Morelia Cuevas, Rhinestone Heiress (Hello, Self… Episode 24)
Morelia Cuevas, known as the Rhinestone Heiress, joined host Patricia Leonard for a lively conversation about her famous family, her unique childhood and the lessons she’s learned. She and Patricia talked about being real, helping each other in the entertainment industry, her reflections on life, and much more.
Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.
Morelia Cuevas, The Rhinestone Heiress
Morelia Cuevas, known professionally as MORELIA, is a confident rowdy, rock and roll, and the only “Rhinestone Heiress” in the world. She is a business and broadcast professional, as well as a voiceover artist, event planner, and the best hostess in Nashville.
Morelia is the granddaughter of internationally famous Rodeo Tailor Nudie, and daughter of Manuel couture clothier to the stars. Manuel is known as the legendary fashion designer for Kings of other nations as well as kings and queens of film, music, and sports. Manuel is still in the creative prime of his life and continues to work almost every day in his Berry Hill shop and gallery in TN, with Morelia frequently at his side.
Whenever and wherever Manuel appears publicly, especially at one of his exhibits or speaking engagements, Morelia will have helped arrange his participation. She has made it her life’s mission to keep his legendary career alive for all future generations to see and remember his fine work with fabrics and exclusive apparel.
She was born in Los Angeles and was raised in a world unlike any other. One of her favorite pastimes as a child was spending rare and precious moments with film stars like Clint Eastwood, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, John Wayne, and Gene Autry. Her youthful days often started by arriving at school in a highly decorated Nudie Mobile, causing tremendous excitement for her grade school classmates and teachers. Most Nudie mobiles are only found in museums, but one hangs from the ceiling in Nudie’s Bar & Grill on lower Broadway in Nashville as well one owned by Kid Rock.
One of Morelia’s greatest assets is her laughter. She is recognized and loved for her infectious happiness and smile. When in her company for even a few moments, everyone will soon find themselves feeling good and laughing out loud. Behind her smiles, she remains passionate and loyal in everything she does, for everyone she knows.
She is a star among stars. One day she may be helping Manuel with fittings for Marty Stuart, Kid Rock, or The Rolling Stones. The next day she may be helping organize an exhibit of Manuel fashions for a museum, like those she helped create for the Frist Art Museum, the Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Her many career credits include co-producing “Rhinestones & Roses,” a fashion show that honored Manuel by featuring thirty-six Grand Ole Opry stars who walked the runway (and performed) while wearing their own Manuel creations. At that event, Manuel was honored by CMA’s then-president Tammy Genovese with a prestigious award previously given only to recording artists during the CMA Awards network television broadcasts.
The now-historic 2006 fashion show took place during CMA Awards week at War Memorial Auditorium. In addition to Marty Stuart, Jeannie Seely, Little Jimmy Dickens and 33 other Opry stars, Morelia helped organize models and stars to wear very special jackets on the runway that had been designed by Manuel, one for every State in America to show his love and respect for our country. That exclusive Manuel State Jacket Collection is priceless and museums such as the Smithsonian have expressed interest in exhibits of them.
Among her numerous community activities, Morelia serves on the Board of Directors for Nashville’s WIFT, Women in Film and Television. WIFT was established in 1997 and is dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media. As a diabetic herself, Morelia also strongly supports the American Diabetes Association in its efforts to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Morelia brings attention to the fact that Nashville indeed has a plethora of talented people who help create images for stage, film, and television. She is loved by all who know her and is a true inspiration, especially for bringing smiles and laughter to those of us who are weary of reading and listening to news of riots, politics, and Covid-19.
Morelia will always lend a hand to others, along with a smile and laughter, and that is what the world needs now with style & grace.
About Hello, Self…
Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.
Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.
The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.
Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…
Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!
She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.
Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.
Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.
Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…
She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.
On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.
She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.
