Sara,
To respond to your comment on his family's preoccupation with your appearance....although it's shallow and you find it demeaning, they probably don't mean it that way. Dominicans comment on physical attributes as a matter of course....Ay...que gorda estas! (You got so fat) is so common and although hurtful and inappropriate, is said with the same matter of factness that an American would say "oh you vut your hair" I've gotten used to it.
Also, we tend to give people nicknames based on physical traits: my Mom is dark and many people -including my Dad and my grandma (her Mother)- call her La Negra. I on the other hand, am blond, and few people in my hometown call me by my name, instead they call me Rubia.
I guess my point is that they probably like you and are well aware of your accomplishments, but they see it as complimentary to point out that you look like a celebrity.
Hope that helps.