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Claudinne C.
Hometown: Dominican Republic (residing in Miami, Florida)

"I'm a happily married 38-year-old girl, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, who moved to the United States to receive my college education. I graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism; my intention was to be of service to my community. For 12 years, I worked in the news business. I've won four Emmys and 10 nominations from the academy. Unfortunately, I knew I wasn't going to evolve anymore so, stubbornly optimistic, always with a positive attitude and with Jesus by my side, I took a step of faith and walked away from it all. I'm reinventing myself; I use my creative writing and producing skills to uplift and inspire. I created a blog with letters of reflections, with the intention to shed a light in a world that can feel suffocating for so many and to let everyone know that they are not alone. I use all social media to inspire and hopefully bring a smile with my positive posts, messages and graphics. I remain grateful for right now and the adventures to come!"

What are your three favorite things?
My three favorite things are books, dancing and nature.

What would your superpower be?
My superpower would be the ability to fly like a bird.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is say, "Thank you, Jesus."

What is the last thing you do before you go to bed?
The last things I do before I go to bed is say, "Thank you, Jesus."

What is your favorite OWN show?
Boy! This is a hard one because OWN is the only network that offers programming that is both thought-provoking and downright funny! I'll say "Super Soul Sunday," Oprah's Lifeclass, LOVE Iyanla: Fix My Life, Oprah's Master Class is like a dose of wisdom, and of course, Mr. Tyler Perry's Love Thy Neighbor!

What is the one item you can't live without, and why?
Books. I'm an avid reader. I think I'd be lost without books. I promise you I would cry!

Who is your hero?
My hero is my maternal grandmother, Bertha. She was a teacher. Quite frankly, she saved my life. I know she's still with me. She remains God's gift to me, and I'm so humbly grateful.

What do you like that most people dislike?
I can tell you what I don't like that most people dislike: gossip. I have no interest in it, and I refuse to invest my energy in it. That doesn't sit well with a lot of people. I also don't socialize with toxic people.

What are you proudest of?
That I honored my principles and walked away from a work environment that wasn't the honorable and noble environment it proclaimed to be. I remain true to my soul. There's no currency for that.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is when people don't honor their word, and disorganization. I have a type A personality. Guilty!

What would you like to learn to do?
I would like to learn how to tap-dance! And how to speak fluent Italian. I'm already working on that last one. Viva la Italia!

What are you particularly bad at that your friends tease you about?
Math. I apologize for the term, but I suck at it!