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The first rays of dawn filter through my bedroom window, casting a golden hue over the silk sheets that covered my silk adorned body. I stretch lazily, savoring the last bits of peace and quiet I'd have before my chaotic 3 hour flight to Houston. To introduce myself, the names Davina Valencia, and at 23, I've built an empire that spans across business, modeling, acting, and singing. Some call me a prodigy; others call me driven. I prefer to think of myself as relentless.
I slide out of bed, my bare feet touching the cool marble floor, and catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. At 5'2, with a slim frame and sterling gray eyes, I've been told I have a presence that commands attention.
Even in a disheveled, messy state with bed head.
My dark brown curls, now frizzy and a bit messy, cascade down my back, brushing against the tattoos that adorned my skin. Each one tells a story—of pain, of resilience, of the battles I've fought and won.
I stood in front of the mirror, sort of... admiring myself. I had scars on my right shoulder and the back of my thighs. They were reminders of a past I can never forget.
The abuse, the torture, the pain.
I'll never get those years of my life back, no matter how hard I try.
I pull on a silk robe, its smooth fabric comforting in a way. I was born in Arauca, Colombia, a place as dangerous as it is beautiful.
My father, Dante, an Italian with a heart as fierce as a lion, brought my biological mother, Maria, and I to Houston, Texas, to escape the violence.
It was there that I began to forge my path, despite the neglect and abuse from my biological mother, Maria. My saving grace came in the form of my stepmother, Mila, who I proudly claimed as my real mother.
Life wasn't always like this. I used to dance, cheer, sing in the choir, and compete in gymnastics back in school. Those were the outlets that kept me sane, that allowed me to channel the chaos at home into something beautiful.
Now, I channel that same intensity into my career, my relationships, and my life.
As I stand on the balcony, I think about my life. How far I'd come from the streets of Arauca to the abuse and now, the success in my life.
It was truely a miracle. Something out of a book I'd read years ago. But it was real. It was true.
It was my life.
I take a deep breath, ready to face the day. The world may see me as a powerhouse, but inside, I'm just a woman fighting for what she wants, against all odds. This is my story—our story. And it's only just beginning.
