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Christina in New York (article)
It's always a treat to see plus-size models getting the media attention that they deserve, and it's especially thrilling when the star getting the publicity is the most gorgeous and exciting model of them all--Christina Schmidt.
Christina was recently written up in the Ontario newspaper The Record, and the article is a sheer delight to read.
Here is Christina's new profile:
Quote:
Degrassi grad makes a move
October 13, 2007
Johanna Weidner
Record Staff
Who: Christina Schmidt.
Schmidt has big dreams, so she knew there's really only one place for her to be -- the Big Apple.
The 20-year-old from New Dundee moved to New York City in late August to pursue her modelling career.
That might seem like taking a big plunge, but for Schmidt it's not really too outrageous. After all, she's already got her own cult following after three seasons on the celebrated and now globally syndicated Canadian television show Degrassi: The Next Generation.
WHEN WE LAST WROTE ABOUT HER:
Schmidt was in her second season as Terri MacGregor on the teen drama. The role was a dream come true for Schmidt, who in her early childhood, discovered her love of performing. Acting, dancing and singing came naturally for the girl who was fearless in front of a camera or crowd.
When she joined Degrassi, Schmidt had no idea how popular the little Canuck show would become.
"It exploded," she said. "I'm in New York City and I'm being recognized all the time. It's crazy."
It helps that the show was picked up by big American networks like Nickelodeon and "there's like marathons where it plays all the time," she said.
She has friends in Italy and Australia watching the show.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's worldwide now."
BACK-UP PLAN . . .
Schmidt is theatrical, but also practical. The Cameron Heights graduate attended Humber College in Toronto for a two-year travel and tourism program, finishing in April.
"I love travelling, so I figured I'd take something I like," said Schmidt, who has done some modelling in Los Angeles.
The diploma is basically a backup if modelling or acting doesn't pan out. "But I'm not planning on that. Hopefully I can do this as long as I can," she said.
Schmidt recently got a modelling contract with MXM, a plus-size division of Reitmans. Although the clothing company is Canadian, Schmidt got the gig through her New York agent.
"New York's the place to be if you want to model," she said.
Lots of companies won't book out-of-town people, Schmidt said. Not to mention next-day castings are impossible to get to unless you're living in the city.
"It's just easier down here," Schmidt said.
But, she admitted, it's not all rosy being so far away from home.
"I miss all my friends like crazy," she said.
Thankfully, she's got plenty to keep her busy and distract her from homesickness.
TAKING A BITE . . .
Schmidt is savouring the sweet life in the Big Apple.
"The shopping is out of this world," she said. And "there's Central Park. There's so many museums."
That means there's no shortage of things to do for Schmidt, who has met a lot of friends through the agency.
Now she's living with four girls in the upper east side of Manhattan, but looking for another place to share with just one girl.
Apartment hunting in New York is not an easy endeavour, she's finding.
"They're so small and they're a hundred times as much as you pay in Toronto," she said.
Too small apartments, too expensive rents or too sketchy neighbourhoods are common hitches.
"I've been having bad luck . . . It's kind of hard and frustrating."
Her modelling schedule can be hectic with visits to her agency, shoots and castings. But after a day spent running here, there and everywhere, she said, "the next day you could be doing nothing and be bored out of your mind."
Modelling is not an easy career, considering the inevitable rejection. But Schmidt takes it all in stride.
"You have to be very strong to deal with rejection because if you're not strong in this industry then you're not passionate about it," she said.
She's focused on modelling for now, but Schmidt also plans to get an acting agent. Picking one career is impossible.
"I love them both. I wouldn't be able to choose," she said.
And she has big hopes of being a big star in both. In acting, she said, "I'd love to win an Oscar, an Emmy or something like that." In modelling, she'd love to land a coveted job with fashion icons Gucci or Dolce & Gabbana.
She plans to stay in New York for the foreseeable future, delighting in the bustle of the big city and going after her dreams.
"I like being busy," Schmidt said. "If it's something I like doing, I like being busy."
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Christina's sparkling personality and love of the good life shine through, as always; and her first impressions of life in New York are candid and revealing.
Here is an image of the article (which you can click to view full size), as originally printed in the newspaper:  You can also read the profile online, at the links provided below, either as stand-alone text, or as a .pdf, showing its original context in The Record.
- Click here to read article online
- Click here to read .pdf newspaper page |
20th October 2007
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