At 23 years old, he can boast of having grown up in Carnival. A member of the Echeyde Ballet until she was in her second year of high school, Adriana Peña knows the world of parties inside out and this year she tried to fulfill the dream she had when she went on parades and arenas with the queens. << When I grow up I want to be like them >>, she said, and that day came on the night of Wednesday, February 15.
How does it feel as a new queen of the Carnival?
I am super excited and very happy; I’m actually in a cloud because it’s something I never imagined.
How is the proclamation moment like how you envisioned it?
When they called my name I got super nervous and I even got excited. I heard the teammates jump up and down and yell, wanting to hug me. As they had explained to us in the dress rehearsals, I went to the turntable, on the left I saw my father and my mother and on the right the rest of the family and right in front of me were friends with huge banners on which my name was read. I got goosebumps and frankly it was impossible not to get excited. I loved this experience.
Do you think that your suit, called Lisboa, was the most beautiful of all those who paraded at the gala?
Yes, being objective, my suit was the prettiest of those seen at the queen’s gala. Not because it’s the prettiest, but because it’s a different fantasy and I’m very fond of it because I’ve also participated quite a bit in making the fantasy and it doesn’t look like any from another year, and it’s made by hand.
Do you study or work?
Until a week ago, she was working as a tourist informant for the Santa Cruz City Council; Now I want to focus on the oppositions.
How did you participate in the making of the costume?
Since I was selected in the casting to be a representative of the Shopping Center anaza Carrefour I have been working on fantasy every afternoon since I left my responsibility as a tourist informant. Santi told me every day what had to be done and how to do it.
How did you get the opportunity to be a queen candidate?
Santi Castro organized a casting to choose the young woman who represented the Añaza Carrefour Shopping Center, as he does every year. This applicant selection process consisted of two phases and in the first phase anyone who wanted to could participate and in the second one they chose among the ten finalists, and they opted for me.
Do you think being queen of Carnival will change your life?
These first hours of the day –barely twelve hours have elapsed since its proclamation until the interview is held– has surely changed my life because I have never done so many interviews with the media and been from one place to another. In these few hours that I have been reigning, my life has changed for sure.
Have you ever imagined being a candidate for queen?
Yes, I had never presented myself as an aspiring Carnival queen and it was a dream I had since I was little. As a child she participated in Danza Echeyde and also in percussion; precisely the person in charge of this formation was with the drums at the gala. I had already stepped on the Carnival stages, the arenas, the Rhythm and Harmony… all. She used to see the queens when she was little and she said: wow, I want to be one of them! It was a dream for me and I fulfilled it on Wednesday night.
How did you decide to take the step to present yourself as an aspirant?
A friend who presents mises always encouraged me to participate in beauty pageants, whether it was Miss Sur or Miss Tenerifeand I told him that I would only present myself as a candidate for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This year he found out about the casting organized by the Añaza Carrefour Shopping Center and encouraged me to introduce myself because it was also organized by Santi Castro, who is one of the best designers. And I accepted the challenge, I applied and surprisingly, I don’t know how, I came out as a candidate.
What prevails in a fantasy: the aspirant or the design?
The combination of both; both have to be very close.
How did you feel on stage?
Before they opened the curtains, my team was cheering me on, telling me to do my best, that they loved me very much… When they opened the curtains, the team went to see me and only Santi stayed with me and said: Adriana, forget about everything and enjoy that it is three and a half minutes. They opened the doors and for me it was a unique experience, one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. I really enjoyed it, even though my hips hurt a bit, because you have to pull on your pelvis. It hurts a little but at that moment you forget everything and say: it’s my three and a half minutes, so much work for this and it’s time to enjoy it yes or yes.
Any anecdote from the day of the gala?
I came out with a red tongue! (she laughs). And why did this happen? She was nervous, she didn’t feel like eating and I asked a teammate for some sweets; she offered me a pacifier and it was one of those that makes your tongue red (she laughs); if it had been blue it would have matched the suit and that’s why you see me in all the videos with a red tongue.
Since when have you been participating in the Carnival choreographic groups?
Since he was four years old and until he reached his second year of high school. I have the costumes from all the years that I participated because on top of that the Echeyde Ballet is characterized by taking it out in line with the Carnival theme.
Are you going to dress up to enjoy the street party?
If I have time, yes, but I don’t know if Santi Castro will let me (he laughs). This year I had thought about dressing up as Power Ranger and Kendall Jenner.
How do you anticipate that you will live this Carnival as queen?
It will be different from the experiences of previous years, but I am sure that I will like it and it will be worth it.
Will being queen open the doors for you in the job market?
Maybe, who knows… maybe.
Did you like the other costumes?
I think the level was quite high this year.
To whom do you dedicate this reign in the Carnival?
To my mother, my father, Santi Castro and the Castro family –the designer’s team–.
