Tefi Valenzuela: the artist’s story of overcoming after facing bullying and domestic violence | INTERVIEW

stephanie valenzuela Yábar learned from difficult moments to take advantage of adversity and win in hostile scenarios, like the time he ended up being a model on Raúl Romero’s program after being teased for his physical appearance. Or when he was the victim of domestic violence by his ex-partner, the Mexican actor Eleazar Gómez. On that occasion, she took advantage of the international media exposure that arose, to publicize her work abroad.

“It was difficult, but God knows why he sends you things. The things that happened to me there (in Mexico) opened doors for me and now is the time to show who I am”, says the national artist.

Tefi Valenzuela, as she is popularly called, is a model and singer. She was born in Arequipa. She is 32 years old and started modeling when she was four, when she -at the hands of her mother- participated in the Miss Chiquita and Mini Top Model contests.

Almost a year after her last musical release, the artist reappears with “Baila”, a song she recorded in collaboration with the Cuban Osmani Garcia, known for his hits “El taxi” and “Pizza are”. Valenzuela’s new single, released under the Heat Records Miami record label, is accompanied by a video clip produced in Miami by the Peruvian producer Jaime Cuadra.

“I’m back in Peru because we’re going to record two songs: one is a very Peruvian cumbia with the Great International Orchestra and the other is ‘La cinturita’ with Norlam Vila, from Los 4 de Cuba, a song that conveys joy, enthusiasm, different from the previous ones that speak of love and lack of love. In the video clip of this song you will see me dancing and having fun, we have recorded it in Lima with people enjoying a total party. I want to give more power to my career in Peru because I think that the songs that are coming now are aimed at the Peruvian public”, ccomments Valenzuela.

Does this change of musical rhythm reflect the moment you are living?

I am “short veins”, I write about very sad songs and I love creating catharsis by writing them, but I am giving myself the chance to make music that motivates people to start dancing because it is a beautiful way of transmitting joy, desire to live and enjoy to the public. The goal is not to win a Grammy, it is to enjoy what you do.

Through a statement you made it known that you are promoting your career abroad, that you have no intention of working in Peru, what motivated you to come back?

I am going to continue living in Mexico, I do not plan to stay, because my projection is international, I want to bring music from Peru to the world. Thank God I have open doors in Mexico and the United States, which I do not want or plan to waste.

How did you manage to open doors abroad?

Because of the things that happened to me there (in Mexico), many doors were opened for me. God knows why he sends you things and now it’s time to show who I am. All the press knows me, I have open programs for me, both in the United States and in Mexico, that’s why I’m working really hard, making songs and video clips. I know that many Peruvians would dream of having their doors open. It happened to me and I cannot miss the opportunity.

When you say “it happened to me”, do you mean the episode of domestic violence with Eleazar Gómez?

That’s right, but when that happened I already had songs, they didn’t find me at zero. I’ve been making music since 2018 and I’m still working, I just need to be given the opportunity to show who I am.

What lesson did that harsh episode with your ex-partner teach you?

To love and value myself much more. In any case, it was a nice year, I planted and right now I am enjoying the fruits. Every day you learn something new, in this life you never let yourself learn.

Did you receive civil compensation?

Yes, but it is a subject that I do not want to touch, although it has led me to connect with many women. I graduated as a coach and on Women’s Day I gave a conference as a Life Coach, in Lima.

That was not the first time, with other ex-partners, like George Forsyth, you also faced difficult times…

But not at that level, that has no point of comparison; but it’s in the past and it’s not worth remembering, now I just want to focus on myself, on what makes me happy, on what I can grow as a person. I love music and I have acting projects. That’s what I was born for. I dance, sing and compete since I was four years old. I’ve always wanted to be an artist, but unfortunately some parents think that being a singer or dancer is a hobby and they put obstacles in your way.

Did it happen with you?

They forced me to study architecture, but thank God I took courage and was able to pursue my dreams. I live from my job and I’m doing very well, I can’t complain. I have been growing little by little. What they pay me in Peru is not even a quarter of what they pay me in the United States. You can make a lot of money on TV if you really put your mind to it.

How did you get on television?

Because Raúl Romero chose me through a casting to be a model for his program. I am provincial, from Arequipa. That time I arrived on vacation in Lima and they called me for “Desafío”. It was the happiest day of my life, I threw myself on the floor with joy when Raúl told me that she had been selected, also the salary was very good, nothing to do with what she earned as a hostess. It was a nice experience, I learned a lot, I met good people. Then they called me from other channels: Latina, ATV, América TV, Panamericana TV and Willax.

Then you entered “Combat”, the program that gave you popularity. To what do you attribute that you worked on television?

Because I never gave up, I worked overtime. If she wasn’t a very good competitor, she rehearsed more hours. I am a perfectionist, I like to study, learn.

Is it true that you were bullied as a child?

When I was 13 or 14 years old, my hair was frizzy, messy, horrible. The boys made fun of me, they called me names. They also made fun of me because I didn’t have boobs. From the age of fifteen I had to save to be able to wear some, because my parents were never going to pay me for them. They are things that you have left and when you are a girl, insecure, they affect you. Today if they make fun of me, I laugh to death. In fact, my song “Untouchable” has a video clip that talks about bullying.

Whose letter says: “What did not kill me, made me strong”. Did that happen to you?

That’s right, it made me strong to cope and face problems.

I guess you didn’t get that strength overnight. How was the process?

It was not easy because there are many people who criticize. Television is not for everyone, I arrived as a girl and little by little I have been forming my character. It is to endure and tolerate.

Your sentimental life has been your Achilles heel. Would you change anything about her?

I love my life as it is, I accept it and understand it. Everything that happens to me is for something good and every day I realize that. I am currently single, enjoying myself, living day to day without paying attention to haters, or malicious criticism.

How do you receive reviews about your trips to Dubai and luxuries…

It’s my private life and as long as I don’t disrespect anyone, I don’t have to explain myself. People who love me don’t need them and those who don’t, even if I give them to them, they won’t understand. I don’t wear out, I don’t care. That I learned. And I’m telling you this because at first when I was with Mario Irivarren they criticized me a lot and I would throw myself into bed crying. Imagine if I lived with that. Currently I have such a great mental training that criticism no longer affects me.

Is it true that Mario Irivarren gave you an engagement ring when you were together?

It was not a commitment to get married, it represented the commitment that I was going to return because I was going on a trip. He gave it to me at the airport, it cost him about 1,300 dollars. It was the most expensive first gift they gave me.

And what is the most expensive gift you have received so far?

A watch, from a couple I had in Dubai. I have been lucky that they have always given me gifts, but not because I asked for them because I have always worked, since I was fifteen. They can say what they want about me, but they can’t say I didn’t work. I may be dating the prince of Dubai, but I have never stopped working or dreaming, or pursuing my dreams, which are getting bigger and bigger.