Maria A.

Measurements

Waist: 29’

Hips: 43’

Bust: 38’

Height: 5’3”

Weight: 145 lbs

Hair: Black

Eyes: Dark Brown

Tell us about yourself:

A little bit about myself is that my brother and I were adopted from Guatemala when we were about 1 years old. We had different birth parents but just happened to be a week apart from each other so he’s basically my twin. I grew up in Eden Prairie and was a dancer up until around my sophomore year of high school. Another one of my passions is volunteering. My mom and I were apart of an organization called National Charity League where we basically can volunteer together. In my 4 years of high school we ended up doing around 750 hours of volunteer work at various places and received multiple awards because of it. I have 5 cats and they are my world. If I am 70 single living with 16 cats I would be perfectly content lol.

Tell us about your modeling experience:

I haven’t had much modeling experience. I just recently signed with Privileged Model Management and just finished getting my comp card ready. I haven’t had any shoots yet but I am beyond excited to get my first casting. 

What is your biggest dream:

My biggest dream would to have my own brand of different apparel bringing awareness to drunk driving and being able to model for my brand. When my brother was killed in June it has inspired me to do so much more and to not be afraid of anything. Everything I do is in honor of him because he was the most hardworking person and he never let his autism stop him. I want him to be able to look down from heaven and see me making an impact on the world.

What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?

I think to be your own kind of beautiful means to just be yourself. It sounds tacky but I truly believe nothing is more beautiful than yourself and how you treat other people. There is not one other person that is exactly like you. Be different and own it!

What is your fashion style?

My fashion style is very over the top and extravagant. I love everything sparkly and sexy. I am very confident in my body and I am not afraid to show it off. Everything girly is my heaven.

Who or what inspires you?

My biggest inspiration is my mom and my brother. She is the most hardworking woman I have ever met and she has showed me that you do not need a man to be successful. My brother had autism and people are so scared of different and he never let what anyone do or say stop him from being successful. He went to college and had an amazing job. He did everything he put his mind to and if he can do it then I can do it too.

What advise would you give someone who is just getting started in modeling?

The best advice I could give to someone who is just starting in the modeling industry is to just go for it. The worst anybody can say is no. There will be someone who sees your beauty. 

Describe an obstacle you have faced and how has it shaped or changed you.

My biggest obstacle has been this summer when my brother was killed by a drunk driver on June 21st. Today actually marks his 4 months. It has been the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. Seeing my mom hurting and I can’t do anything to stop that pain. It just makes me wanna work harder to be able to give my mom everything she deserves because she had been going through so much before that happened. I want to do amazing things not just for me but for my brother as well.

What makes you beautiful?

I am beautiful because I care about my family more than I care about myself. I am overly protective of them and will always be. I am the biggest empath and I feel so deep. I am in no way perfect and have made many mistakes growing up but it’s how I’ve learned and changed my ways to become a beautiful young lady.

What would you say to someone struggling with their confidence?

I would say to girl/guy struggling with their confidence to just be themselves. Be the bigger person and don’t give people the power to hurt you. Hurt people hurt people. If someone is being mean it’s because they are hurting. You never know what’s going on in their lives. Spread kindness no matter what and always be yourself regardless.