by Maddy Figueroa-Jones
Who is this dark haired beauty on our February cover? She is beautiful
Victoria Castillo, a smart, sexy plus size model... and yes a Latina!
Victoria captured our attention on our trip to LA last year for "Love
Your Body Day", she was naturally stunning and her inner beauty was
undeniable. It was a joy to work with Victoria in the studio for the
February cover and editorial... now we bring her to you with this
in-depth interview.
[Maddy] Tell me a little about yourself. Where were you born and raised?
[Victoria] I'm from sunny Southern California. I was born in Fullerton,
CA, but was raised in Santa Ana, CA, so naturally, that's where my
heart is. I'm the eldest of three siblings.
[Maddy] Tell me a little about your childhood?
[Victoria] As a child I was a total loner. I was shy, quiet and very
attached to my mother and grandmother. My parents worried that I was
surrounded by too many adults and they would force me to play with
other kids from our block. I've always been extremely close with my
mother and for a long time she was my only friend. When I was five
years old my mother enrolled me in ballet lessons so that I could be
amongst other girls my age. I quickly became addicted.
At school I was always the tall, chubby kid and I never felt pretty.
Kids can be so cruel sometimes. I remember my mom would make me stand
in front of a mirror and stay there until I could name three things
that were beautiful about me. I spent a lot of time in front of that
mirror! Junior high and high school were not much better, but that's
definitely where I made more friends and came out of my shell. I
learned that if I didn't stand up for myself nobody else would. I
focused all of my time and energy on dance, which gave me sanity and an
outlet from the world into my own.
[Maddy] As a child who were your favorite Latina entertainers and why?
[Victoria] I pretty much grew up watching "Telenovelas" (Soap operas)
with my grandmother. I remember thinking "I want to do that!" every
time I would see the Mexican actresses tearing up the small screen. I
loved Thalia, Tiare Scanda, Daniela Castro and Salma Hayek
(pre-Hollywood, when she was a Spanish soap star). I also loved Rita
Moreno and Lynda Carter. As for modeling I have always looked up
to Christy Turlington.
[Maddy] When did you first become interested in modeling?
[Victoria] I didn't. I have been dancing and acting since I was
five years old so I was never a stranger to show biz, but it had never
crossed my mind to be a model; I use to think that modeling was for
skinny blondes! I didn't know any better, especially that there
was such a thing as plus size modeling. About 4 years ago, I sent my
headshot and resume to an agency for commercial representation (for
acting) and they brought me in for an interview. The agent said she
wanted to sign me and I thought it was some kind of scam since she
hadn't even heard my monologue! She explained that she wanted me for
the print department, and that she thought I could get work as a plus
size model. After she explained what that meant, and lot of questions
and answers later, I was signed and on my way.
Photo Credits
Photographer: Stanley Debas
MU: Lavette Slater
