Web Candy of the Week: Italian Kisses

The model known as Italian Kisses is the perfect mix of Italian and African-American, and her perfect assets combine the best of both worlds. Best known for her work in Sweets magazine, this young model talks about her crush on Bow Wow, her two diverse but wonderful cultures, and the best advice she's ever received.

You're Italian and African-American. Can you tell us what each culture has taught you?
Being from Memphis, of course the African-American culture is strong, but the different side of me would be my Italian side because it's something that makes me different. I love both of my cultures. They truly are different but have the same principles.

What would you say is your biggest modeling accomplishment to date? What would you like to see happen for you in 2013?
I would say it would be joining the IBMM family, shooting with Ice Box Studios and doing Sweets/FEDS magazines. I am starting to get published more, but what makes it all worthwhile is that I finally have my own family in this industry to back me as I am chasing my dreams.

How did you get started in modeling?
I got started by doing YouTube videos just dancing and having a great time. A friend of mine told me I should start modeling, so I booked my first serious shoot with Derrick Clegg and the rest is history.

Who is your celebrity crush, and why?
I would say Bow Wow because I grew up listening to him and I still think he is sexy to me.

What is the best advice you've ever received?
No matter how it goes down, life goes on. This meant a lot to me, because life throws you a lot of curve balls. Growing up, I use to look at XXL magazine and many of these other publications but I would never think that I would have a chance to grace their magazines or sites. So, I really feel that things happen for reasons, both good and bad. I love life and I learn how to grow from the bad experiences every day.

Tell us what you like to do when you're not modeling.
I am actually a homebody. I love to watch TV, listen to music and just chill. There are so many things always going on that when I get a chance to myself, I love to just enjoy it with my family and friends.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring model, what would it be and why?
Don't give up. There will be plenty of obstacles trying to stop you from succeeding but they will teach you how to win in the end. Also, a team is vital because they make a lot of things easier in the end when it comes to getting your brand out there and keeping you on track. – Bernadette Giacomazzo (@bgiacomazzo)