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Rising Stars: Meet Michelle Moreno of Oviedo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Moreno.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, Florida. For most of my life, I was a competitive dancer which I believe made me driven, expressive, and super competitive. My family used to joke that I’d end up on So You Think You Can Dance someday. But at 14, I had to undergo an intense spinal fusion surgery to treat my severe case of scoliosis, which ultimately brought my dance career to a halt. Losing dance was incredibly hard because up to that point it had been my outlet, my passion, my identity.

That moment forced me to reinvent myself. In high school, I ran for Vice President of my class and discovered a new form of creativity through leadership and planning events, building school spirit, and using my voice to bring people together. When I started college at the University of Central Florida, I leaned even further into that intersection of creativity, leadership, and connection.

That’s when I stepped into the world of brand ambassadorships. As someone passionate about fashion, beauty, and digital culture, I started creating content that reflected my personal style and voice. What began as a fun side project quickly turned into something much more. Throughout my college career, I’ve collaborated with brands like Armani Beauty, Princess Polly, Edikted, Peppermayo, Sephora, QUAY, and Bright Swimwear—producing branded content, participating in product campaigns, and learning firsthand how to tell a brand’s story through visuals and authenticity. These ambassadorships taught me how to merge strategy with storytelling—how to follow brand guidelines while maintaining a personal creative touch, how to drive engagement through relatability, and how to build real connections with audiences online.

At UCF, I also served as the Vice President of Recruitment and Marketing for my sorority, Kappa Delta. In that role, I led focused on creating community-driven content and hosted confidence and branding workshops for our 150+ members. One of our social media campaigns went viral amassing over 14 million views on TikTok and was even reposted by Jennifer Lopez! My family was beyond excited about this. We’re Hispanic, so JLo is basically royalty in our house! (LOL!) They sent the video to everyone they know. It was such a full-circle moment, not just as a creator, but as someone whose community grew up idolizing her.

Now, as I prepare to graduate and move to California, I’m excited to keep growing in the influencer and digital marketing space. I want to work with brands, especially in fashion and beauty, that understand the value of community, creative risk-taking, and storytelling that empowers people to feel seen. Whether I’m behind the camera, in front of it, or leading the strategy, I know that content can do more than just sell… it can connect, inspire, and create a movement.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. high school was a hard time for me emotionally. I struggled a lot with self-confidence. I had really severe acne, and I always felt like I didn’t quite fit in. I was outgoing and creative, but when I was just being myself, people often thought I was “too much” or “weird.” It made me question a lot about who I was and made it hard to feel fully comfortable in my own skin.

But my life changed for the better when I came to UCF. My friends here, especially the women I met through Kappa Delta, fully embraced me for who I am. They celebrated my quirks, supported my goals, and helped me see myself through a much kinder lens. It was the first time I felt like I could show up as my full self and be loved for it. That support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might’ve otherwise talked myself out of, whether it was applying for leadership roles, posting my content online, or going after brand partnerships.

I’m still growing, of course! But I can honestly say that the challenges I’ve faced shaped me into someone more resilient, self-aware, and grounded and I’m really proud of that.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in content creation, digital storytelling, and influencer marketing, specifically within the fashion and beauty space. Whether it’s through short-form videos, branded photos, campaign planning, or UGC-style storytelling, I love bringing a brand’s message to life in a way that feels authentic and personal.
What I’m most proud of is the balance I’ve struck between creativity and strategy. A lot of people think content creation is just about aesthetics, but there’s real thought behind what performs, what resonates, and what builds trust. I’ve created campaigns that generated real engagement and direct sales, and I’ve learned how to align my creative vision with larger goals.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend influencer intuition with a marketer’s mindset. I understand both sides, both as a marketing student/professional and as a content creator. I know how to make content that feels relatable and real, but I also know how to analyze performance, stick to brand guidelines, and strategize around what’s going to convert.
At the end of the day, I’m passionate about content that empowers people, especially women, to feel confident, creative, and seen. That’s what drives everything I do

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is dancing with my best friend, Elias. We had a duet together and would constantly fight at practice… it was honestly hilarious. He’d tell me I couldn’t get my leg high enough for a tilt, and I’d get mad because he dropped me almost every time we did a lift. But no matter how dramatic our practices were, we’d be laughing on the drive home like nothing ever happened. He’s still my best friend to this day.

My mom used to drive us to and from practice almost every day she’s always been my rock. On the way home, she’d let us stop for a candy at the gas station, and it felt like the biggest treat. Those rides, the laughter, and the little routines we had are things I’ll always hold close to my heart.

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