Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Barreto-Leyva.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
30 years ago, back when I started, I didn’t see any Latina plus-size model anywhere. Back in the day, Emme was already on E! and doing commercials for Revlon, and Oprah with her magazine, but not a single plus-size Latina representing us.
I started writing the first column in Spanish for plus-size people, speaking about our issues, I was booked to speak on a TV show about what I was doing, and during the commercial break, the host (who has a son who is overweight) said out loud “I honestly can’t picture in my head a fat woman on a runway, in a fashion show” I immediately request to the executive producer of the show, the opportunity to prove her wrong. She agreed, but thinking I was going to fail. She is known in the industry as someone who likes to expose and humiliate people on camera.
To make long story short, I produce the first fashion show for plus-size women in Latinamerica, and on TV, it was a hit. After that I’ve decided to have a decent and professional set of pictures just in case, a casting from Washington D.C. appear, I apply, and 15 days later, I was next to another gorgeous plus-size model in the biggest roadside poster in the biggest highway of the city.
I am a very perfectionist person, so I decided to do things right and get all the possible training and education. After 30 years, here I am. With a long list of goals achieved that no one else has in the industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never in a million years, I imagine for a second it was going to be this hard.
There is a lot of ugliness and jealousy in the industry. What you see in social media, is not even close to the reality.
The gossiping, gas-lighting, psychological abuse and humiliation is really harsh, low, and vile.
The last thing you can find in the beauty-fashion industry is beauty.
My patience, integrity, kindness, and trust has been tested in every possible way.
There is not such a thing as friends there. Really tough for someone with values like me to make a career on this industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a lawyer, journalist, and author. TV and radio host (syndicated).
I have been running independent media since 30 years ago. First, I created Belleza XL which is first and only magazine for plus-size Hispanics worldwide, I created as well the tv and radio show with the same name and concept, also pioneering worldwide.
I was Fox News correspondent. Recently the creator of “Politics in skirts” the first worldwide show for women in politics, and enjoying my new journey as politics commentator in Red Liberty Media.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Remain faithful and truthful to my values, without a doubt.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jenniferbarretoleyva
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbarretoleyva/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbarretoleyva
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenBarretoLeyva
