Interview with Mila Deguzman

Mila De, also known as Mila Deguzman, dancer, model, and aspiring actress. Also, a former gymnast and ice skater. She’s been dancing since she was 4-years-old. Her favorite styles of dance are contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop. Mila has danced with many popular faces from Littleton, CO to Roseville, CA to Las Vegas, NV, has done many dance shows, conventions, competitions, and also performed for the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs.

Mila is a small girl with big dreams, and a big appetite. She stays positive and looks at the brightside of any situation. When it comes to her work, Mila puts her heart and soul into it. Getting to know Mila, she may start out shy and smiley, but once you get to know her, she’s extremely clumsy and fun to be around. Her weaknesses are sweets, street bikes, import cars, shopping, and Hello Kitty.

As a little girl, Mila loved being in front of a camera. A few close friends inspired her to start taking interest in photography or modeling. In 2008, modeling became a part of her life. Mila hopes to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and a singer.

“Family is my admiration. Culture is my fascination. Music is my medication. Reading is my imagination. Love is my inspiration. Never giving up is my motivation. Positivity is my disposition.” — Mila Deguzman”

Mila, a pleasure to meet you. Can you tell us a little about youself. Where you grew up and what you were like as a child?

Oh boy, aha, I’ve moved around a lot when I was little. I was born in Fayetteville, NC, lived in San Jose, CA for a couple years, then to Las Vegas, NV for a couple years, and raised most of my life in Highlands Ranch / Castle Rock, CO, then decided to live with my dad (my parents are divorced) in Roseville, CA and finish high school there. After graduation I moved back with my mom who moved to Las Vegas, NV and now I’m in Los Angeles, CA. As a child, I was a tomboyish little girl who loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Sailor Moon, Dragonball Z, drawing, and playing a lot of video games.

Four years old is pretty young to start dance! What do you like about dance?

I love dancing, contemporary being my all time favorite. What I like about dancing is the fun and the beauty of it, wearing costumes, the jitters you get before performing on stage, the ability to express yourself not through words but through your movements and I think it’s amazing.

When did you first begin modeling and how did you get started?

I wanted to be like Adriana Lima except I’m short. I had a few girl friends who were models, it kind of inspired me to get into it. I had my first photoshoot in the winter of 2008 when I was in an agency at the time, but I left the agency as soon as I found out my agent was fired. So doing photoshoots just became a hobby, I never really considered myself a “model” until I recently got into the import industry in November.

Can you tell us about some of your favorite shoots and modeling experiences?

I like to meet the photographer before shooting with him/her to rid the jitters and avoid awkward/shy looking picture(s). Picking a favorite shoot is difficult, I always have fun at all my shoots. I’ve done a few shoots that I really enjoyed when the photographer is helping mentor the model(s), instructing the model(s), or giving the model(s) tips on what and what not to do. That makes a good modeling experience for me.

What do you enjoy about modeling? I read somewhere that you feel it is a good way to overcome shyness. Are you shy and has modeling given you more confidence?

I enjoy wearing whatever you want and makeup, feeling pretty, looking “tall” in photos, and meeting different photographers with different styles and making the capture look amazing. Oh yeah, I remember saying that! I used to be super shy, I still am a little shy though … I’ve never really had confidence, I had a very low self esteem back then. I do believe modeling has given me more confidence and helped me break out of my shell.

I also know you are into fashion and when you were younger would cut up and re-design your clothes. Is that something that still interests you and something you would like to pursue more in the future?

I’m not like a fashionista or anything, but I am into fashion. Haha, I would cut up and redesign my clothes, if I didn’t wear a certain top anymore, I’d make it into something I’d wear again or I’d give it to my little sister. I planned on going to FIDM a couple years back, so I can one day make my own brand and style of clothing, I still do, but there were complications with my dad’s military benefits and for me getting into the school. So I’m just going to attend college somewhere else. In the future I wanted to pursue my dream in becoming an actress, I’ve been training in acting and martial arts lately so I’m crossing my fingers.

You wrote something really beautiful on your website,

“Life is like a piano. The white keys are happiness, the black keys are sadness. As you go through life’s journey, always remember the black keys make music too.”

Would you say this is your philosophy and how you approach life?

I would say that is my philosophy and how I approach life … I love this quote because it’s about music, and the music that comes out of a piano is whether it’s happy or sad, it’s beautiful, and life even with all it’s problems around the world is beautiful.

Later in the year you will be at Comic Con. What will you be doing there and what other events do you attend?

I’m HOPING to be at Comic Con, aha, it’ll be my first. I’m not even sure what I’ll be doing there, but I’m so cosplaying! I’ll be attending C.A.M.E. 3, Extreme Autofest, more Hot Import Nights, Import Face-Off, etc. …

As a dancer and model, what do you do to stay fit and in shape?

I eat, a lot, of salads — and junk food. I have a crazy high metabolism, and all I do yoga and go to the gym every now and then, not much really. ^^;

Would you have any advice to offer a young girl just starting out in the industry?

Hm… Stay humble?

What do you enjoy doing when you are not attending school or working?

I like reading, no not magazines, or Twilight, blogs, or pop-up pictures books even though I think those are awesome. I like reading actual books, playing video games, watching movies, at Disneyland, or visiting Las Vegas… I don’t know, aha, I don’t go out much.

What do you hope to be doing five years from now?

I am so hoping to be acting, and landed somewhere in the entertainment industry, traveling the world, and helping those suffering and animals around the world. True story.

Where can we go to find out more information about you?

My website http://www.Mila-De.com
or http://www.facebook.com/MissMilaDe

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