Minnillo was born in Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Philippines to Vincent Minnillo and Helen Berecero.

Her father is an American of Italian and Irish descent; the ethnicity of her estranged mother remains ambiguous with Minnillo initially referring to her as a Filipina from the province of Pampanga and Leyte [1][2], and then later referring to her as Polynesian during an interview with Maxim magazine for her October 2006 cover story.[3]

As a child, her family moved numerous times due to her father`s work in the United States Air Force. Her family spent time in California, Nevada, Florida, Germany and Japan before eventually settling in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents are divorced, and she has a close relationship with stepmother Donna Minnillo, and an older adopted brother, Vincent. Vanessa is fluent in English and has passive knowledge of the Philippine language, Tagalog and the Philippine dialect, Kapampangan.[citation needed]

Minnillo became Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1998, and went on to win the 1998 Miss Teen USA Pageant. She was the first delegate from South Carolina to capture the title and received the Congeniality Award in 1998. In the competition she received the highest scores in the Interview, Swimsuit, and Evening Gown categories.

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