Interview with Maria Do
Maria Do is a 19-year old model residing in San Diego, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a 19 year old, simple gal living in California. I am a happy newly wedded wife, so that explains my Vietnamese last name. I am a mix breed and you would definitely question what I am when you see and hear me talk. I’m Filipino and Caucasian with a British accent. So by my look and accent, I will definitely throw you off. I was actually born in San Francisco and raised in San Diego. The British accent just came from a relative that visited Great Britain and came back to help take care of me.
I grew up with a military family and the stereotypical Filipino household. Unlike most Filipino households though, my family was more laid back and opened… Well at least after I was a junior in high school. So growing up was difficult. I was put into the hospital when I got really sick and that was something that changed mine and my family’s life. It helped me decided that I don’t want to be a doctor lol… But I want to have a career that helps children and teens, so maybe be a counselor for those with a mental illness or a school counselor. My trip to the hospital helped my family get closer and helped my father change some of his life choices. So he is now sober and cigarette free for 2 years.
I’m very opened so I love trying new things and exploring and experiencing different things. I just absolutely love anything that deals with art. So drawing, painting, dancing, and even modeling is just a passion to me. I do absolutely any kind of dance. My favorite would be any Hawaiian style or ballroom.
To me, my family and school are the most important things in my life. I think no matter what though, I would want modeling to be part of my life always.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I think I got into modeling about a year or two ago. It all started when I was young and people always told me to go back to the Philippines and become a artist. So growing up I always went towards acting. It was only when I became a senior in high school, I was introduced to modeling. Some of my friends back then would always use me to model for one of their projects for them and that was when I realize that I really enjoyed being in front of people and even cameras. So I went to a company called John Casablancas and from there I took classes and started my career.
I stuck to it because it was just something that came natural to me. It made me who I am today and not once I regret it. I t helped me in many ways that you can imagine.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
In general, I just want to help children and teens. My main goal is to work in a school as a counselor for elementary or high school students. Also as well as to have my own family one of these days. There’s honestly nothing more I would want than to help others.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I try to do photo shoots at least a few times a month. I would love to do catwalks but I am just still too short. Usually my photo shoots consist of a wide range of styles. I love to work with different photographers because each one has a different style for shooting and I’m interested in seeing a variety of different works.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I’m still waiting for not a best experience but one memorable experience that deals with me and water!! My worst experience was just when I was contacted by a photographer that just had more than shooting in mind. Now that is just another story.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Hm honestly not quite yet but I am waiting for one to happen and I can tell you right now I’m actually excited for all the laughs it will bring.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Is there something I would change about the industry? Hell yes I would!! Probably absolutely everything? I think it’s horrific what some people advertise nowadays. I think we shouldn’t be advertising the fact that you have to look a certain way to be ” beautiful “.
Beauty should not be defined and if it has to be then it should be a picture of the world. To me we are all beautiful and should not be picked out. Some people say skinny is beautiful and some also say big and curvy is beautiful. Should we really be told what we have to look like? I don’t think so. So one of the reasons why I chose to model was to show to other people, that we are all beautiful and we should not let people tell us otherwise.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I can be lazy and then there are times where I am the most hyper person in the room. I have a fast metabolism already so I try not to go crazy with working out but I do try to exercise as much as I can to stay in shape. I think eating right n exercising daily is important but also being lazy here and there is as well. You got to have a perfect balance of it all to live a good life I would say.
Typically I eat just about everything. If you ask my family, I literally eat more than some of them. I just love food!! I’ll admit I do eat quite a bit of take out, but I wish I don’t sometimes. So I try to eat something a little healthier when I do eat out. No doubt though, nothing beats fruits… Especially a fresh fruit smoothie!!
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I’m pretty open so I don’t know honestly what some people don’t know about me, but everyone has secrets. I guess I can say some people don’t know that I can be a total geek when it comes to video games and anything that deals with super Heroes and villains.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I don’t think I really would change anything about me. I feel I am perfect just the way I am. To me everyone is perfect and beautiful just the way they are. So why go changing? Besides at least for the better.
What superpower do you wish you had? Why?
If I could possess a super power… I would have to say I would want to be able to teleport and shape shift!!
I just think it would be so much fun and handy to have those powers.