Andreína Martínez, a Dominican passionate about bachata, dreams big, turning those dreams into reality. With a story of motivation and overcoming, she inspires other women to fight for their aspirations.
Her charisma, elegance, intelligence, but above all, her determination, allowed Martínez to become Miss Dominican Republic Universe and the second runner-up in the Miss Universe 2022, something she considers a blessing.
“I honestly never thought I would get this far, coming from a very poor family in the Dominican Republic. I moved to the United States when I was just 13 years old without knowing the language, without my family, without my mother. I never saw myself going to Miss Universe, and that has been a very beautiful blessing for me.”
Martínez knew what she wanted from a young age. “In 2003, Amelia Vega won Miss Universe, and I said I want to be there. In fact, my father, when we were all watching the contest, told me: she got ahead of you, it’s your turn to be second.”
The Moment to Pursue a Dream
Martínez’s focus changed a bit when she arrived in the United States. She prioritized education, training, and work, like many immigrants leaving their home countries, before fulfilling her dream of participating in beauty pageants.
“When I graduated from college, I thought it was time to pursue my dream. I entered a beauty pageant in the United States, I won, and then I went to Miss Dominican Republic Universe, with my heart full of fear, anxiety, but firm in what I knew I could be.”
Martínez studied psychology because she has always found human behavior too interesting, but she also studied political science because when she moved to the United States, she noticed the lack of public policies to help immigrants. Thanks to this latter career, she had the opportunity to work in the New York Senate and the United States Senate.
Challenges Overcome with Focus and Determination
In Martínez’s life, there are several challenges that she has overcome with determination and focus. Among them is moving to the United States without her mother and trying to be that maternal figure for her siblings, dealing with the language, overcoming Covid-19, and coping with criticism.
“You are never prepared for the public scrutiny you will receive in the spotlight.”
Moving from her beloved Dominican Republic was a cultural shock for Martínez, starting with the language. “I missed not having family nearby, the nostalgia of not having my people, my house, my neighbors. I moved to New York, and something that surprised me a lot is that people said ‘good morning’ in the elevator, I didn’t know anyone in the building where I lived. It was a big shock.”
Martínez believed in herself, in her discipline, and in her ability to turn the obstacles that presented themselves into challenges. “Life doesn’t always put everything in your favor, however, it’s important to be perseverant and resilient. It worked for me, and it can work for anyone.”
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