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Sep 14 2014

Interview with Natalie-Monique — Aussie Actress and Model

Natalie-Monique is a 22-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m from the Gold Coast in Australia, I came over to Los Angeles three and a half years ago to further my acting career and by chance fell into a bit of modeling. It’s always been fun and I love being creative with anything! So it was cool to explore a different side of the industry and play around a bit. I love music and love being around friends and family!

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I first got involved through a director friend of mine who was looking to do work, actually before that I had modeled in a few of my girlfriends’ catwalk shows and catalogue shoots for their own design labels, but just for fun. In the states it’s been more about promotion to aid in my acting career and awesome for networking, especially with so many shoots doing video montages it actually goes hand in hand modeling and acting, plus it’s fun.

Natalie-Monique wearing high heelsWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

Great question! Because it’s so bloody hard to answer! Haha, personally I just want to be happy, living life to the fullest, doing what I love around people I love, experiencing new things, traveling, adventuring, acting, modeling, writing, singing, being creative I suppose would just sum it up! And hopefully gaining a lot of industry success to allow me to continue to do what I love!

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I usually will be on a few shoots every month, and it’s always changing, which I love. The entertainer loves to be entertained! I love doing creative shoots and I’m pretty fortunate to always be changing it up, even if it’s the same style it may be a different contrasting location which gives it a new dynamic! I do few catwalks as I’m only just 5’8″ which is tall in human life, midget in model life…for catwalk anyway!

Because of my acting, the photographer and I can really bring out different personalities, for example I wore a floor-length ball gown on top of a cage in a zoo and played with different emotions so it was like glamour mixed with total grunge which made it egdy and a little more unexpected.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

The best experience would be every experience because as it’s been something I’ve fallen into, it’s all been a learning curve for me! I’ve gotten to do some pretty cool shoots and meet some cool people which I would consider a best! The worst as I have learned which I’m sure all models learn, is to not be taken advantage of, whether it be with poses, pay or realistically anything that you may not be comfortable with, which is a very easy thing to happen when you are first starting out, I don’t think it’s something that’s talked about as much as it needs to be especially for young girls, it’s great once you’ve learnt from your mistakes, but I definitely think these young women starting out need a stronger voice about all the do’s and don’t’s of modeling.

Natalie-Monique wearing a black dressHave you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I once got asked day of to do a road trip shoot from L.A. to Vegas in an hour as his original model had flaked, I said yes, had wet hair which I didn’t really do anything with, minimal make-up and grabbed a handful of clothes, we found this broken down water park and it turned out to be some of the best images I’ve ever had. I feel like when you’re spontaneous in a shoot, that’s when the best pictures come out. As for funny, I’m always laughing on a shoot or being silly so there’s always something funny going on!!

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

The modeling industry itself? No. I mean there are certain expectations because it’s needed to keep things or people in demand. I would love to change certain people’s opinion haha, but that’s life. It’s a business. Same as acting, they don’t call it show business for nothing. It’s probably 80% business and 20% talent, so you really can’t take anything personally, for example, if I was modeling in Japan they would want me to have no tan, whereas a beach shoot in L.A. would be like, someone get this girl into a tanning salon stat! Some things you’re gonna be right for and somethings just won’t work, it’s all about the client and more importantly the clientel they are catering for. It’s a tough industry but I’m in it more for the creativity – I feel like when you’re having fun and enjoying what you are doing that’s the most important thing.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I love Shaun T! Preach! He does all the insanity, T25, Hip Hop Abs! He’s awesome! I love to chuck on one of his dvds so I can do it at home and there’s no excuses of “not having time” and then after that try and experiment with a bit of Yoga to stretch it out and improve my flexibility and flush away any tensions or stresses, I’m fairly new to yoga, but I love what it incorporates about balance in all areas of your life, body, mind and soul. Eating healthy is the most important thing, you could look healthy and super-trim but it’s what’s on the inside! I love my fruit and veg, my lean meats, nuts and fruit are my idea of a snack!

Of course my sweet tooth is always in my ear but it’s about everything in moderation, I believe if you cut something out completely and then later introduce it again, your body just freaks out. But usually I find when I’m eating healthy and getting all the nutrients I need with herbal protein shakes, juices and vitamin supplements, the cravings for any junk food just disappear because your body already has what it wants…the good stuff! I will admit though, pasta is my weakness…I can literally be full and still see pasta and start drooling…why!

Natalie-Monique topless wearing blue pantiesPlease share something people don’t know about you.

Hi, my name is Natalie, and I’m an instagram addict! @nat_monique #shamelessplugin

Haha no but seriously something you wouldn’t know is I have skydived at 5am with a drunk instructor on my back, been a magician’s assistant, lifeguarded at a theme park, ate McDonald’s with Shaggy in Japan and made up my own voicemail rap until it was petitioned by my closest friends to be taken down… did I mention I was spontaneous?

Would you change anything about yourself?

I love myself for who and what I am, but am a firm believer in self-improvement, I’m always striving to better myself in a healthy and positive way and I’m always still learning, aren’t we all..

Have you ever gone without wearing underwear all day? Why & what did you do?

All the time! It’s very freeing. However the first time I did it was because I accidentally ripped my undies so I made my best friend take hers off too and we chucked them over the fence of a construction site, then still met our other mates out haha memories!

Visit Natalie-Monique’s website for more photos and information.

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Sep 05 2014

Interview with Fyx — Full-time Student and Model

Fyx is a 20-year old model residing in Berkeley, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, my name is Fyx, pronounced as “fix”. I’m an international student from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and am currently pursuing my psychology degree in UC Berkeley.

In a nutshell, while trying to be humble, I would say I’m a fun, easy-going, sometimes a little too lazy, cat-like sort of personality. I like to laze around the house, lie under the sun, relax and take life easily. However, when I am passionate about something, you better believe that I’m going all the way. I am open to try everything at least once and I have no shame when it comes to most things. I love all sorts of animals and cannot stand insects.

Family, friends, my pets, my career, education and God are the five most important things to me, not in any order.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

Three years ago a friend approached me because she was trying to start photography and needed a model to help her out. I thought “why not?”. And I soon fell in love with it.

I always enjoyed acting, but modeling is very different. To act, emote and pose in front of the camera is something I probably will always find challenging, but so fun at the same time. The harder the project, the more enthusiastic I am about the work.

Fyx topless holding flowersWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

In 5 years I intend to be halfway done with my PhD in Psychology and in 10 I would have started my own therapy centre, or at least working at one. I hope modeling would still be in my life, although it really depends because I’m quite focused on making sure my career is sorted. However, if luck does fall my way and I get a few good gigs, why not?

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I personally believe my walk is stronger than my photos. I would like to think I’m an actress and dancer at heart, so it helps when walking to music and such. However because of my height (5’6.5″) there are few that would hire me to walk, so I take photos!

I am mostly interested in high-fashion, artsy type shoots. Because like I said before, the harder the concept, the more difficult the shoot, the harder I work. I like being challenged, and trying out different things. However, I believe my look is best suited towards commercial, because I’m very much more sweet-looking than stern.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

The best and worst experience I’ve had fell on the same weekend! I was shooting for Wedding Nouveau, an interracial wedding magazine. The shoot took a total of 8 hours and consisted of three looks in three different locations. It was a mad dash sort of rush for there were two models and only one make-up and hair artist. The last location was next to the Golden Gate Bridge during winter and ohmygosh it was freezing. However, the photos turned out great in the end, and I got my very first magazine feature so I wasn’t discouraged.

That night, I pulled an all-nighter, and had to report for a fashion show at 1pm the next day. My make up artist had to deal with a model constantly falling asleep against her eyeliner! It was pretty horrible. I had to excuse myself for 30 minutes to take a quick nap before continuing. Thankfully, the fashion show too went off without a hitch and I slept for a very, very long time after.

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

The superficiality of it all. Of course, it is very difficult to say that since as a model you are basically selling your looks and skill set. However, it is quite difficult to not get offended when someone asks you “what are you going to do to stay this thin?” Mind you, I’m less than 100lbs and am considered severely underweight. I’ve been trying to put on weight my entire life to no avail. I wish people would promote healthy-living, healthy modeling, and not just “hey go starve yourself please.”

Fyx sitting on a benchDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

Err… I barely do any exercise outside of walking a lot and dancing. I eat anything I want whenever I want, which isn’t great, I know, but I’m trying! I’ve begun to eat vegetables at least… And I love fruits.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I’m quite the gamer. Although to be fair it’s something everyone knows about me. My love for Mass Effect knows no bounds. I have four level 90s in World of Warcraft, I’ve finished both Portals, obviously; all three God of Wars, and I’m quite a Final Fantasy fan as well specially VII, X and XIII. I love League of Legends and watch anime quite regularly.

Would you change anything about yourself?

Obviously every person has something they’d like to change about themselves. Be it taller, nicer hair, bigger breasts, cleaner skin. So I try not to dwell about physical changes. Inside, however, there are many things I’m currently working on. After all, aren’t we all a ‘work in progress’?

What superpower do you wish you had? Why?

I just had a lengthy discussion about this with a friend. Assuming we’re talking about the more mainstreamed superpowers and not super specific ones, then it would be either to fly or teleport.

Teleport takes first place in my books, and I’d only want to fly if I could get huge beautiful wings, because who doesn’t want wings?. The ability to never have to wait in traffic, or worry about car park, or pay for gas. Being able to be on time for everything, where no locked door or window can hold me back… I will be the Queen of pranking, and I will steal from the corrupted rich to give to the deserving poor.

Okay, I’m going to stop there before this daydream gets too wild, but you get my point.

The photos in this interview are copyrighted. Thanks to XBellanotte Photography for letting us publish them.

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Sep 05 2014

Interview with Ella Mokrushin — Biochemist Model

Ella Mokrushin is a 20-year old model residing in Sacramento, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in a little, beautiful city of Ukraine called Chernivtsi. Before reaching the age of 8, in the year of 2001, for the first time I stepped onto American soil. It was not a getaway or a vacation – California, USA was to be my permanent home which I grew to love. At the age of 12, I discovered my love and talent for vocal performance and at about the same time I started attending a school of music where I was taught to play piano, properly sing and music theory. I was and still am, an outgoing, loud and “class-clown” type of individual. Making everyone laugh is number one on my daily check list. I have a mad passion for science! I absolutely love spending long hours in chemistry labs, utilizing complex machinery including gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy to name a few. I am currently in Sacramento State University pursuing my bachelors degree in Biochemistry. However, I plan on going beyond. Modeling has been my passion since I was a tween. Me and my best friend, who remains till this day, would always organize photo-shoots in the backyard. And boy did we take a lot of photographs, I still have them all till this day – for laughs! Even in present day, we love going to photo shoots and castings together. What can I say, I’m just a nerdy girl blessed with a divorce-less family including two little sisters, who loves science, music and modeling!

Ella Mokrushin wearing a black miniskirt When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I was 18 when I officially got involved in the modeling industry. At first, inexperienced and not educated in the field, I browsed craigslist where castings were posted. However, craigslist was a bit too sketchy for my taste so I created a profile on Model Mayhem. I uploaded a couple of images of myself onto MM, they were not professional and messages began rolling in. I cautiously approached every message, examining it for potential scams. I then set up shoots with various, trustworthy-looking, photographers and brought along my best friend for safety. I also attended meet-ups and various runway castings. I was able to make a lot of connections, model for multiple online stores and walk on various runways – including for two designers in Sacramento Fashion Week. I enjoy modeling and it is something that I do well, for these reasons I got involved in the modeling industry.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

As far as modeling goals, I would love to get signed and become an agency represented model before my time runs out. Alternatively, I would love to build a vocal career as a singer. I also see myself with a bachelors, possibly masters or even PhD in Biochemistry – working in a laboratory and engaging in scientific research. Life is full of doors of possibilities, and my motto is not to limit myself to one door!

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I’ve had a bit of a break from modeling this half of the year, due to a big school-load. However, I am scheduling new photo shoots and planning to attend castings, including agency castings, in the near future. I mainly do fashion and commercial photo-shoot modeling. In addition, my height allows me to rock the catwalk! I am open to other genres excluding nude or lingerie.

Ella Mokrushin wearing a bridal dressPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

I am very fortunate to say that I haven’t had any “worst” experience in modeling. However, my best experience so far in modeling has to be the photo shoot I had for Electrik Fashions at the breathtaking Stinson Beach in California. Initially, several models were to attend to shoot the looks; however, me and a plus-sized model were the only ones who made it. This meant that I got to shoot all of the non-plus sized looks and that was very exciting! The weather that day was beautiful and not to mention, the drive was super fun because I became great friends with hairstylist and wardrobe stylist and makeup artist previously. After the long but super fun photo-shoot, the crew went to the nearby little town to grab a bite which was delicious! It was an amazing experience that I will forever cherish in my heart!

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

Yes, my second ever photo shoot with a photographer who was pretty famous in my area was composed of some out-of-the-ordinary happenings. Long story short, at first the lamp, which was pointed at me during the shoot, generated so much heat that I almost passed out and had to interrupt the shoot to go out and get some air, and everyone was freaked out, since I did not look too well. To make the story sweeter, towards the end of the shoot – as he was shooting my last look, this same lamp fell and shattered – short of a few inches from me! Just to put the final touch on the cake, as we were walking out of the building we were scolded – apparently, because we weren’t students of the particular campus, we were not allowed to occupy the room to take photographs, although the photographer was a student of the campus.

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

If there was anything I would change about the modeling industry if I could, I would increase safety by encouraging models to support each other by advising to prevent tragedies, something that is associated with the modeling industry, unfortunately.

Ella Mokrushin wearing a long yellow skirt in a gardenDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I am a recently turned vegan! One day I just looked at all the junk that I eat and said “No More!” Why am I packing myself with garbage that isn’t only not-beneficial but is self-destructive? A new outlook, perhaps in addition to my crazy love for plant-derived-foods, inspired my healthy transformation and I feel better than before. On another note, I cancelled my gym membership last month because I was too lazy to attend. I rarely sit on my butt for long and run errands everyday, which requires me to move. I realize that increased exercise would be greatly beneficial to my health, this is why I cannot wait to attend a complementary gym once my semester at CSUS begins in September!

Please share something people don’t know about you.

When I was born, the doctor told my mom that I will be a midget. I grew to be 177 cm tall.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I sometimes look in the mirror and critically judge my features. I wish my nose was smaller, I wish my teeth were straighter, I wish my hair was thicker, blah blah blah. However, in reality I am happy that I am imperfectly perfect. I think imperfections give character and make us incredibly unique and different from one another. Physically I strive to be fit and healthy, Spiritually I strive to be inspired and lifted. I believe a healthy inner-self completes a healthy outer-self; thus, both are equally important for a happy being!

Have you ever stolen anything?

Yes and I got away with it. When I was 5 years of age, I had a crazy love for flowers. My mom says I was a little grandma because I talked so much and befriended three grandpas. They all had beautiful gardens – with flowers, perhaps the sole reason for the existing friendship. Numerously, I crept into their gardens, in day light, and stole flowers… yes, I was a flower thief.

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Aug 31 2014

Interview with Jennifer Estrada

Jennifer Estrada is a 19-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi there, my name is Jennifer Estrada. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. My hobbies other than modeling is art, making stencils, making a mess on a canvas board, going to the beach, art galleries and every music festival in LA.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I got into modeling when I was 15 years old, I went to my very first casting and nailed it got into an agency and things were great.

Jennifer Estrada wearing a skirtWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

My goals are to finish fashion school and start a toddlers clothing line, also to become a better model, be in a billboard and model for American Apparel is one big goal of mine.

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I usually model weekends because of school and mainly book photo shoots. I’ve done some catwalks but that’s mostly during fashion week.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

The best experience is you learn to love yourself and learn to accept the flaws you have and be comfortable with them. You meet a lot of really cool people. But the worst is some people can be very critical and mean but you should never let it get to you, you walk away with your head up.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I once twisted my ankle walking out of the runway, talk about embarrassing !!!!!

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

For them to be nicer, some people can be very mean and that gets to people. The industry should accept anyone and everyone, give everyone an equal chance. If they want to model they should get a chance to, everyone should.

Jennifer Estrada walking in the countryDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I use to run a lot and play tennis, but now I take a walk everyday. I walk a lot or skateboard. I’m naturally skinny so to be honest I don’t watch what I eat at all, I eat pizza a lot, burgers and wings are my weakness. So I’m pretty lucky to not have to limit myself.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Most people don’t know I have a twin brother.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

I used to want to change a whole lot about myself, I hated the fact that I am really skinny, that’s why I felt I should be a model to fit in. I have had so many bad comments told to me, in my face, about my weight. But I’m lucky to have a good man in my life to tell me otherwise. I learned to love myself the way I am.

What features do you look for in a partner?

Kevin’s gorgeous smile

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Aug 11 2014

Interview with Cj Franco

Cj Franco is a 23-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I grew up in Northern California in an amazing little surf town named Santa Cruz. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 18 and worked as a cosmetologist in Beverly Hills, I worked retail which is something I wouldn’t wish for anyone, After that I started modeling, which eventually I started doing full time. In my spare time I like to workout- like Kanye said, it is all about Pilates. My obsession with coffee has only been intensified by my time spent living in Los Angeles. I will never pass up a good comedy show, Groundlings, and UCB are always fun, and their material is fresh. I’ve even gone to see Dane Cook and Dave Chappelle, I fancy myself a comedian in the making. When I get a little time to myself I like to sneak off to the beach or a fancy pool. I have a ton of really cool friends with all different professions and goals, I’m super social and constantly being inspired by my friends.

Cj Franco wearing a gray bikini on the beachWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I didn’t really think I could be a model, I mean everyone wants to be a model, to get paid to be photographed. My father was a model, in the 90’s, of course I wanted to follow a similar path but I was genuinely under the impression that any woman under 5’8″ was “too short” to be a real model. Coming from a small town I was warned about the types of people who lived in the big city, those who aren’t who they portray themselves to be. So I nearly pulled out my rape whistle the first time someone approached me, offering me a modeling gig. It wasn’t until my third offer that I actually considered the idea that I could be a model. I started doing photoshoots, mostly for trade, and building my portfolio. Once I had a nice book together I took it to a boutique agency. I remember running into the agent in the elevator on my way up to our meeting. In the elevator I made him laugh, we walked straight into his office and I started signing contracts, even before he saw what he later referred to as a “terrible” portfolio. I cycled through agencies and managers until I finally got the swing of things and found my niche.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

My short term goal is to focus on my social media, get more into fitness, and not just because its trendy, okay mostly because it’s trendy, and possible narrow down my agencies, since I have 7, and its not easy to schedule jobs and go-sees.
In the long term, I want to finish my Business Entrepreneurial program at UCLA, and start my own Business. Modeling is a ton of fun and it does pay my bills, but I am a realistic young lady. Modeling isn’t as in demand for women in their late 20’s. If I had it my way I would model through college and then go on to open my very own Taco Bell, but thats not necessarily an educated decision.

Cj Franco wearing a black tshirt and bikiniHow often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I am low-key ADD, and so I love that modeling is so flexible as far as the gigs I get. I work for 3 companies shooting Print and Catalog on a weekly basis. For those shoots I go in late morning or early afternoon, which Is something I can do because the companies are really chill once you’ve been working for them for a little while. We shoot in-studio, with a white back drop. I feel like a little robot shooting “front, side, back, detail- Change – front, side back, detail – Change…” It’s very repetitive, but there’s usually music, some companies have a larger team than others, a lot of times there are people that really have no reason to be there, they usually sneak pictures of me, like I would say no to taking pictures… This makes up the majority of my work, and is my niche.

Another type of modeling that really slips under the radar is fit-modeling. Everyone confuses this with fitness but it has absolutely nothing to do with that. Fit modeling focuses on the general “fit” of a garment. I am true size 25, a juniors small and a missy xs. Meaning that companies can use my body as a blueprint for how their clothing is supposed to fit. I work with designers and help them to modify their clothing to fit an actual human body, and I have an agent specifically for fit modeling. It’s nice being able to help in the construction of something, but let me tell you those sewing pins are sharp!

Occasionally I will walk runway, being 5’7, I really didn’t think I had any business on a runway, but LA is different. I like to ask the designers why they hire me to walk, and they usually tell me I have attitude or confidence, and therefore no one will notice I’m an inch or two shorter than the other models. I do think that runway is the most terrifying thing in the world, but it’s like the gym, the beginning sucks, but you feel great when you’re done.
Sometimes I get booked on TV shows to play a model, or a starlet. Although I am SAG-AFTRA, an actress union, the pay is usually in the same range of what I would get paid on a catalog shoot. A little more exciting though. On a normal day I go to set probably 5 hours before I am actually needed for anything, sit through hair and makeup, and then get passed around until I’m needed to make a cameo of a much more fabulous version of someone very similar to myself. Recently I went to set in my sweats, they dressed me in a fancy bikini, put me through hair and makeup and then I tanned by swanky pool in Beverly Hills for 3 hours before they wrapped me. Television is crazy fun but also extremely competitive.

Everyone once in a blue moon I’ll shoot a music video; regarding my dancing skills, let’s just say they’re not so great. I’m more of a sit on the coach and look chic- kinda girl. Videos generally don’t pay very well and very few of them are union. But I’ll always show up to support of my musician friends, and it’s a great way to network.

Cj Franco wearing thick red glassesPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

I was shooting for 1015 store, and I had the most amazing photographer, we shoot most of our looks on location and very rarely in studio. One time we got thrown out of a certain LA museum because we were obviously a crew shooting for a clothing company and not a group of FIDM students doing a group assignment. I thought that was really adventurous of us.
I don’t have a specific bad experience, in my time as a professional model the worst things I’ve experienced were shooting in studios with no AC, foul smelling clothes, working with models who acted like Divas, photographers trying to convince me to shoot topless, and long awaited payments from agents. Also traffic is terrible, but I suppose that has nothing to do with modeling.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I was modeling for the Sloane & Tate Launch party. They had 2 other models standing on little pedestals striking fierce poses. As people fIooded into the room I pretended not to notice the celebrities filing in off the red carpet and taking pictures with us as their background. After 20 minutes an assistant came and got me down, bring us backstage to quickly refuel. I nearly knocked over Janice Dickinson. I was immediately horrified, not that I nearly ran over a model legend, but because Janice Dickinson may or may not had seen me trying to look fierce on a pedestal. I worked up some courage and asked her to take a photo with the other models and me. After the picture was taken she stepped away from us, turning to her personal assistant, she said “I want her on my show”. All the models got real quiet and we tried to not look too eager. Although we were like 4 feet away from her, she lifted her long slender arm and pointed directly at me. I wasn’t so cool, “Me? You’re talking about me?”, she nodded her head and a new swarm of people approached asking her for a photo. I stepped back and was immediately whisked back to my pedestal. Continued smizing as I saw Janice return to the party and then quickly exit the building.

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

I love the modeling industry, however there are a lot of scammers, that an inexperienced model could mistake as being something legitimate. Expensive modeling classes, “Scouters”, people that charge for a bogus services, selling people false hope, perverts with cameras. I mean every industry has it’s flaws but when it comes to modeling there are few regulations or guidelines.

Cj Franco wearing a bridal dressDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I have been a pescatarian for the last 5 years. I eat lots of yogurt, smoothies, salad, and grilled fish. For exercise I love to go on hikes with my dog, and take sassy work out classes in West Hollywood.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

A huge chunk of my time revolves around modeling, so I was using my Instagram and Facebook account the way all my model friends use theirs; to promote themselves and their work. But after so much time spent looking at my own pictures it got boring, and while a picture might be worth a thousand words, my pictures weren’t capturing who I was. So one day I went through and deleted almost everything, I decided to post pictures and videos of me being genuine and goofy, and honestly I’ve gotten more fans and more work by being myself and not just a mannequin.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

If I could change anything I would definitely make myself 5’9″, although I hear that surgery is very expensive!

What features do you look for in a partner?

I’m looking for a Firefighter-Chef-Masseuse, if you find one please send him to my PO box!

Visit Cj Franco’s website for more photos and information

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