When I first saw you, I thought 'What a breath of fresh air.' You have a look that is very charming and wholesome. You have a girl-next-door look that is simply magnetic!
"Thank you! It's funny that you say that - get comments all the time on how I look like 'The wholesome girl next door.' I didn't know how to take that at first. Everyone wants to be glamorous and unattainable at some point, but I am certainly grateful for how I am perceived! [smiles]"
I imagine you can find an excellent niche in the young woman's market. Have you been able to use your look to do any special jobs like magazine advertisements for instance?
"For every job that I get, I always seem to get the job for a different reason! Some people say I have the wholesome 'girl next door' look, some say I have an ethnic/foreign look and others have commented that I look 'sexy and mysterious.' I haven't decided which, if any, is better, but I am proud to be able to project different looks for different markets."
I have to bring up the age issue because it's such an integral component within modeling. Have you seen anyone rejected solely based on age or the effects of aging?
"I haven't personally seen anyone rejected because of age. I have seen some women who are 40 years old that can pull off a better look than some 20 year-olds! It is sad that the market pushes for youth to the point that it does. If you appeal to the market and do the job, that is all that should matter! I dread turning 25. That's a shame! [smiles]"
Do you feel you get special treatment based on your youthful appearance and young age?
"Ha! I hope not. I hope that the good treatment that I get is because I treat others with respect, not because I am so young! I will have to admit, when I first started modeling locally, one requirement for the contracts that I was under was that I had to be either 15 years old or a freshman in high school. I was neither! I was only a 12 year-old seventh grader who could pull off an older look! [wink]"
Speaking of youth, I am aware that you started your modeling career at the age of twelve. How were you introduced into modeling?
"It's true that I did start modeling at the age of twelve. One of my older neighbors/friends recommended that I go try out for the mall fashion shows and print ads that they were recruiting for. I knew that I was not old enough to meet the requirements, but I went anyway! They were so great to me. It taught me so much about what I was in for in this business. If you are confident and are willing to step out there for something, anything in life is attainable!"
What was it like doing modeling at such an early age?
"At first, I remember thinking 'What have I got myself into!?' But after I stepped onto the stage my very first time, I was in love! It was fun and exciting. So many people were there to cheer me on. It was just a really great experience! After the first show I knew I had found something that I would never be tired of!"
While modeling in high school you also studied acting. Have you ever considered doing acting on the side to see if you like it?
"When I was in modeling school, I really fell in love with acting classes! I was weary at first - a little nervous - but I ended up loving it! We filmed
a few test commercials and I was amazed at how smooth everything went. The acting teacher recommended that I pursue it, but so far I haven't. I have had offers for various film projects, but I am taking things slowly. Hopefully one day I will be on the big screen! Of course, I will let you know first thing. [smile]"
So... you like Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Did the film Pretty Woman have anything to do with you liking them?
"[Laughing] Now why in the world would you think that? Of course... Pretty Woman will always be one of my all-time favorite movies. One day my mom and I sat down and watched it like three times in a row. It must've been good!"
Even though Julia Roberts plays a prostitute turned straight by Richard Gere, is it every woman's desire to be discovered and appreciated by a handsome, well-to-do man? By the way, it seems to be Richard Gere's specialty. The last scene of Officer and a Gentleman has him literally sweeping a woman off her feet.
"That's just Richard in my opinion. Hhe's a 'sweeping' kind of man! As far as it being every woman's dream to be appreciated by a well-to-do man, I can't speak for any other woman, but I know that is definitely not my desire! I would hate to think that I needed a certain satisfaction to make me happy in life. If the man is a good one, you'll know it when you meet him money or no money!"
I do extensive research before I conduct interviews, if you haven't already noticed. So let me get down to the dirt. [Grin] Just kidding... We are on the topic of sweeping women off their feet and I know you were recently married. What's it like to be married at such a young age?
"Ahh...the age factor again [grin]! To know me is to know that I am a VERY independent person. I have basically raised myself, so I have always considered myself to be more mature than most women my age. I have taught myself so much about life, but one thing that I will always be is open minded. I do not look at age as a factor in anything. Well, okay, except like retirement. And hey, when the right man comes along, these days you'd better snatch him up! [smile ] Seriously though, when I met my husband, it didn't take me long at all to know that this was the kindest, most perfect person that I have ever known."
Is it hard to balance your modeling career with your marriage?
"Yes and no. It is sometimes difficult to accept every assignment because there are only so many days in the year and, of course, I like spending as much time at home as I can. But, on the other hand my husband is VERY supportive of my career and loves to be there by my side, so that makes it easy for me to balance the two!"
How are you going to celebrate your upcoming 20th birthday, which is August 12th? [Humming Happy Birthday]
"Aww...thanks for bringing that up! I am actually kind of depressed - gone are the teenage years, but I am still not legal!!! [laughing] No, seriously I am planning to see the family, of course, and hoping to have a big bash over this way! I'd love to see all my friends together. You know how hard it can be to get 'em all in one place at one time."
You have been told you resemble Alyssa Milano. I can see that, if you look at her early years from Who's the Boss. However, it seems to me that she has long since abandoned that image by getting surgical enhancements and doing films with adult themes [see Embrace of the Vampire (1995)]. Is this how you see your future?
"You are right on the money there. It started when I was in sixth grade. Every one of my friends called me Alyssa until I was in high school. I never saw it, but when you are that age you only dream of looking like someone on TV. As far as her image, no matter what she does, she will always be a wonderful actress in my eyes. Even though she's all grown up now, she is still making a name for herself and pursuing what she loves to do. In that way I can see the similarity. As far as doing exactly what she's doing, I can't say. I like to roll with the flow; and who knows, I need to work on getting started in acting before I can say what image that I would like to portray. No matter what image you play as a role, though, it should never be taken as who you really are!"
Many people in modeling and entertainment feel a need to undergo surgical enhancement, like Pamela Anderson and Brittany Spears. Do you feel this is the only path to take to lead you to success in your career?
"Absolutely not. The decision to have, or not to have, implants should always be a personal decision for a woman. No career or friend or man or ad should be the influence in making that decision! I also think that surgical enhancement, as rapidly growing as it is, can be there for women and men as a part of everyday healing. There are too many accidents these days that have left people physically altered and to know that physical healing is possible is such a great piece of mind!"
There are many women who are not in modeling or entertainment who still feel a need to seek surgical enhancement. If you met a woman who had such a desire, what would you say to her?
"Funny you should ask. I have about twenty friends who have implants and are working as secretaries or bankers, or who are even still students. At first I wondered what the purpose was but as I said before, a woman's personal decisions in life are always backed by something! No one ever said we have to be understood. [wink] If a woman's desire to get enhancement is there and she knows that it is what she wants, then I say make the decision but for yourself only. Do all of the research that you can...on doctors, certain procedures, anesthesia...EVERYTHING. If you work hard at understanding and accepting it, then you will know what is right for you - in any situation! [smile]"
Your site is very professional and wholesome. However, there is a section that shows your sensuous side. Have you ever considered gearing your site to an adult market? Other models have member areas that require payment. Some websites have webcams too. What are your thoughts on this?
"Now, a girl can't give away all of her secrets. I have so much in store for my site it is unreal. I have only been online for four months now, so Wendy's World is only going to expand. Just keep checking in. My site
changes from week to week!"
What do you think of the articles, jokes and picture tributes on The Liberator [www.liberator.net]?
"I think that The Liberator is great! Being able to speak the truth and laugh at a joke that wouldn't normally be told at a family dinner can bring peace of mind. Freethinking is right up my ally!"
Is there anything else you would like our surfers to know?
"Only that I love you all! I could never have asked for so much support from you all and I will always be grateful! As I have said a thousand times, and will say forever: thank you all for making me who I am! If you haven't stopped by my site, stop over and let me know what you think. I can't wait to see you there! [smile]"
Hey, I noticed that you have a tattoo. I almost missed it because it's on your back. What is it and do you have a story to go along with it?
"The tattoo has absolutely no story. Only that I chose to have a sun because to me, it represents brightness in each day. Sunshine makes me happy, so the tattoo was just an expression of this."
Thank you for your cooperation. You were great. I'll have this interview posted on the Internet by the 18th.
"Sounds great! Thanks for your time as well, and please let me know if I can do anything else! [grin]"
