Hi Clarissa, can you introduce yourself to our readers please? Who is Clarissa De Jesus?

Hola!! I am Clarissa DeJesus a Puerto Rican model/singer/actress from NY (Brooklyn & Queens). I am a bubbly, sweet, free spirited, down to earth girl.

Modeling isn't a job for shy women. As a prominent glamour model, how did you build such a high self-confidence?

To be in this industry you definitely need to have thick skin. This industry sure can eat away at your self esteem. Growing up I always had a low low self esteem. Honestly, I was kind of a nerd. Okay not a nerd but I would get bullied and I was never the "pretty girl". All the guys always liked everyone of my friends in my crew except me. I was a little tomboy and didnt care about my image, I was the fun funny one that no one wanted to date. Late in high school I started to be more self-conscious and I revamped my image. I began to blossom and started gaining self confidence. By the time I started modeling, I felt so good about myself that nothing no one said really affected me because I had already been the ugly duckling I had grown from that. There was so much I learned being in this industry. What girls fail to understand is that in life there is always going to be someone prettier than you & always someone with a better body than you, but you have to know yourself that you have something that no other girl has. Everyone's personality has something different to offer. A great confident positive attitude can get you very far.

Define what being sexy is to you.

Being sexy is about being confident and also the way you carry yourself.

Clarissa, how would you describe the image that comes across when people look at your photos?

I think when people see my pictures they see a sexy latin girl with a nice body and a pretty face. It's so funny because when people meet me in person they are so surprised at how down to earth, silly, and cool I am. Alot of people automatically assume I am prissy and stuck up but I actually just am a normal girl who loves to wear sweats, sneakers, jeans, and tee shirts and watch Twilight movies.

What experience do you value more and attain more personal satisfaction from as a model: the creative process behind an intimate collaboration with a talented photographer, make-up artist and/or designer OR seeing the reaction from your family, friends and fans as they bare witness to the finished product?

I would have to say a combination between the two. I love working with talented people and the makeup artists, photographers, and designers I have been blessed to work with in the past are absolutely amazing. I love the whole photoshoot part of it. It's so much fun and I really do enjoy working with new people because everyone has their own style so I love to see what they come up with for me. But I also love to see the reaction on peoples faces when they see the finished product. I must say my family, friends, and fans have been so supportive of me from the very beginning and to have a support team like the ones I have reassures me that I am doing the right thing and I am on the right track.



Honestly, you are one of the most beautiful women this interviewer has ever laid his eyes on, how does it feel to be the constant center of attraction wherever you go?

Hahahaha thank you!! I'd be lying if I said that I didnt like that attention but I must say it can be annoying at times. Almost everywhere I go, there is someone trying to kick it to me. I am flattered by that dont get me wrong but some places are inappropriate. For example, I was at the Gyn doctor for my regular annual check up and the guy receptionist is trying to slip me his number, that's awkward. Another time, I was at the pharmacy buying feminine hygiene products and the cashier is ringing me up trying to kick it to me, that's awkward too. Sometimes it can be scary, I was coming home late on the train like two (2) weeks ago and these guys were trying to talk to me and I wasn't interested so they started to get really upset and were cursing and saying to each other "I was trying to be nice to her but she wants to act stuck up, I'd be wrong if I robbed her right now". All because I didn't participate in their conversation at 3am! So moments like those I wish I werent the center of attention but other than those awkward scary moments I love it! I am flattered. It always feels good to be liked or loved or admired.

Tell us about the Lloyd Banks "Beamer, Benz and Bentley" video, how did that come about?

The "Beamer, Benz and Bentley" video I was booked for was kind of unexpected. The casting director of G-Unit had been cool with me for some time and had told me that they were casting for the video. I wasn't going to go to the casting because I had been so depressed about this big break up I was going through with my ex-boyfriend two (2) weeks prior. I mean it was a big nasty break up. And the day of the casting I was at the orthodontist getting a new set of retainers (I wear Invaslign). I was not in the mood to go to a casting and I had my hair in this high bun which I wear on my "busted days" lol. I also really dont like doing music videos; I like to do more print work. I finally made up my mind and decided to go so that I can at least get out the house and I am happy that I did. I went to the casting and I had to dance to the song in front of Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and the video/casting director and they loved me!! It's crazy because some people hate so much. I remember when the video came out someone from my neighborhood told me that a girl I went to high school with said "I saw Clarissa in the video I wonder which rapper she slept with to get in". People are always so quick to judge or label someone. I casted for the video and got booked. That's one of the downfalls of being labeled a "video vixen". 

What was it like being on set with 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and G-Unit?

50 Cent wasn't there but Juel Santana was, and Maino, and Beanie Siegel. Working with Lloyd Banks was alot of fun. He's a character. At the casting, I got to meet Tony Yayo and he is pretty hilarious. He had me cracking up the whole time. Lloyd Banks is a little sweety though. It's always fun working with the G-Unit crew. They are real down to earth you would be surprised.

We've noticed that you have quite a following online (your pookabears). How important is it for you to stay in touch with your fans online?

Oh yes! My pookabears!! I love them. It's very important for me to stay in touch with them online. They inspire me everyday. They give me a reason to keep doing what I love to do. They support me and it means the world to me. At one of the lowest points of my life this past 2011, I had wanted to delete all my social networking accounts and crawl under a rock but I am so happy that I didnt. I recently found out that a distant cousin that I never met only 11 years of age is like one of my number one fans!! For school she had to do a project on her most influential people and she did the project on Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and me!!! She made a collage with our pictures. I was so honored I started tearing up. Love you Ambrosia! We will meet soon!! I had no idea I had such an affect on people like that. People tend to think all my fans are men that think I am some hot sex symbol but they are wrong I have made a connection with the youth as well. I give young girls hope. Ever since that opened up my eyes I try to be more selective with the jobs that I book. We, models, forget that we have a young following and shouldnt be sending the wrong message. I love all my pookabears and try and stay in touch with them as much as I possibly can!! XOXOX

 For all of the people, photographers, agencies and companies seeing you for the first time who will want to gain more information about you, tell them where they can go to see and read about some of your past, present and future projects?

They can check me out on my new website that just launched!! www.iheartclarissa.com My website has blogs, pics, videos and more. Or they can find me on facebook www.facebook.com/iheartclarissa or twitter www.twitter.com/clarissadejesus

Lastly, where do you see yourself in 5 - 10 years?

In 5-10 years, I'd like to be on tour somewhere around the world for like my 4th album with like 6 grammys. I would like to be married not sure about the kid thing yet (giggles). I'd like to have a leading role in several feature films by then. Maybe with an Oscar. You have to dream big! right?