From dreams of becoming a doctor to walking 34 runway shows this season, Venezuelan model América González’s career path made a 180° turnaround due to her strong sense of perseverance. Rejection is expected in the industry, yet despite the ups and downs of finding the right agency and coming from Venezuela, where traditionally beauty pageantry is the norm, González worked her way up to being nominated for Models.com’s Top Newcomers list for both the S/S and F/W 22 seasons. After a busy season closing Proenza Schouler F/W 22 and opening Carolina Herrera, Models.com spoke to González about working with top stylists, the importance of a robust support system, and the next set of dream collaborators she’d like to work with.
Prada F/W 22 Show | Image courtesy of Supreme Management
Did you always want to be a model?
Not at all! I wanted to be a doctor. I never thought of myself as a model. I was really into blogging on Tumblr during the early 2010s and would carefully curate my page to fit my aesthetic, which in many ways was a refuge for me to learn about style, fashion photography, and to get away from my reality. I looked up to many supermodels of every decade, but it never crossed my mind that I could do what they did. Not because I didn’t believe I was attractive — I daydreamed about being a model and traveling the world, but I was convinced I wasn’t photogenic or charismatic enough and lacked the ‘it’ factor. Sure, I would fantasize about it, but I didn’t plan to make it happen. Once I started test shooting, I realized there was a side to me I had never seen before. I don’t want to over-simplify that time of my life because it had many ups and downs. Sometimes I would be horrified by the results of a shoot, and other times, I would be delighted. It taught me many things about myself, most notably that I had potential and could do anything I set my mind to if I wanted to.
How did you get scouted?
Unexpectedly, on Instagram. I always believed people usually got scouted on the streets, on open calls or competitions, or in a traditional beauty pageant. In my country, Venezuela, we have a strong beauty pageant and Miss Universe culture that dictates that young women follow a strict beauty standard where you have to act, look, and breathe a certain way, or you’re considered an eyesore. After test shooting for a couple of months, I was approached by a scout via DMs and everything took off after that initial connection. I spent the majority of my first year taking modeling seriously, even though I was rejected by every major agency. Fashion modeling is not the standard in Venezeula and certainly not considered as important as pageantry. Modeling was an afterthought, unattainable, and frankly something most girls don’t even bother with pursuing, not just because it’s not considered as respectable to our culture but because there are still a lot of outdated stereotypes about it. When I immigrated to Mexico, things got even harder trying to develop in a highly commercial market and dealing with agencies that didn’t see my potential. Finally, after a couple of years of hard work visiting different modeling markets, things started to shape up and I began to understand more how things work in this industry.
After being nominated by Carlos Nazario for Top Newcomers last season, F/W 22 shows have been a big breakout season for you as you’ve opened Carolina Herrera, closed Proenza Schouler, and walked for Loewe, Dior, Prada, Versace, and Bottega Veneta. What motivates you in your career?
My little family. Every step of my career I’ve had the unwavering support of my older sister and my partner. All three of us immigrated together with nothing but a couple of hundred dollars and the old clothes in our suitcases. Every day they inspire me to be fierce and resilient. They’re the reason why I never come back home empty-handed. I just want them to be super proud of me.
Proenza Schouler F/W 22 Show | Image courtesy of Supreme Management
What has been your most memorable moment modeling so far?
Doing my Prada debut. There’s an overpowering force that comes along with working alongside fashion titans like Miuccia, Raf, and Olivier. I can’t quite explain how but they have this power to transform your life by gracing you with their influence. It makes one feel invulnerable to other people’s dismissiveness. It single-handedly turned me into a better individual, confident like I’ve never been before.
If you could use one word to describe this show season, what would it be?
Faaaabulous!
You were just featured in Ambush’s F/W 22 Lookbook. How was it working alongside Carlos Nazario, considering he voted you in for Top Newcomers S/S 22?
Since we first met, Carlos has been a joy to work with but shooting that lookbook was a special one because he and his team always make me feel welcome, like I could be myself and relax a bit. All the uneasiness I once had, questioning myself like “why do I deserve this?” dissipated once I was voted onto Top Newcomers/Breakout S/S 22 by him. For a long time, I tried my best to manifest that moment; I would talk about it to anybody willing to listen, casually mention it to my bookers, because I really wanted it. I can say from experience that you can work hard, but you won’t ‘pop’ until the right people have you on their radar. I can say he’s definitely been the catalyst for me to start achieving and aspiring for more, and I am still incredibly grateful to him for considering me worthy of that.
Photo by Axel Morin | Image courtesy of Supreme Management
What’s one thing people may be surprised to find out about you?
I don’t know about ‘surprising,’ but I have read at least 10,000 (probably way more) chapters of Japanese manga across all genres. It’s the single thing that’s consistently been a part of my life since I was eight years old. I have a collection of physical copies with my oldest and proudest acquisitions being a compilation of short stories by Hagio Moto and my latest purchase, the Deluxe Edition of Berserk Vol. 1 by Kentaro Miura.
“Once you find the people who have your best interest at heart and challenge yourself to aspire for more, you’ve already succeeded.”
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how did you move past it?
Being seen. Sometimes things don’t flourish the way they’re meant to because a team doesn’t see your true potential and is holding you back. It’s important to find the courage to walk away when a contract has run its course. When I started working with Donat Barrault at Supreme NY my career started taking off and things haven’t been the same since. I have huge respect for all the professionals who helped open doors for me, especially the Supreme NY and Paris teams. Once you find the people who have your best interest at heart and challenge yourself to aspire for more, you’ve already succeeded. When it comes to personal challenges, sometimes it all boils down to confidence, character, and personal style. With minimal funds, I struggled to find my personal style, and admittedly I still struggle a bit. I moved past it by working hard and shopping smarter, seeing that what works for others may not always work for me. Finding that balance within personal style reflected and helped develop my character and overall confidence.
Versace F/W 22 Show | Image courtesy of Supreme Management
When you’re not modeling, what mostly takes up your time?
I love enjoying the fruits of my labor at home by going to the farmer’s market and flea market with my partner. Cooking up a storm in my tiny kitchen. Biking with my dog, taking her to the park. Paying visits to my big sister, collecting flowers, going home, cleaning, making it nice and cozy. Knitting, drawing, gaming, reading. Playing with the cat and making him fly with a feather wand. Just an honest, regular, simple life filled with love and pet cuddles. I’ve spent all my downtime building my little sanctuary and I am incredibly proud of it.
Who are your dream brands or collaborators to work with in the future?
Dream collaborators would be a long list out of which I’ve proudly checked off quite a few. It would be a dream to work with Hyea W. Kang soon, but I’d love to one day work with David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, Steven Meisel, Mert and Marcus, and work once again with Ethan James Green. I have this artistic crush on the works of Carlijn Jacobs or Hugo Comte. Of course, I’d love to continue working with Prada, Fendi, and Lanvin; truly, all the brands that I just walked the shows of during this past fashion month. Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Valentino, Saint Laurent are some of the iconic houses I would love to work with, God willing.
