“Lo que esta pa’ ti, nadie te lo quita” (What’s meant for you no one can will take it away)
This is one of Lili Estefan’s mantras in life. The tall, Cuban blonde reminisced about her career at Univision—first as a model in Sábado Gigante, later as co-host of “El Gordo y La Flaca,” now as a judge for “Mira Quien Baila,” the Spanish version of “Dancing With the Stars.”
“I’m celebrating my 25th anniversary in Univision,” Estefan told Fox News Latino.
“It’s been 12 years in Sábado Gigante and now 13 in "El Gordo y La Flaca. It’s been spectacular. I have it in my blood. It is my passion.”
Lili Estefan is the the niece of Emilio Estefan -- she is the daughter of Emilio’s brother. Despite the connection, Estefan does not feel in any way entitled to success and encourages others to work hard with “credibility, integrity and passion.”
“I tell my kids you know how many intelligent people stay behind because of their bad attitude? Estefan tells. “The people who really make it are not the ones more talented or more intelligent. They are the ones with the best attitude.”
To be able to go back to a studio and dance and take a ballet class or a ballroom cha cha, it makes me feel like a little kid.
Estefan’s other mantra? “Whatever you do in life, do it without expecting anything in return,” said the host, adding that this is the mentality she took when joining “Mira Quien Baila.”
“I love dancing!” Estefan said. “To be able to go back to a studio and dance and take a ballet class or a ballroom cha cha, it makes me feel like a little kid.”
“If you can go back and do things that you used to do when you were a little kid, you feel great!” she added. “Mira Quien Baila is part of that. It’s something unexpected that I love and I am having a great time.”
Estefan says that although there are striking similarities, “Mira Quien Baila” and “Dancing With the Stars” are indeed different.
“You get stars dancing not with professionals but with amateurs,” Estefan said. “The judges combine the scores with the voting of the people; the audience.”
Estefan also pointed out how not all the dancers are given the opportunity to get votes and be saved.
“When you see Dancing With the Stars you are voting for everybody. The judges only nominate two [for voting].”
Aside of the differences between the shows, Estefan says she likes the purpose behind the competition.
“It’s a family show,” she says. “I’m having a great time.”
You can reach Alexandra Gratereaux at: Alexandra.Gratereaux@foxnewslatino.com or via Twitter: @GalexLatino
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