Clarissa Santiago was born in
Asbury Park, New Jersey in January 1981 to proud Puerto Rican
parents. Clarissa moved to the South Bronx as a toddler, and
was raised by her mother and Godparents. She grew up in a strict
household with many responsibilities from a young age and learned
the importance of education, spirituality and morals.
Clarissa Santiago began her career at the early age of 14
as a hip-hop dancer and appeared in music videos with P.
Diddy, Missy Elliot, Shaggy, Pharaoh Monch, Lil Kim, Mobb
Deep, Terror Squad, and Da Brat, to name a few. While attending
Harry S Truman High School in the Bronx back in 1995, she
was an active member of the drama club, dance team, and student
government. By her sophomore year, a friend introduced her
to the Teen Puerto Rico Pageant where Clarissa became a contestant
and placed as second runner up. Soon after, Clarissa entered
the Puerto Rican Day Parade Pageant in 1999, and then the
Latina USA Pageant in 2000 – her first national competition.
Clarissa developed a respect and admiration for pageantry
and decided to organize her own state pageant. She founded
Ideal Entertainment in 2001, and went into business as an
events production company. Her mission was to help young
Latinas find a way into the business and also wanted to have
purpose her work. Clarissa's first event and most successful
to date was the Latina New York Pageant.
Since, Clarissa has received consecutive 'Director of the
Year' awards for her 2004 and 2005 pageant show productions.
She went on to become Vice President of the international
pageant in 2005. During her tenure, New York delegates obtained
top five positions in the international pageant through her
training and mentoring programs. She also remains actively
involved in her community, and organizes training workshops
in the New York metropolitan area for upcoming models. Clarissa
is committed to her Latin people and is on a mission to promote
women in entertainment.
In 2006, Clarissa resigned as VP of Latina World to kick
start her own entertainment career. Since, she has been featured
in AsIs Magazine, 60Degreez.com, The Hottest & Sexiest
Model Network, and The Dynasty Series models, to name a few.
Clarissa was also selected from thousands of entries across
the country for a royal experience on the reality TV show
American Princess. You can expect to see this "Beauty
from the Bronx" battle it out for a dance with the prince,
a diamond tiara, and $50,000 cash! The reality show aired
Sunday August 19th on the Women's Entertainment network.
She is currently in the studio putting her songwriting skills
to the test, on her debut independent Hip-Hop / R&B demo.