Beauty Queen Recounts Abusive Marriage in New Memoir, Released During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Carmen_02

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting one of the many pandemics-within-a-pandemic that has taken hold in 2020. Since the onset of Covid in March, victims are more likely to be trapped at home with or otherwise further controlled by their abuser, perhaps due to financial hardship, for example. One local author has released a memoir detailing her journey through and after an abusive marriage, hoping to give readers hope and shed light on an important issue.


Former Miss Venezuela, Miss South America and Telemundo anchor Carmen Maria Montiel has published Stolen Identity: A Story of Love, Violence and Liberation. She makes an appearance at Tootsies tomorrow from 4:30-6pm, where she'll sign copies of the book and sip champagne during a socially distanced meet-and-greet.

Stolen Identity English

The memoir recounts Montiel's 25-year marriage, which was riddled with abuse and betrayal. Once she left the marriage and began therapy, she realized that writing down her experiences helped her process her emotions, and eventually compiled her stories into a book."Stolen Identity gives people a look inside the life of someone who was experiencing physical and mental abuse," she says. "My goal is for others to understand that this can happen to anyone. I want people who are in these situations to seek help from professionals or loved ones. The best thing someone can do is get themselves out of the situation so they can take back their life."

Montiel moved to the U.S. in the late 1980s after a series of pageant wins in her home country of Venezuela, which led to a successful broadcast journalism career in both Venezuela and the States. She was an anchor, reporter and writer for Telemundo-CNN in Houston in the 1990s, and later ran for Congress in 2018.

Art + Entertainment
Chapman & Kirby Launches Free Concert Series for Spring

Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band performs May 31 (photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com)

CHAPMAN & KIRBY, THE premier event destination in Houston’s East Village, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Spring Music Series, kicking off on Friday, April 12. Chapman & Kirby has become synonymous with top-tier events and unforgettable experiences, many attended by celebrities both local and worldwide. With concert ticket prices soaring to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the last year, this eight-week music series promises to be a welcomed opportunity to engage with live music for free, showcasing an eclectic lineup of talented acts.

Keep Reading Show less

Baber and Robart of The Well Pilates Studio

A NEW BOUTIQUE-fitness concept has sprung to life in West Houston. The Well Pilates Studio, founded by two Houstonians, opened this weekend on Memorial near Wilcrest, in the heart of a community noticeably lacking in studio-style gyms.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

JUN is hosting a special Lunar New Year dinner (photo by Luke Chang)

THE CHILLY WINTER months aren’t slowing Houston chefs down from hosting hot events. Grab some friends, your appetite and a calendar and plan on attending one of these fetes for foodies.

Keep Reading Show less
Food