"America's Top Model" Winner Jaslene Gonzalez Discusses What It's Like To Be Neither On Top Nor A Model
“American’s Next Top Model” winner Jaslene Gonzalez talks about what it’s like to be a Latina and a role model to so many young women who were otherwise lacking in tall, skinny reality TV contestants to look up to:
Jaslene Gonzalez is not your typical model. She rose to fame after winning Cycle 8 of America’s Next Top Model, and since then, has been aggressively tapping [Ed. note: Teehee!] into the fashion industry. As a result of her Latin background, Gonzalez has been successful at marketing herself both in the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking worlds. However, Gonzalez is much much more – a fighter, a humanitarian, and a good Latin granddaughter.
Yeah, it’s getting kind of tiresome seeing Jaslene all over magazines and runways and pasted against the side of public telephone booths…
Growing up Latina had its own set of difficulties. “Being a minority is a challenge no matter what,” states Gonzalez.
However, Gonzalez also states that being a Latina has many positive aspects in regards to her profession. “As a Latina, you have the advantage of being a Latina [O rly?]. Not only do you have this corporate job, but you can relate to many groups as a person.”
When asked if the fashion industry forces Latina models to change certain aspects about themselves, she remarks that focuses on always staying true to herself. “Modeling is a difficult job because of what you go through [Much like firefighting, or neurosurgery.]. 80% of the time it’s a no…When I go in, I go in like me, I don’t have to change anything. Any time I get a chance to show who I am, I do. I am a Spanish [Spain is some neighborhood in Puerto Rico of which we were not previously aware, we guess.] girl, trying to pursue my dreams. I try to be the best I can be,” remarked Gonzalez.
It’s great that Jaslene won a show and that she’s (we guess?) getting work thanks to her break but, come on. How is she a role model? To Latinas or to anyone? Following your dreams is great, but winning a reality TV contest designed to entertain people by pitting young women against one another and judging them based on mostly unattainable and unrealistic standards of beauty isn’t exactly inspiring. Not that little Latinas shouldn’t want to be models. Hey, we love coke and anorexia as much as the next person, and who are we to dash anyone’s dreams? But, lil’ Latinas, come on. Wouldn’t you much rather be a blogger and get to criticize marginally famous people on the internet? No? We have coke!
‘Top Model’ winner Jaslene Gonzalez on her career and being a Latina role model [Wikinews]
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She must’ve dropped Latin American studies or slept with her teacher, either way she dumb as tits on a boar
Posted by latinogamer | February 15, 2008
Don’t be too mean. She’s actually really nice. I interviewed her once, and she really cares about her family.
She actually eats too!
And she’s not just some contestant winner, granted that’s why she’s famous, but she really is a generally decent, caring, and charitable individual. Isn’t that something?
Posted by Susie | February 15, 2008
Yikes! That interview certainly does nothing for her. Are all her interviews that bad? And that picture is creepy! She looks like the cucuy.
She really needs to eat. I know people always say she “eats ALL the time!” But, come on! Girls, of any race, who eat all the time don’t have arms that look like crutches. And if she was eating she just might have the sustenance to form complete thoughts and give good interviews.
Posted by Latin_Princess | February 15, 2008
Another fine example of shut up and look pretty.
Posted by pocachica | February 15, 2008
This gurl is a hot mess.
If you like your chicas malnutridas and with plastic bumpers.
Posted by Janie A Go-Go | February 15, 2008
First of all, why are you Latina/Latinos HATERS?
COME ON! She’s out there trying to make shit happen for all the brown RAZA and all you can do is break her down? She is proud of her background AND is also involved with charities that mean something to her. WTF has your GORDA ass done, other than reach for another tamale or empanada while you surf the web looking for someone to project your own self loathing on?
She won a television show, that promises her nothing other than a few bucks, a sad cover and everyone knowing her name. All the rest she has to earn in a business that believe or not is shadier than all your chismosas put together.
You don’t have to like her, or the fashion business or her “job” but at least support her and the other Latino’s out there trying to prove everyone wrong. There was a time when we were all unidos and would support anything one of our people did, what happened to that??
What’s REALLY going on?
LA Divafina!
Posted by LA DIVAFINA | February 15, 2008
@La Divafina
I would call you psychotic and crazy, but anyone who reads you sees that, so why state the obvious?
And Gorda? Alex? Have you seen Alex????
Posted by Marco | February 15, 2008
besides the fact that she looks like a toothpick with a wig on, Americas Next Top model is shambolic! when was the last time any of these chicks walked ANY runway? NEVER!!!!
Posted by rodrigo | February 15, 2008
@LA DIVAFINA- I have to agree with you, at least shes fucking DOING something no matter how ridiculous and superficial I think it may be. WORD
Posted by rebekah | February 15, 2008
@ Desafina and Rebekah. Umm, did you even read the article? Are you blinded by racial pride that you can’t see what is in front of you?
Sad.
Oh well, more tamales for me then.
Posted by Janie A Go-Go | February 15, 2008
@latinogamer: You think she went to college? Really? LOL!!! I can’t believe she even made it past the 8th grade.
Jaslene is obviously not the brightest tool in the shed, and not the most gainfully employed of all Latinas. I mean, she refers to herself as “Spanish”, for Christ’s sake. She’s not bright enough to make it in any industry, ever. Sorry. She’s like a public embarrassment.
@rebekah: “at least she’s fucking DOING something?” Seriously? “Doing something”? Do you expect people to not do anything? Is “doing something” so out of the ordinary for you?
Posted by este_es_mi_nombre | February 15, 2008
@ nombre- “Is “doing something” so out of the ordinary for you?”
I worked at a homeless shelter for almost 3 years soooo yes….
Posted by rebekah | February 17, 2008
@ LA DIVAFINA and rebekah: a person’s good deeds should not be exploited and bragged about. only that which is done with a humble heart remains good. no one should ever have to brag about the good they do in life, it should show in your character.
not all good deeds are broadcast on tv. not everyone feels the need to brag about doing charity work. the decent thing to do is keep that discreet.
Posted by yv | February 17, 2008
Ok, so I am from Chicago … and before this walking stick because America’s Next Top Model she was a moocher and club hopper. We would see her in the clubs and just ask Why! Why is she sooooo skinny! The camera adds 10 pounds here people …. so just imagine! I could’ve believe that she looked heavier on tv … cause in person she looks like shes lucky enough to be able to support the weight of her head! And trust when i tell you that as air-headed as she sounds in these interviews … it is 10 times worse in person when she hasn’t been coached on the subject matter. So as a puerto rican woman from humboldt park … where she claims shes from when her mother lives in bolingbrook!!! … I am happy for her … but she is not as great as people try to puch her to be! And i am so tired of hearing about all the shit that has “done” for the hispanic community of chicago. Shes not the first and wont be the last!
Posted by BootyButnoBoobs | February 18, 2008
hatersss.
Posted by tati | April 27, 2008
hey i would like 2 b on americas next top model…would u say its hard
Posted by erica bunch | October 22, 2008
You go girl. I am so happy to see a minority woman (Latina) following her dreams. She is doing something great in her life. All you guy are haters. And for the person that said she is a public embarrassment, I know you are jealous. This woman is working for a well know modeling agency and traveling and making her own money. So I say good for HER
Posted by K | October 23, 2008