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Lovely & Latina

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Fashion may be fickle, but there’s one face that isn’t going away: that of the Latina model.

Television has taken notice, and on July 27, “Model Latina” — dubbed the first modeling series “where couture meets culture” — premiered on Sí TV.

“Model Latina” challenges 20 gorgeous Latinas to prove that they have more than just good looks — they also need Latino cultural ideals, style, sophistication and smarts — to succeed in competing for the chance to win $10,000; a modeling contract with Q Model Management; the opportunity to grace the pages of Latina Magazine; and clothing from the Anna Fong Collection.

Contestants move to Los Angeles lofts where they have to outlast one another when faced with various challenges, including creating a public service announcement for Voto Latino (a leading nonprofit, non-partisan organization for Latino voter registration), creating their own layout for Latino Magazine, and working with a chef for a Cuban restaurant.

Model Latina host Ellie Rodriguez — host of Miami’s hit entertainment news series “Deco Drive” — is joined by a panel of judges, including Q Management’s Jeffery Kolsrud and fashion photographer Franco Lacosta.

Ann McCright, owner of McCright Talent Agency in Bakersfield, said that “Model Latina” is simply a reflection of the market — locally, nationally and internationally — expanding far beyond the blond blonde-haired, blue-eyed icons of the ’80s.

“As our culture has become more diversified, so has the consumer and the advertiser,” said McCright, whose client roster includes many Hispanic models and actors.

McCright said many advertisers want Hispanic talent who are bilingual — fluent in Spanish and can speak English without an accent. She cited a recent Coca-Cola Commercial which cast all Hispanic actors and was shot in English to show in the U.S. and also in Spanish as broadcasted in Mexico.

Lou Gomez, president and CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, says the increase in the presence of Latina models is simply “good business.”

“Especially now with the increase in the Hispanic population — people want to see models that look like them, with the products that are important to them,” Gomez said. “They also like to see and hear those products advertised in Spanish.”

Of course, there’s also a significant economic impact that can come from this spike in Latina beauties in the modeling business, according to Gomez.

“There’s a misconception that Hispanics don’t have a lot of money to spend, which is not true at all,” he said. “In Kern County, Hispanics spend more than $2.6 billion annually — and that’s green money that is spent on the same things everyone else spends their money on.”

Gomez added that he’s all for more Latina models occupying the pages of magazines as well as on the television commercial airwaves. It’s also a great avenue for Latinas to pursue career-wise, he said.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “This is the kind of thing that helps to change the image of Latinas in our country ... We have beautiful Latina women, that’s for sure.”

Model and actress Jessica McCaslin, 19, started with McCright at age 13 when her family was going through problems.

“My mom wanted to keep me busy, and I had injured my back so I couldn’t continue with soccer and cheerleading,” said McCaslin, who added that she had the right personality for the business.

“Growing up, I was always the first one to jump in front of the camera,” she said.

McCaslin has traveled to New York for fashion shows, won acting competitions, was named McCright’s Female Model of the Year in 2004, and was crowned Miss Teen Kern County in 2006.

“I think the most important thing is to have confidence, not be vain, and treat everyone professionally and with respect,” said McCaslin, who is quick to admit that she doesn’t necessarily fit the “model” profile.

“I’m only 5’5’’ and not the skinniest,” she said.

A college student, McCaslin said she hopes to participate in modeling and acting for as long as she can.

Tanya X. Leonzo, 29, has worked with McCright since 2003.

“I do it for fun,” said Leonzo, a photographer who specializes in actors’/models’ headshots and has herself taken acting and modeling classes through the agency.
Leonzo has been involved in the arts since she was little.

“My mom used to act, so I grew up around it, and I did acting in school,” said Leonzo, who has appeared in local bridal shows and commercials for Eagle Mountain Casino, Golden Empire Transit District, and Health Net.

“I love the fact that, when you’re acting, you can put yourself in any situation and be someone you’re not,” said Leonzo, who also just completed work for a 1/2 hour infomercial for Nissan of Bakersfield in which she served as the spot’s spokeswoman in an English and Spanish version.

Both young women had heard of the new Sí TV reality show, “Model Latina,” and said they might tune in to check out their competition in the industry.

“I recommend my clients watch TV and look at what the people in their age group are wearing, how they’re doing their hair, nails, etc. These are the people who are working,” said McCright, who added that  three qualities are the most important to possess if you’re thinking of pursuing a career in the industry.

“It’s not height or waist size — it’s motivation, determination, and tenaciousness,” she said.