Irish-Canadian beauty Coco Rocha has opened up about life being a supermodel and a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
Coco, 21, who grew up in British Columbia with her mother who is from Belfast and her half Irish father, revealed during an interview with DuJour that she still regularly goes door-to-door with her congregation despite her fame, declaring that her “faith is everything.”
Rocha, who was raised in the faith by her mother, wasn’t baptised until she was 21 in 2009, as the religion requires that an individual be old enough to make their own decisions before committing.
“The whole purpose is to inform people. Some people think we’re a pushy religion, but if you’re not interested, just say so,” she explained.
Because of her religious beliefs, Rocha explains to DuJour, that it wasn't easy in the industry. “My list [of what I won’t do] compared with any other models is insane. No religious artifacts, no government artifacts. If I’m shooting with a male model, what is he exactly doing with me? What is he wearing? If I’m working with other models, what are they wearing? Are they playing something that I don’t want?”
“In the beginning, the clients would say, ''This is too much,'' but over time, the ones I liked kept working with me.”
“There was a point where I just wanted to be done with the industry. I was overtired and overworked, but a big part of it was that no one was listening,” she recalls.
However, according to DuJour, Rocha stuck it out with the industry and today she is set to make her television debut on Naomi Campbell’s new reality TV show “The Face” next month.
“The Face” is a new competition series featuring the battle for the next supermodel. The show, executive produced by Naomi Campbell, will spend seven episodes in search of the newest face for ULTA Beauty. The coaches include Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha.
This commitment to being a role model for younger girls in the industry is partially why Rocha was drawn to her latest job, mentoring on Oxygen’s new reality TV show ‘The Face.’
The model told DuJour, “If I ever had a bio on what Coco did for this industry, I would love it to say that Coco helped protect models and get them rights.”
Photographer Nigel Barker, who has been working with Rocha on The Face as the show's host said: “She’s a smart girl. Her motivation, drive and confidence give her the ability to be so dynamic in front of the camera. That’s the reason she’s been so successful—it’s the reason people love her.”
Over the last six years she’s worked on campaigns such as Balenciaga, Chanel, Christian Dior, D&G, Dolce & Gabbana, H&M, Lanvin, Tommy Hilfiger, Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein Fragrance, Gap, PHI and Esprit.
Comments