The Untold Story Of Sofía Vergara's 1990 Pepsi Commercial: 5 Shocking Facts About Her First Gig

The 1990 Pepsi commercial starring a 17-year-old Sofía Vergara is arguably one of the most iconic "before they were famous" moments in Hollywood history, serving as the definitive launchpad for the Colombian star's global career. As of December 2025, Vergara continues to dominate the entertainment landscape, from her critically acclaimed dramatic turn as Griselda Blanco in the Netflix miniseries *Griselda* to her high-profile role as a judge on *America's Got Talent*. Yet, all of her success—the Emmy nominations for *Modern Family*, the lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl and Walmart, and her status as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world—can be traced back to a single, sizzling 30-second advertisement filmed on a hot beach in her home country. This deep dive uncovers the surprising details of that foundational moment.

The story of how Sofía Vergara became a global phenomenon is a classic tale of right place, right time, mixed with undeniable star power. Before she was the beloved Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, she was Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara, a student with plans to study Dentistry. Her life changed forever on a beach in Barranquilla, Colombia, when a chance encounter with a photographer led to an offer that would launch her into the world of modeling and television.

Sofía Vergara: Early Life and Career Biography

Sofía Vergara’s journey from Barranquilla to Hollywood is marked by a series of pivotal career and personal milestones. Her early life in Colombia laid the foundation for the business-savvy, multilingual star she would become.

• Full Name: Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara
• Date of Birth: July 10, 1972
• Place of Birth: Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
• First Major Gig: 1990 Pepsi Commercial (Age 17)
• Marital Status (1990s): Married her high-school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez, in 1990.
• Children: Manolo Gonzalez Vergara (born 1992)
• Early Career: After the Pepsi ad, she worked as a model and quickly transitioned to television hosting for the Spanish-language network Univision.
• Pivotal Univision Shows: Co-host of the travel show *Fuera de Serie* (1995–1998) and the variety show *A que no te atreves*.
• English-Language Debut: Film *Chasing Papi* (2003)
• Breakout Role: Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the ABC sitcom *Modern Family* (2009–2020)
• Recent Highlights: Star and executive producer of the Netflix miniseries *Griselda* (2024).

The 1990 Pepsi Commercial: An Origin Story in Hot Sand

The legendary 1990 Pepsi advertisement is more than just a footnote in Vergara's career; it's the moment she decided to forgo her studies and embrace the spotlight. The ad, which aired almost exclusively in Latin American markets, instantly made the young model a household name across Colombia and beyond.

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1. Vergara Was Only 17, Discovered on a Beach

The discovery of Sofía Vergara has become a piece of industry folklore. While walking on a beach in her native Barranquilla, she was approached by a photographer. At the time, she was a high school student with serious plans for a career in dentistry, but her striking looks and natural charisma were impossible to ignore. Her conservative Catholic family was initially hesitant about her entering the modeling world, but they allowed her to take the Pepsi job, which was a massive opportunity for a young Colombian talent.

2. The Plot Involved a Strategic Strip-Tease

The concept of the commercial was simple but effective, designed to showcase the refreshing quality of the soda and the stunning beauty of its star. The ad features a 17-year-old Vergara walking across a scorching hot beach, desperately trying to reach a Coca-Cola stand (though some sources mention a general Pepsi stand).

To avoid burning her feet on the hot sand, the scene shows her strategically removing pieces of her clothing—including a skirt and a top—to lay them down as stepping stones. By the time she reaches the stand, she is famously stripped down to a tiny bathing suit. This memorable visual sequence instantly catapulted her into the public consciousness as a new Latin American sex symbol.

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3. It Was Her First-Ever Acting/Modeling Gig

While many stars start with small, uncredited roles, the Pepsi commercial was truly Sofía Vergara’s debut in front of a camera. The exposure she gained was immediate and massive throughout Latin America. This success led directly to her subsequent modeling contracts and, critically, her transition into television hosting. Her work on the travel show *Fuera de Serie* and the variety show *A que no te atreves* for Univision cemented her status as a major Spanish-language television personality in the late 1990s, setting the stage for her move to the United States and her eventual Hollywood career.

The Lasting Impact of the 1990 Pepsi Ad on Her Brand

The foundation laid by that single commercial proved to be incredibly durable. Decades later, the connection between Sofía Vergara and the beverage giant remains strong. This is a testament to the power of that initial, high-impact campaign.

4. The Commercial Led to a Major 2011 Pepsi Endorsement

For many celebrities, a first commercial is a distant memory, but for Vergara, it became a recurring theme. In 2011, at the height of her *Modern Family* fame, Sofía Vergara signed a major endorsement deal with PepsiCo. This partnership included a series of new, high-profile commercials, this time for Diet Pepsi, that aired in the U.S. and internationally. The company was capitalizing on the full-circle narrative, linking the established Hollywood star back to her youthful roots in the 1990s. This continuity demonstrated the enduring power of her initial public image.

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5. It Represents a Key Moment in Colombian Pop Culture

In Colombia, the 1990 Pepsi ad is a significant cultural touchstone. It marked the arrival of a new kind of celebrity—a beautiful, confident, and charismatic figure who quickly became a symbol of Colombian talent on the international stage. The commercial is frequently shared on social media as a "Throwback Thursday" (#TBT) moment, reminding her millions of fans of the raw, undeniable star quality she possessed even as a teenager. This early exposure taught her the critical business-first mentality that Forbes later credited with helping her become one of the most successful and highest-earning actresses in the world, with a brand that extends to fashion lines for Walmart and her own fragrance, "Sofia by Sofia Vergara."

In conclusion, the 1990 Pepsi commercial was far more than a simple advertising gig. It was the moment Sofía Vergara, then a 17-year-old student, transformed into an international media personality. It was the first step on a path that led her from the beaches of Barranquilla to the biggest stages in Hollywood, forever cementing the ad as one of the most important origin stories in modern celebrity culture.