Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Vanesa Merced
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Voting for this round ends on August 18, 2026 at 9:00 PM EDT
About Vanesa Merced
At 52, I am returning to a passion that shaped my youth. After dedicating myself to my family and building my career as an entrepreneur, I am pursuing this dream again with the confidence that elegance, self-assurance, and beauty have no age.
Learn More About Vanesa Merced
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
I believe I could be the next Next Runway Star because this competition represents my desire to return to a passion that shaped my youth. I studied modeling and participated in beauty pageants, but I chose to dedicate myself to my family and later built a successful career as an entrepreneur. Now, at 52 years old, I feel it is the right time to reconnect with that part of myself that never stopped dreaming. I return with more experience, confidence, and authenticity, believing that beauty has no age and that every stage of life deserves to be celebrated. I want to show that it is never too late to pursue a dream and that true elegance comes from self-confidence, discipline, and self-love. I hope to inspire other women to believe that they can always begin again and proudly pursue what makes them feel truly alive.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
This opportunity would mean opening a new chapter in my life. It would remind me—and hopefully others—that age should never define our dreams or our potential. Every stage of life brings new goals, new passions, and new opportunities to grow. With faith in God, determination, and the willingness to keep moving forward, I truly believe it’s never too late to begin again.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
I’m most proud of the life I’ve built through determination. I raised my family, became an entrepreneur, and never stopped learning. I’m self-taught, always curious, and I love mastering new skills—from beauty and makeup to construction and design. Through my work, I help women feel confident by enhancing their natural beauty. Above all, I’m proud that I never let obstacles define me. I keep growing, keep creating, and keep believing that every stage of life can be the beginning of something extraordinary.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
Winning this competition would allow me to build the next chapter of my journey: Vaneshy Academy. My dream is to create a place where I can teach women not only the art of beautiful brows, but also how to build confidence, develop a successful career, and create financial independence. For me, this opportunity is about much more than walking a runway—it’s about opening doors for other women to transform their own lives.
Content from Vanesa Merced
Beauty with Purpose
I believe true success is not measured only by the results we achieve, but by the lives we impact. This video reflects years of hard work, continuous learning, and transformation, demonstrating that when beauty is driven by purpose, confidence flourishes.
Vote for Vanesa Merced
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