Monica:  Yes, I recently flew to LA where I met and tested with Hips and Curves owner, Rebecca Jennings and Creative Director Marcy Ito. They said they are excited about working with me in the future. Then the next day, I did a four look shoot with Inez Lewis and Artemis.

Suzette:  That's what I call a productive trip!  Inez has incredible work in last months PMM and I saw your stunning lingerie photos
 
Monica: Oh ABSOLUTELY!  I love Inez, she really puts a great deal of effort to make a shot perfect and not just look like a standard studio shot.

Suzette:  (Chenese...if you are reading this...and I hope you are...are you thinking what I'm thinking...."Flawless 2010"?) ;)
 
Monica: LOL

Suzette:  Ok, let me stop.  I think you've got the right hips and curves for Hips and Curves.  Lydia Fixel sure represents Latina's well on that website, and I know you would too.
 
Monica: Ay, muchas gracias

Suzette:   Speaking of hips and curves, many women your age with your curves might consider shooting  "risqué"...  it's obvious that your parents are a strong influence in your life and so you've opted not to go in that direction.

Monica: LOL-- Thank you. I can't even begin to tell you how many offers I've gotten (since I was 17) for everything of adult nature.  That's actually a HUGE issue. A lot of aspiring models who contact me through Myspace usually have "personal" pics posted all over the place, and I tell them that Plus modeling is conservative to a degree and lingerie is supposed to be sexy not sleazy. If they want to be an adult model, that's fine but unfortunately agencies don't like dealing with girls who have done adult work.

Suzette:  Let's talk about how you applied to over 25 agencies until you signed with Flaunt...what did you need to do, what kind of package (if any) did you have to put together?

Monica: In some cases I mailed a CD version of my port, a comp card, and a short cover letter describing my stats, but I mostly emailed agencies by finding the contacts on the agency page or from models represented by them.   The email included links to my Model Mayhem page and my stats; I gave them links to the articles I have been featured in from PMM and Venus, and then hit 'send' and hoped for a reply. The next morning, I woke up and in my email box was a message from Frank Marsi (a talent coordinator at Flaunt) that said "We'd like to meet with you when possible. No need to make an appointment, just come in with your portfolio, 10 to 15 comp cards anytime between 2 and 4pm, Mon thru Fri. -Flaunt Models"
 
My mentor helped me compile my best images into a new comp card, and I went to have them printed. I picked up the comps, and with my CD port in hand, I went to Flaunt. After a short meeting with agent Gene Roseman I was officially a Flaunt model.


Photo: Inez Lewis