The Reality of Modeling & Scams with Victoria Pousada Kreindler

(upbeat music) Hello everyone, welcome back to Talk of Fame podcast. I'm Kylie Montagne, and on this episode of Talk of Fame podcast, I'm welcoming Phoebe Kaye. Victoria is a disabled, my two-lingual petite curved model actor and singer. She's the first Spanish petite curved model to walk an official counter-fasten show in the world. The first petite curved model to walk the London Fashion Week featured an L Harper's Bazaar Glamour magazine in a cover of Vandity Team. She has ADHD, EOE, PCOS, and lives in New York and Los Angeles. She started modeling and acting professionally and 2021 has been in various short films, guests starring on a web series and modeled for various international brands and publications. So she studied and she'll sit trained as a singer for over 20 years in study, costume design for three years at Rutgers University, where she graduated with the Bachelor's in Theater and Consultations in Music, Spanish, and Japanese. In addition, she's a trained horseback rider and archer. She's also co-founded the Starters block, a nonprofit which is to bring back new faces and originally to fashion and entertainment. And wish she was a casting director for high revolution and organization dedicated to highlighting short women in fashion. As a petite plus, near diverse and disability model and actor, Victoria advocates for media, for inclusion and hopes inspire both current and future generations. Welcome to the podcast. I'm this so excited how you wanna really appreciate you come on and take the time with us. - Thank you for having me. I'm so happy to be here for, those of you who don't know, my name is Victoria, I post out the crime layer. We became for short 'cause it's a mouthful and I'm so happy to be here with you today. Thank you so much for having me. - Yes, of course, I'm so excited how you want. So the first off, so you accomplished the literally so many things throughout your career. Like looking back, did you ever imagine this would be kind of like your path? - Well, I was dreamed of it. I was like eight years old when I saw Britney Spears at the VMAs at the Anaconda doing her performance and I was like, "Mom, I wanna do that." So I always wanted to be in this and I always dreamed of it. But I still kind of feel like I'm in disbelief or a little imposter syndrome like it's happening. What? What? - Like Britney Spears like back then when she started is crazy. I don't know how she is now though to be quite honest with you, but back then when she first started out, she was like, "Oh my God, insane." - I think she's just enjoying being free from the conservatorship honestly. - I know. - I think she's living her life and just, I think she's a mother too. I don't know all her. - Yeah, I think she has like two sons or something. - Yeah, so she's probably just enjoying herself and living her life. - I don't blame her. Did you see how I could do you why or something? Like a month or two ago maybe? - I did not see that. So I'm not the best at keeping up with the pop culture of celebs, but if she did, that's unfortunate and I feel for her. - Yeah, like she got do you why a month ago? Like she months ago I think and I think she went to rehab, I think, and then I think she got out like a few weeks later. - Okay, well, I mean, I feel for her. Like she's been through it and addictions of lifelong battles. - I know, I feel so bad for her because I'm the problem she had to deal with with the conservative things and like her father, like everything, her mother, whatever, like I really feel so bad. Like she's been through like so much compared to other people. - Yeah, hopefully she has, you know, a good support system in place. That's all, that's all like, I mean. - I know, I'm sure she does, but you never know. Like, he's like with her, it's kind of like, she's been through a lot. So I kind of hope she's gained like the support she needs. - Amen, amen to that. - So what was a moment when modeling went from being an interest to becoming a serious career, because I know you do modeling acting and so many other things, which is amazing, but what did modeling make kind of serious about that? - So I think there were two moments, the first moment I didn't know what I was doing and I didn't know the industry, 'cause no one in my family has modeled since the '60s. So the first moment was when I got signed, I think, to my first scam agency, 'cause it was a scam. You know, we didn't know that. Yeah, girl, every model's been signed to a scam agency if they're from the States. Like, it's just such a thing. A lot of people just don't talk about it. And yeah, so I think in that moment, I thought I made it, but then I quickly, along with a bunch of other girls from that agency, realized this is not it, something we left. And then the real moment, like the official moment, was in 2021 when I got signed to my first, like models.com listed agency, you know, which gives it credibility and curiosity, because, you know, all the big names are on models.com. Like IMG, with Nina, it's a vetted platform. So that was definitely, I think, problem. It was the official moment. Yeah, that's crazy, you got a scam. Like, I didn't know that was a crazy thing in a modeling industry. Yeah, it's such a common thing, especially now, like whenever times get tougher in a country, economically, of course, scams become more prevalent 'cause people are trying to make it and get by. So right now, there's just a lot going on 'cause it's not a unionized or well, not established, but safeguarded industry. No, yeah. But how did you think that girl that was even a scam? Mm, the group chats. Oh, the group chats. There was a group chat or IG of all the girls at that place. We're like talking to each other. We talk to each other, so it's just like, we're like, we were asked to pay $100 a side with these people, I don't think that's real. That's a sign? Yeah, that's not, it was not it. And then they were like, oh, we're all about inclusivity and they only took like, five, nine white size to blonde, blue, white girls to fashion week. I'm like, yeah, no, this is not, this is not real. Like a little like, models, this like, I'm like, it feels like it's always the blonde. Like, really, that's why I realized it's like always the blonde or like, red nets. Yeah, yeah, you don't wanna see it with the red heads as much. I don't know, I guess. No, that's why I realized too. It's like, you barely see red heads and like, black hair. Wait, I think we do see a lot more black hair now, but in the past, yeah, definitely. I think definitely black hair is a bit more of a trend than the brunette or blonde. I know, which is a great thing. I mean, I wish it was like all like, different colors, no matter like what you look like in size. I think that's important to me is a diversity, but at the same time, like modeling can be like so tough. These are so many models and everything out there. And like, this people are sometimes very picky with that. Yeah, that's definitely. Like, what is like your fair part of modeling? Like, is there a specific like part that you just love about it? I love when I'm on set with everybody and you know, that moment when you know you're doing something and you know you made that amazing shot. And then the photographer comes over, everybody's huddling up a little bit like a sports. You know, I look at the camera and then we go, it's just that moment of like, we made that. It's like, it's great because you know, someone's doing the fan and blowing their hair and other persons holding the garment. Makeups right there, be like, I'm ready with touch ups when I mean me. It's just that beautiful moment when everybody's work is just there, visible and tangible. And we just, we make like a little baby on set. And like, meeting so many people is definitely a pro. Like I feel like no matter what you do for a living, even if you're like a model or working stale or whatever it is. Like I feel like meeting people and making connections is like my personal favorite part. Yeah, definitely. We make amazing connections, have amazing stories, always have a fun time and like, regardless of how close you get, you still don't know these people for like the rest of your life, which is very cool. We make new friends like some like people like dating me or work with will turn out to be your best friends half of the time. Yeah, definitely, definitely. And it turns out without group chat that is literally a pro without group chat. Like you probably wouldn't even know if it wasn't for like a group chat like that. Hmm, exactly, exactly. Because we don't have a union so we got to rely on each other. Like yeah, like compared to like maybe a lot of actors is like Saga for some other one. So it's kind of like harder. It's compared to like modeling this because it's like I don't think there's like a Pacific agency like Sad Act referred in terms of modeling. Yeah, there's there's not the closest one we have is the model Alliance in New York. But they're still legally defined as a nonprofit rather than But there's no one you can really kind of report people to like you if you want to report somebody, you have to like go to like the labor department in your state. Like you got there's like no, there's no union. You just gotta go straight to the government and maybe that's a thing. Yeah, I didn't know that was even a thing. That's insane. Yeah. Yeah, it's it's a lot or maybe the platform they listed on like if the agencies listen on models. I come and you can go to models.com, but models.com is not, you know, they're not law enforcement. They're not a union. They're not the government. So yeah, they can take them off their platform, but like let's say hypothetically, well not hypothetically because this actually happens, but hypothetically, let's say a model agency is involved in human trafficking. You can't go there's no union. You just you gotta go straight to the government, you know, or maybe a model agent is charging you 50% commission when the max should be 20. Like you have no other options other than to go like straight to law enforcement or straight to the government. Like is it like a big process? Yeah, and a lot of people don't even know how to do it. Hmm, is that even though that was a thing? Like I'm sure it's like a very long process. This is basically since you have to go to like the state government or something like wherever you live. Like I'm sure it's like a long road and exhausting. It depends on what the situation is. Like if it's like, oh, your individual contract is charging you 50% rather than 20. That's a little shorter than, oh, we have a case of like human trafficking in this agency. You know, it's it's different depending on what the problem is. Yeah, it's like, did you ever have to experience any of that? Uh, yes. I mean, I don't know on the acting side. I think on I mean modeling and acting too. On the modeling side, you know, we all there's like a blacklist. When shit model was still active that was almost like our our whistleblower. So you know, being outed on there was a big thing. There was a blacklist on there via that account. And for acting there was actually an agency, like a sag after agency, like a that has to follow the sag after rules. They tried to charge me an exit fee and another actor too. And I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, even before I said the email in reply to that bullshit, I had already emailed my lawyer. I had already emailed sag. I already had emailed a bunch of other like coaches and managers and agents that informed them. I had not even replied. I was like, the moment you send that illegal request to me, I already have my entire team in the know about it. Like, I already said if it's like a fee to like get in, that's a different story, but exit fee, like that's something I never even heard before. Well, the intro fees, like it's illegal to charge actors to join an agency. Oh, it is illegal? Yeah, it is illegal. So yeah, that's illegal. And it's not allowed technically with model agencies either. Like if they say it's assigning fee, it's illegal, but if they phrase it as a web fee, then it's not, which is illegal, loophole. But yeah, no, it's just illegal both ways for a sag after a franchise agency. So yeah, I was like, no, no, no, not today. Like, I'm like, get the team. I wouldn't even respond either. I'm like, um, what the heck is going on? Yeah, I have my unit. I never, I never got to experience anything like that. Dainfully and I hope that like that doesn't happen. Fingers crossed, but just like, have that. I'm just like, I don't even know that was even a thing. Like with stuff like that. Yeah, it's the wow, wow, west out here. I know, like that's like, like I feel like a lot of like organizations like Saga, or like stuff like that. I feel like it happens like all the time. Yeah, it's also been happening a lot more frequently lately because Oh, it has? Yeah, because it's times or tough girl. Oh, and like with all that, I'm just like, people just want to make money. Like I'm just like, I just want to get paid to make a living. Yeah, exactly. Like, if we can't live, if we don't have a paycheck, soundness like any more jobs. No, we need jobs to just pay more. I know exactly. The minimal wage is 725. Where? Everywhere, like minimal wage is 725 or at least a Pennsylvania. It is. Yeah, it's not bad in New York. We like 725 here. And I think New York is 15. What? Really? That's insane. I mean, I think Pennsylvania is 725. But also Pennsylvania's half the price, like of course, of living. Like a studio apartment in Manhattan is $6,000 right now. Yeah, that's because like if you live in a city, I understand like it can be like much more. But Pennsylvania is 725. Like years ago when my dad was growing up, it was like $4 and something. I think that's why. Because it was 90s like around that point. When I was growing up in New York, it was $14. So I was like, oh, I went up. Hey, you. Like now, one's a move to the city. If you get 14 or 14 and all, I'm just like, bring that to Pennsylvania. Like bring that to me by understanding like with the city, it costs much more money. Yeah, yeah. That's insane. So look, how there have been any moments when people told you that your goals really weren't realistic because of industry standards? Yeah, I got exact quotes for you on that right now. When I first started, there was a photographer who said if you lose 10 more pounds, you'll be unstoppable. There was a male model agent and he's like, you have so much stacked against you. Maybe she'll focus on like street wear. And even one of my own agents, you know, I like in the past, I was like, I want to be marketed as my real height. Like I can't be walking into these castings saying I'm 5'7" and then like, they asked me to take all my shoes and like, hi, how the weather up there. You know, like, and then they're just like, no, they're only taking 5/8 girls. I'm like, why do you have to be so like a damn size to get hired? Because I feel like a lot of like, you just see you have to get like, tall girls like around that height. It's a bunch of BS excuses you're going to get. You're going to get, oh, it's so we can see the clothes more easily on the runway. Well, if that's the case, then why is there a high requirement for beauties? Why do you have to look us on the way or a certain size to model? Like, it feels like it's like, what's the word I'm looking for? Like, you have to have like certain standards. Yeah, yeah, but it's just, it's just, it's just, it's just a way for them to, to be like, oh, where are the exclusive girls' club? And like, you can't sit with us, didn't it? No, like high school, this like high school drama. Exactly. And like, in the words of another model agent, I used to have, you know, things are more inclusive now, but there is no standard. Like, but they were referring to the face when they said that. They were saying like, you still have to like have a certain kind of face to fit into the categories of modeling that are available. But with high and size and all that, it's just BS. Like, there's a place where everybody, people are just on trying with the ZOZEM big heroin chic BS and they're just trying to feel exclusive again and all that. Exactly. I feel like if I wasn't a situation, I feel like I would be like mentally drained. It would like affect me so much. Yeah, it's a little draining, but we persevering. Oh, I know, you have to push fruit. You have to be like a really tough person to go for. Like, for me, it's like, I get affected by something very like easy. So I feel like I personally wouldn't last because I get upset with things this very easily, even though I probably shouldn't be upset upset about it because I have very much a overthinker. So sometimes I'll over think like this starting situation even though it's like, it's normal. Huntsy, me too. This was a skill that has to learn over five years. Like, I was crying about everything at the beginning. Yeah, like for me, I see so deal with it. Like for years I deal with it. I still do now. Like I feel like I like know how to handle it better than I was. But I feel like it takes learning. Like I don't think you will fully understand everyone deals with overthinking. It's normal. So I feel like at some point you kind of get like a better understanding for it. Yeah. The emotional understanding that comes of the years of practicing on like how to not cry at everything. Like it's different. Mental understanding. It's always different than emotional understanding. I know it is. Like I feel like with the modeling industry like it's like very like I don't want to say diverse. Like there's a better term for it. Um I just with the modeling industry I feel like it's like I personally wouldn't be able to handle it because of like the reasons that you said. Like I mean I love like taking pictures and all that you know. I think if I was actually a model um like a professionally I feel like I wouldn't do it even I had a choice. Yeah there's a lot of people feel. I know like you can still love taking pictures but don't have to be a model. Exactly. Yeah. I mean this is a way I like to do photography on the side too. And so I get like kind of a break from both sides of the camera because it's you know it also sucks to be a photographer a lot of time. There's a lot of model stuff. So when that's like you don't like being in front of camera like I love taking photos of people too. So like even if you don't want to be in front of camera like just you can have many different passions but like what you do in like side hustles and all that like you have. So like even if you like take photography and all that like that's something that I love doing is taking pictures like I don't have a camera or anything but when someone's like oh take a picture I'm like give me like give me the phone. I feel you. I definitely feel like doing that one. Yeah like it's like very normal like when someone asks where I'm like uh do you know me like sure. But to like wrap up like this episode. So for inspiring models listening and like what are some things they should know about model contracts and protecting themselves professionally and personally. Have every contract looked up by a lawyer or a law school student at the very least if you're like law fund and if you're an agency model you sign up for neon coat and there's like literally a contractor view services for free on that thing and also Columbia Law School if you're freelance Columbia Law School in New York has like a bunch of resources where people can get their contracts like reviewed so yeah just have everything reviewed because there's nothing worse than being legally bound to something that doesn't benefit you. Mm-hmm and wasting money on something that could be also scam like you said like anything to be scam just to make money like even if you get phone calls or messages like that I really get those all the time you can be stuff like that like that's something that's pretty good. Yeah. Then the freaking like oh my god did you sign up for personal loan. I got this loan. Yeah I literally just got even about that like literally an hour ago actually like I guess like did you sign up for like a poster loan for college student dad I'm just like don't even remind me of that student dad I have to I'm too young for this. Yeah amen and no matter how often you report them it doesn't do any very. I know we can't control it like it's like something that I know a lot of people do and it's like our control and like the only thing we can do is really just now respond. Yeah exactly. I think this is the best way to kind of wrap up today's episode but I really think you so much Victoria for coming on and joining us today it means so much to have you on and really appreciate all the work you're doing you are really making a difference and I really appreciate all that you do you're amazing and really appreciate coming on and taking a time to chat with us today. No thank you for having me I'm so happy to be here and so grateful you even asked so thank you thank you. Always and thank you everyone for listening make sure to like, subscribe, review and I'll talk to you guys very soon.