Julissa Is Rising to The Top

By Tonya Pendleton

Be prepared to move fast if you want to keep up with Julissa Bermudez. The bubbly, outgoing host of BET’s student-themed “The Center” is always in motion. This proficient multi-tasker has no problem being interviewed while preparing for her own show, working as special correspondent for “106 and Park,” or, a few days later, while under the hair dryer or (literally) running to catch a bus.

“I still ride the train,” Bermudez laughs. “I still take the bus. People [are so surprised]. What? I can’t take the bus? It gets me around quicker than a cab. I’m the type of person that’s always on the go. Whatever gets me there quicker, I’m on it.”

Getting there quickly seems to be the constant theme in Bermudez’s life. While it takes most young people years to get close to their dream job, Bermudez landed hers shortly after college. An audition tape sent to BET brought her to the attention of the network and she sewed up a hosting gig soon after.

“Her personality leapt from her tape,” says Stephen Hill, executive vice president of entertainment and music programming for BET . “Julissa has a great energy and spirit that TV absolutely captures. That's rare.”

The youngest and only girl of four siblings, Bermudez, 21, grew up in Queens, N.Y. in a close-knit family that encouraged her dreams of stardom. While attending New York’s Talent Unlimited High School as a theater major, Bermudez started auditioning and modeling. She got her first big break with a Coca-Cola commercial and she was one of six finalists competing to be the face of singer Jennifer Lopez’ Sweetface fashion line.

From there, Bermudez started working as a VJ for Mun2, a Latin music television station where her Dominican heritage and bilingual ability was a distinct advantage. But what helped her out even more was her insatiable desire to learn everything she could about the television industry.

“I asked a lot of questions,” Bermudez says. “When I first got started on TV, I didn’t know anything, so I just kept asking people on the set and behind the camera about what they did. I wanted to know everything that people did, not just what I do. I think that works out because you can use that information and learn so much more quickly.”

Bermudez had to step up recently in wake of the departure of Free and AJ from “106 and Park.” She is now the show’s interim co-host, a position that is not totally unfamiliar, thanks to her experience as the show’s special correspondent. Overhearing her on a business call, confidently discussing interview opportunities while arranging to get photos mailed to a writer, you get the feeling that Bermudez is constantly thinking ahead. Those who work with her have already noted her attention to detail that has quickly made her a beloved member of the BET family.

Filling Her Own Shoes: 106 and Park’s Julissa

By: Shaka Lias

Issue date: 2/6/06 Section: Entertainment

If you think the new hostess of BET's 106 and Park is trying to fill the stylish shoes of former host Free think again.
Julissa Bermudez is quick to tell you that she is indeed honored to co-host but the shoes she walks in are her own.
The 22-year old Queens, NY native said she just does her best and goes with the flow.
Going with the flow includes mentally and physically preparing for BET's top video countdown.
She arrives at the studio as early as 3p.m. for the show which airs three hours later. Preparing for the show includes production meetings, hair/makeup, reviewing scripts and researching guests.
Julissa said what she loves most about the show is her connection with the audience.
"Whatever you see on T.V. that's me," Julissa said of her excitement that bursts through the screen.
She adds that she is a "normal" person who is just as crunk on screen as she is off.
As a matter of fact she's not reminded of her "celebrity" status until she's out in public.
"I'm really just a normal person, I don't consider myself a celebrity," Julissa said during a recent phone interview from her New York office.
The former Political Science and Theater Arts student
at Five Towns College, located in Long Island NY, said she enjoyed the southern hospitality she received while visiting the Atlanta University Center last semester.
"There was so much love, I was just taking it all in," she said.
In her spare time she enjoys movies, shopping and spending time with her family. She said she one day hopes to go back to her theater roots.
"I just finished a independent film. I'm taking baby steps into it," she said of her acting career.
One thing she isn't taking baby steps into is her current job. She is the first Latino to host a show on BET.
She says she sees the company getting bigger and better and being more innovative and ground breaking and she plans to walk right along with it…in her own shoes of course.

Julissa Interview’s E-40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G0klZ5ctCE&search=106

Julissa Interview’s Mariah (cont.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mED0gaXJZs0&search=106

Julissa Interview’s Mariah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaL0SLuCiS0

MI VIDA LOCA

For Julissa Bermudez, host of the hottest music show on Latin TV, partying with pop stars is all part of the job.
As told to Carolina Buia
Source: Teen People – September 2003 p. 136

Growing up, my friends used to call me Olive Oyl because I was so skinny and my hair was always in a bun. So it's still hard for me to believe that at 19, I'm living in Miami and cohosting a music television show that reaches about 12 million people. It's called The Roof, and it airs every weeknight from eight to ten on mun2, a cable network aimed at young Latinos. The Roof is a funky version of Total Request Live with some Spanish thrown in.

It's not like this job landed in my lap. I've always wanted to perform. My friends back home in Jackson Heights, N.Y., started calling me Julissa from the Block because, like J. Lo, I rode the train to auditions-only I took the number 7, not the 6. Last summer I learned mun2 was looking to a new show, so I went to try out.

Now, my typical workday starts at 5:15 P.M., when I pick out my wardrobe and get my makeup done. Eight o'clock is "showtime mode"-I'm live for two hours straight. It's a long time. Yet it goes by fast because I have so much fun interviewing guests, talking to callers and dancing to the music videos.

I totally love my life right now, but I do get a little homesick, so I talk to mom every day. Her attitude inspires me-she's the Soul Train star of the family: first one on the dance floor, last one to leave. I also really want to finish school. I'm a semester away from my associate's degree in theatre arts. Once I get that, I want to transfer to a school like Florida International University. I'll find a way to manage the schedule; I'll just have to take classes in the morning.

I'm not dating anyone right now, but I have a total crush on Justin Timberlake. I'd love to have him on The Roof. Maybe I can work my way backstage during one of his concerts. Yes, I am into him, but I'll settle for an interview!

BET’s Julissa makes her way to the top

The State News, MSU's Independent Voice

close window

Printed Friday September 9th, 2005.

By FREDRICKA PAUL

The State News

At 21, Julissa Bermudez is doing big things on BET. After AJ and Free left "106 and Park," Julissa stepped up to hosting the show. Although right now she is a temporary replacement, she has hosted almost every night since August.Julissa was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, N.Y. A graduate of the Performing Arts Talent Unlimited High School in New York, she is already the host of BET's "The Center."

In a recent interview with The State News, Julissa talked about her past and what she has planned for her future.

The State News: Tell us a little about yourself.
Julissa: I was born in the Dominican Republic on Sept. 28, 1983. I grew up in Queens, N.Y. and I am a Libra.

SN: How do you feel about being the new host of "106 and Park"?
J:I am not going to say I am the host yet. I am just taking it one day at a time. It is just such a great experience and I am having a great time. You just have to take it one day at a time.

I am just in shock. AJ and Free are the best and I know we are going to see them soon because they are so talented. I am nervous everyday. I just turn it into excitement and having a great time.

SN: You're the first Latina host on "106 & Park." Are you making a difference for other Latinos?
J: I feel so blessed and so excited. You never see yourself breaking new ground. You go into it doing what you love to do.

SN: What do you think about being called television's "It" girl?
J: I am excited. I just want to entertain everybody. I thank everybody that has helped me so far and supported me and kept it moving. I see people in the street and they run up to me saying, "Hey, you're that girl on TV," and thank me for what I have done. I am just like, "Oh, yeah, that's my job, I am on TV." It just makes me feel good to know that I am helping others and doing what I love to do. I stand on the set of "The Center" and hope that people are actually sitting at home listening to what I say.

SN: What are your favorite things to do in your free time?
J: I love to go shopping and hang out with my friends. Although I am sometimes too busy to hang with them, I have to make myself take the time to hang with them. I also like going to the movies.

SN: Tell us about your daily routine.
J: A typical day can be pretty hectic. I get up some time around 8 a.m. When I am taping, I can tape up to eight shows in a week. There is a lot of prep time involved with filming a show. People usually think that you can just walk on the set and start filming, but you can't. I have hair and makeup, which can take up to two hours depending on my look for the day. I also have to meet with wardrobe to pick out my clothes. I have to go to production meetings and meet with the producer. Sometimes after a long day, I still have to go to events and mingle with people. It is all fun at the end of the day though.

SN: Where did you get your start?
J: I took drama in the seventh grade and kept up with it all through high school. I started out on a television show called "The Roof." It aired on a network called MUN2, which is a bilingual network. I had a great time there. The only thing was that the more information you give, the more people feel they can judge you, so you had to learn to limit the amount of information you give out about yourself. I related to young girls because there were not a lot of young Latinos or minorities on television then and I was honored to be the one they saw.

SN: What made you want to go into entertainment? Is that what you always wanted to do?
J: I always wanted to go into entertainment whether it was modeling, commercials, acting or performing. I never thought I would end up on a big television network like BET. I thought I would end up as a big Broadway star or something like that, never the host of my own show.

SN: How did your get to where you are today?
J: Working a lot. Everything is still surreal to me. I was doing commercials and modeling. While modeling for Ecko, I picked up a VIBE magazine to check out the latest ad. As I was looking through the magazine, I saw an article about Free. After reading the article I thought to send over my package to see if they were holding auditions. The rest is history.

SN: What is you favorite thing about working on BET?
J: Everything. I love my BET family. It is one big family. I also love that every day is a learning experience. Each day I go in, I learn something new. I just love working there.

SN: What has been your favorite moment while working with BET?
J: I have so many, but I think it might be going to the BET Awards. You do not know how you are going to feel until you get to the events. Just being on the red carpet is an experience. It is one of those moments you just have to pinch yourself. You are just like, "oh my God!"

SN: What do you attribute your success to?
J: My mom has been a big influence on me. She has been behind me. When you have a big support system like mine, it is good to know that when you fall you have someone to get you back on your feet. For me, it is my mother, father and three older brothers. When you are the baby and you have three older brothers, they can be overprotective, but you need that to keep you from getting a big head and to constantly remind you where you came from.

SN: Have any of your dreams changed since working on BET?
J: Working with the BET family is my dream. They took a chance on hiring me and it is not every day you have an entire network behind you. It is all about seeing what else is out there for you. I just finished filming my first movie. I still want to have my own cosmetic company and fashion line.

SN: What to you want to accomplish in the long run?
J: I just want to inspire people and have young girls out there saying "wow." I want these girls to know that if you stick to your dreams that someone will notice you and you will get your chance as long as you work hard. I want to go back to the Dominican Republic and open up an art school where the underprivileged can be exposed to the arts since they do not have those opportunities now.

Location: http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=31460

All content ©2006 The State News

History in the Making

 

Source: MiGente.com
by Mariel Concepcion
11/08/2005

Gone are the days when Daisy and Idalis were the sole brown faces on entertainment television. With our gente being featured and starring in everything from witty sitcoms to big-budget movies, our roles in mainstream media are expanding. Today two of the hottest VJ's in music television are none other than Latinas. The Dominican and Puerto Rican Susie Castillo, 25, went from being Miss USA 2003 to securing a spot on MTV's TRL earlier this year. Dominicana Julissa Bermudez, 21, got her start hosting Mun2's The Roof but made TV history in 2004 when she became the first Latina to host BET's The Center. She is also keeping things hot on the channel's top ranking program, "106 and Park," as temporary host.

MG recently had the opportunity to charlar with the rising estrellas about their beginnings, their influences, and the flava they think Latinos bring to the table.

MG: You guys both came from radically different paths to television stardom. How did you get started?

Julissa: In junior high, high school and then college, I studied theater and drama. That's what I thought I always wanted to do. When I was in the 11th grade, I started going on auditions and eventually I got with a manager, and she started sending me on even more auditions. I did a commercial for this Spanish newspaper, El Diario/ La Prensa and that led to other little commercials and modeling. In the mix of all of that, when I was about a semester and half in college, that agent sent me on an audition for a show that was up and coming, on this brand new network. It was great 'cause it was geared towards young, urban Latinos. I went ahead and auditioned, and that show happened to be 'The Roof,' and they offered me the position.

Susie: When I was a little girl I wanted to be a supermodel like Cindy Crawford, but as I grew up I began wandering off into the world of commercials, acting, and television. I've always enjoyed the spotlight but now I enjoy being more than just a face in a photograph. MTV spotted me while I was Miss USA. One thing led to another and the next thing I know I'm an MTV VJ. I feel very blessed to have this job. I am living proof that through hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

MG: What do you guys think about the recent surge of Latinos in the media? What do you both credit that to?

Julissa: I think it?s just a matter of hard work. I feel like if you stick to something eventually people are going to embrace it. Maybe people think we came out of nowhere, but, I mean, the Latino community has been around forever.