Leah Reyes Amores the teenage Cuban-American model celebrated her Harper's Bazaar and Le Officiel covers at an exclusive Miami press event — and gave Calle Ocho News a rare look at the person behind the headlines
On a Friday evening at Trump National Doral, the fashion world felt a little closer to home. Leah Reyes Amores, the Miami-based Cuban-American model and Miss Teen Earth 2025, hosted an exclusive Cover Party for press — a celebration of her back-to-back covers for Harper's Bazaar and Le Officiel Magazine, two of the most recognizable names in international fashion. The evening featured a striking exhibition of gowns tracing Leah's career from her quinceañera onward, hosted by Telemundo presenter Carlos Adyan. Family, industry figures, and members of the press filled the room for what turned out to be more than a celebration — it was a statement.
Calle Ocho News was there for exclusive interviews with Leah Reyes Amores, her mother Laura Amores, and the photographer behind the covers, Michel Melian.
The Values Behind the Covers
For anyone tempted to chalk Leah's rise up to a lucky break, her mother has a different story to tell. Laura Reyes Amores spoke openly with Calle Ocho News about the mix of emotions that came with watching her daughter step onto an international stage so young. "Pride — what mother doesn't feel proud to see her daughter succeed in this way? But I also felt a bit of fear, because she is very young to face such big challenges." What steadied her wasn't just confidence in Leah's talent, but in her character. "Leah is very disciplined. When she decides to do something, she does it." The qualities Laura says she's worked hardest to instill are ones that don't show up in a portfolio: humility and respect — for people, for others' work, and for the positions they hold.
Leah Reyes Amores herself carries that groundedness into every conversation. The Harper's Bazaar opportunity came out of a trip to Monaco — a moment where her world and the world of high fashion quietly intersected. When Calle Ocho News asked what she would tell the young girls who follow her and look to her as a role model, she didn't hesitate. "Keep going. Keep following those dreams because you will achieve them. If you work hard and fight for the dreams you know you'll fulfill one day, you will get there. Life always gives you what you are looking for." As for what comes next, she's keeping her cards close — hinting only that her next chapter involves modeling and something more on the professional side. Whatever it is, she's approaching it the same way she's approached everything else: with focus.
Behind the Lens and Beyond
Every cover tells two stories — the subject's and the photographer's. The lens behind Leah's Harper's Bazaar and Le Officiel shoots belongs to Miami's Michel Melian, who spoke with Calle Ocho News about what he saw in her from the start. "She truly represents womanly beauty. She has many qualities that these types of magazines look for — she shows a lot of elegance and she is a very creative girl." For Melian, who has been studying photography since age 9 and taught himself Photoshop as a child, landing this project is more than a credit. "My career has always been moving up step by step, and this goes directly into my portfolio." His ambitions are as big as his work ethic — he named Gucci and Chanel as brands he intends to work with. "I think big and I will work very hard to make that happen."
The evening also brought together a number of prominent figures from Miami's Cuban creative and entertainment community, among them Prince Julio César y Rafael Ingannamorte, National and General Directors of Miss Universe Cuba, which is staging its competition this August. The winner will represent Cuba at Miss Universe this November. To stay connected to stories like this one, subscribe to Calle Ocho News for weekly Miami-Dade updates. For advertising, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities, contact Pressnet Corp.