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Dariella Marie Silenzio | Photo by Jordana Canales, House of Beauty by Jordana
Local Orlando Model Finds Her Strength Two Years After Hitting Rock Bottom
At just 23, Dariella Marie Silenzio carries herself with the poise of someone who’s walked a runway before, but also with the quiet strength of someone who’s had to find it.
Only a couple years ago, Dariella’s life looked nothing like it does now. She was trapped in an abusive relationship that slowly stripped her of her confidence, her friends and family, and even her sense of self. She left her family to be with someone she thought loved her. Instead, she found herself isolated and controlled.
"Two years ago, in the midst of the relationship, I reached the lowest point to where I was homeless here in Orlando. As a woman, that's scary, because you're by yourself. To put it in perspective, I was 21 years young, homeless and had no family, nowhere to go. It was hard, but I pulled myself out by claiming my voice again."
Most people who experience domestic abuse never make it to the point she did. Research from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence shows that victims often leave and return to their abuser an average of 7x’s before leaving for good. The fear of retaliation, financial instability and emotional manipulation create invisible chains that are incredibly hard to break.
Photos provided by Dariella Marie Silenzio
For Dariella, the moment of change wasn’t loud, it was quiet.
“Empowerment isn’t always shouting. It’s that small voice inside that says, ‘This no longer serves me.’ That was the moment I decided to walk away.”
When she finally made the decision, she had nowhere to go. She showed up at her parents’ door, humbled and broken, but ready to begin again. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, and will you take me back home?’ And they said, ‘Yes. We’ve been expecting you.’”
That homecoming marked the beginning of her healing. Slowly, she started doing small things that made her feel human again. Things like putting on makeup, dancing and taking care of herself.
Dariella Marie Silenzio | Photo by Jordana Canales, House of Beauty by Jordana
Then came the call from a local photographer named Kevin Fleming. He had seen her photos online and wanted to work with her. She said yes and that decision opened a door into modeling and Orlando’s growing fashion community.
“I realized I could be a model,” she said. “That I could take everything that had broken me and use it to show strength instead.”
Soon after, she began walking in local shows, surrounded by people who made her feel seen and empowered. At the recent Fashion & Hope charity event that raises money to provide direct assistance to families facing life threatening pediatric illnesses, Dariella experienced a full-circle moment. When she arrived at the venue, she realized it was right next door to the hotel she once lived at when she was homeless.
“I pulled in, and it hit me. A year ago, I was living there. Now, I was walking a runway next door, surrounded by people who believe in me! That was a full-circle moment and proof that I wasn’t in that place anymore.”
Dariella Marie Silenzio at Fashion & Hope | Photo by Kendall, Kboconphotography
Dariella Marie Silenzio at Fashion & Hope | Photo by FotoTato
Through fashion and modeling, Dariella found her voice. Her message to women who are still in abusive relationships is simple, but powerful:
[To find strength] “Do something you love. When you do something you love, it brings joy and confidence back to you. Then take that confidence and use it to make the hard decision to leave. Even something small, like dancing or taking care of yourself, can be your first step back to who you are.”
Her message is empowering and it’s backed by more than her story. Studies show that survivors who participate in expressive and creative activities, like art, dance, or fashion, are often able to rebuild self-esteem and reclaim agency faster than those who don’t.
Dariella’s path reminds us that recovery is about rediscovering the parts of yourself that the pain tried to erase.
“Vulnerability is strength,” she told the Orlando Life. “To show your soft side and still stand tall. That’s power.”
As we talked, it was clear she doesn’t see her story as something to hide, but something to share.
“I'm so grateful that you guys reached out to me for this opportunity to share my story. I feel with Florida’s population growing, it can bring more potential for, you know, things of this nature. So we have to think about these things and prepare for them rather than waiting for them to happen. That's my message: to prepare yourself and always think about your highest self and what you should do.”
If you or a loved one are in an abusive relationship, call 407-886-2856
Dariella Marie Silenzio and Dave Vanz | Photo by Jordana Canales, House of Beauty by Jordana
For the full video interview with Dariella Marie Silenzio, visit the Orlando Life YouTube channel
Thank you to Jordana Canales from House of Beauty for assisting the Orlando Life with filming and photography for this interview
