walking by my side as I build each one of my dreams.
I thank the Nuestra Reina Latina pageant for the opportunity, for everything I learned and the way I grew during the process, and for everything that is coming during this year of work.
To the magazine, thank you for this space, for believing in me and for strengthening me; today I’m a much more confident Yudy.
I want to empower all women to believe in themselves, to keep working toward their dreams no matter their age, and to always keep their self-confidence, because that is what makes us strong.
Thank you.
Special thanks:
Wardrobe: Bernado Avenia
Makeup: K56 Peluqueria
Photography: Juan Sanson Agencia “Cali”
Dleefhoto “Tampa”
Interview by Jaime Mybs with Yudy Leissy Rengifo – Colombia
Interview authorized by Yudy Leissy Rengifo – Perumira – Jaime Mybs
All rights reserved in the name of Yudy Leissy Rengifo – Perumira – Jaime Mybs
If the guest requests that their interview be removed/deleted, a penalty will apply.
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