As a child, Janu Tornell never aspired to be a showgirl. Tornell's Cuban-born mother, Maria, was a famous showgirl in Havana, but Tornell did not find her calling until many life experiences later and considers her mother one of her greatest inspirations for overcoming the hardships of life, including a successful battle with cancer. Tornell is equally inspired by her father, Juan, as he always told her that every experience in life gives you endurance.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tornell attended Valley High School. She then spent time in Spain before moving to Los Angeles. She attended Los Angeles Valley Community College before moving back to Las Vegas to finish her studies and pursue a career as a showgirl. In 2004, after 20 years, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She most recently worked as the lead showgirl for a major Las Vegas hotel, performing two shows per night, six days per week. She also models. Tornell was previously employed as a restaurant manager, waitress and administrative assistant. Additionally, she was named 1989 Miss Nevada USA and was first runner-up in Miami's 1990 Miss Nuestra Belleza competition.
In her spare time, Tornell enjoys traveling, scuba diving, swimming, body surfing, reading, rock climbing and watching foreign films. She describes herself as honest, fun, outgoing and strong-minded. She is fluent in Spanish, Italian, French and English. Her hero is Audrey Hepburn for her talent, goodwill, beauty and her ability to be most beautiful to the least fortunate.
Tornell is an active member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild.
This is the girl who was pretty thin coming into the show, right? I saw the show for the first time the other night and saw a woman who was ALREADY all bones, shivering after the water and sangbag competition. I said to myself that she's gonna disappear if she stays on for much longer...
She was losing her sanity...I think it was all for the best that she quit, and I too was glad that Steph stayed longer....
Lets just hope that the gal alliance will stick together...but Im not counting on that happening...even thought the gals would be much smarter diong it that way.
These gals can honestly think that Steph is their biggest threat...its the guys..they are the ones that will beat these gals in every challenge.
They would be smart sticking to the Steph alliance...Jen is the only worry in this..as she might run to Greggy and tell him everything!
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
02-06-2005 12:00 AM
