Trade Secrets

Of course when I ask De Martino what her favorite
form of exercise is, I already knew the answer would
be “ZUMBA ZUMBA ZUMBA! This is my third year
as an instructor and before I became certified, I attended
my Zumba partner’s class. He motivated me
and encouraged me to teach. We now teach together
at a local dance studio,” De Martino told me.
TS: “How long have you been acting/modeling?”
ND: “This is my second year as a full-figured model
with Donahue Model and Talents. I signed with Donahue
Model and Talents in October of 2014. Previous to
that I walked for one designer as a freelance model at
Style Week in Providence, Rhode Island. As a child, I
participated in numerous pageants throughout Rhode
Island and Massachusetts.”
TS: “How did you get started?”
ND: “I was advised by a photographer to follow
‘MODEL FAIR’ on Instagram. That same day a local
designer from Boston, Mass. named Amanda Koker
asked me to send my measurements and a recent
photo. She then emailed me back and said ‘I need you
to walk in Style Week, Providence Rhode Island.’ At
Style Week, I knew that several agencies were sitting
in the crowd. At the end of the show, I was introduced
to the owner of Donahue Model and Talents. We then
scheduled an interview and here I am as one of their
full-figured models.”
TS: “What made you want to become a model/actor/actress
& why?”
ND: “As cliché as it sounds, I believe that beauty
comes in all shapes and sizes. I have always had
curves and fluctuate with my weight. As a teenager,
I skipped the Juniors department and went straight to
misses. I had to alter everything and still do. I would
look at magazines and constantly think I was fat and
couldn’t wear something because my arms are too fat
or my butt would look too big. When I was 15, Emmy
had just made her appearance as a top, plus size
model. My mother and I would see her on interviews,
and read her articles in magazines. I remember in high
school, my senior year we had a fundraiser to raise
money for our competition team and we organized a
fashion show. I, of course, modeled for the plus department
of Dress Barn. I remember the feeling when
I walked down the runway and the looks on people’s
faces. I also vividly remember the comments and compliments
I received. To me it was easy to walk down
the runway proudly wearing the outfit I chose from the
plus size department of Dress Barn.”
TS: “What was your first modeling/acting experience
like?”
ND: “I was beyond nervous and thought I did great.
People smiled at me and I was so proud that I actually
got to walk in a fashion show modeling a dress
someone created. As I look back at the video, I say to
myself ‘Omg what was I thinking?’ I’m sure my agent
must laugh at this point. I ran down the runway with
my arms swaying back and forth like a school girl
skipping to school. It amazes me how you truly need
to be trained to walk in a show. There are four different
types of walks that I have learned this past year.
Thank god for my agency.”
TS: “Who’s your favorite actor or model today,
and what is it that you like about them?”
ND: “The stunning model, motivational speaker and
designer Ashley Graham. She is my idol and motivator.
She eludes beauty and confidence when she
talks, walks and takes pictures. Her TED TALKS are
amazing. She is proud to be a size 14 and isn’t afraid
to show it.”
TS: “What obstacles have you had to overcome in
order to become successful?”
ND: “The biggest obstacle for me is that there is not a
high need for full-figured models in Rhode Island. The
opportunity is in New York, where I will be able to
purse this dream eventually.”
TS: “What’s your biggest turn off?”
ND: “The term ‘Plus Size Model.’ Plus in the fashion
industry can tend to have a negative connotation. I
prefer full-figured model. When I see Plus Size signs
they infuriate me. We are plus just because our bodies
are built differently. Even at my thinnest weight I was
still a size 12 and refused to get into a 10; it wouldn’t
compliment my body. I like my curves and it took me
until I was 24 years old to actually accept that they
aren’t going anywhere.”
Born on December 3rd and raised in North Providence,
Nina De Martino is 100% Italian and proud as
the nationality runs deep in her family’s blood. “My
father was born in Mondragone, Caserta region located
in southern Italy near Naples. My mother was born
in Providence, Rhode Island, however my grandpar-