Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The April 2023 Issue Of Model & Mode Magazine: Damian Romeo

Posted on by Alex

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Damian Romeo, a former Canadian Infantry Army soldier and Canadian-born actor, plays the enigmatic ‘Matt Press’ role on Netflix’s popular drama series Ginny & Georgia. The show’s second season premiered on January 5th, where viewers saw Ginny grappling with the fact that her mother, Georgia, had murdered her stepfather to protect her. While Georgia wants to move on and focus on planning her wedding, the past has a way of catching up with her. Romeo’s character, ‘Matt Press,’ is the only person who can see through the facade and has a pragmatic outlook on life due to his troubled past.

Romeo’s passion for acting began at a young age when his grandmother encouraged him to take music lessons. He started performing in theatre at the age of nine and became committed to becoming an actor. Despite his impressive 6’4″ stature and fit physique, Romeo’s desire to act remained unwavering. While he was scouted as “Canada’s Next Top Male Model” during Vancouver Fashion Week, he decided to join the Canadian Infantry Army, where he served as a reserve soldier for four years. Romeo continued pursuing acting opportunities and landed minor roles in Amazon’s “The Expanse” before being cast as ‘Matt Press’ on “Ginny & Georgia.” He will also star in the upcoming PINS & NEEDLES thriller alongside his “Ginny & Georgia” co-star, Chelsea Clark.

Aside from acting, Romeo is an avid rock climber who enjoys outdoor activities. He is also a supporter of SickKids, a non-profit organization. He enjoys hanging out with his hairless Sphynx cat in his free time. Taylor Sheridan’s work inspires Romeo, and he aspires to star in one of his projects in the future.

We recently caught up with Damian to discuss his journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

Can you tell us more about yourself? How did you get started in the entertainment industry?

My professional acting career started around 19, but I’ve always felt enthralled with the craft of acting and having the ability to tell a great story. Around that age, I fell in love with the possibility of pursuing the craft as a career. Since I made that decision for myself, I’ve never looked back. It wasn’t until season one of Ginny and Georgia that I started to see professional success. I spent most of the time up until now developing my craft and focusing on experiences that would help me grow as a person. I solo backpacked over 35 countries, joined the Canadian army, dressed up as superheroes for children’s events, walked a high fashion runway, and explored many different avenues in my development.

What do you like most about acting?

The endless possibilities to experience another life. It is such an incredible feeling to step into the shoes of a character and truly live through them. I could become the leader of an army, fighting battles through a period of history or in magical fantasies. I could go on breathtaking adventures and voyages, fall in love, and grow old. The ability to showcase the human experience in any situation is truly exciting for me.

Can you tell us about your role in Ginny and Georgia?

I play a young, angsty high schooler who is still trying to figure out who he is. He’s part of the friend group that attaches itself to Ginny. He develops a youthful crush on one of the girls in the MANG friend group. Due to his insecurities and emotional immaturity, he tries to hide his feelings and can’t communicate them properly.

What sort of person is going to relate to this character?

I think anyone can relate to a character like this. We have all had that awkward experience of being a high school kid, trying to fit in and find ourselves in the process. The tools for communicating your emotions take a very long time to develop; along the way, we all make mistakes.

How is this character like you? Different?

As the person I am today, Matt Press and I share only two similarities. We have both made mistakes while finding ourselves in our youth, and we enjoy playing video games.

Besides yourself, what celebrity would you like to see tackle this character?

If I could put Charlie Hunnam or Chris Hemsworth in a time machine, I’d love to see them portray Matt Press. Otherwise, Timothee Chalamet would make some interesting choices.

Besides yourself, which actor/s in this series is going to blow people away?

This season, all the actors have done a great job with their characters. The one performance I thoroughly enjoyed was Sabrina Grdevich as Cynthia Fuller. Sabrina is such a fantastic actress, and I loved watching her performance come to life.

What’s the biggest challenge to taking on this role?

I never thought I would play a character as young as Matt Press. I had to dig pretty deep to close the ‘over a decade’ age gap. Ultimately it became such a fun experience and one I’ll cherish forever.

If you could play any other character in this series, who would it be?

I’d want to play the private investigator role. It would’ve been fun to apply pressure on Georgia and try to unravel everything she’s tried to keep hidden.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?

Honestly, I love every single day I get to work on set. I love the hustle and high energy it demands. I am always at work an hour before my call time and love sitting outside my trailer watching the sunrise. My most memorable experiences are being able to work back-to-back days. The moment when most people start to feel tired is when I’m usually most energetic, and I love pushing myself every day.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

The most interesting people I have met come from my experiences outside the film industry. The people I meet traveling, in tiny corners of the world. The stories from their life experiences captivate me. Their struggles, joys, and memories they share become highlights in my mind. Every person is interesting in their unique way, especially when you sit to listen.

How active are you on social media?

I am active on major platforms to communicate with my fans. If I wasn’t working in this industry, I’d have no social media.

What are your future plans Inside your career or out of it.

I am constantly striving to become the best version of myself. Every day I try to learn something new and grow or stretch myself. Those have been my habits for a long time and are now a part of who I am. I believe that one day a very special role will come my way. When that day comes, plans for my career will shape themselves.

Photo Credit: Anderson Group

10 Surefire Tips to Building a Professional Model Portfolio

Posted on by Alex
 

A modeling portfolio is a collection of photographs that showcases a model’s range, versatility, and unique style. A great modeling portfolio is essential for landing modeling gigs and attracting potential clients. Below are some useful tips on how to create an outstanding modeling portfolio.

Research photographers

The first step in creating a great modeling portfolio is researching photographers in your area. Look for photographers with experience shooting models and a style that aligns with yours. You can also seek out advice from other models or industry professionals.

Hire a professional photographer

Once you have found a photographer, it’s time to hire them to shoot your portfolio. It’s crucial to hire a professional photographer who has experience shooting models and can help you create a portfolio that showcases your unique style and personality.

Choose your outfits carefully

When selecting outfits for your portfolio, choose clothes that highlight your best features and fit your body type. You should also consider the type of modeling you want to do and choose outfits that align with that style.

Have a variety of poses

A great modeling portfolio should have a variety of poses that showcase your range and versatility. Experiment with different poses and expressions to show off your personality and unique style.

Include headshots

In addition to full-body shots, it’s important to include headshots in your modeling portfolio. Headshots should be simple and clean, with minimal makeup and a neutral background.

Use natural lighting

When shooting your modeling portfolio, it’s important to use natural lighting whenever possible. Natural lighting can create a softer, more natural look flattering your skin tone.

Keep it simple

When designing your modeling portfolio, it’s important to keep it simple and clean. Avoid cluttered backgrounds and distracting props that detract from the focus on you.

Consider video

In addition to still photos, consider including a video in your modeling portfolio. Video can showcase your personality and range even more than still photos and can be especially effective for models looking to do commercial or acting work.

Be selective

When choosing photos to include in your modeling portfolio, be selective and only include your best work. You should aim for quality over quantity, with a portfolio of around 10-15 photos.

Keep it up to date

Finally, it’s important to keep your modeling portfolio up to date. Update it regularly with new photos and experiences to show you are actively working and growing as a model.

Creating an outstanding modeling portfolio takes time, effort, and attention to detail. Using these pointers, you can create a portfolio showcasing your style and personality and helps you stand out in a competitive industry.

The Modelling Industry: Top 5 Expectations vs. Reality You Should Know

Posted on by Gary

Modeling is a glamorous career that has attracted people from all over the world. The fashion industry is constantly looking for fresh faces and new talent, and many aspiring models dream of making it big. However, the reality of being a model is often very different from people’s expectations. In this article, we will explore five model expectations and the realities of the industry.

Expectation 1: Fame and Fortune

Many people think that becoming a model automatically means fame and fortune. They assume that models earn much money, travel the world, and have a glamorous lifestyle. However, the reality is that modeling is a highly competitive industry, and only a small percentage of models ever achieve fame or fortune. Many models must work for years before making any significant income, and most never become household names.

Expectation 2: Perfect Body

The fashion industry is often associated with thinness and perfection; many believe that models must have perfect bodies. While it’s true that models are expected to maintain a certain level of fitness, the reality is that there is no one perfect body type. The industry is becoming more inclusive, and there are now opportunities for models of all shapes and sizes.

Expectation 3: Glamorous Lifestyle

People often assume modeling is a glamorous lifestyle filled with parties, red carpets, and photo shoots in exotic locations. While this may be true for some models, the reality is that modeling involves long hours, hard work, and little glamour most of the time. Models often work in uncomfortable conditions and spend hours standing in high heels.

Expectation 4: Easy Money

Many people believe that modeling is an easy way to make money. However, the reality is that modeling is hard work and requires a lot of time and effort. Models often have to go to castings and auditions, and they may have to work long hours with little pay. Modeling is also a very unpredictable industry, and work can be sporadic.

Expectation 5: Success Overnight

Many people believe that becoming a model means instant success. They assume that they will immediately start booking jobs and making money once they sign up with an agency. However, the reality is that success in the industry takes time and hard work. Models must constantly network, update their portfolios, and persist in their pursuit of employment.

Must-See Event Of The Week: The Official Crowning of Miss Eco Australia 2023

Posted on by Alex

What: Witness the official crowning of our Miss Eco Australia 2023 – Naomie White as she begins to promote eco-tourism and become the goodwill ambassador of our country!

Miss Eco International is an International Beauty competition that brings together representatives of different cultures and traditions from all over the world Its main objective is to promote the importance of saving our planet environmentally in addition to marketing tourism across the world, this competition focuses on the wellness of the mind, body, and spirit of all the candidates that represent all the countries from all over the world.

Where: Proxima Headquarters (2 Australia Ave, Olympic Park)

When: Sunday, 19th February 2023

Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The January 2023 Issue Of Model & Mode Magazine: Ellie Bojarski

Posted on by Alex

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Ellie was born on 10.1.2011 to proud parents Lisa and Frank Bojarski, Jr. She has an older brother Kody Bojarski who was one and a half years old at that time.

Ellie lost her mother when she was just five weeks old, who suffered from post-natal depression and committed suicide after she was born—followed by the loss of her father, who tragically died in an accident. Both kids have lived with their grandparents since then and were raised by them. Luckily, both kids had a large family circle consisting of aunties, uncles, and many cousins – they were surrounded by a close and loving family.

Ellie grew up attending all the meetings, events, and community work that grandma does because she’s actively involved with passion and dedication. She loves dancing to Jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. She has been dancing since she was two and a half years old at the Decadance Academy. When she was three years old, she performed tap and Jazz dance at the Relay for Life for the Cancer Council of NSW, Fairfield City – it was her first community participation. She was also one of the angels of the yearly Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo event till she was seven years old at the FilOz Liverpool and Districts Inc. – a non for profit organisation. Cancer Council of NSW Relay for Life is a yearly involvement of Ellie through dancing and helping her grandmother behind the scenes, as she has been a committee member for the last 20 years. She helps at the Hope Ceremony, which is the day’s highlight.

Ellie has helped her grandmother at the FilOz group and affiliates by sending food and goods to the Philippines during floods and calamities. She loved packing up boxes with toys for the kids. She was one of the founding participants at the Children’s Festival of Sydney in 2016, proudly representing the Philippines wearing Filipiniana attire. Children’s Festival of Sydney is a huge yearly event held at The Rocks, Revesby, and Campbelltown. Ellie enjoys swimming, push biking, dancing, ice skating, and watching movies. She’s shy but loves playing with her cousins anytime. Some of Ellie’s awards throughout the years include Mini Miss Australia 2017 in Melbourne, Victoria Global United International Beauty Pageant, and USA Miss Little Global United International 2018 Lifetime Ambassador.

How to Lose Weight After the Holidays

Posted on by Gary

It’s finally that time of year again. A time of long beach days, hot summer nights, and that cute bikini you picked out last year. But wait a minute – before you try it on, have you considered the possibility of the dreaded ‘holiday weight’? (Don’t act like you don’t have any because that’s impossible.)

My boyfriend and I have come to terms with this fact of life. And we’ve made a 3-month pact. No junk food. 2 liters of water a day. Gym visits as often as possible. Yesterday was our first gym visit. After forking out a huge twenty dollars for a casual visit and spending an hour sweating and aching and feeling like I was going to throw up, I must admit I began to question what I got myself into. Why does summer have to be such a pain?

I woke up in the morning with aching arms, legs, abs, and a starving stomach. Damn you, holiday weight! There has to be an easier way…

Here’s what I think. The moderation rule is important, as in – eat everything in moderation. Feel like some chocolate? Have a square! Craving lollies? Go for the 98% less sugar option. It may not be the healthiest way to ‘diet,’ but who am I kidding? Diets are boring anyway. At work, we are careful to have a small stash of All Natural lollies on hand for those one-off sugar hits. Now when lunchtime rolls around, rather than going for the trusty Kebab Shop Nachos, try out a fruit salad with yoghurt, or even a salad sandwich. It’s important to keep your stomach full the whole day long. Skipping breakfast is a big no-no, so as not to affect your metabolism, leaving you more likely to pig out on the tempting junk later on that night.

What’s important is staying active. This really depends on the individual. While I would much rather fork over loads of cash to sweat it out in the gym, a smarter individual may realise that jogging is far more affordable (plus, you can take your iPod and sing along simultaneously!). Team sports are always fun if you’re more of a social person like me. While it’s off-season for the more popular sports, like netball or soccer, nighttime indoor competitions are always run. Grab a bunch of friends and sign up!

Don’t like to sweat? Walking for an hour a day can do just as much good as a half-hour run. So go on a shopping spree and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Little things like this that may seem like nothing at the time really do add up. Even if it’s doing ten push-ups in an ad break of your favourite show and seeing if you can beat the next lot of ads. Fun little challenges for yourself make exercising not seem like it at all, and trust me; you begin to feel quite proud of yourself when you beat your last Personal Best!

At times it will all seem too much, I’m not going to lie, and Baskin Robbins will probably seem like Heaven to you, but before you break down: just think of that cute bikini you’ve got sitting at home. It’ll all be worth it.

FOMA 2022: Standout Moments From The 2022 Fashion Show

Posted on by Alex

FOMA 2022 was an event not to miss. Thirty-six cultures were represented, seven exhibitions, eight ambassadors, four foreign government collaborations, six initiatives, two business growth stories, and 41 faces of FOMA.

Set in the Powerhouse Museum – it was a celebration where a live runway show and a fashion experience took place.

Amongst flashing lights, media coverage, and music – several designers and artists participated at FOMA 2022, such as BULUUY MIRRII By Colleen Tighe Johnson, Karis Zanetta The Label By Karis Zanetta Cheng, Fiji Consulate General & Trade Commission (Australia and New Zealand), The Bowerbirds by Sally Jackson, My Paloma by Founder Eliana Gamboa-Chapman, Lena Kasparian The Label by Lena Kasparian, Tatyana Anderson in Collaboration with Wendy Scully Millinery and Vivian Chan Shaw The Label. It was a great night filled with world-class fashion and entertainment.

Check out some of the photos from the event below, courtesy of Victor Hawk.

AACTA Awards 2022 Red Carpet: Return Of The Glitz, Glam And Gowns

Posted on by Alex

The red carpet was rolled out in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion 2 days ago as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards held its official ceremony for 2022. The cream of the crop in the Australian Entertainment industry attended Australia’s night of nights, as the who’s who of show business gathered to celebrate the best in TV and cinema.

If you want to see all the glitz and glam at the 2022 AACTA Awards then scroll down below.

Revealed: The Top 10 Most Instagrammed Paint Colours For 2022

Posted on by Gary

From cottagecore to grandmillennial, homeowners’ interior choices have been heavily influenced by social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest.

With people staying in more as the night draws in, Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance were inspired to discover the trendiest paint colours on Instagram for a room makeover this year. The experts collated a seed list of popular paint shades from reputable sites and examined the number of Instagram hashtags each shade has garnered.

Top 20 most Instagrammed paint colours so far…

Rank

Paint colours

Brand

Total no. of Instagram hashtags

1

Hague Blue

Farrow & Ball

54,100

2

Green Smoke

Farrow & Ball

34,100

3

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

26,800

4

Dove Grey

Laura Ashley

26,100

5

Paris Grey

Zoffany

24,000

6

Cornforth White

Farrow & Ball

23,600

7

Sulking Room Pink

Farrow & Ball

22,100

8

French Grey

Little Greene

19,400

9

Inchyra Blue

Farrow & Ball

18,400

10

Skimming Stone

Farrow & Ball

17,200

11

Elephant’s Breath

Farrow & Ball

16,200

12

Bancha

Farrow & Ball

15,900

13

Hale Navy

Benjamin Moore

12,500

14

Setting Plaster

Farrow & Ball

12,200

15

Purbeck Stone

Farrow & Ball

11,800

16

Sap Green

Farrow & Ball

10,800

17

Jitney

Farrow & Ball

10,700

18

De Nimes

Farrow & Ball

10,600

19

Denim Drift

Dulux

10,200

20

Chic Shadow

Dulux

5,500

For a selection of relevant pictures for editorial use, please click here.

Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball has reigned supreme on Instagram, accumulating an impressive 54,100 hashtags so far! A dramatic yet elegant blue hue, the shade adds a touch of sophistication to your abode and easily warms up your living space when paired with neutrals like cream or beige.

Farrow and Ball’s Green smoke ranks as the second most Instagrammed paint colour, racking up 34,100 hashtags. This smoky green with a hint of blue evokes calmness and is a versatile shade that would fit any room from the kitchen to bath – pops of golds also go exceptionally well with this colour!

In third comes another Farrow and Ball shade, Stiffkey Blue. Having garnered 26,800 Instagram hashtags, this rich inky blue hue adds character to a contemporary-styled room, especially when paired with warm metallics. Contrast the deep blue with light greys for a cocooning vibe.

Rounding off the top five most Insta-worthy paint colours are timeless grey shades, Dove Grey (26,100 hashtags) and Paris Grey (24,000 hashtags).

Popular Farrow and Ball pink shades, Sulking Room Pink and Setting Plaster place seventh and fourteenth most Instagrammed paint colours, achieving 22,100 and 12,200 hashtags respectively.

Heath Alexander-Bew, director of personal lines at Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance, offered guidance for landlords on choosing the right paint colour for rental properties:

“Picking the right paint colour for your rental home could be one of the most crucial design decisions to make – a visually appealing room will certainly help attract tenants.

You want to use something on-trend but not too striking or niche so it suits a larger audience and ensures your property isn’t left unoccupied for long. Neutral colours are a safe bet, providing tenants with a blank canvas that allows them to personalise their space much easier. Light beiges, tans, creams and soft greys are all ideal colours that will give the illusion of a larger space.

To save money in the long run, it’s also best to invest in quality durable paint that takes knocks and scratches. Remember to take pictures of the areas you’ve added a fresh coat of paint to before renting out and keep your receipts. This is so if a property’s walls  are damaged, you have proof when it comes to who should bear the costs of reinstating the area back to its original state.”

Source: Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance (https://www.alanboswell.com/landlord-insurance/landlord-building-insurance/)

This article was sourced from a media release sent by clara@journalistic.org

Methodology

  1. Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance were keen to find the most Instagrammed paint colours.
  2. The experts analysed reputable sites (ie. Ideal Home, Good Housekeeping, Livingetc) and compiled a seed list of the most popular paint shades.
  3. Next, each paint shade was searched on Instagram to analyse the number of hashtags they have accumulated on the platform so far.
  4. The total number of Instagram hashtags was ranked in descending order with the paint colour garnering the highest number of hashtags concluded to be the most Insta-worthy.
    1. To guarantee accuracy, paint colours with less than 5,000 hashtags were omitted from the study.
  5. Data was collected on October 26th 2022 and is accurate as of then.

Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The November 2022 Issue Of Model & Mode Magazine: Helena Ristevski

Posted on by Alex

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Helena Ristevski is a stunning 16-year-old beauty queen who was recently crowned Miss Teen World Universal 2022.

Helena got into the pageantry world because her mother and her friends are beauty queens themselves, so they naturally encouraged her to enter a pageant. Eventually, she got discovered by Robbie Canner, a highly respected pageant queen in Australia and the National Director of Miss World Universal, and thus far, she has guided Helena into the ins and outs of the pageant world.

Model & Mode magazine recently caught up with Helena to discuss her journey in the industry so far, and here’s what went down:

What do you like most about being a beauty queen?

What I love most about being a beauty queen is getting dressed in beautiful gowns and getting my hair and makeup done. I love that joining a pageant has given me so much confidence on stage; I have become a very confident public speaker. I also love meeting new people; I’ve become lifelong friends and Sash sisters with some of the queens I’ve met.

Downside to being a beauty queen?

The downside of being a beauty queen is my age being 16 years old. Some of my peers don’t understand pageantry, which could result in bullying. Still, I take control of the situation and spin it in a positive light by helping my community and supporting charity events.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

There have been many memorable experiences in the pageant industry so far. I have been invited to many charity balls and events, and I have also been featured in several newspapers and magazines. But my highlight was being interviewed on the radio station by Fitzy and Wippa.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

It would have to be Fitzy and Wippa, the radio hosts, former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

The most valuable lesson I have learned while in the pageant industry is confidence, the way you carry yourself walking, public speaking, etc.

But the most important thing is being your true self and being proud of who you are.

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

I stay grounded by keeping busy at school and in my extracurricular activities. I also have my family, especially my little brother, who keeps me grounded.

Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

My family is my biggest supporter and fan club. They have travelled around the country with me to compete in pageants.

What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

My future plan is to complete my education. I want to study Law and political science and go into politics. I’m also doing a lot of modelling, stemming from the pageants I’ve joined. My ultimate goal from all this is to represent Australia in the Miss Universe pageant one day.