Por: Al Ballesteros
For this 25 year anniversary, we thought it would be great to get in touch with past Adelante cover models and see where they are now in life, careers, and future plans. We asked them the following questions:
1 – What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
2 – What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
3 – Is there anything you learned along the way you’d like to share here with others?
4 – Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
DANIEL MIAGAMI
May 2004, October 2005, February 2007, July 2008, January 2013
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
Wow. That was 19 years ago to the month. I was a struggling 20-something year old just trying to find my way in life.
I remember the day I was approached by photographer, Joseph Leon, to do the shoot. Plans were shifted at the magazine and three days later I was May’s 2004 cover boy.
That cover itself got me so much exposure in the Latin community and I went on to grace four more Adelante covers along with thirty covers for other national gay magazines.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
I currently work in the fashion industry but my passion is in my art. I describe my art as pop-meets erotica with a retro feel. I often use bold colors and hard outlines. Someone recently said my art has a drag queen element which I absolutely love and am using that from now on.
Is there anything you learned along the way you’d like to share here with others?
Don’t get hung up on things that aren’t important. There’s power in perception and how you carry yourself. So express yourself however you wish and you’ll attract genuine people. Enjoy your youth. There’s so many more good things to come.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
In the years since I was on Adelante I did campaigns for Andrew Christian, Jocko Underwear, Wax Brand underwear, gay.com, Interactive Male, played a robot in a movie, did some reality tv and some music videos.
Nowadays, I lead a quiet life at home in West Hollywood with my cute little doggy Sheila.
For inquires on my art please email
Danielmiaganyart@gmail.com or follow me on IG at DanielMiaganyArt
DANIEL HERMOSILLO
January 2006, February 2007, January 2012
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
I had recently moved to Los Angeles from my hometown Denver, Colorado. I was meeting new people go-go dancing at every nightclub and traveling as well to new cities. I met so many people and was enjoying the ride of the most fun times of my life.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
I recently became a homeowner and have a great career in the Insurance industry. My future plans are to travel more and stay in shape while living my best life!
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
Yes, I would say from my experience try not to care or worry too much about what other people think of you. Always love yourself be kind to others, remain grateful and humble.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
I completely changed my life around by focusing more on my career and reaching my goals. Enjoy spending my time now with family and making memories with my boyfriend and loved ones. The nightclub and cover boy life was a blast but we all must evolve.
CISCO
December 2002, June 2007
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
In 2002 and 2007, I graced the cover of Adelante magazine twice. It was during this period that I was discovering my identity as a gay man and establishing myself as a Gogo dancer and model. Leveraging the then-burgeoning social media platform, Myspace, I cultivated my personal brand in the gay Latino community. In addition to my professional pursuits, I was also devoted to raising my daughter, Angelica. While residing in Colorado, I simultaneously worked in the mortgage industry.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
Following the 2008 financial crisis, my career in the mortgage industry came to an end, and I had to rely on my skills as a Gogo dancer to make ends meet. However, this setback ultimately spurred me on to become an entrepreneur and launch YOCISCO, an online magazine catering to the needs of gay men of color. Over the years, YOCISCO has grown and evolved, morphing into a successful apparel company that has now been in business for a decade. Today, I live in San Diego with my amazing husband and my daughter, who is now 26. She and I have created a social media content production firm together. Additionally, she will be getting married next year so I’m eagerly looking forward to the possibility of becoming a grandparent one day.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
Throughout my journey, I’ve realized that humility and persistence are the two essential qualities one must possess to succeed. When I look back on my journey, I am immensely grateful to every individual who has supported me. Without their encouragement, I would not be where I am today. Their unwavering support in the form of attending our shows, tipping us, following us on social media, commenting, liking, and purchasing our products has made all the difference.
Moreover, I have learned the importance of never giving up, even when things seem insurmountable. There was a time when I lost everything, but I refused to let that defeat me. Instead, I kept pushing forward and met two people who have become integral to my life: my business partner and my husband. They helped me rebuild from the ruins, and it was all possible because I refused to give up. I held on to hope and persisted through the challenges.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
Over the past few years, building a recognizable brand has been my most significant accomplishment. It hasn’t been an easy feat, but with the unwavering support of my business partner, husband, and talented daughter, we have been able to keep YOCISCO running for the past ten years. They are the glue that holds our brand together, and I’m incredibly grateful for their constant encouragement.
What makes this journey most special to me is hearing from people who remember me from my early days, those who have followed our brand for years, and those who have been loyal customers over the past decade. Their support and loyalty are truly humbling, and it reminds me how fortunate we are to have such a strong support system. Their unwavering support is what has kept us going, and I’m forever grateful to them.
ANTHONY GONZALEZ
August 2005
IG: @Agonz78
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
It was the beginning of my professional dance career and I was running from audition to audition. I had finished a contract dancing in a union show at Disneyland and was living in Silverlake.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
I’m still a professional dancer and aerialist. I love the circus arts. I’m also a professional licensed cosmetologist working at Izzy’s Barbershop in Weho. I graduated from the Aveda Institute for cosmetology in February 2014. I wanted to work on a back up plan in case my dance career slowed down, which it did a bit after the pandemic. After back-up dancing in Latin drag shows for many years at Circus and Arena, with the clubs closing down I moved on to dancing at the Abbey in West Hollywood. I love Go Go dancing there.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
I’ve been dancing professionally in the industry for 26 years now and no matter who or what professional job I took I managed to stay humble. I feel lots of professional dancers who dance for pop stars think they are a pop star also. Lol! At the end of the day eventually you will be unemployed again. So be humble and spread love and kindness to everyone no matter what you’ve done. Share your energy and light with people. Not your ego.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
I’ve done a lot of fun professional jobs with big names and I’m not done. Dance will always be part of my life.
JOSEPH LEON/RICKY MEJIA
March 2001
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
We were 26 and 27, planning and starting our small modeling business which led us to being involved in photography and as wellness practitioners.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
are now established in Tulum, Mexico doing real estate investment and real estate developer. Entrepreneurs.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
To create a foundation for our friendships and work and watch them grow.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
We’ve traveled the world. We’ve got married after 23 years and we’ve grown together. We are now planning our retirement and continuing to travel, exploring Mexico and Central America.
RICARDO BOCANEGRA
February 2012
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
11 years ago (2012), I was 28 years old and now I am 39. I obtained my Bachelors of Architecture from Calpoly Pomona in 2009. At the time, I was working as a Project Manager for an Architecture Firm in Newport Beach that does not exist anymore. I was also a gym rat on my free time. Although getting my license was the next big step in life, I put more importance to my social life during those years and to enjoying my prime years.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
Right now, I am one of the three Licensed Architects in an AIA Award winning firm in downtown LA. I finally got my CA Architects License during the pandemic. It took several years and a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve this goal. The year I got licensed NCARB published statistics, one of which showed that only 6% of the people who got licensed where Latinos. Among the things I sacrificed for this goal where my body, friends, family, health, social life etc. I am working on getting back all those things I sacrificed. Obtaining a Bachelors was very hard but obtaining a License makes obtaining a Bachelors look like a walk in the park. Right now, I am working on several projects in downtown LA and in the future, I hope to become a Principal of the company.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
If I have anything to shear it would be the following advice: If you want to make your main goal in life come true, you have to be willing to work hard and expect to sacrifice a lot. It all depends on how much you want this goal and put it in a balance with what you are willing to sacrifice for it and how hard you are willing to push yourself. I pushed myself nearly to the point of insanity but now that I achieved my ultimate goal, I feel as if I can now die in peace.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
The most special thing I did over the years was to reconnect with my family. I had completely separated from them for about 4 years and now I feel as though my life has meaning again. There is nothing in this life quite like a family. Therefore, we must be careful of who we let in and who we let out of our hearts.
TONY MAYORGA
August 2012
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
I was working at Rage night club as a bartender and the funny fact is that I don’t drink and my manager was trying to teach me how to mix drinks. I think my customers were happy because I really didn’t know what I was doing, and all I remember was me pouring a lot of alcohol to each drink.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
For 5 years I was working in my own hair and makeup salon. It was something that I still can’t believe I did. You know, someone like me coming from another country and I had the opportunity to own a business. Sadly we had to sell it last September after struggling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m still working as a makeup artist and spray tanner.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
Things go and come. Money, youth, bodies, friends. At the end of the day we only have ourselves. We need to learn how to love OURSELVES. Life can be tough. So are you! “If you don’t live and love yourself, how can you love someone else?”
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
I think made some friends all these years in LA. I moved here in 2006 and I’m still in the same circle of people. Family is far away but I’m very grateful to have a chosen family over here. As a makeup artist I learned something very important. What you do, do it well. One small gesture can make someone else feel good.
OSVALDO TANDA
June 2013, July 2021
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
I appeared on the cover of the magazine 10 years ago for their Quinceañera (15 years), I recently got my green card and with that I was excited to start a new chapter in my life here in Los Angeles.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
I work for a Health Organization as a graphic designer. Me and my director are in charge of their brand identity and marketing. I also produce events for the Gay Latino community here in LA.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
Over all these years I’ve learned that our health is really important, without it there’s not much we can do. I believe I’m more empathetic and compassionate, and definitely count my blessings.
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
As I mentioned, I produce events / parties for the Gay Latin community. I’m proud I have done these events in places like the W Hotel in Hollywood, The Chapel at the Abbey in West Hollywood and prior to that in other cool venues in downtown. PDancing music in Spanish in these places definitely puts a smile on my face. Feel free to check my Instagram highlighted stories for pictures and videos my user is @otanda
CARLOS TORRES
November 2014
What were you doing in life back when you first appeared on the cover of Adelante?
When I first appeared on the cover of Adelante, I was working in Public Relations representing clients in the tech and beauty industry. I was also single and enjoying my life with friends and trying to decide what my next step would be. I was hungry and wanted more.
What are you doing or working on now? Your future plans?
Currently I am the owner of a successful dental practice in the heart of Beverly Hills. I took ownership in 2022 and my future plans are to open more practices around Los Angeles. I am very proud of where I am today! And I’m also very happy in a committed relationship with a beautiful man who’s my life partner. He wants to open up a gym so that’s in the future plans as well.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with others?
Live life to the fullest. Create memories. Travel the world. Strive for success. Leave your mark and always lead with love. Life is fragile and short…so do it now!!
Anything special that you’ve done over the last several years you’d like to share?
Two special things: My business and my relationship. Watching my dental practice grow and to be able to work with some of the best people in the industry. And then there’s my man…or should I say husband. 😉
