January 2007 PLUS Cover Model Rebeca,
an Interview with Maddy-Figueroa Jones
PLUS Model: Rebeca
Photographer: Ivy Darling
As I browsed my way through one of the model sites, I came across a beautiful curvy Latina face looking right back at me. Something about her eyes said “confidence” and I immediately wanted to know more about her.
I learned that this plus size beauty is a New York native, adores her boyfriend and receives a lot of support from her family and friends. Inspired by an ad in Fashion Bug, Rebeca is now living out her dreams. |
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[Maddy] Tell us how you started your modeling and acting career.
[Rebeca] When my older 'sis' and I would get into trouble, we would be grounded -- locked in our room. My older sister became my source of entertainment -- creating soap operas with Barbie dolls and ridiculous commercials with outrageous characters. As we got older, she suffered from a lack of self-esteem, so she never auditioned for school programs. I, instead had a small attitude problem :-) Though I auditioned for the leading lady roles, I learned that character actors roles are much more fun to play...
Photographer: Ivy Darling |
When I was a teen, Fashion Bug was the only store that had plus size clothing for teens. My mom and I were shopping there one day, and we saw this huge poster/ad that looked like me. She had full lips, my hair, but brown eyes instead of the blue/green eyes I have.
I never thought about it again until I moved to New York and worked at a model management firm helping "normal" size models. The Director at the agency used to really pound on me about having low self-esteem and implored me to recognize and accept the "Goddess" shape I was given.
After receiving so many compliments, having my mother’s encouragement and my boyfriend's support, I started submitting myself to anything and everything. And here I am today, on a cover of a magazine! |
[Maddy] Have you always been confident about your curves?
[Rebeca] I am a young female adult and ALL females have some form of confidence issues. Mine started at a young age. I’ve been overweight since age seven. Kids can be harsh. Of course I was picked on for being overweight but also for wearing glasses.
In college, I lived in an all girl’s dorm where anorexia is still a problem today. I learned that even skinny girls have issues. They complained about not being well endowed, which was no problem of mine; so I embraced what God gave me.
I also learned to appreciate art in college and when I look at the "Venus de Milo" and the way women were painted and sculpted in the 15th & 16th centuries, I smile because they mirror my body. That was beauty then, and to me it’s still beauty today.
[Maddy] Can you give aspiring models and actresses some tips when going to castings and go-sees.
[Rebeca] Happily -- Here are some tips that have been passed to me or learned in no specific order:
- Be yourself/not fake
- If auditioning, do your bad read outside first...then knock them dead with your good read
- Be confident, believe that you can do this. Because if you don’t believe you can, why should they?
- Before walking into a interview or audition, ask yourself what can you bring to the table that no one else can... then show them.
- Leave for an audition/interview extra early incase something happens like you miss the train/ get stuck in traffic/ break a heal, etc. Even if you’re too early that gives you time to get a coffee, breathe, give your self a pep talk, then walk in there and show them what you've got - TALENT!
- Bring a little notebook w/you incase you get some great contact names and numbers. Also, after your interview/audition write down what you liked/didn’t like and what you might want to change for next time to IMPROVE your work.
- Eat something beforehand so you don’t think of food while at the casting. Sometimes castings/auditions take HOURS so be prepared -- bring water, a snack, and a book to read.
- Remember as soon as you walk through that door, they are looking at you whether you know it or not -- so be on your best behavior. Leave arguing on the phone w/your boyfriend OUTSIDE.
- Get GOOD PICTURES!!! If your pictures are not serious ( good ) then they do not take you seriously. So take lots.
- If there's nothing else to remember in an audition, it's that you get to act today! After all, they call it a 'Play' for a reason :-)
- Watch out, cause I’m coming!
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