Controversy of Cristina Saralegui
A Journalist
Early Life, Background, and Contribution
Cristina was born on January 29, 1948 in Havana, Cuba. She graduated from the University of Miami. She later learned about the publishing business while interning at Vanidades magazine. Saralegui came to the U.S. from Cuba at age 12 in 1960. She transitioned to TV in 1989 as the host of The Cristina Show. She has used her programs to tackle controversial topics as well as to provide information on personal and health subjects. By the mid-1900s Saralegui had become a strong force in the Spanish-language communication markets, even though people criticized her show that some of the topics covered by them might be too improper for Saralegui's more conservative Hispanic audience. Her shows popularity led the media to refer to the stylish Saralegui as the "Hispanic Oprah Winfrey." She was named one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America", by Time Magazine in 2005.
Famous work
Her mix of glamour, humor, and kitschiness, developed over 16 years of doing the program El Show de Cristina on the Univision Network, endears her to viewers. Once she said, "I have gotten into a lot of trouble in my life for being brutally honest. Sometimes I put my both feet in my mouth, but I'm still standing." Now she sits at the center of a Hispanic empire. She started the magazine, Cristina la Revista in 1991, a talk show which has won 11 Emmys and about 100 million views, and a thriving acting career that has included the appearance of George Lopez.
Cultural Heritage
Cristina has inspired others by running a foundation, Amiba la vida (Up with life) which aims to educate Hispanics about HIV and other Health subjects that are often avoided in Latino communities, such as domestic violence.
Determined to overcome the discrimination, long rooted in the traditions of the Latin culture, Saralegui worked twice as hard to prove herself, by making $40 a week in the photo library at Vanidades.
In Cristina's culture there is a distinction between genders; males enjoy rights, and most privileges are denied to females.
Summary
Cristina Saralegui has been one of the most famous and influential Latina TV journalist of all time. She has been recognized as one of the most inspiring role models for today's Hispanic woman. She has entertained millions of people with celebrity interviews, inspirational stories, and explorations of topics like AIDS and domestic violence on her TV show. Cristina made it okay for Hispanics to openly discuss issues that had never been talked about on Spanish-language television. Today Cristina continues to pursue media ventures and influencing others, that even though you don't have the privileges you deserve, you can still achieve a lot. She currently hosts a radio program, after her show was canceled, but she has still inspired others to this day.
Saralegui in The Cristina's show in 1992
Cristina's show El Show de Cristina started from 1989 to 2010, on the Univision Network in Miami.
The Cristina's Show.
She concluded each episode with a double thumbs-up salute, and the Cuban expression, "Pa'lante, pa'tras ni pa' coger impulso." (Forward, don't step back, not even to gain momentum.)
Hall of Fame
Cristina was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.