Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuliandra Henriquez.
Hi Yuliandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Yuliandra Esther Henriquez. I am originally from East Providence, RI but I like to say that I am a proud Afro-Latina raised in a Dominican household.
My story starts off by acknowledging God, my mother, sister, friends and family for being there for me every step of the way.
As I mentioned, I was born and raised in the US but my extended family lives in the Dominican Republic. My mom came to the United States when she was in her younger years with the desire to succeed and have a better life for herself and children. My mom was a single mother who raised two children on her own. She showed us what hard work looked like and where it could take you. Our small family of three struggled financially throughout the years. One of the main struggles I remember was the time that my mother didn’t have money for Christmas gifts and she gifted us undergarments because that’s the only thing she could afford, I remember her crying knowing that she couldn’t do more for us, I remember her apologizing, I remember the feeling I had as little girl seeing my mom cry. This memory has stuck with me for years because it was one of our lowest points in life. This memory was a constant reminder that I will do everything in my power to never be in that scary place again. In this journey, I found comfort in knowing my main goal was to graduate college and make something of myself for my family.
How did a small-town girl from the smallest state of Rhode Island end up in GA? Well, I graduated college at Bryant University with a major in International Business and a concentration in Human Resource Management. All throughout college, I participated in our dance team and eventually became the president of that club, I also participated in various cultural dance and fashion shows. Although college was a struggle within itself I always used dance and modeling as my escape, those were the things I loved to do and constantly pushed me into my creative side. College was the first time I felt that baby Yulie was actually good at the things she loved. It reminded me of the times I would strut down the hallway of our tiny apartment like Tyra Banks and hit a quick freestyle. My mom was always shocked at the fact I knew all our culture’s traditional dances (bachata, merengue, salsa) with one look at family members dancing a song, I knew the steps and rocked the dance floor.
After working in the corporate world for about two years in the state of Connecticut, I quickly realized that I wanted to move to a place where I can explore my passions more and be closer to extended family who actually lived in the United States and that’s why I ended up in Georgia. I heard great things about this state and I had to see it for myself. I moved here back in March of 2021 where my journey truly started to kick off. Coming to GA, I knew there was an amazing network of people who did everything and I wanted to meet those people. I would constantly go to Rocksteady, vibe out to the music but also meet have become some of the greatest influences in my journey today. As I explored GA, I also explored dance studios and took classes here and there. I remember attending one class in particular that lead me to meet Maya. We connected over that fact that we were struggling in this advanced dance class. Maya and I connected after class and continued to connect by sending each other dance classes and opportunities.
One day Maya mentioned that there was a casting call for Bovtiqve Fashion Week (BVFW) In Vegas, specifically for modeling and that I should attend. Attending this casting call provided me with a multitude of opportunities after the fact. Because I was so new to modeling in a real fashion show (not counting the ones in college), I hurried and got a headshot for this casting call. To make a long story short, Maya inviting me to this event allowed me to fly out to Vegas, participate in my first fashion week with 3 fashion shows, walk for three brands, participate in a partnered editorial shoot, as well as be a part of a dance performance. All of these first-timers for me happened back in February of 2022 and it only has gone up for me. Since BVFW in Vegas, I have participated in multiple different shows, photoshoots, and dance performances within Atlanta. I am currently a showroom model for BVFW. I have learned who to network with, what events to attend, how to negotiate and find ways to truly push forward in the creative industry as a whole. I do all of this while still working my full-time corporate job.
Today, my goal is to be signed by an agency and continue to build my brand as a creative/artist.
Apart from dancing and modeling, I have also picked up working out and weightlifting as a hobby. I currently work out at FINAO Fitness in Smyrna and Train with Tiffany Nichole. So, not only do I work a full-time job but I also model, dance, and work out as things that keep me sane and hope soon to take a more active/main role in my life.
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?
Some struggles along the way, where do I even start?! I think the main struggle for me is knowing my worth and value and being confident about that. Imposter syndrome is real on a day-to-day basis whether it’s at work, modeling gigs, dance classes or even at home. I have always struggled with the fact that I lack confidence in the things I do even though I have proven time and time again that I can and will do what I want in life. When I say that out loud it shocks people, it’s shocking because how can someone who models and be confident on camera and on the runway lack confidence, how does someone who dances in front of a crowd with crazy facials lack confidence, how does someone who works out at the gym and lifts heavy weights lack confidence? Well, the truth is I do, but how do I overcome that is the even better response. As I learn and grow within my craft, I acknowledge that I am not an expert in my craft but I am always willing to take advice and learn from the best. I take what I learn and constantly build up my confidence wall. My confidence wall are my daily words of affirmation that I tell myself. As I perfect a new skill, I add to that confidence wall by adding a new word or phrase of affirmation. As I write this, I add to my confidence wall and that is “I am valuable and will authentically be myself while sharing my journey”. It’s kind of corny but it truly helps me get over the imposter syndrome knowing that I can talk positively to myself.
Another struggle I have faced is being rejected. I have applied to a couple of modeling agencies in the past couple of months and have not heard back or have been rejected. Since my goal is to be signed that can be disheartening but I also have to remind myself I am extremely new to the game still. You may hear all the time that rejection is one of the top things models hear and I am learning that not hearing back is OK because at the end of the day I know what my goal is and I am confident that I will achieve that goal.
I struggle with knowing that my hobbies can be a full-time career but don’t know how to get there yet.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do I do? A multitude of things. As I shared before, I do work a full-time job within the field of Human Resource Management. Specifically, I am a part of HR that focuses on ensuring people feel like they belong and feel comfortable bringing their full self to work. I love my day job because it’s something I do/did for my friends throughout school be a listening ear for someone who truly needs to express themselves. I use my job and what I do to fuel my passions as well. At work, I can’t necessarily be on the other end of the listening ear but I can do this through modeling, dance, and fitness.
I am not exactly sure what I am known for but for people who follow me on Instagram and TikTok may describe me as the model who is constantly dancing and can lift some weight. I can’t say one of the hobbies without saying the other because they all fuel me, they are all part of my identity and make me proud.
What makes me the most proud is the fact that I AM DOING IT. Someone can dream about becoming a model, being a part of dance performances, working out and being the most fit as possible, but I’m not dreaming it, I am living it. I am most proud that I took the chance to move to GA not knowing what to expect and receiving so much more out of it.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want everyone to know its okay not to know exactly what you want in life. I am doing all these things and not sure where they will take me but I believe they are all interconnected in one way, shape or form. Life is about discovering yourself and I can truly say I am discovering all parts of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/yuliandra23
- Other: tiktok.com/@yuliehenriquez
Image Credits
@1glanceatl @bovtiqvefashionweek @dvmproductions2996 @sademyasia @lfp2go
