Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatrice Damasceno
Hi Beatrice, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Fashion was always my first love. As a little girl, I would spend hours watching runway shows, one favorite being Victoria’s Secret, captivated by the elegance and confidence of the models. My mom had an incredible sense of style and would always dress me in the latest, most fashionable outfits. I loved how those clothes made me feel — confident, fierce, and powerful. I would walk in front of the mirror, imagining myself walking down the runway, dreaming of the day I’d get to be one of those models. For me, fashion was more than just clothes; it was a way to express myself, and to be creative by putting different textures and fabrics together.
But everything changed when I entered middle school. I grew taller, and my body became leaner. I wasn’t the cute, chubby kid anymore — I was tall, skinny, and awkward. That’s when the teasing started. “Giraffe” “Tall Giant” “Skeleton”. Others would say, “Are you anorexic?”, “Go eat a burger”, “You have no meat on your body” — seemed like the world suddenly saw me as something I wasn’t. At first, I tried to brush it off, but it quickly took its toll. I started to feel self-conscious like there was something wrong with me and my body, something that I needed to hide. I stopped wearing the clothes I loved and started dressing in baggy clothes to try to hide myself. The bullying led to darker places — feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and suicidal thoughts. I lost the confidence I once had, and the dream of being a model, something I had always cherished, felt impossible.
Then in March of 2020, COVID hit. I call it the second great depression. Schools shut down and the world came to a pause. For a while, it felt like I was stuck in a rabbit hole, with no direction or purpose in life. But while being stuck at home, I discovered a love for acting after watching the show, Stranger Things, for the first time. I started reading and practicing short skits, and monologues and even took multiple acting classes online with the best acting teacher, Martha Millan. When schools started to reopen my freshman year of high school, I decided to take an in-person acting class in school. It was a way for me to express my emotions and feel something positive. I remember doing a scene with a classmate and the whole classroom went silent by my acting skills, even leaving my teacher in shock. And slowly, the more I practiced, the more I thought, “Maybe this is my calling”. No one was focused on my height, my body, or even the way I looked. They were focused on my energy, my personality, and the way I was putting myself out there. That gave me the push I needed to start thinking about modeling again.
In December of my sophomore year in high school, I took a leap of faith and decided to reach out to a local photographer in Miami, Jayden Mendez, and did my first-ever professional studio photoshoot. It felt like a huge step — the first time I was able to step in front of a camera and truly own who I was. Jayden was amazing, and he helped me feel comfortable and confident in my skin. He told me how to pose and gave amazing feedback. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Since then, I’ve continued to work with Jayden; building a small portfolio, learning how to pose, and pushing myself to improve. That first photo shoot was the beginning of something I never expected — it gave me the confidence to keep going, striving for more, and believing in myself again.
By the time my junior year rolled around, that’s when I was ready to get back into modeling and start posting my photos on social media. I built up the courage to apply to over 20 modeling agencies, hoping to get a callback. I thought if I could just get one opportunity, everything would fall into place. But after months of waiting, not a single agency called me back. I was devastated. For a moment, it felt like I was back to square one — questioning myself if I was good enough to make it or even if I was pretty enough.
Instead of giving up, I decided to take control of my path. On January 4th, 2024, still in my junior year of high school, I signed up for a modeling class with the best modeling coach, Mandy Dyonne Lieveld, hoping it would help me build the confidence I needed; and it did. The class was everything I imagined — it was packed with information, tips, and techniques, but I was shocked at how knowledgeable it was. I walked out of that class feeling like a completely different person. My posture was better and my walk was stronger.
In March of 2024, still with no agency, I decided to reach out to a small business, Palma Amor, founder Ana Cerrone, offering to collaborate on photoshoots. The response I got was amazing. I realized that even without an agency, I could still make my dream of becoming a model happen on my own. It wasn’t easy, and there were still moments of doubt, but every shoot, every collaboration, and every new opportunity gave me the courage to keep going. Slowly but surely, the more I posted on social media, I started to get noticed by the media.
Now, as a senior in high school, I still work with Ana and Jayden, expanding my portfolio and working with other incredible entrepreneurs. In October 2024, I even became a model for the cover of a student magazine at my school, Edition Magazine. After high school, I plan to pursue my fashion dreams, a degree in fashion marketing. I want to combine my love for fashion with my experiences and knowledge of social media to one day help others in the industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey as a model has been far from easy. From the constant bullying and hurtful comments I faced growing up to the judgments I still encounter today, it’s been a tough road. The competitive nature of the industry and the pressure from social media make it all the more challenging, and it’s easy to compare myself to other beautiful and successful models. But I’ve learned that modeling, like life, is a mental game. Building inner confidence is crucial, and that’s something I’ve had to work on daily.
One of the biggest things that helped me through the darkest moments was finding God. My faith has given me strength, guidance, and the peace I needed to pull myself out of a dark state of mind and trust in my worth, no matter what others say.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Not only am I a model, but I’m also a lifestyle content creator, primarily on TikTok, where I share my journey and daily life and connect with my followers. I’ve had the privilege of working with well-known brands like Junoco, Topicals, and even Jansport.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve had these incredible opportunities and accomplished so much at just 17 years old, all while being a senior in high school and graduating in June 2025.
What sets me apart from other teenagers today is my confidence to push through a world that can often feel harsh and judgmental. I lean on my strong faith in God to keep me grounded, and I’ve always tried to show care and kindness to people, whether I know them or not — something that’s hard to find in today’s fast-paced, disconnected world. In a time when many teenagers struggle to communicate outside of their phones, I pride myself on being a social person who values real, meaningful connections and conversations with others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to take a moment to thank God first for everything — for blessing me with inner confidence, happiness, and the strength to keep me moving forward on this journey. I’m so grateful for my family, friends, and teachers, whose unwavering support, love, and encouragement have kept me from giving up, even when things feel tough.
A special thank you to Jayden Mendez, my amazing photographer, who made me feel confident and beautiful in front of the camera and created stunning photos I will forever cherish.
I’m also incredibly thankful to Ana Cerrone and her team behind her brand Palma Amor for believing in me, wanting to collaborate, and helping build a beautiful friendship. Her push to network with others has opened so many doors for me.
Lastly, a big thank you to the Edition Magazine team for allowing me to be a part of their magazine issue and giving me the incredible honor of being on the cover.
I truly believe all of these opportunities have come into my life for a reason by the honor and glory of God, and I’m so grateful for every single person who has been a part of my journey and supported me along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/beatricedamasceno
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatricedamasceno?igsh=eGc3bmUwY29yNXNs&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@beatrice.damasceno?_t=8reAvY3xhXi&_r=1
Image Credits
Photographer for brighter photos: Jayden Mendez
Photographer for darker photos: Adrian Silva
Magazine Cover: Edition Magazine and Carolina Echevarria
Outfits in bright photos: Palma Amor and Ana Cerrone
