Miss Illy
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24: What is your name? Miss Illy: Ileana Ramos.
24: Where are you from?
Miss Illy: I was born on an air force base
in Maryland. When I was 3 my parents moved to Queens, New York where I was raised
and then right before I went to H.S. my mother decided she had enough of the
city and moved to the most country part of Virginia she could find. After V.A.
I moved to Florida to go to school (shout out FAMU) and have been here ever
since...
24: How old are you?
Miss Illy: 25. 26 on January 17. I'm a Capricorn.
24: Now for those of us who don’t
know you, where have you made appearances?
Miss Illy: I was in Kay Slay's "Can't
Stop the Reign" video feat. Shaq, Bun B and Papoose. I also did the "Peanut
Butter Jelly" video with Cadillac Don and J Money. That was interesting
lol...
24: How long have you been modeling?
Miss Illy: Well, when I was younger, my parents
had me in to it and I did a commercial for the Cosby Show. It turned out I was
much to shy for TV though. But then I took some dance classes and a few drama
classes and began to open up and I started using performing as an outlet. I
realized you could pretty much do whatever you wanted and nobody really held
you accountable because it was a "show." It became one of the few
times I actually wasn't shy.
24: Has your modeling career been consistent
since then?
Miss Illy: I didn't really do anything up until
about a year ago. A photographer friend of mine talked me into taking some pictures.
They came out much better than I anticipated so I just ran with it. Did a few
small jobs, then the videos and here I am.
24: What inspired you to get in to modeling?
Miss Illy: I have always been a ham and I love
taking pictures so it was an easy endeavor. Modeling was something I was interested
in when I was younger but I got caught up in the whole weight thing. I didn't
realize then that there was a place for figured women to be in the industry
and still be considered sexy instead of plus size. After I took my pictures
I showed them to a few people and everyone kept telling me I should give it
a try and so I did.
24: What is different about you that sets
you apart from other models?
Miss Illy: I think we are all unique in our
own way. Even though to most people we're just a bunch of cute chics shaking
it for the camera, each of us is dealing with our own set of issues, has our
own accomplishments and goals, and our own set of values. With me, I went to
school for Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Photography, so my passion really
lies behind the camera. My main objective is to use the modeling to get my foot
in the door. I want to not only be in this industry but to provide a significant
contribution to the art. I'm not trying to get on the guest list at Diddy's
next party.
24: Would you consider yourself a video
vixen?
Miss Illy: Not at all. For one I haven't done
that many videos. It's a lot of fun and pays pretty good, but regardless of
what anyone might tell you it doesn't require much. I hope to be noted for something
a little more profound even if it's not a Nobel Peace prize. At the same time
I give props to those that have made a name for themselves with music videos.
In a field of thousands if not millions of beautiful women it takes a special
kind of person to stand out and there are a few ladies who have done just that.
24: Are their any other projects that
you’re working on?
Miss Illy: Right now my main focus is getting
my website (www.miss-illy.com) finished. I've been
laying low trying to get that done, but now that it's almost complete I'm starting
to send out my pictures again so hopefully I will have a lot of projects very
soon.
24: Is there anything you would advise
to young girls who want to be in this business?
Miss Illy: I think the main thing is to be
sure your getting into it because it's what you want to do and not because it
looks like a glamorous and good ole' time. It's really easy to get caught up
in the hype and before you know it you've been all used up and haven't accomplished
anything. Also understand that while it looks like a lot of fun (and is) it
also requires a lot of you. Not everyone is going to agree with it because it's
not as prestigious a career as say being a lawyer. Once you decide you don't
give a damn be prepared to do whatever it takes (within reason ladies, no casting
couches if you know what I mean) to get in there including a lot of sacrifice.
But THE most important thing I feel is to remain true to yourself. A line in
one of my favorite poems goes: (ahem) "For it isn't your husband or family
or friends, whose judgment upon you must pass. The woman whose verdict counts
most in the end is the one staring back from the glass." I wish I could
fit that whole poem in here but that line says it all. (I have the rest on myspace
for those that are interested)
24: Is their anything else you would like
to promote?
Miss Illy: Just my website www.miss-illy.com
coming very soon. Until then you can check me out on
myspace.com/missilly for updates on me and a sneak preview of what you can expect
on my site.
Interview by: Jessica DeVega
