Francisca Antonia Zampogna, born Francisca Antonia Méndez Montero on May 5, 1989, in Azua de Compostela, Dominican Republic, is a renowned Dominican-American actress, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder.
She rose to prominence after winning the Univision reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina in 2015, becoming the first Dominican to claim the crown.
Growing up in a modest environment marked by challenges, including the loss of her father at age five and experiences with domestic violence, Francisca developed a resilient and positive outlook on life.
At the age of 20, she moved to New York, where she worked various jobs, including selling cookware alongside her then-mother-in-law, whom she regards as a guardian angel.
Francisca’s personal life includes two marriages, first to Rocky Lachapel from 2010 to 2016, and later to Italian businessman Francesco Zampogna in 2019.
Siblings
Francisca has one sibling, Ambioris Rafael Méndez Montero.
Growing up in Azua de Compostela, her early life was shaped by close family ties amid challenging circumstances, though not much is known about Ambioris.
Career
Lachapel’s career trajectory began in her teenage years with appearances on local Dominican television as an actress, but her breakthrough arrived in 2015 when she competed in and won Nuestra Belleza Latina.
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This victory propelled her into the spotlight, securing her a contract with Univision and leading to her role as a co-host on the flagship morning show Despierta América, where she engages millions of viewers across the United States and Latin America.
Beyond hosting, she has made guest appearances on popular programs such as El Gordo y la Flaca, Sabado Gigante, Sabadazo, Sal y Pimienta, and Tu Cara me Suena.
Francisca expanded into acting with a role in the Televisa telenovela Despertar Contigo and co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 alongside Vanessa Claudio.
She has also built a massive social media presence, amassing millions of followers, and authored a best-selling book titled Una Reina Como Tu, which chronicles her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to stardom.
Her multifaceted career continues to evolve, blending entertainment, authorship, and public speaking to motivate others.
Accolades
Lachapel’s accolades highlight her impact in the entertainment industry, starting with her historic win as Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015, which earned her $200,000 in prizes, a Kia Soul, a Univision contract, and inclusion in People en Español’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2015.
As part of the Despierta América team, she contributed to winning Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Show in Spanish in both 2018 and 2019.
In recognition of her influence, she was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Latin Women of 2019 by People en Español and later honored as a Top 100 Latina Powerhouse in 2022.
Francisca has also received the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Communicator Abroad for two consecutive years, dedicating the honor to her supporters.
Additionally, she served as a presenter at the 2020 Premios Juventud, celebrating Latin music and youth culture, further cementing her status as a prominent figure in Hispanic media.
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