Advice From Model Latina Jessica Caban

Latinas from all over the country were inspired by last year's launch of Sí TV's reality show Model Latina. Not only did it provide a missing platform for aspiring Latina models, but it proved women of curves and color can rock clothes and a runway just as good as any 6-foot guera. It was refreshing to watch a house full of chicas on national TV compete for a Q Management modeling contract, $10,000, and a feature in Latina magazine. I asked Model Latina winner Jessica Caban, 26, who recently scored a hair gig with L'Oréal, to share some tips for the next round of Model Latina Season 2 contestants.

Tell me about your current project. I'm going to be shooting 13 episodes this August for a new sitcom called Treviño [produced by David Morales and syndicated by American Latino]. It's going to be the Latin version of Martin and based on the life of Mexican-American comedian Steve Treviño, who's been doing stand-up for 15 years, and the characters he's created. I'm going to play his girlfriend. I also just booked a job with L'Oréal. They're going to color my hair reddish brown!!!

Nice. You also have a spread in Latina magazine right now. How did it come out? I have it with me right now. It's on page 48. It talks about my journey on the show. They have tons of subscribers, so it's amazing. I look forward to the opportunities that'll come from this exposure.

Have you done anything else for print? I did a spread for Eden Bridal's 2009 quinceañera lookbook. There's like 20-something different quinceañera dresses. I'm also going to be doing a shoot for Concept Magazine New York.

Have you been in any other music videos since Veze Skante's "Cover Girl?" I did one for this French rapper named Booba called "Illegal." You can watch it on my website.

What advice do you have for the next round of Model Latina contestants? Be strong. It'll be difficult. You're going to be thrown into a house with all these women, so just stay focused and remember why you're there and what makes you stand out. Let the judges know your story and how bad you want the opportunity. Don't let the criticism get you down. Take it and come back stronger and better than before.  It's important to give back and support them and let them know I was just as nervous.

How do the negative realities of the modeling industry affect you? Everyone knows about the stereotypes—you have to be super tall and super skinny. I'm definitely not that. I'll get looks at casting calls like, 'What are you doing here? You don't belong here. You're too curvaceous.'  You just take it with a grain of salt. You can't take it personally. That's the way the industry is. You have to keep going and knocking down doors.

Why do you think models have to be so tall anyways? For fashion shows. You want to showcase the clothing and have it high up, so it stands out. Tall women generally stand out. I think it will change. Women like myself should be given opportunities. Even though I'm not tall, I can definietly rock the clothing and inspire other women to buy it.

Who inspires you? I love America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Daisy Fuentes, Rosario Dawson, and Rosie Perez—love, love, love her. If you want to go way back, Rita Moreno. I love her so much in Westside Story. She's a trailblazer and has won so many awards.

What are your plans for the future? Definitely acting. Modeling is something I love and have a passion for, but at the end of the day, you gotta get in where you fit in. Acting might open more doors for me to do fashion shows for Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera—my people, you know? [Laughs] I'm also working on a show for my website called Lengua Latina, which is inspired by the fact that I love The View, but there's definitely a Latina voice missing. I'm going to have a surprise female co-host.