Morelia Cuevas is the only “Rhinestone Heiress” in the world.
She is a business and broadcast professional, voiceover artist, and event planner. Morelia’s life has no barriers. She is a little country, a lot rock & roll, passionate, confident, considerate, and has an endless love for people from all walks of life. With ties to several loyal sponsors, she is also one of the most sought-after hostesses in Nashville.
This social lady is 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 Tennessee, 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 always remember his fine work with fabrics and exclusive apparel. She was born in Los Angeles and 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 there are three that she knows of in Nashville. One hangs from the ceiling in Nudie’s Bar & Grill on lower Broadway, one is owned by her rock star friend, Kid Rock, and one is exhibited in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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, others 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.
As soon as the Covid-19 pandemic became a major concern, Morelia went right to work. She immediately asked her father to design masks that she could help make because she was determined to do all she could to help people avoid getting the virus when around others. Morelia helps her famous father make masks that are a beautiful exclusive accessory worn by people to make a health and fashion statement. “My goal,” says Morelia, “was and is to help save lives while still giving people a way to look, feel and be beautiful. Thankfully, you can buy paper masks almost anywhere, but each Manuel fashion mask is exclusive. Masks with names, slogans, celebrity or business logos, and even event dates on them are frequently requested and become rare collector’s items in addition to being a necessary item.” 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, Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Morelia’s diverse background includes having been guest DJ on “The Party 102.5” radio stations in Nashville. Throughout Junior High School and High School, she hosted numerous radio broadcasts. She was a frequent sidekick and weather chick for Adam Dread, Criminal Law Attorney and former two-term elected Councilman-At-Large, when he hosted “Thunder 94” programs. One of her most enjoyable jobs, however, was at Universal Studios in Los Angeles where she hosted live shows and also appeared as Mae West. 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 CMA Award previously given only to recording artists during the CMA Awards network television broadcasts.
That 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 in Washington D.C. have expressed interest in exhibits of them. Morelia worked on the State Jackets from their inception. She helped design them and prep them for all the exhibits. Most significantly, she continues to present educational programs when they feature all or some of the Jackets.
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 we all know that is what the world needs now.
