When I was first asked what inspired me as a model, I had to think. It has been such a long journey that it just comes natural to me. When I really sat and thought about it I wanted to push my self harder then what I've been doing. First off let's make this clear.... I'm not a tall girl or even average size at that. I'm pushing 5'2 and a half... & if you're short then you know every half an inch matters. Being this short since about 14 was and still is my biggest inspiration yet struggle. I've always gotten "Vanessa you'd be a great model....if you were taller". If that isn't the most frustrating thing to hear then I'm not sure what is! Now that I'm in my 20's I've learned that everything is only hard and complicated if you make it too be. I'm probably not top choice for runway...YET but those same girls that'll be your top choice for runway look like an ant on the floor if put in an editorial with me. You have to be great at what you know and slowly work your way into what the world thinks is socially acceptable and show them that you're a person too!
Now it's not all fun and games because as I'm writing this at 8:30 in the morning on the train on my way to my second job is probably one of the few quiet moments I get to my self. Growing as a person is still doing what you have to and still managing to do what you love...as people say..."long nights and early mornings" well I'm here to tell you that's completely true. There are days where I go into work at 10am to finish at maybe 9:30 at night to then go shoot, finishing around maybe 2 or 3 to go home and sleep a few hours to be at my next job at 9am sharp! Finding the motivation to have a schedule like that is something you'd have to do yourself, either you have it or you have to find the strength as well. You have to be really assertive with your time, I'm not saying work work work because you'll drive your self crazy but while thinking about your life find people who accept your schedule and understand that it's what you love and most likely you have home responsibilities as well so they would need to understand...if not you don't need that type of negativity.
Most people know me as Vanilla or Nena and know that I'm one of the nicest women you'll ever meet. I will only put up with so much because there is so much to get done. Well for me I have a list! I love to physically see my goals on a paper, makes them seem so much more real and reachable. Most people know I have my little shirt line and in the near future I will be re-releasing them, with that being number 1 on my short term goal list along with a mini tribute shoot to jLo, and a huge project with a certain love and hip hop start but I won't say much...more on the long term list is to change history, seems really big for one person but If I can at least put my foot in the door in making it socially acceptable to be a model that's not just known for tattoos. I need to see my self on the cover of vogue to be able to say my life is complete and until then it's working to get to that point. My best advice for anyone is to be your self...you never know who's watching !