Interview with Victoria Vertuga
Victoria Vertuga is a 25-year old professional model from Los Angeles, California. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from USC in Music Industry with minors in communications, business, and theater.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m a California girl born and raised, a magna cum laude USC graduate, a huge dog lover and proud pitbull rescuer, a foodie, and a total goofball.
I’m a full time actress and model. I recently appeared in the season premier of Dexter and the long running soap opera Days of Our Lives. I’m all natural with no tattoos, crazy piercings, or extensions- I’m old school that way! I love to cook, it must be in my blood. All the women in my family are amazing cooks, and my great grandfather was a chef in Southern Italy. I’m a huge sports fan, especially college football and NBA basketball. My teams are the USC Trojans, and the Lakers. (Let’s just pretend we don’t know about this season though). I love to laugh and have fun and am NEVER afraid to make a fool of myself.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
For me, acting actually came first. A photographer who was taking my acting headshots asked me if I’d be interested in working on a pin up project he was doing. I’ve always LOVED pin up, so I said yes, and the rest is history. 😉 I began adding modeling to the mix alongside acting and everything else I was doing.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I never know what tomorrow will hold, which is all part of the excitement and the journey. Of course I’m striving to be a part of as many wonderful projects as possible, both print work and film. I’m working on finishing my first feature length screenplay. I plan on producing the film myself and am really looking forward to having creative control on a project like that. I really want to continue to do more work in television and film and keep working commercially.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
The thing about being a full time freelancer in any capacity is that your weeks are all over the place. I have insanely busy times and times that are more slow. Every week is different than the week before. I’m usually running around all over for auditions, castings, and photo shoots.
As far as acting goes, commercials are my bread and butter. I do a lot of independent films as well. I’ve been fortunate to begin to delve into the world of mainstream television with Days of Our Lives and Dexter and would absolutely LOVE to do more television.
As far as modeling goes, I do a mix of commercial print, swimwear/lingerie catalogs, men’s magazines, pin up, and beauty. Some days I have 2 shoots and I’m going from a super sexy vixen to a smiley, natural girl next door. It’s fun to be able to mix it up.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
This is an industry of extreme highs and extreme lows, so I’ve definitely had my share of both good and bad.
One of my best experiences so far was being on the show Dexter. I had a small role, but the cast and crew were so nice. They really went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and welcome and it was such a great set environment.
On the bad experience front, Last year I was hired to be a body double/stand in for a girl in a feature horror film who didn’t want to do any of the scenes where she was wearing lingerie. They contacted and hired me because supposedly my measurements matched hers exactly. Turns out she had lied about her measurements, and was a full 30 lbs and 2 cups sizes bigger. After having to go around to the director, dp, producers, actress, and seemingly a million other people and allow them to scrutinize my body and talk amongst themselves about me, I got fired because my “boobs are too small.” Mistakes get made, no problem. But I have never been treated so rudely before! Fortunately, it was all so ridiculous that it was pretty funny.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Definitely. I was modeling on the rooftop of a studio downtown. They were doing construction on the street below so it was blocked off. Three cars in row ended up driving into the ‘Street Closure” signs because they were looking at us on the rooftop. The crew eventually came up and asked us if we could wrap it up for the safety of the drivers. No one was hurt, just minor damage.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I hate the fact that so much of it seems to be random good luck and connections versus talent and work ethic. I wish it was a bit more “fair” in that regard. It would be great to see talented, hard working people rewarded more than they actually are.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I do heavy weight lifting with a trainer twice a week. I jog with my 2 pitbulls every morning. I do yoga when I can make time. And I volunteer walking dogs at the animal shelter whenever my schedule allows. I love being active. I say I’m like a little terrier dog that goes stir crazy without exercise. On the nutrition front, I’m a total foodie and I love to cook/bake, so I don’t deny myself anything, but splurge on the good stuff in moderation and make healthy choices whenever possible.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
So many random facts!! Pick your poison!
I skipped 6th grade.
I’m all natural (including my hair color).
I’m a huge animal lover and do volunteer work with Best Friends LA/No Kill LA.
I grew up riding horses and really want to get cast in a project where I get to ride!
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
We’re our own worst critics. We all have those things we wish we could change, but I’ve learned to embrace it. If I had super powers I’d give myself a bigger, rounder butt. I love butts! LOL. But I’m happy with my body as it is.
For more about Victoria, visit her website.