Catalina magazine was founded in 2001 by a Latina journalist to break the stereotypes of Hispanics in the US media and entertainment. Cover models have included Daisy Fuentes, Eva La Rue, Mario Lopez, Ricardo Antonio Chavira, María Conchita Alonso, and Natalie Morales. Founded as a print publication, reaching a BPA-audited circulation of 500,000, today CATALINA also reaches its demographic through national events, online promotions, and its web site. Its founding publisher, Cathy Areu, is a frequent guest on cable TV news shows, discussing pop culture, politics, women's issues, and US immigration.
CATALINA was named the "Lead Launch" by Folio magazine, and is the official publication of the National Association of Latina Leaders, a non-profit promoting the rights of Hispanic women in the U.S. In 2003, CATALINA was the first Hispanic lifestyle magazine chosen to be part of the NIH's Heart Truth Campaign, promoting good heart health to US women. First Lady Laura Bush is the spokesperson for the Heart Truth.