We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joselyn Alaniz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joselyn, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
Years ago, I had a friend named Tovares. In that moment in time, we became close. He began to notice the struggles I went through as a single mother at the time. Shortly after, he began offering his help. I was so hesitant at first. Until one day I had no other option, but to swallow my pride & give in to his offer. As soon as I asked him for help, he helped me with everything I needed. Food, a few bills, and even things for my son who was a baby at the time. He would even give me rides to and from work every once in a while, so I wouldn’t have to walk. He did all this, until I felt I was ok to do it on my own again. It may have been only a few weeks, but to me it felt like years. He did all that , and expected absolutely nothing in return. When I asked him, “why are you helping me so much”, “what’s the catch”? He said , “No catch, when I saw you struggling with your son, it reminded me of my mom & all she went through for me growing up. You can pay me back by helping someone else when it’s your turn.” It’s because of Tovares, I lend a hand , or spare a few dollars, or even my time & makeup talent, to bless others when I can. Expecting nothing in return, & only asking them to do the same. Saying, “You can pay me by helping someone else when it’s your turn”.
Joselyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Makeup will always be my first love. I began to grow closer to the art about 6 years ago, when a friend of mine named Marissa, glammed me up for my birthday that year. After that makeup session, I was STUNNED! I felt so beautiful, so confident, I felt like a whole new woman! In that moment, I knew, I had to learn to do this for not only myself, but for others as well! All my life I’ve struggled with self love and acceptance, and makeup has helped me get better at that! Soon after learning all the ropes from my dear friend, I began to branch out on my own. Starting with free makeup sessions for practice. Then slowly beginning to charge a fee for my services. I’ve had the honor of glamming so many amazing people throughout my makeup journey! For weddings, birthdays, sweet 16’s, etc! The best part of it all is seeing the look on my clients faces when it’s all done! I’ve even had some cry! I truly feel the best part is knowing I could help someone feel better about themselves! As much as I love doing freelance makeup artistry, it was time for another journey. For the past year I took a break from makeup sessions, to start Beauty Content Creating on Tiktok, and chasing my dreams of
becoming an actress and model! This part has been such a roller coaster of emotions for me! One morning while doing a makeup tutorial on my Tiktok live, I was noticed by the famous Makeup Artist/Guru, Patrick Starrr! From then on, he began following me on Tiktok, along with his makeup line “One Size Beauty”, and I became an ambassador for his brand! My heart races just thinking about it! It’s truly a dream come true! I also have a few other amazing big names following me, such as Lisa Rodriguez, the beautiful actress who plays “Karla” on Ice Cubes Film, “Next Friday”, & Daniel Rene , who is a Tv Host for a show called “A Tiny Audience”, and was a part of the famous Latin Boy band , “Menudo”, alongside Ricky Martin. Content Creating has been a blast! I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
As far as Acting and Modeling goes, I became a part of a talent agency called “Wright Models & Talent” , an agency based out of Virginia. For months they trained me and coached me for my very first Launch Showcase. Which I attended on July 1-3, in Chicago , Illinois. I had the honor of auditioning for the following Categories: Monologue, Tv/Film, Cold Read Commercials, and Runway Modeling! As a person with a chronic illness/disability, I was BEYOND exhausted! My auditions were back to back, but I wouldn’t change a thing! I was able to audition in front of so many talent agencies, casting directors, and scouts looking for talent! I even had the honor of having a few callbacks!
Now that auditions are over, I await emails from anyone who attended showcase, and I continue to take classes to better myself! Wright Agency even landed me a spot in an acting class with the famous “Trent Garrett”, an actor most known for his role on Disney Channels “Andi Mack” Show. I also attend other classes in the Lubbock Texas area with The Anderson Agency. An agency I met at The Launch Showcase I attended.
Chasing my dreams alongside being a wife, mom, a Content Creator, and working a part time job as a waitress, has kept me busy, but I wouldn’t change any of it! That is, until I land some roles and gigs. (Lol)!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I’m slightly embarrassed to share how I gained so many followers on my Tiktok page, but here it goes! As I said before, I struggled with self love & acceptance. One issue I hate most about myself, is my F.U.P.A. (Fat Upper Private Area), or the Mons Pubis Area. For years, I would tape it up, to feel better about myself in clothing. So one day, last year, I debated on whether or not I should share this tape trick, to help others in my shoes, feel better about themselves too. I prayed about it, and I decided to go for it, and I’m so glad I did! My first video about the #fupatapetrick blew up. Last I checked it has 1.2 Million views and counting. I did receive some bad comments of course, from people making fun of me, but the good outweighed the bad! I was able to help so many women feel better about themselves, and gained over 81K followers. My advice for growing your audience would be, LISTEN TO YOUR GUT! If you have an idea, SHARE IT! It just might give you a great outcome, and open so many doors for you. Also, have thick skin, and don’t hesitate to block anyone who’s being negative towards you in any way! Don’t let peoples opinions stop you from growing and shining!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part in everything I do, is helping people feel better about themselves. Helping others feel beautiful and confident!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jaycali_beauty
- Facebook: Jay-Cali Beauty
- Twitter: JayCali_Beauty
- Youtube: Jay-Cali
- Other: Tiktok: jaycali_beauty