La Divina Latina

Words by Guadalupe Triana Photos by Eric Morales

Growing up, Sheila Lopez was never the type of girl to stop and pose for a picture. In fact, to avoid the camera, she would usually volunteer to snap the pic.  

But today, the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger’s radiant digital presence is celebrated by a community Sheila has helped create. Throughout her Instagram, loyal followers leave comments expressing admiration for the various ensembles Sheila brings to life.

“The queen speaks! Don’t ever forget you’re a boss lady!” encourages a follower. “Way to represent, girl!” responds another.

In 2005, Sheila Lopez left Brownsville, Texas, to attend UT. Once she graduated, things quickly changed. College friends moved away, which is when Sheila says she began looking for her community. “I thought‘where can I go listen [and] dance to Spanish music? Where are the taco spots? Where are my people?’”

It was then that Sheila began venturing out to events on the Eastside that were primarily hosted by people of color. There she connected with artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives. “When I started going to those events, I met a lot of different people [which] allowed me to start collaborating with them,” Sheila explains. “I started blogging about my journey, and self-love, and body positivity, and really getting out of my shell.”

Sheila says that it wasn’t until her late 20s that she really began to blossom. Before that, she was a shy person who didn’t even like taking pictures. But once her friends moved away to pursue post-grad dreams, she knew she had to do the same.

That’s when Sheila’s creative project, La Divina Latina, was born. Over the years, the hashtag chingonatude creator has amassed a following that’s nearly 21,000 strong on Instagram. Her bold and bright and colorful style draws great admiration from women around the world.

“I’ve gotten this big following, because somehow people resonated with [my] message,” Sheila says. “There’s a person behind the account.” These past few years, Sheila has used her platform to empower many of the communities and movements in which she’s involved. She’s built a community that connects people. 

“I spent so many years in a very dark place and not loving myself and to be here now—I love it,” Sheila grins. “That’s what I hope for anyone else who might be [where I was].”

A few years ago, Sheila was flown to New York for a fashion competition that American plus size women’s clothing company and lifestyle brand, Ashley Stewart, was hosting. It was something she never imagined for herself. Sheila recalls fondly, “It was an amazing experience, and I had a lot of support.”

Though Sheila still works a full-time job in marketing, she manages to run her blog and create content, in addition to doing brand promotion, negotiations, and collaborations with other Latina-owned brands.

Sheila finds constant inspiration from the many mujeres in her community who happen to be artists, entrepreneurs, and business owners. “I see their hustle, and I see them going after everything they’re passionate about,” she says. “When I see them doing that, it pushes me to go for the next thing, too.”

Contact:
sheilalopezbookings@gmail.com
ladivinalatina.com
@ladivina.latina