Meet Stephany Ballestero | Vitiligo Model & Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephany Ballestero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephany, how do you think about risk?
I see risk-taking as a natural part of life. Every time you take a risk, you either succeed or you learn — and learning is never a loss. Sure, sometimes I ask myself, ‘What if this doesn’t work? What if nobody likes what I’m offering? What if I can’t do it?’ But then I think, ‘What if it does work?’ Letting go of the fear of rejection has been key for me. Taking risks has pushed me to grow, to stand up after every fall, and to keep going until I reach my goals. I believe that if you’re willing to try again and again, success becomes inevitable

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey as a model is all about embracing what makes me unique. I’ve always believed that true beauty comes from being confident in who you are. What sets me apart is the way I’ve learned to embrace my vitiligo and use it as a source of strength. Confidence is the foundation — when you feel great about yourself, it shows in everything you do. Being different is what really sets you apart in this world, and I’ve learned to celebrate that.

I’m most proud of the growth I’ve experienced, both personally and professionally. I’ve had to overcome challenges, but rather than letting those setbacks define me, I used them as motivation to keep pushing forward. I’ve learned that it’s not about fitting into anyone’s mold, but about owning your individuality and using that to create your own path.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that authenticity is the key to success. When you stay true to who you are and embrace your uniqueness, that’s when you stand out. What I want the world to know is that my work is all about empowering others to do the same. Whether it’s scars, vitiligo, or anything that makes you different, that’s what makes you powerful. My story is proof that confidence, self-belief, and embracing your own beauty can lead to incredible things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, our trip would definitely revolve around food, For me, there’s nothing better than a good brunch to catch up, laugh, and enjoy. We’d be hitting up all the best brunch spots, trying new places every day. I’m definitely a ‘down for anything’ kind of person — I love doing random, spontaneous things and honestly, I’ll have fun no matter what we’re doing. I’m not afraid of making a fool of myself (‘pasar pena’ is part of the fun!), so you can count on us going dancing, hitting a karaoke bar, relaxing at the beach, solving puzzles at an escape room, and if possible, even skydiving. It’s all about living the moment, laughing a lot, and making the best memories.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, who has been my biggest supporter from the very beginning. She taught me to be proud of who I am and to see beauty in what makes me different. Her unconditional love gave me the strength to walk paths that sometimes felt lonely. I also want to thank my boyfriend, whose encouragement has been a constant reminder of my potential. And finally, I want to honor my own belief in myself — even during moments of doubt. Without the support of others and the inner drive to keep pushing forward, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Instagram: @stephbllstr

Other: TikTok @stephbllstr

Image Credits
elio films