Just picture it: a tall, curvaceous beauty in a long black mink, black tights and suede boots, standing in the middle of busy Manhattan street, eyes wide, arms open and singing out to the world, Mary Tyler Moore-style, "You're gonna make it after aaaallll!" Yup, that's Joanne Borgella in a nutshell, an over the top, down to earth diva with a big bubbly personality to match her fabulously full figure. Ms. Borgella had just left the offices of Wilhemina Models, where they had signed her on the spot to the pioneering 10/20 Division. She was already crowned winner of the first season of Monique's Fat Chance, and soon she would find herself on the big stage of American Idol as a Top 12 Female Finalist. But this moment, with the ink still drying on her modeling contract, was a lifelong dream fulfilled. She was officially a "Willy" girl! And it was fate and faith that got her there.
Joanne's journey began in Oyster Bay Cove, Long Island, where she grew up happily as the only daughter in a proud Haitian family. Living on Long Island, she admits she morphed into a Jewish American Princess, complete with a dialect reminiscent of Fran Drescher. "Oh my god I was a JAP. But Haiti slapped that out of me," she explains. At age 13, the family moved home to Haiti, which she calls the "best five years of my life." It was there that she was truly cultured; enjoying ballet lessons, private schooling and the classic, old school vibe of a country where respect is key. "Amongst adults you speak French, no Creole. You use a proper fork and knife at the dinner table. It's just a very distinct culture." And she also honed her eye for fashion. "Haiti is very fashionable. You see the latest things on the runway. It really structured me for clothing and jewelry." In the meantime, she was also honing her multiple other talents. A singer since age three, Joanne began performing for live audiences while in Haiti. And as someone who spent an enjoyable afternoon in her luxurious apartment overlooking Manhattan, gabbing about everything from handbags to plastic surgery, I am a witness that her singing talent is unmistakable. Every story (and there were a bunch) was peppered with songs and melodies, like a soundtrack to her life.
Unfortunately, the soundtrack to her early singing career is a melancholy blues. “I’ve had challenges in the music industry because of my size. I’ve worked with top people and bottom line they say, 'You need to lose 30 to 40 pounds.'" It was this hurtful opposition that led to her big break, Monique's Fat Chance. Joanne had always wanted to model, but never thought it was an option. Until one day, while relaxing at home, she spotted the comedienne Monique on BET's 106 and Park. "I’m like, 'What is this? Is Monique coming out with an album? What the hell?” But actually, she was seeking beautiful, thick girls for her new reality show on Oxygen. Feeling that this was the perfect fit for her, Joanne logged on to the show's site just in time for the last audition in Manhattan. She showed up early on audition morning, focused and clutching the book, “A Purpose Driven Life.” Although she was feeling defeated about her music aspirations, she held onto the hope that this was one opportunity where she would be accepted exactly as she is. She was seeking the same acceptance that many women and girls struggle to achieve. "I’ve had some girls write to me that were pretty much on the verge of suicide. Television is make believe. You just need to be happy with who you are."
So there she was, in front of Monique and a panel of judges who were firing off random questions. "When you’re with someone intimately, how do you feel?" asked one panelist. "Honestly," she answered, "For the first five seconds it’s like, damn, he’s gonna touch the rolls?" Her winning personality sparkled past the pain she was feeling inside, that is until Monique struck a nerve. “It says here you’re a singer," she said, "And you’ve had a struggle with trying to become a singer…” Joanne began to cry as her frustrations bubbled over. "'You don’t understand how hard it is, because I know what I want to do, I know I have the vocals for it, I know I have talent, yet no one wants to hear me because of my size.” Her pain was palpable, and suddenly, everyone in the room was emotional. That's when Joanne began to sing, "I Will Always Love You," and clinched the audition. "I was just so happy, I could cry about it right now. It was an amazing moment."
Next thing you know, she's on the next thing smokin' to L.A., where she shot the show and won! But just as soon as the whirlwind of winning Oxygen's number one show touched down, so did devastating news: Joanne's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It was one of the happiest moments of my life, and such a blessing but it happened at such a tough time for me. So I didn't get to fully embrace the winning of the show." The many opportunities that presented themselves no longer seemed important; she had to be there for her mom and family. Happily her mom survived and thrived, and is now cancer free.
With her mother's illness behind her, she was ready to get back to business. While paying a visit to Mikki Taylor, Beauty Editor of Essence, who was a judge on Fat Chance, she nonchalantly spilled the tea on her dream: to sign with Wilhemina. Moments later, an Essence colleague made a call and got her a meeting. Isn't that what friends in high places are for? Riding the PATH home that same day, feeling blessed and excited about the possibilities, she noticed an attractive woman staring at her. "It was a little uncomfortable. I mean she was staring for the whole ride and this is a thirteen minute ride! It was weird...I'd never gotten eyed out by a girl." A few days later, she gets to her meeting at Wilhemina, and who walks out but the girl that was staring at her on the PATH train! An example of what Joanne calls, "God's perfect timing and planning," the woman immediately recognized her. "You were on the PATH train on Monday!" she said. "You're that lesbian!" Joanne exclaimed. And the rest is history. After explaining that the woman was scouting her, the Wilhemina reps handed her a contract on the spot. "I absolutely love where I'm at," she says, "and I didn't have to change who I was."
Since that time, she has done numerous editorials, television spots, and even some runway, although she admits there aren't a lot of runway shows for plus size girls. "The first thing I ever did was the The View in my bra. I had friends call and say 'I think I just saw your breasts this morning.'" Although the life of a model can be glamorous, it's also hard work. "It's not about eating Twinkies all day. Plus size models have to be proportionate. From bust to waist to hips. You do have to work out and be healthy." Joanne recommends small meals throughout the day and thirty minutes in the gym. "There are those times when I'm like 'I want the cheeseburger, with fries, extra dipping sauce.' But you have to get back to it. Everyone should want to try to be healthy. I'm not saying you should try to be skinny, but slender is good!"
In terms of aspiring models, she warns that your bust, waist, and hip measurements should be within 10 inches of each other, you should be 5'9 or taller, and you should, of course, practice your faces in front of the mirror. Besides the ubiquitous Tyra trick to "smile with your eyes," she has another tip for girls with full lips. "When you have full lips, you have to part your mouth and show a little teeth in photos. Breathe in and smile." She's also become a self-described skincare and makeup guru. "I use La Mer on my face. It hydrates and makes my skin glow. It's extremely expensive, but skincare is a part of my job. I don't want people to go, 'Whatever bitch, I use Noxema.'" In terms of makeup, Joanne swears by Laura Mercier foundation, which she calls an "outstanding product." "She has my exact complexion. I have five bottles in my bathroom right now. It's good for footage and reads well on camera."
After becoming such a success, you would think that Joanne was satisfied, but she had yet to realize her dream of becoming a professional singer. American Idol, Season 7 was the next challenge. She arrived in Philadelphia the night before the audition, accompanied by family. Along with 300 other hopefuls, Joanne and her sister-in-law slept outside in the dead of winter, using their handbags as pillows. "People were singing the entire night! Those same people had no voices the next day." At one point during the night, Joanne was laying down, looking up at the sky and couldn't help but notice a cloud in the shape of a hand directly overhead. "I was like, "That is the hand of God." She knew then that she was in the right place, at the right time.
Out of 27,000 people there in Philly, she was one of the few that made it to Hollywood. She impressed the judges, and surprised them at the same time. "When you're plus size, you get typecast. They assume you're like [singing in a big, strong voice] "OH YEAH BABY" which i can do, but that's not me. Like the way Jennifer Hudson sings, she's amazing, but I'm more Faith Hill, contemporary/modern/classic, almost country." She expected Hollywood Week to be super stressful, but it was a breeze. She performed so well the first day that she got a free pass to the finale. And she calls her finale performance of Celine Dion's "To Love You More," during Hollywood Week "probably one of the best performances of my life." Unfortunately, when the episode aired, they didn't even show it. "That really hurt because if you're not seen on the show, you can't be loved by the audience." To make matters worse, on the first night of live performances on the biggest stage in music, the feedback on her mic went out during her version of, "Say a Little Prayer." Although she was given a chance to re-sing it, she knew she was going home. "It was a blessing though. I say to everyone, audition, it's an amazing opportunity."
Post-Idol, Joanne has yet to slow down. She continues to pursue music while modeling constantly and has recently launched a handmade jewelry line, Ella by J.Borgella. She even plans to expand into handbags. Why the focus on accessories? “I think you can take a plain white T-shirt and accessorize the crap out of it. Put on a belt, a long chain, some boots and then throw on a hat. Accessories do make an outfit.” In term of clothes, Joanne is a big fan of H&M, gets great staples at Ashley Stewart, can always find her size in the Macy's on 34th and is obsessed with Zara. "In college, people used to be like 'Where are you going?' For me fashion has always been a part. And it really was handed down from my mother. She has always been a well dressed woman. Being plus-sized too, it’s a big factor because when you’re younger and you’re bigger, it’s harder to find clothing. So you have to get into it. And in the end you end up becoming someone who knows how to dress well."
Or...you can end up looking tragic. But we both agree that the difference is undergarments. “Can we have a TV show about undergarments?” she asks. "People need to know. I see a lot of girls and they look well put together but then you see the lumps and the curves. I don’t care how big you are. I have thin friends that wear Spanx, because it gives you shape! Nobody looks the way they look on television. No one looks the way they look in a magazine. They wear Spanx, they airbrush, they hook everybody up. They’re selling a product, and they’re trying to sell perfection, which does not exist, but they’re trying to get as close to it as possible because that’s just the way it is. But don’t think that you need to wake up and look like that, because none of us do. It’s important to work out and eat healthy, but you don’t have to have a six pack. That’s where undergarments come in.” Amen!
“You know what sucks, though? You know when you have an impromptu night and you’re wearing undergarments and then you’re with a guy, trying to be sexy, and it's like 'Wait, I’ve got my boning on.'” Do I ever. In terms of men, she admits she has a weakness for athletes, and guys who are funny. She also has a height requirement. "I'm tall and when I put on heels...how's that going to work out?" She's currently single in the city but is looking for a nice, God-fearing man that is family oriented. "I want to have a lot of kids. And I plan on having a wedding that's a week long! I'm a girlie girl like that."
In the meantime, she has experienced the same frustrations of the dating world as the rest of us. "Men don't approach women anymore. They don't have to. Statistically, there are 20 women to every one man. I researched this ish. Out of 20 women, about 15 are loose. Three are recovering loosies. One is a virgin until marriage and one is in between, she might do it, she might not. Now what guy is not going to hit up the first 15 that are hot and willing to have that fun, and then not bother to call them?" Do the math, people! She also shares my feelings on text messaging. "Text messaging is the worst thing that could possibly happen to a woman. I had a relationship via text message. That's not hot. Guys don't call women anymore. It's kind of ruined romance."
So while she awaits her Prince Charming, she remains on her grind. Singer. Model. Designer. She even has a television show in the works. And it's still not enough. "I just never feel like I'm doing anything. I constantly need to do more. But people tell me that's a good trait, because I'm hungry." And you just know, looking in her eyes, she is gonna make it after all.
-Elle
Joanne and I first met in the tents at Fashion Week Spring '09...if you missed it click here!
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Thanks Tamar!
