About Me
You want my life story??? so here goes....I am a small town girl with big city dreams. I come from a land far away from civilization where normal reality doesn't apply, a place where your hopes and dreams for life can't reside. I have always respected my parents, who are so obsessed by financial stability. I tried my best in school, graduated high school with honors and college with a 3.91 GPA and I continued to of course, go to work for someone else, in the business of graphic design. Art and entertainment were always my motivation, but not what my parents would financially support. After getting my first year's experience, I broke loose, went freelance, helped several restaurants in their advertising and marketing techniques... it was a job I was good at, but not happy doing. Then a friend's word of mouth landed me a job as a web designer with a potential of a very nice income...to my parents I had achieved success, to me it was failure- it was goals I had accomplished, but they weren't my own . During this time my pet pomeranian, "Tripp," ran away from home, just vanished? So after distributing flyers and praying, I went out and bought the newspaper (something I seldom do to avoid the realization of this corrupt society), well sure enough, there was an ad ...."found blonde pomeranian"... and right above that ad was a talent wanted ad that would soon give me a new outlook on life, the ad read, "Be in film, commercials, tv..." so taking this as a sign from Above, I went to the open call and got selected by the talent agency. Although this agency did not help me with my career (it was sort of a scam), but led me to a new direction. Still a web designer by day, I prayed to God for a sign that this was not what I should be doing with my life .....the very NEXT day the building I worked in burned to the ground. I don't blame myself for this tragic occurrence because everything happens for a reason. This lack of employment period landed me promotion jobs..where I met the talent scout from the famous John Casablanca which led to a major move in my life. I also used this period to promote myself in the industry and landed a role on Dawson's Creek. That was my first proud step of my own. For a small town girl, that was an extraordinary event that everyone still talks about back home. While attending acting school and doing modeling jobs on the side, soon after, I met my booking agent, she became my friend and eventually my roommate, which later led me to getting hired at a national modeling agency. I held several positions within the agency, as a talent scout, as a graphic artist,...at one point I was responsible for all rosters, money coming in, photo shoots and setting up all the open calls. Through the agency, I got chosen to travel the Nascar circuit as a Winston Girl, got selected to become a new Budweiser girl, and got my first international ad published in a book, which is also my first tearsheet. In February, after a year and a half of dedication to OTM, the realization of my dissatisfied life hit! I was making a really good six figure income and basically I had the freedom I desired, but the 80-90 hours a week required did not allow me the focus I needed to make my dreams a reality...I was working to help other people succeed in the business I grew up desperately wanting to be a part of. So, with my parents finally pleased with my financial accomplishments, I made a BIG decision and decided that the right thing to do was leave it all and pursue my goals, and that's what I did. I got together with a friend and built my first website to use as my marketing tool. I started placing my web address everywhere on the internet ..on message boards, in forums, online agencies, etc...emailing my information and sending out my modeling portfolio. The responses started rolling in.... since then, I have been flown all across the country for photo shoots. I flew to LA to record my first vocal track, which came from a contact through the internet. I cut my vocal, made 2 music videos, plus one commercial and voiceover promoting performances. After returning from LA, making lots of contacts and recording the CD, I got called to work in New York as the spokesmodel for the NY auction company, Auctionmasters (as Monica Jean the Auction Queen ). This company was built based of the great response through the ads which I appeared in the "New York Times" modeling a Rolls Royce and Rolex watch. They provided me with an apartment just outside of the city and a car to drive. I spent three months working for this company. Then, at Christmas, I went back home in NC for a few weeks with my family. Shortly after, my acting agent called from KEMCY and I flew back to NY and landed a principal part on my first international commercial for Johnie Walker Liquor directed by Martin Scorsese and Tony Scott. (Now being SAG eligible, my career can skyrocket without limitations.) In May 2002, I made the move to the BIG City.. to be perfectly honest I was being flown to NYC for so many assignments, it seemed pointless to be anywhere else.Ôø?Now making the move to Manhattan was the most eye opening, mind boggling experience of my life. It wasn't simply new friends, and a change of residence. It has truly opened a whole new existence for the meaning of life in finding myself. I had no idea what I was about to be confronted with. What seemed easy before, isn't so easy in the fashion capitol of the world. This is a "make it" or "break it" city. The first few months were frustrating, disappointing, and a complete blow to my confidence level. I had no idea how much competition was out there.. how could so many people want to do what I wanted to do. In the beginning, I was ready to give up, and face the fact that I could do nothing more than make a decent living as a photographer's model, but this wouldn't lead to the major magazines or movie deals. My assumption of modeling bringing me exposure was crumbling. Then I started to compare myself to those girls in the magazines. What was the difference, I thought. Well, my size... whether I'd admit it or not was a major issue. I was one of those borderline models, a pretty face, a great smile, but a not so perfect body. I had the curves, but I heard more than once I was alittle "too thick." This hurt more every time I would hear it. It came to a point that I started getting very intrigued by this dark secret called exercise. "Exercise" is a not so popular word where I come from. Basically, having a hobby meant getting enough. It was a few hours after school at tennis practice to driving a golf cart down the green on a warm day. If you're moving, you were considering yourself a healthy person, but the southern cooking definitely paid its toll on the majority and very few people are concerned about this. Well, my eyes were bleeding for fresh knowledge in this great new winning method. I began researching the different types of exercise, diets, nutrition tips. I began to understand why my body was not the way it should look. I realized that if my dreams of hitting that silver screen were to come true, I had to compare with the others who are playing the cards with me. My life started to change... as my bad habits faded away, my mind was entertained by trainers, I was nearly addicted to bodybuilding.com. I was infatuated with the desire to need a perfect body. I tried all of the fad diets at first, before I realized, "no pain, no gain" is an actual true statement. I changed my eating and began associating "exercise" as a daily dose of life. I started eating more protein and good fats, and less carbs, it was a tough transition to get used to because at first my energy was so low. I added 2 sets of cardio to my daily routine, always alternating machines and activities and had strength training every other day. Shocking your body is really the only way to produce lasting results. Some weeks, I noticed no changes at all, the scale always read the same because I was in the phase of transforming all the fat on my body to muscle. I remember at times I was even weighing more which was very discouraging, but I continued pushing myself. Photographers were beginning to notice the changes, my friends, my family, some couldn't believe the muscle tone I had developed. Even a year into my program, I wasn't satisfied. More studies led me into the realm of metabolism and body types. I was realizing my genetics were not so great in attaining my fitness goals. I understood that I had to work twice as hard than the majority to get where I wanted to be. I accepted this as a lifelong challenge. So now I make short term plans to keep myself motivated. My next goal was to hit the fitness scene, I want to really start a professional career as a fitness model in the fitness magazines. I want protein bars to sponsor me, I want to be that girl in the magazine inspiring someone else toward their fitness goals. I want to compete in a competition. After that, I will metamorphize the industry transforming from fitness to fashion. I want to attack the fashion world and begin molding the minds of designers. Bringing shape to the catwalk and sculpted curves to the major clothing campaigns. I feel the industry is obsessed with that underpriviledged frail look and it has only created a bad example of the idolized body. I think fashion should wake up and begin to take a giant step toward reality. Reality is that everyone is capable of developing good muscle tone with the right nutrition and exercise.... but very few can starve themselves to that anorexic look that is so played out by the fashion icons of today. I hope to bring this concept of beauty to a new era in the movement of fashion. I feel assured that by this time I will have created a name for myself and have gained the exposure to make another final and lasting career move into the realm of television and film. Because this where my heart and soul resides, to bring smiles to faces all over the world. I know my life is forever changed because of my ability to accept the reality of knowing the secret. The secret is... being prepared, because you never know when the opportunity of a lifetime will come. I only know it is closer than it ever was before...To obtain success through the recognition of my hard work and talent is where my future lies. I can prove that I am 500 times more motivated than the average individual. My fighting urge will not give up or give in for anyone! I will accomplish the goals I have planned for myself, through patience and perseverance, ANYTHING is possible in this world and nothing can stop what comes from my true heart. I believe the obstacles that have paved the path to where I am standing now have only strengthen my character and proved that my dreams will never die.
Monique Capelta
actress/modelThanks for reading my true story.
I am sorry i need to update this...soon i promise!
