An Interview With Maddy-Figueroa Jones

Joanne Borgella is living her life and not letting it pass her by. She captivated us with her sweet smile and alluring voice during Season 1 of Mo'Niques Fat Chance. As she and the other contestants competed for the title of Miss PHAT, we watched as Joanne participated in television history. Mo'Nique's Fat Chance was Oxygen's highest rated show.
 
Joanne's win made her into a household name and a role model to women everywhere. With a jewelry line in the works and a soaring modeling career, we will be seeing great things from this Haitian beauty.
 
[Maddy] Most of us remember you from the first season of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance. Tell me about your experience on the show and if there is anything in particular that you learned about yourself.
 
[Joanne] The experience on the show was amazing. I was watching BET and the promo for the show came on and I was so happy to see something that I could be a part of.  It changed me!  I have always been confident in myself, but like everyone else I did have some insecurity - I never wore sleeveless shirts! NEVER!! Even to the audition for Mo'Nique's Fat Chance – I had on a vest and a sweater to cover my arms.  It was like 80 something degrees and I had a shirt, vest and jeans.  It took being around other women that felt the same way for me to be at ease and be happy with myself. Now I wear sleeveless shirts all the time and you can't tell me anything!!!
 
I applaud Monique for thinking of us and making a show for us, because no one else is thinking about us.


Photographer: Roberto Ligresti