Today I'm ecstatic and honored to present my lovely subscribers with the first ever Venus Loves Virgo Public Persona Spotlight interview featuring the beautifully talented Telena Cassell. I first was introduced to Telena back in January of this year when she approached me asking if I would be interested in the capacity of either editor or contributor associated with her fantabulous fashion website-The Fashion Brewery of which I regularly contribute material on. The Fashion Brewery is a a place for fashion news, celebrity fashion features, lifestyle, music, ideas, inspiration but more uniquely a place where fashion bloggers unite and come together to shine. For me this is such a wonderful addition to the blogging world because as most of you know it's hard to have your individual voice heard in vast ocean of world "bloggers". Telena scores for bringing a community of like minded women each with varying styles and tastes together to showcase or express an individual viewpoint. You will also find fashion tips,model trends from all over the globe as well as the latest information in beauty pageantry seeing Telena has first hand knowledge and experience participating in numerous competitions herself as well as holding the title of Miss Liberia.
Please take a moment out of your busy day allowing yourselves the indulgence of discovering more about this beautifully talented woman who gracefully and diligently holds her own in a fast paced cut throat beauty industry. You'll also uncover her many talents as an entrepreneur in entertainment, her work with charitable institutions and without skipping a beat has run her business at the same time she was pursuing a law degree on the side. And to date I'm happy to announce she has finished her law studies and recently started a position in her first job of corporate law. Kudos to you Telena! Here's wishing that everyone reading this interview becomes inspired to better themselves all while following your dreams in the process. I'm thrilled to have gotten to know her better over the months and happy to call her a friend. Have a wonderful weekend lovelies. Stay beautiful! XOXO
Please visit the wonderful The Fashion Brewery here
Don't forget to leave Telena a comment on any of her lovely posts!
1. Telena, first let me express my gratitude to you for taking a moment out of your hectic life allowing me the pleasure of interviewing you and sharing your story with the world. I hope my members realize I'm no Larry King so I'll try to do you some justice with the questions presented to you. Let's just jump right in and get started at the beginning of your life. Where did you grow up? And where do you call home today?
I traveled a lot growing up but I was raised in Southern California. I am very thankful because SoCal has such a diverse population and many performing art opportunities. I have danced my whole life and am grateful for having lived in an area that places so much emphasis on the arts. I currently reside in Washington, DC where I am attending Law School.
2. Being no stranger to the world of beauty pageants having competing in quite a few competitions going on to hold the title of Miss Liberia. How did you first become introduced into this world of high glamour, highly competitive industry?
Miss Liberia
I actually did a few Christian pageants through my church when I was younger but they were very informal compared to child pageants. In college I decided to start competing in pageants. It was a fun endeavor and allowed me to pursue an interest outside of my college life.
3. You own, operate and edit a fabulous fashion website called The Fashion Brewery, tell us a little about this, what it entails and the plans you have for the Brewery in the future?
I started The Fashion Brewery with an eye to create a site where bloggers from around the world could be featured. I love traveling and one thing I noticed was no matter what country, fashion creates a sense of fraternity.
"In my travels sometimes I would not understand the language but I understood an admiring glance."
I often people watched absorbing the fashion trends. I know I am not alone in saying fashion lovers have a language of their own bereft of words but rich with understanding. I often interview fashion bloggers from around the world because I love showcasing talented bloggers with different point of views and personal styles. I think of fashion bloggers as digital artists and of TFB as a platform where readers can be introduced to new and interesting blogs. In the fashion blogging world there is a subset of elite fashion bloggers who are always featured in fashion magazines and sites but my site caters to showcasing a wider variety of bloggers. I think for many it can be frustrating to blog daily and never be recognized. TFB also features fashion news and events from around the world as well as international celebrity style. I also have a personal section of the site where readers can check out my personal style.4. This is the quality that I admire the most about you, your a law student or rather more accurately a soon to be practicing lawyer as you recently finished your law studies. Congratulations again on this accomplishment! Yet you have managed to educate yourself all the while continuing to travel and maintain a foot in the fashion/entertainment industry. So tell us, when did you decide to pursue a law degree? Was it a childhood dream?
Hilariously enough, as a child I was a bit of a chatter box. People always told me I should be a lawyer and eventually I declared I would become an entertainment lawyer. I also went through a period where I bucked against people’s expectations. I remember saying to myself “Why should I be a lawyer just because people say I like to talk?!” Hence, I ended up with a major in Film and media Studies in lieu of degree more situated for law. I had dreams of writing screenplays or delving further into film theory as a scholar. However, here I am now in law school. I have to say law school has been enlightening and I made the decision to go two years out of college. I had traveled a lot and competed in several international pageants. I knew I need to expand my professional capabilities and a law degree’s flexibility seemed vastly appealing at a time when I was unsure of my future plans.
5. How did you manage the stress of studying in college and being involved in the demanding world of beauty/fashion? What's your secret to having balanced it all?
I think it is all about staying focused. Having many things on my plate actually makes me prioritize what is important. I also make tons of lists and I have a huge wipe board that covers my kitchen wall. It keeps me on top of my deadlines.
6. To date you operate a fashion website, an urban entertainment website, make the rounds at dazzling fashion and beauty events and on top of all this your starting a new job in law. Before I continue to my question, if I may interrupt at this point to give you mad props for being such a well put together successful woman! Your an inspiration to the female race for showing us we can have it all on our own through hard work. Telena, do you feel at some point you will be inclined to give up on all of these various fields and just pursue one career path? Ex. shift your focus on only being a lawyer while putting aside the rest.
Thanks Maria. You are pretty awesome yourself! I think you are an extremely positive person and am glad we met through the world of fashion blogging. My mom was a “jack of all trades” and I think that always created a sense of self-awareness and curiosity. My mom played many roles and I grew up knowing that I could do the same. As for pursuing one path, I have no idea what the future brings but I am not a rigid person. Many people are scared of uncertainty and therefore choose one pathway in life. However, I am looking forward to the surprises my future will reveal.
7. I believe you are currently dating and in a relationship, are you looking forward to starting a family soon or is this something you see yourself doing at a later date?
YES! I am dating a wonderful guy and he has often mentioned marriage, children, ect. I think for now I want to get law school finished before I move into that phase of my life.
8. Your a gorgeous woman, what do you do to stay in shape physically? Please don't tell us it's genetics spill your secrets girl!
LOL it is genetics. My mom is crazy fit. But, much of my physical fitness is due to lifestyle choices. My mom raised me on fresh food and plenty of vegetables. My friends would visit and sometimes they would get upset because they had never ever tasted some of the items served at our dinner table. I do love sweets and but I generally eat all types of vegetables. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables that can be cooked on the go. I think food goes a long way in being fit and having good skin. My photos on my blog are not retouched and I credit my clear skin to my veggies! I also do not eat pork and limit the amount of red meat I eat. I think people tend to only cook one vegetable side dish when I like to eat multiple types of vegetables in one meal. Try to stay away from canned food and sodas. I never buy soda unless I am out at a restaurant. Since I started law school I have fell off from working out regularly and I really want to remedy that aspect of my life. Generally when I am working out, I take dance classes or dance in an empty studio.
9. This industry can be cruel, petty, frustrating and highly competitive at times to say the least. What do you to to maintain peace and balance in your life on a spiritual level?
Yes, as a past beauty pageant competitor, I can say I have seen plenty of craziness. For me, I think it is important to have outlets. I tend not to place too much importance on the superficial. If that is all you focus on than the challenges that come your way will crush you. I think because I was always into learning, I always had a silent rebuttal. After all knowledge is something no one can take from you. I read regency romances to maintain my sanity. I love escaping to a different time period and loosing myself in the adventures of the characters in my books.
Telena At Play-On Holiday In Gambia West Africa
10. What organizations do you help out with or what are some of your favorite charity's and tell us why? And is there any special significance attached to you personally with these groups?
I help out with a number of charities and I have my own non-profit. If anything I tend to support organizations that focus on education. I taught after graduating from college and I truly believe that a good education is best hope we can give to the younger generation. I ran a dance program in one of the worst high schools in Los Angeles and my students were so hungry to dance. Most could not afford proper dance attire but that did not impact their skill nor their thirst to learn routines. I also support a number of charities that educate girls in Africa. In the past 5 years I have paid for the schooling of a number of students without the means to do so.
11. What message or piece of advice would you like to pass along to young girls who are thinking or pursing beauty pageants or the fashion industry in general?
I say go for it but have a back up plan. Sure, some could say I am lucky to have modeled and competed in international pageants but, no matter what I always have my college degree. Beauty can be fleeting and some times the industry can loose its appeal. I tried very hard in high school to excel so that I could attend a good university. My dreams were realized when I attended an ivy league school. It helped me also not internalize other people’s beauty expectations. I have never had any plastic surgeries but I remember sometimes feeling down because I knew I sometimes fell short of some invisible yardstick. Be yourself and learn to love yourself. I plenty of friends who are gorgeous, educated, and fit but they are unhappy. As cliché as it sounds learn to love yourself. Love your flaws and others will love them too. When you love yourself unconditionally people will be drawn to you and you will be surprised how others perceive you.
Now that we have learned a little about your life, career and background let's move on to a round of fun facts about you. Getting to know the real Telena.
12. What's your favorite beauty secret or trick?
Ok well pageants taught me plenty and they especially helped me learn how to get glam in a very short time. I think good skin will cut down your beauty regime prep time. Sometimes I boil water in a large pot to refresh my skin. Once it is steaming hot I place a large bath towel over my head and place my face close to the water. (Be careful if you do this at home as you need to make sure the pot is on a sturdy surface like a counter. Also don’t place your face dangerously close to the water!)
13. What's on Telena's iPod playlist? What genre of music do you love? Who is your favorite artist?
I like pop music (but not just what is popular) or anything I can dance to. I really don’t listen to the radio that much. I like to surf itunes for new artist or music that fits into my style. I love Wynter Gordon and can not wait for her new cd. I also like Kelis, Emiliana Torrini, and Kelly Rowland.
My top five songs I am listen to right now are:
Activate My Heart – Natalia Kills, Love is Dead – Kerli, Harlem Nocturne – Duke Ellington, Believer – Wyneter Gordon, and Man Down - Rhianna
14. Have any guilty pleasures you would like to share?
Romance novels! I read several every week. I also love reading about politics online!
15. Do you cook any meals? What is your favorite food to eat?
Yes I do. My favorite dish is greens or home made cheesy mashed potatoes.
16. Are you a fan of any type of sports? Do you participate in any?
I like watching high school basketball live because I love the excitement and probably because I cheered through high school and college. I am not a fan of televised sports. I prefer to actually be at the event. I use to play basketball when I was younger. I do however enjoy watching gymnastics and ice skating on television.
17. Who is your favorite style icon or icons?
NAOMI CAMPBELL hands down. I know some people think she is not a proper role model but that is not what she set out to do in life. When it comes to style she just adds an extra level of drama to everything she wears. I also like Gwen Stefani, Emma Watson, Lauren Conrad, and Rhianna.
18.How would you describe Telena's own unique style?
I am a bit all over the place. I have done the vintage phase, preppy phase, neosoul phase, boho phase, and have even delved into a bit of a punk style at times. I think I am hybrid of these styles. I no longer wear belts with chain loops but I like wearing black as my default color. I also like to be comfortable in what I am wearing and for the outfit to not look too contrived. I wear a lot of different jewelry from different countries and that can give my plainest outfit an eclectic vibe.
19. What the last book you read and did it teach you something worthwhile and valuable?
Well, the last book I read was The Primrose Path. It is also a regency romance novel but has some comical scenes. I think it teaches one to enjoy one’ s mate, even the little things that drive you crazy!
20. Share with my readers something unusual about you. Do you have a weird habit perhaps ? Unusual quirk or idiosyncrasy? Fear of anything?
My weirdest habit is my love to sing off key and change the words to songs. My boyfriend hates it.
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