Rage: Jody,did you grow up in California or somewhere else?Tell us about some of your background.
Jody: I grew up in Washington D.C. a military brat. My father was in the Air Force and worked at the Pentagon. I was always one of those kids dragging their parents into the garage for roller skating shows and gymnastics. I loved to do all the school plays and musicals from Maypole Dancing to Christmas Pageants to my first real role in the 3rd grade as the Evil Queen from Snow White. I sat on the stage all by myself in a high school auditorium and said "Mirror Mirror on the Wall " It was a love and passion that also encompassed singing in church choirs, playing the hand bells and school chorus. It wasn't until I started taking design and costume design classes at the University of Virginia that I became interested in fashion and design. I always worked in retail since high school and the store owners would ask me to model the clothes while I was working in store to help sell. I guess I naturally started at an early age.
When I left college, I started my professional career in modeling in D.C. with The Erickson Agency. I then moved to NYC and worked with many different agencies finally landing with my favorite in New York,Wilhelmina. My first job was working as a sales assistant for the Christian Lacroix Bazaar line. They began using me as a fit and showroom model and my career was underway. I have always loved in house modeling as well as print and commercials. I began acting when another model I worked with at Christian Lacroix introduced me to her manager, Paul Brown then at MacGowan. I was very lucky to always be recommended by good people in my life and Paul sent me to study Meisner with Suzanne Esper at The William Esper Studio.
Rage: What are your most memorable modeling/talent jobs?
Jody: I am most proud of modeling at:
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Christian Lacroix
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Calvin Klein
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Ralph Lauren
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Guess
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Lucky Jeans
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Citizens of Humanity
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Joie Jeans
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Jordache
I also had 2 billboards and have done print campaigns for:
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1 in Time Square for B.U.M. Clothing
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1 in San Francisco
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AT& T adds
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Sprint adds
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Wired Magazine
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Men's Health Magazine
Highlights of my acting career are:
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Acting opposite Brandon Quinn from Entourage in the film "Fast Glass"
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Doing a one woman show called "Found" at the United Nations
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Doing 2 performances with the National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra in D.C.
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Playing Desdemona in Oxford, England
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Rage: Where do you think you get your ambition from?
Jody: My parents are now both lawyers and my family has always had a drive. Partly, it comes from the military background I think. My parents are responsible for showering me with love and a duty to work hard. There is a family motto: "Work Hard, Play Hard" The work comes before the play but you have to play as hard as you work!
Rage: Why do you love modeling and acting?
Jody: I love to travel and modeling has taken me traveling across America for work. I have also met so many incredible people in my profession and worked with amazing talent and celebrities. It has also allowed me to live in three of the most amazing cities in the world:
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Washington D.C.
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New York (my fav)
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Los Angeles
Rage: What kind of advice would you give others that are interested in getting into this type of work?
Jody: I always tell new talent that if they are interested in modeling and acting to go for it. You have nothing to lose. But I also warn them that it is a job and must be treated as such. You have to want it and you have to commit to the time and effort it takes. That means going to acting class, listening to your agents, researching and studying your parts, shooting new pictures, and MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE AND TAKE ALL THE JOBS YOU CAN GET! If you want to be a working model and actor, then there is no room for attitude or saying no or making excuses!
Rage: Jody, what do you do with your "free" time?
Jody: I love to be outdoors. My favorite activities are horse back riding and hiking. I love dogs and am involved with rescuing and rehabing dogs and horses. My husband and I have two rescue dogs: a mastiff-pitt Benny and a chihuahua, Ava and two thoroughbreds from the track: Massoun and Noble. I love them all and they keep me very active. I love to go to the beach, run, swim and do yoga to work out. I also love to travel and do photography. My other passion is writing and reading!
Thanks Jody for all your hard work and great attitude in everything you do! We know that your career will have longevity for you!
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