Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Weldon. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Krystal ‘Gypsy’ Orellano Weldon is a local model in the Tampa bay area. However, she is no ordinary model, Krystal carries with her a passion for the pen. Writing is her first love and this is what makes this model special. Currently a student in Saint Leo’s Master’s Program for Creative Writing, this motivating young woman is determined to make her mark on the world one picture and written word at a time. Growing up with an Afro-Latino mother from Puerto Rico and an absentee caucasian father, Krystal knows what it means to feel different and out of place. Being biracial, Caribbean and Hispanic in the United States has come with many scars throughout her life. Insecurities of being different have plagued this little girl and transpired a woman of color to feel proud to express herself artistically. She wants to create a platforms for all women of color to follow with her work. Krystal writes poetry and models to express the beauty in diversity and importance in representation. In her childhood, there was a lack of black and Latin representations in the media.
She believes it is up to this generation to show the next generation the importance of what it means to be the change. This is what truly makes an American beauty and model in the United States shine a light in the world. In the words of Langston Hughes “I too am America.” Krystal Orellano inspiration for modeling is to build a brand in the years to come. This entrepreneur is a spoken word artist, writer, model and author of the books The Evolution of Poetry and Quench. Krystal has been published in many fashion and poetry magazines across the world from the U.K. to China. She has recently participated in photoshoots with Victoria Hanely from America’s Top Model, Prolific Magazine, Miss Global Fashion Modeling agency, New York Fashion week, Amazing Magazine, Orlando Fashion Week, Poetry Is radio show and many events in the Tampa community. Krystal is slowly transpiring as a creative nonfiction writer, currently working on her next book and first Novel The Lover’s Passion Lounge.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone ever has a smooth road at least not anyone I know personally. I am still facing challenges in my life. It feels like an authentic part of The Human Experience. My life however, has been anything but smooth. I grew up in a single parent never knowing my father and I was on my own in the world at seventeen, left trying to figure it out. I am still trying to figure it out. The difference now as a 35 years old woman I am more confident In myself that I refuse to give up on my dreams. I have written two books and I had no direction I just figured out along the way and that is what I continue to do now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an author, model, educator and single mother. I am all things as a brand and an individual. My first love other than my son is writing. I love writing poetry, it is something that comes natural to me. I have written two books of poetry in the last few years. In 2018, I released my first book The Evolution of Poetry. This books is about the Evolution of self as a writer. In 2021, I released my newest Poetry book Quench. My newest book is about passion and love in its rarest form. I am proud of these accomplishments but I still have a lot of work I need to do. I think what sets me apart from other people is my passion. Passion cannot be duplicated it comes from a natural place. I don’t just write poetry. I live the poetry I write.
What were you like growing up?
I was a social butterfly and I loved attention, but I was insecure and scared of people. I can still be like this. Scared of how people see me and yet I don’t give care all at the same time. When I wanted something nobody could tell me no. I have always been drawn to the arts and creative energy of life. One thing I always had as a child is a journal in my hand.
Contact Info:
- Email: Krystaldawn285@yahoo.
com - Website: https://
krystaldawn285.wixsite.com/ website - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/krystaldpride86/ ?hl=en - Facebook: https://m.facebook.
com/582944198476145/ - Twitter: Gyspy Orellano
- Youtube: Krystal orellano
Contact Info:
- Email: Krystaldawn285@yahoo.com
- Website: https://krystaldawn285.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystaldpride86/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/582944198476145/
- Twitter: Gyspy Orellano
- Youtube: Krystal orellano
Image Credits:
Genie Bryan, Myself and Leslie Madwell
