- Christina Mendez
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Christina Mendez Born New York City, New York, United States Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Hair color Auburn Eye color Brown Measurements (in) 38C-32-44 Dress size (US) 12; (EU) 42; (UK) 16 Website Official website Christina Mendez is a New York City-based plus-size model and entertainment personality.
Contents
Early and personal life
The daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Mendez was born and raised in New York City. She is an alum of both Manhattan's Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities and Morris Brown College in Atlanta.
As the granddaughter of merengue artist Joseíto Mateo,[1] Mendez has had exposure with the entertainment business from an early age. When her career was starting to launch off, Mendez soon discovered she was pregnant and later put her career aspirations on hold. She gave birth to her only son, Damian, in 1997. At the age of 2, her son was diagnosed with severe autism.[2] Dedicating herself to her son's development and welfare, she placed her aspirations on hold for several years, however, in 2006 she resumed her career.[3]
Modeling career
Mendez has appeared in past issues of Glamour, Latina and The Source. In June 2009 she became one of Essence's “Make Over Magic” virtual models which was featured on the magazine's website. She has also become one of the first full-size Latina models to have served as a featured model for such clothing line brands as Baby Phat, Apple Bottoms, Ashley Stewart, Rocawear, Pepe Jeans,[4] and Dereon.[5][6]
In 2009, FoxNews.com, the internet subsidiary of Fox News named Mendez one of the most notable top plus-size models in the industry, while The Source declared her as one of the most influential Latinas in the fall of 2009.[7]
Television appearances
Mendez has appeared in many national television programs, including The Rachael Ray Show, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, BET News, Lifetime Television's Matched in Manhattan
Not a stranger to the spotlight, Mendez was one of four models featured in BET’s one-hour television special “Rip the Runway Model Search 2008”.[8] This behind the scenes, model search show followed Mendez through auditions, makeovers and a day in the life. Mendez opened the "plus size" segment of the 2008 special.
Journalism ventures
Christina is a Celebrity Interviewer for one of the hottest hip-hop shows “The VIP Section TV”. She’s interviewed celebrities such as Slim Thug, Jazmine Sullivan, Young Berg, Skillz, Jo De La Rosa and many others.
Charitable work
Besides her modeling and hosting ventures, Mendez has provided countless hours to charitable organizations, especially those involving autism awareness. As an extremely active member of Autism Speaks, a national organization which was founded by NBC’s former Chairman Bob Wright. The organization's mission is to prove updates on medical breakthroughs, treatment, counseling raising awareness. She also participated in the 2006 Autism Speaks Walk.
She also has served on the national board for Hispanic Support Organizations. Her work for the group includes organizing a scholarship gala for New York area students, working with Habitat for Humanity and the Dress for Success Campaign. She was also a member of political advocacy group Women Barack! The Vote.[9]
References
- ^ Bold and Bodacious: Christina Mendez from www.ladivalatina.com Summer 2009
- ^ New Autism Statistics Raise Concerns from KEYC-TV 19 December 2009
- ^ Role Models: Christina Mendez Q&A from latinitasmagazine.org August 2009
- ^ Role Models: Christina Mendez Q&A from latinitasmagazine.org August 2009
- ^ Interview With Christina Mendez, Plus Model Featured in BET's Rip The Runway, 3/01/2008 from www.plusmodelmag.com 1 March 2008
- ^ "Fiercely Real Model Figure: Christina Mendez, Tyra Banks Website, 5/01/2010 from www.tyra.com 1 May 2010
- ^ Christina Mendez Continues Taking the World by Storm from thehiphopcosign.wordpress.com 23 October 2009
- ^ "BET's Rip the Runway Model Search 2008". http://www.bet.com/NR/exeres/658E739F-FBB2-43E8-B772-623D20B6DDC0.htm. from www.bet.com 26 February 2008
- ^ Bold and Bodacious: Christina Mendez from www.ladivalatina.com Summer 2009
External links
Categories:- 1981 births
- American female models
- American people of Dominican Republic descent
- Hispanic and Latino American women
- Living people
- People from Washington Heights, Manhattan
- Plus-size models
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