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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Island fans a ray of sunshine for weather girl

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Viewers' favourite: Llarisa Abreu with AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno

An American weather girl is taking Bermuda by storm.

Llarisa Abreu has built up a massive fan base since she started broadcasting to the Island from the AccuWeather studios in the United States.

The 26-year-old, who is fluent in Spanish and English, started airing on local television four months ago.

“I must say I feel very blessed and humbled to be well received by the people,” Ms Abreu said. “My favourite thing about my job is my ZBM show — seriously.

“I’ve connected with the audience so well and I feel so comfortable getting up there and presenting the weather.”

She said she enjoyed connecting with viewers on social media and responds accordingly — but she insisted she has not yet received any marriage proposals.

“Everyone who reaches out is nice and respectful,” Ms Abreu said.

“I don’t ever feel objectified. The comments and the attention come with my job — I’m in the public eye. I see it as a part of the package.”

Ms Abreu, who has never been to Bermuda, is hoping to visit the Island soon.

“Now more than ever I’d love to go and finally experience the pink sand and beautiful beaches I often talk about.”

Ms Abreu’s parents moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic, and Ms Abreu was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey.

The proud Latina said: “My parents encouraged us to stay in school and take advantage of the opportunities the US offered. That’s exactly what I did.”

Ms Abreu studied radio and television broadcasting technology at Barry University in Florida, and started working at AccuWeather in January last year.

She also presents the weather broadcast for Spanish-speaking nations Panama, Mexico and Bolivia — to name but a few.

The self-declared food lover enjoys dancing and travel in her spare time and said she was at her happiest when with her family.

“Everything in life is possible,” she said. “You just have to work hard and believe in yourself.”

Ms Abreu also volunteers for Certified Angels, a non-profit organisation based in Passaic that specialises in giving inner-city children a platform to discover their talents.

“It’s a project I am very passionate about,” she said.

“We focus on developing a healthy balance of mind, body and soul by encouraging creativity, physical activity and self-awareness.”

Llarisa Abreu with her college roommates Mimi Hernandez and Krysanne Shand