{"id":72418,"date":"2024-05-30T10:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T14:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/?p=72418"},"modified":"2024-05-30T09:19:56","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:19:56","slug":"meet-the-aanhpi-rookies-making-waves-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/mdc-selects\/72418","title":{"rendered":"Meet the AANHPI Rookies Making Waves in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.gallery-item .gallery-caption {font-size: .6rem; color: #bbb; margin: 0.4rem;}\n.name-title {\n    font-size: 3rem;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    line-height: 1.2;\n    letter-spacing: -1px;\n    margin-top: 1em;\n    text-align: center;\n}\n.writeup a {\nletter-spacing: -1px;\nfont-weight: bold !important;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa03.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Azu Kitagawa\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa03-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-72424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa03-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa03-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa03.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-72424'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Azu Kitagawa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa04.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Azu Kitagawa\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa04-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-72423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa04-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa04-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa04.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-72423'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Azu Kitagawa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa05.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Azu Kitagawa\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa05-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-72422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa05-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa05-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_azukitagawa05.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-72422'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Azu Kitagawa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Azu<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nAzu Kitagawa \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/azukitagawa\" target=\"_blank\">@azukitagawa<\/a> \u2014 Japanese\/American from Tokyo, Japan \u2014 born July 7th \u2014 180 cm \/ 5&#8217;11&#8221; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/No-Ties-Models\">No Ties Models (Los Angeles &#8211; mother agency)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Bravo-Models\">Bravo Models (Tokyo)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Share a bit about your background and upbringing.<\/strong><br \/>\nI was born in Yokohama, Japan, and I moved to the States when I was 2 years old. I grew up speaking both Japanese and English! I moved to Tokyo when I was 18, and I love exploring my Japanese side.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 What&#8217;s an essential part of your daily routine?<\/strong><br \/>\nI have the same breakfast every day. Greek yogurt with chia seeds, bananas, and kinako (soybean flour). It is the perfect way to start my day and keeps me full until lunch!<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 If money wasn&#8217;t an obstacle, what would you be doing with your life?<\/strong><br \/>\nI would open a restaurant. I love cooking for friends. I worked in a restaurant in high school and enjoy making people happy through acts of service! Ideally, it would be a Japanese restaurant serving healthy, clean Japanese food!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun01.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Carina Sun\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun01-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-72425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun01-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun01-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun01.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-72425'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Carina Sun\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun04.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Carina Sun\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun04-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-72426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun04-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun04-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun04.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-72426'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Carina Sun\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun02.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Carina Sun\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun02-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-72427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun02-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun02-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_carinasun02.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-72427'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Carina Sun\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Carina<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nCarina Sun \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/carinasunn\" target=\"_blank\">@carinasunn<\/a> \u2014 American from Pipersville, Pennsylvania, USA \u2014 born February 27th \u2014 178 cm \/ 5&#8217;10&#8221; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/tina-kiniry\">Tina Kiniry (Hartford &#8211; mother agency)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/state-mgmt\">STATE Management (New York)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/le-troch-management\">Le Troch Management (Barcelona)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 How did you become a model?<\/strong><br \/>\nI was touring Yale University during high school with my parents and came across a random open casting. I decided to join for fun, and my agency scouted me there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Tell us about your hometown.<\/strong><br \/>\nI grew up in Doylestown, PA, a suburb next to Philadelphia. As I was growing up, I thought it was so boring (think typical Target and Starbucks runs every weekend). But now, I cherish every moment I get to go back and visit. My favorite parts of going home are getting to eat my grandparents&#8217; niu rou mian (beef noodle soup) and going for walks in our local park with my parents and dog. I&#8217;ve really grown to appreciate the tranquility in the slow pace there compared to NYC.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Can you tell us about your happiest childhood memory?<\/strong><br \/>\nI lived in Singapore for about three years when I was young, and I vividly remember one night when my grandparents took me out to see the fireworks. I can still smell the brisk, post-rain air and feel the excitement as my grandma and I, hand in hand, rounded the corner, and I saw the glimmer of beautiful fireworks. I don&#8217;t remember much from my time in Singapore, but this moment has always stuck with me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili02.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jiaqi Li\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili02-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-72429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili02-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili02-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili02.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-72429'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jiaqi Li\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili03.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jiaqi Li\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili03-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-72428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili03-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili03-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili03.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-72428'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jiaqi Li\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili01.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jiaqi Li\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili01-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-72430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili01-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili01-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_jiaqili01.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-72430'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jiaqi Li\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Jiaqi<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nJiaqi Li \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/ljqqjiaqi\" target=\"_blank\">@ljqqjiaqi<\/a> \u2014 Chinese from Nanning, China \u2014 born June 3rd \u2014 178 cm \/ 5&#8217;10&#8221; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/smg-model-management\">SMG MODEL MANAGEMENT (Guangzhou &#8211; mother agency)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Tell us about your hometown.<\/strong><br \/>\nI&#8217;m from Guangxi Province, China. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers. Fruits [from there] are delicious and cheap, but I think the educational resources need to develop more. Hopefully everything gets better in the near future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 If money wasn&#8217;t an obstacle, what would you be doing with your life?<\/strong><br \/>\nI will travel around the world. Life is short. If money is not a problem, I will always explore this world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Can you tell us about your happiest childhood memory<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring the Spring Festival, when our family was together. I was very happy to go back to my grandmother&#8217;s house to play fireworks with my best friend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago03.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jules Santiago\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago03-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-72432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago03-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago03-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago03.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-72432'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jules Santiago\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago04.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jules Santiago\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago04-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-72431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago04-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago04-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago04.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-72431'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jules Santiago\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago02.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Jules Santiago\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago02-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-72433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago02-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago02-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_julessantiago02.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-72433'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Jules Santiago\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Jules<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nJules Santiago \u2014 <a href=\" https:\/\/instagram.com\/the_family.jules\" target=\"_blank\">@the_family.jules<\/a> \u2014 Filipino\/American from San Francisco, California, USA \u2014 born August 13th \u2014 180 cm \/ 5&#8217;11&#8221; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Major-Model-Management\">Major Model Management (New York &#8211; mother agency)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Stars-Model-Management\">Stars Model Management (San Francisco)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 How did you become a model?<\/strong><br \/>\nI was studying abroad in Hong Kong when a photographer, now a close friend, scouted me while I was clubbing in LKF. I did a few more shoots with the people I met on that set, and from there, I was hooked. A few years later, back in San Francisco, a woman walked into the Sephora I was working at and asked for my Instagram. It turned out she had forwarded it to my first agent, and I finally got a contract.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Who is someone you admire and why?<\/strong><br \/>\nDara Allen. She&#8217;s one of the few Filipino models around and is taking over the entire industry with her styling. I&#8217;ve been a fan since her debut at Marc Jacobs. Also, Andrea Pejic&#8211;she is a legend.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 An issue or cause you are passionate about:<\/strong><br \/>\nTrans Rights. Period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro03.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Keona Castro\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro03-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-72435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro03-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro03-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro03.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-72435'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Keona Castro\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro02.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Keona Castro\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro02-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-72436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro02-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro02-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro02.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-72436'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Keona Castro\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro04.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Keona Castro\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro04-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-72434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro04-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro04-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_keonacastro04.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-72434'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Keona Castro\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Keona<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nKeona Castro \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/kay4rlz\" target=\"_blank\">@kay4rlz<\/a> \u2014 Guamian from Inal\u00e5han, Guam \u2014 born May 5th \u2014 171 cm \/ 5&#8217;7&#8243; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\nBlair Models (mother agency), <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Supreme-Management\">Supreme Management (New York)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/women-management-los-angeles\">Women Management LA (Los Angeles)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Share a bit about your background and upbringing.<\/strong><br \/>\nI was born and raised on the Micronesian island of Guam. My dad is Native Chamorro from Guam, and my mom is Native Hawaiian, so I had a rich islander upbringing filled with good food, beach days, and lots of family time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 What&#8217;s a story your family\/friends like to tell about you?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen I was little, I insisted on always wearing a pair of pink rain boots. My family nicknamed me &#8220;Boots&#8221; because of that and still refer to me as this today.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Tell us about your hometown.<\/strong><br \/>\nI grew up in the rural village of Inal\u00e5han on the Island of Guam. Guam is located in the Pacific Ocean and is a little under Japan on a world map. The best thing about both my village and the island is its green scenery. I&#8217;d wake up and see a beautiful jungle outside my window every morning. The worst thing about having lived there was how far everywhere else was.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-72418 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith03.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Tiera Smith\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith03-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-72439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith03-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith03-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith03.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-72439'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Tiera Smith\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith05.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Tiera Smith\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith05-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-72437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith05-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith05-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith05.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-72437'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Tiera Smith\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith04.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"courtesy Tiera Smith\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\" data-magnific_type=\"gallery\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith04-731x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-72438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith04-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith04-536x750.jpg 536w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/newfaces\/i\/2024\/05\/mdcselects_tierasmith04.jpg 952w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-72438'>\n\t\t\t\tcourtesy Tiera Smith\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"name-title\">Tiera<\/div>\n<div class=\"writeup\">\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong><br \/>\nTiera Smith \u2014 <a href= \"https:\/\/instagram.com\/tiera.ss\" target=\"_blank\">@tiera.ss<\/a> \u2014 American from San Diego, California, USA \u2014 born November 13th \u2014 175 cm \/ 5&#8217;9&#8243; \u2014 she\/her.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Ford-LA\">Ford Models LA (Los Angeles &#8211; mother agency)<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/Ford-Models-Chicago\">Ford Models Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:<\/strong><br \/>\nI recently got my degree in Computer Science &#038; Information Systems at Cal State University San Marcos! I like to play Wild Rift a lot, sometimes a little too much&#8230; But I enjoy it more than League of Legends, as the games are shorter. A fun way to kill time with friends if we&#8217;re bored at a party or at home.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 The most interesting thing about your family:<\/strong><br \/>\nMy mom is a refugee from Cambodia. She came to the US with her parents and siblings at the age of 10, as her aunt sponsored them at the time. She would tell me stories of how she would have to go through jungles in Thailand while being guided by armed guys and how she&#8217;d have to sleep on the floor. None of them knew any English, so they struggled at first, but they overcame it. Most of her dad&#8217;s side of the family fled to Australia and other countries, so I have a lot of family members around the world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 What&#8217;s a story your family\/friends like to tell about you?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy parents love telling everyone how hard it was to raise me as a baby. I would constantly cry and want to be held. It got to a point where my mom had to quit her job to be home with me (sorry, mom!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Azu Who: Azu Kitagawa \u2014 @azukitagawa \u2014 Japanese\/American from Tokyo, Japan \u2014 born July 7th \u2014 180 cm \/ 5&#8217;11&#8221; \u2014 she\/her. Where: No Ties Models (Los Angeles &#8211; mother agency), Bravo Models (Tokyo) \u2014 Share a bit about your background and upbringing. I was born in Yokohama, Japan, and I moved to the States [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":72442,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5440],"tags":[6205,1212,6208,677,1187,6210,6209,6207,6052,717,6203,3645,158,3425,533,6206,6204,6113],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72418"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72418"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72447,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72418\/revisions\/72447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/newfaces\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}