Interview by Melissa Velasco
KRISTY GRONSETH
model: commercial + editorial + FASHION + runway to know her, is to love her
COVER PHOTO: KE CHENG SHI @kcsoulphotography
LOCATION: THE MAYBORNE BEVERLY HILLS
Bailey Elora is an accomplished singer and songwriter of an alternative rock band based in Denver, Colorado. With powerhouse vocals and Latin inspired guitar, they were formed in 2017. The band consists of Bailey Elora (Lead Vocals), Alfredo Zamora (Lead Guitar/ Vocals), Isaac Zamora (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals), Geoff Orwiler (Bass), and James Romine (Drums). Bailey and her band have performed at many reputable venues in and around the Denver area including festivals such as the covetted Westword Music Showcase, The Underground Music Showcase, Highlands Street Fair, and Taste of Colorado. Bailey Elora puts on a great show no matter the size or their position in the lineup.
Follow @baileyelora and stream here music on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube, etc...
Add her music to your playlist and if you can, catch a live show! You won’t be disappointed.
For Interviews and Booking, contact: Dave baileyeloramusic@gmail.com https://linktr.ee/baileyelora
Photo (L to R): Geoff Orwiler, Bailey Elora, Isaac Zamora
Photo by Andrew Ortega @aperture.ortega
LOUD & CLEAR
LOUD & CLEAR MAGAZINE IS RELEASED AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. IT IS A DIGITAL MAGAZINE THAT IS DISTRIBUTED GLOBALLY. DIGITAL LINKS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL CONTRIBUTORS. WE DO NOT PROVIDE PRINT COPIES OF THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME.
FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
DAVE NAVARRO // @_designprint @loudandclearmagazine
CREATIVE
d&p MEDIA
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
AUTHOR RUSS RAY // @eat.travel.type.colorado
JAY MADHATTER // @city_built_music
MELISSA VELASCO // @ melissa.velasco.31508
BRUCE GLASGOW // @bandsdesignsdm
PHOTOGRAPHERS (REGULARS)
JONATHAN WOODEN // @jzw_photo
DONTE TOUSSAINT // @d_2_shootz
JACQUELYN LOVE // @jacqui0002
DOUG MUNGAVIN // @dougmungavinphoto
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION dave.designprint@gmail.com
COPYRIGHTS
LOUD & CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE is owned by DAVE NAVARRO. The magazine, its staff and writers, has made sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s)’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content is published in good faith.
All rights reserved. Nothing can be partially or in whole be reprinted or reproduced without express written permission.
@nicole.s.harned
@coloradophotoworks
Rodrigotactaquin
I was cast as a background actor in the movie The Lone Ranger (2013) in August of 2012. Although I had performed in the theatrical arts, it was my first introduction to a large movie production. Moreover, the background cast was accommodated at locations that were quite unique and special. Because we were located in remote locations, we would engage with the crew after hours and get a deeper view into the inner-workings of a production. Many of the crew had come from Philadelphia after working on Dark Knight. My first engagement was very educational and enjoyable.
I really don’t consider myself a model. I love the art form of photography and have had the pleasure of knowing some very talented photographers. On the surface it can be confusing given the fact that I have modeled for designers and merchants. Additionally, I have walked the runway a few times. I think that those are some of the opportunities that I have taken full advantage of. Whether it makes the cover of a magazine or coffee table book or just a social media post to bring visibility to a talented photographer, I am content to simply make something creative and capture the image in time. My first experience was created from working on a movie. The DP (Director of Photography) was a Master Photographer. He approached me and asked me if I would be open to a photoshoot. We created some significant images and it opened the door to many opportunities. I learned early to be very selective of who I allow to photograph me. The photographer has to be very talented and you have to be careful of predators. (Excerp from Loud&Clear Issue No. 5 - Cover Feature and Interview).
Photography // Daniel Joe @dan.joephotos
Jewelry // Adam Fierro @adamfierrojewelry
Scarf // Loren Aragon of Towering Stone @toweringstone
SPECIAL S/O
2 Bailey Elora
Singer-Songwriter + Alt/Rock Band
3 Melissa Velasco
AUTHOR
“Hollywood High Chronicles”
4 Nicole Harned MODEL
5 Kristy Gronseth
COVER MODEL
Chipeta Trading Company
13 Chris Valdez
AUTHOR +
ENTREPRENEUR
“Love Yourself & Inspire Others”
50 Planet of the Tapes
DJ DIAMOND “THE ARTIST”
LL COOL J GEECHIE DAN
51 Jay M@dH@tter
FATHER + HIP HOP ARTIST + WRITER
52 Sedrick Montano
FATHER + BARBER + MODEL
+ ACTOR Known for:
“P-Valley”
“Better Call Saul”
“Breaking Bad”
“Prison Break”
SPECIAL FEATURE
6-10 RODRIGO TACTAQUIN // Actor + Model
Photos by Daniel Joe, Jewelry by Adam Fierro
DISTINGUISHED ARTIST
14 TONY EXUM, JR. // Saxophonist
LOUD&CLEAR
SPOTLIGHT
15-21 ERYN BENT // Model + Singer-Songwriter
Photos by SAMANTHA D’ANNA @samanthadannaphotography
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
22-23 BAILEY ELORA, BRIAN WISE, KANON LEBRON, JOELLE YANN, TENIA NELSON’S TNT, PARIS MAESE, THE TALKING HOURS, TERRYN SYDNEY ANDRE, SUITABLE MISS, ELVEEKTOR
10 SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
24-25 KINDA VAGUE... by Dave
NOTHING LEFT // Suitable Miss @suitablemissband
COME TO THE WATER // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
BOTTOMLESS ft. Elijah & Cousin Ben // Smiley Gatmouth @smileygatmouth
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT US // Paranoid Image @paranoidimageband
IN THIS PARADISE // Pilot Haus @thepilothaus
I’D RATHER DIE // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
IF ONLY YOU KNEW // Onyx In The Sky @onyxinthesky WHAT WILL WE DO // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
PERPETUAL STATE OF MEH // Thursday Marks Fall @thursdaymarksfall
LIDOCAINE // Pinetree Janitorial Services @pinetreejs
COVER FEATURE
26-37 KRISTY GRONSETH // Fashion Model
Interview by Melissa Velasco, Cover Photo by Cheyenne Sitdikova
Other photographers credited on images within interview. @EAT.TRAVEL.TYPE.COLORADO
38 THE STARS ON A MOONLESS NIGHT by Author Russ Ray
Photo by GEORGE SANDERS @makeitfunkynow taken at photography workshop by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney and JONNY EDWARD @jonnycreative. Styled by PAULINA G. WALTNEY and GEORGE SANDERS @makeitfunkynow
Distinguished Artist
TONY EXUM, JR. SAXOPHONIST
BOOKING
@tonyexumjr
https://tonyexumjr.com/
PAST PERFORMANCES
• Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest-Reading, PA
• Middle C- Charlotte, NC
• Roland’s Smooth Jazz Getaway-Melbourne, FL
• Chandler Center for the Arts-Chandler, AZ
• Jazz Legacy Gala-Hampton, VA
• San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival – San Diego, CA
• Winter Park Jazz Festival – Winter Park, CO
• Jazz, Funk R&B and Wine Festival – Prince George County, MD
• Jazz On The Creek Festival – San Diego, CA
• Atlanta Smooth Music Festival – Mableton, GA
• Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival – Sedona, AZ
• Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival w/Julian Vaughn – Catalina Island, CA
• Blues Alley – Washington, DC
• St James Live – Atlanta, GA
• Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA
• Yoshi’s – San Francisco, CA
• Humphreys Backstage Live – San Diego, CA
• Spaghettini’s – Seal Beach, CA
• Greenwood Cultural Center – Tulsa, OK
• Perfect Note, Birmingham – AL
• Soiled Dove Underground – Denver, CO
• House of Blues – Houston, TX
• Adams County Music Festival – Denver, CO
• Brown Theater (Wortham Center) – Houston, TX
• JW Marriott Desert Ridge Jazz Festival –Phoenix, AZ
• City Tavern w/Vandell Andrew – Dallas, TX
• Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill – Los Angeles, CA
Tony Exum Jr. is a talented contemporary jazz, R&B, and funk saxophonist, songwriter, and performer with a smooth and soulful sound. He gained international recognition in 2019 with the release of his single “My Name’s Tony,” which charted on the Smooth Jazz Network top 100 chart for 12 weeks. Tony has performed at various festivals and venues across the U.S., including the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, Winter Park Jazz Festival, Boscov’s Berks Jazz Festival, Stockton Jazz Festival and more.
In addition to his successful music career, Tony is also a radio host and a global brand ambassador for Kastell Vodka. He refers to his music as “Rhythm N Smooth,” a tag that highlights his flawless execution of the smooth saxophone with R&B influenced grooves and melodies. Tony’s catalog includes two critically acclaimed albums, “Finally” and “The One,” and 7 singles, including two Smooth Jazz Network top 100 charting singles “Brighter Days” and “Get At You.”
In 2022, Tony signed his first recording contract with Sony/The Orchard/BSE Recordings and released his 2022 single “Everything,” which reached #19 on the Urban Influencer R&B Soul Chart. His latest single “Hold My Hand” peaked at #8 on the Urban Influencer Radio Airplay Experts Smooth Jazz chart. He is currently booking for his 2024 tour with performances scheduled in North Carolina, South Carolina, Houston, Denver and Dallas to name a few. Follow Tony on social media platforms such as X ( @misterexumjr ), Instagram ( @texumjr ), Facebook ( Tony Exum Jr Music ), and TikTok ( @texumjr ), or visit his website at www.tonyexumjr.com to stay updated on his latest music and performances.
NOTEWORTHY
Performed with Gerald Albright, Marcus Anderson, Eric Merienthal, Jackiem Joyner, Eric Darius, Euge Groove, Najee, Nick Colionne, Julian Vaughn, Adam Hawley, Elan Trotman, Blake Aaron, Brian Lenair, Deon Yates, Phillip ‘Doc’ Martin and Paula Atherton. Opened for R&B artists The Delfonics, Denise Williams, Rose Royce, Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review and Jeffrey Osborne. Performed with Norman Connors, KeKe Wyatt, Sunshine Anderson, Kelly Price, Actor/Singer Leon, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Chi-Lites, The Manhattans, Miki Howard, Dave Hollister, Silk, Donell Jones, Aysha Webb and Gail Jhonson.
LOUD&CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY NEWS
by david r. navarro
BAILEY ELORA PERFORMS 6TH YEAR AT DENVER ART SOCIETY FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Denver, CO - Friday, August 2nd marked the 6th year that Bailey Elora has been performing at Denver Art Society. What a night for a great show. The room was full and crowd was singing along. Special Shoutout to Sonny Masicampo of Denver Art Society/Pilot Haus for the continued support and acknowlegments.
BRIAN WISE INDUCTED INTO COLORADO COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME ON AUGUST 25TH
Lochbuie, CO - A local singer and songwriter, Brian is an active member of the northern Colorado music scene, performing at local events throughout the eastern plains. At the end of August, Brian Wise was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Brian! We are very proud! Follow Brian Wise at: @brianpwise
KANON LEBRON DROPS NEW EP “WORTH THA WAIT”
Fort Collins, CO - Kanon Labron, Hip Hop Artist just dropped new EP “Worth Tha Wait” after stellar performance supporting Snow Tha Product at Mission Ball Room in Denver. “Worth Tha Wait” includes:
1) Tha Mountain Goat 2) 10 Speed (Werk That Body) 3) Contaminated Big ups to Jason Cave of Beat Hogs Music and DJ Lucky Luck. Follow: @kenonlebron
MODEL JOELLE YANN LANDS IN PARADISE FOR A SPECIAL FEATURE AND COVER OF MAXIM AUSTRAILIA
Santa Fe, NM - Model, Joelle Yann featrued in September issue of Maxim Australia for their Destination Maxim Special Feature. @parisraine @galleybayresort @19zero3_media @rockybatchelor @maridmua @oisinmcquinn @nuclear.com.au
www.maxim.com.au/archives/23044
PIANIST TENIA NELSON’S TNT RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “BLUES & ILLUSION”
Denver, CO - Accomplished pianist, releases new single “Blues & Illusion” with her jazz trio, TNT. The is an artist explosion of talent illustrated by TNT. “Blues & Illusions” is available on all streaming platforms now.
FASHION MODEL PARIS MAESE ATTENDS COCO ROCHA
MODELING CAMP IN NYC
Albuquerque, NM - Paris Maese, model spends a week at Coco Rocha Model Camp @cocorochamodelcamp in New York City. Paris Maese says, “Had such an amazing experience in New York at the Coco Rocha Model Camp! Coco Rocha taught a lot about the modeling business and tips for posing! Met some amazing people there!”
Glam Team: Makeup @jennyalvesartistry, Hair @carolynrosecina, Photographer @jeaniestehrphoto, Editorial team: @cocorochamodelcamp and #cocorochamodelcamp, @jeaniestehrphoto, @sophiakeefe.jpg, @carolinefissphotography, @cocorocha and @jamesedwardconran, Assistant team: @baconalyssa, @kellchristoff, @oliviabalise, @emmajuska and @zainebouazzani
BAILEY ELORA RELEASES THREE SINGLES IN AUGUST Denver, CO - Bailey Elora, singer-songwriter and female-fronted alternative rock band is releases three singles in August. Each song was recorded, mixed, and mastered by The Spot Studio’s Glenn Sawyer and Rich Veltrop. “What Will We Do”, “I’d Rather Die”, and “Come To The Water”.
Bailey Elora’s concert and music video viewing party for “Come To The Water is slated for Friday, Sept 27th, 2024 at Bar404 (404 N. Broadway, Denver, CO) @bar404broadway at 7:30 pm with an opening set by their good friends, Master Ferocious @masterferocious.
SUITABLE MISS RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “NOTHING LEFT”
Denver, CO - Pop-Punk/Metalcore band, Suitabale Miss releases new single “Nothing Left” with a tour on the horizon. For more information follow them at @suitablemissband and on their website at: https://suitablemissband.com
MODEL TERRYN SYDNEY ANDRE HELPS LAUNCH DANTE BISSGRAYSON’S SKY EAGLE COLLECTION
Santa Fe, NM - Terryn Sydney André models for Native-Osage-Veteran Dante Biss-Grayson’s brand, Sky Eagle Collection. Available now at: www.skyeaglecollection.com/shop @ skyeaglecollection
ROCK BAND THE TALKING HOURS RELEASE NEW ALBUM “TRANSMISSIONS TO MISSY” ON SEPT 20TH
Albuquerque, NM - Rock band, The Talking Hours releases album, “Transmissions To Missy” on vinyl at Launchpad in Albuquerque. Opening bands include: Shoulder Voices, L’Uomo Nero, and Gilead Rises.
NIGERIAN RAPPER, ELVEEKTOR CELEBRATES 5 YEARS OF B4DSONSHINE ALBUM
Nigeria, Africa - Elveektor, Nigerian Rapper celebrates the 5 year anniversary of his album, B4Saonahine.
10 SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
by Dave KINDA VAGUE...
NOTHING LEFT // Suitable Miss @suitablemissband
COME TO THE WATER // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
BOTTOMLESS ft. Elijah & Cousin Ben // Smiley Gatmouth @smileygatmouth
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT US // Paranoid Image @paranoidimageband
IN THIS PARADISE // Pilot Haus @thepilothaus
I’D RATHER DIE // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
IF ONLY YOU KNEW // Onyx In The Sky @onyxinthesky
WHAT WILL WE DO // Bailey Elora @baileyelora
PERPETUAL STATE OF MEH // Thursday Marks Fall @thursdaymarksfall
LIDOCAINE // Pinetree Janitorial Services @pinetreejs
Photo by HENRY BAT @henry_bat2
Hair by @velvetandlaceglamour
Makeup by @thetalieexperience
Styled by @jesswengermcp
Photo by GEORGE SANDERS @makeitfunkynow taken at photography workshop by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney and JONNY EDWARD @jonnycreative.
Styled by PAULINA G. WALTNEY
Photo by CHEYENNE SITDIKOVA
Kristy
Kristy Gonseth dedicates her life to her work as an Occupational Therapist. With an expansive heart, Kristy eases suffering, and strives to be a source of good in this world that she believes in without fail.
How does a woman make the leap from medical professional to model? On the surface, the answer is simple. Kristy is stunning. There’s more to this gorgeous woman, though. Kristy, like many of us, doubted her own self-worth. At a pivotal time in her life, Kristy put her doubts aside and took a leap of faith. What she discovered was a modeling industry packed with beauties, but none quite like her. Kristy is a unicorn. Over forty, with silver hair that’s ethereal, and a smile that could power Albuquerque, she is a standout.
“ I love when a designer puts me in wedding dresses instead of mother of the bride. When I’m on the stage, and women my age see me, they lose their minds, because they are represented. It brings so much joy to me that I’m representing women that haven’t felt represented.”
–Kristy
Gronseth, Fashion Model
@marley_domeck_luxury_media @wppievents @themiragelv
Styled by @jesswengermcp @unknown_fairygirl
Hair by @velvetandlaceglamour
Makeup by @abeautywalkwithtalie
An enigma, the best part about Kristy is that her success and beauty make her more approachable. Kristy is guaranteed to be the first to smile when you walk through the door. She’s never met a stranger, and you’ll always have someone in your corner with this exceptional creative. Being the woman who’s never met a stranger might seem exhausting, but not for this powerhouse well of never-ending heart-space.
Kristy is voraciously dedicated to the perfection of her craft. She takes every seminar, class, and opportunity she finds. A true student, Kristy strives to further her modeling abilities.
And, what a model she is. . .
Photo by MARLEY DOMECK
Kristy quickly climbed the ranks as one of the southwest’s top mature models. Within moral reason, Kristy enthusiastically plunges into projects with a sense of genuine expression - Goth, Elizabethan, Punk, Bridal, Formalwear - Kristy will tell you they’re all her favorite. Her belief that there’s room for all walks of life makes her the ideal model. In search of a punk rock Goddess? Look out because Kristy commands a runway with daring grit. Need a queen? Kristy channels her demure inner calm and stoically delivers.
Kristy’s career continues to flourish, as her inclusion in the 2024 Denver Fashion Week proves.
Denver Fashion Week is Colorado’s premier exhibit of fashion designers from around the country. Edgy, glamourous, cutting edge, and couture. . . it’s all displayed at this multiday runway extravaganza. Held at the Brighton, DFW prides itself on showcasing, “Creativity that knows no bounds.” Competition is stiff, with many hopefuls auditioning for a spot, but Kristy is a unique force in the modeling industry.
Chosen for the show, Kristy prepared to showcase the incredible work of designer My Generation, on May 14th 2024, in the “Streetwear and Sneakers” Runway Show. Yet again, Kristy surprised us all. Throwing a hang-loose sign, with a rock and roll smirk, Kristy strutted into a new era of her success.
by
You can’t lose when a model with heart, who truly believes in the talent and success of others, joins your team. Available for Commercial, Print, Editorial, and Runway, Kristy Gonseth can be reached for book outs at:
The Block Agencies “Chuy” Mark Block www.theblockagency.com
DMe Talent Agency, www.dmetalentagency.com
Kristy Gonseth: @kristysilver70
Melissa Velasco: You’re not the traditional seventeen-year-old model coming into the industry.
Kristy Gronseth: Absolutely.
Melissa: How did your modeling career come to be?
Kristy: I started looking into modeling when I was a teenager, in Carlsbad. Pageants were big in Carlsbad.
(Delighted laughter from Melissa)
And so, my mom took me to an agent. It was in the 80’s, during the time of Cindy Crawford, and all those beautiful people. The agent said, “You will never model. You have a nose like Ichabod Crane.” I was like, alright.
Melissa: There were narrow social concepts of beauty at the time.
Kristy: I just put it aside. I wasn’t crushed, or anything like that. I just thought, ‘Okay, I’ll never model, and that’s an okay thing.’ I’m a scholar. I’m an Occupational Therapist. I like science. I’m kind of a left-brain girl. I’ve always loved the arts. I love artsy people. That’s what I’m drawn too, but that’s not my bent, unfortunately. I think that’s why I’m drawn to it because I’m so the opposite. And so, fast forward many years later, I was in a very abusive relationship for many years, and I didn’t have any confidence in myself. I got out of my relationship, got healed, and um… felt better. Then I met my current husband, who’s incredible.
Melissa: He’s amazing.
Kristy: Yes. He would think I was gorgeous in a gunny sack. I started feeling confident. And I realized when I started feeling confident, people were drawn to my confidence. I’ve had people stop me on the street, and say, “Man, I don’t know what it is about you, but you’re just really cool.” I thought to myself, if I could reinvent myself, I’d love to be an example to both women and men that you’re not defined by your past, or what’s happened to you. You can move forward and be what you want to be. So, I saw friends of mine that were older posting pictures, and I thought, maybe this is a way to model. I have people stop me daily about the hair. . .
Photo
JOHN McSWEENEY @johnmcsweeney Designed by My Generation @_mygeneration Makeup by ALEX DALE @estellajanestyle
Melissa: Because it’s perfect.
Kristy: (Sweet laugh) Thank you. And, so, I asked my friend, Marisol Flores, how she got into this. She said she contacted these photographers and we just started taking pictures. She told me what trade for print was, and so I thought I’d give it a try. I told my husband that I thought about this many many years ago. I don’t know if it’ll go anywhere. He said, “Okay, if you want to try it, go for it.” So, how it started was me wanting to show that you can do anything you want to do. No matter what age you are, or what you’ve been through, you can try. If you aren’t good at it, just try something else. That was my one thing. My other thing is, I’m very passionate about young women. (Pauses.) I’m going to cry. I just don’t want them to sell themselves out.
Melissa: Absolutely.
Kristy: This world is a really dark place. You know, the modeling world can be dark. I want to be a light in this world and show young women that if that’s (darkness) not what you choose to do, you can still be successful. I’m not like, on the cover of Vogue. I don’t know many other 53-year-olds that are doing as much modeling as I’m doing. And, so, I feel like I’ve been able to stand my ground, with my morals, and still be respectful of other people, while showing them that there’s another way to do it.
Melissa: You took on my oldest, who’s now 18, Maddie Dawn, in as a mentee.
Kristy: I love her.
Melissa: She loves you dearly.
Kristy: I remember the exact day I met her. It was in a class for consumer product modeling. I fell in love with Maddie. I thought she was such a living doll. She had so much life and promise. She was so talented. She talked to an old lady, and I thought that was really nice.
Melissa: (Laughs.) She talked to someone she was comfortable with because Maddie is very intimidated by people her own age.
Kristy: I was so impressed with her. She was so comfortable with who she was. We had a face cleaner that she held up in front of her eye. I thought that was brilliant. Brilliant, you know? I was terrified in that class.
Melissa: She was as well. So, your goal of taking on young women and being a positive role model. . . It goes well beyond that because you took her on in the safest way. She came home and said, “Mom, if there’s ever an issue, I need your permission,” because she was underage at the
time. “I need your permission to put this woman’s number in my phone, because if you can’t get there, I know she’d show up.” I said absolutely.
Kristy: Absolutely. We’re a village.
Melissa: I was thrilled, because I now have a woman who’s in my corner.
Kristy: I think that’s my gratitude for what I’ve been through. I realize that I’m stronger than I ever thought. I want to be there for people. For me, it’s my faith. I feel like God makes me strong.
Melissa: Because you are religious?
Kristy: I am faithful. I don’t prefer ‘religious’ because religious people are dogmatic. I believe that my faith is The One, but I don’t stuff it down people’s throats. I believe that Jesus was a Christian who loved the unlovely. He didn’t hang out with
Photo by ELAINE GREEN @elainegreendotcom, Styled by @jesswengermcp and @unknown_fairygirl, Makeup by @abeautywalkwithtalie, Hair by @velvetandlaceglamour
hang out with the elite. That’s my kind of God. And so, I lead from that bend. I believe it’s a faith of choice and free will. I feel like my job is to love people well and to show them that they’re loveable, and the reason they’re loveable is that the ultimate person loves them more than anything in the world. And that’s all I have to do. I don’t have to convert them or show them the way. If they’re interested, I’ll talk with them. If they’re not, they can find it on their own.
Melissa: You do live it. You had a teen girl who walked into a room who you were nice to. She came home and said, “I met a friend.” I thought it was some teenager girl, but it was you. That’s what I love about this industry. We get close to people that we’d normally never be in the same circle with. Kristy: That’s what I love about it also.
I love what I do. And it’s not glamorous. People think it’s so glamorous. You get treated kind of like crap. You don’t get food and I’ll kind of feel like an object sometimes. What I love is the people. You know, that’s what I do every day. I take care of people in a hospital. I’m introduced to people in both my careers that I never would have met because my circles are different. How they’re expanding my heart is huge. And, how I feel honored that they invite me in, knowing who I am, that I’m a Christian, because that can be frightening for some. My job is to love people. That’s what I’ve been told to do. So, I feel very honored that people feel safe with me. I feel that’s a deep responsibility that I’ve been given, to hopefully represent the best I can.
Kristy Gronseth for Chipeta Trading Company. www.chipetatrading.com
Melissa: Being a model who’s in that forty plus range. . . My question for you is, what is different in the way you model than how somebody who’s twenty-one might approach the craft?
Kristy: Yeah. I think that my paradigm shift is that I get that I’m not for everybody. I feel like it’s honestly a gift to be modeling at this age instead of in my twenties, because I don’t care as much about rejection at this age.
Melissa: Amen.
Kristy: I care to do a good job. I care to offer a good product. I work my behind off when I’m modeling, so I don’t mean that I don’t care about the work. But, I like me. In my twenties, I didn’t. If someone else doesn’t like me, then that’s their loss. I hate to say that, but I have a lot to offer. I’m nice. I’m funny. I’m fun. I’m quirky. I like to roller skate. There’s a lot about me that they’re missing out on just because they look at me, and say, “Well, she’s old and I don’t want her.” Well, that’s their problem. You know? I also like to change the paradigm. It’s fun for me to show them that just because I’m fifty-three doesn’t mean you don’t put me in a wedding dress, right? I love when a designer puts me in wedding dresses instead of mother of the bride. When I’m on the stage, and women my age see me, they lose their minds, because they are represented. It brings so much joy to me that I’m representing women that haven’t felt represented.
Melissa: Yes, because fifty-three-year-old women get married. Kristy: Yes, I got married at forty. You know, you do get remarried, or you get married for the first time, or you renew your vows, and you don’t want to get married in a frumpy dress, right? And so, I love that. I love that I can change the paradigm.
Umm. Like, a photographer, Dallas, did a shoot with me in grunge, and it worked. It didn’t look weird. It looked pretty bad ass, actually. And so, I like to shift what their impression of a fifty-three-year-old is. I won’t pose super exposed, though.
Melissa: I feel like that’s not due to a lack of confidence though. Kristy: No, it’s more. . . In my world, it’s about values. I promised my husband and my children that they would never see all of mom out there. My body is my husband’s gift, not everybody’s gift.
Melissa: Absolutely. And at the same time, you have been very clear that you don’t judge others in their choices. That’s one of my favorite things about you. You’re very clear on your values, but you’re also very supportive of others, and in this industry, nudity, and a little bit of shock value is pretty common. I love that you politely stick to your guns. You’ve got clear boundaries, but you allow for other people to still be in your life who maybe have different values.
Kristy: The only time I would ever say anything to anybody is if they
profess to have the same values I do, and they’re doing something that goes against that.
Melissa: I love that you’re not judgmental, because this is a very hard industry.
Kristy: It is very hard, and I think that you feel very pressured to do some of that stuff to move forward.
I’d love to at least go part time in my other industry so I can model more. But it’s not as big of a risk for me because I have a great career that I’m really good at. And so, I feel like I’ve got. . . What’s the word I’m looking for? I’ve got a little more leverage in the risk value because if I’m not making money modeling, then I’m making money over here. You know? Whereas, if I was twenty, I’d feel like I’ve got to bend my morals.
Melissa: ‘I’ve got to make a paycheck’ is a hard reality for many models.
Kristy: But you don’t. You don’t have to bend your morals. It just depends on how you want to make that paycheck.
When you get older, you think, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that.’ But, that’s not my choice to make for them. We all make choices, and think, ‘That probably wasn’t my wisest thing I did, but I learned from it and moved forward.’
Melissa: Absolutely. So, there are certain things about this industry training that nobody expects. People don’t understand how exhausting a modeling shoot is. You leave a modeling shoot and every muscle hurts. What kind of training have you gone through and what is it required?
Kristy: Well, I first just started looking at other people’s pictures, and I’ve watched every season of America’s Next Top Model. I think there’s a lot of really good training on there. But, the best training I’ve gone to is the Coco Rocha Camp.
Melissa: Oh!
Kristy: If this is gonna be something that I take seriously, I have to do continuing education.
Melissa: Where is the camp?
Kristy: It’s in New York. Coco Rocha is a famous international model. She’s from Canada. She’s a former dancer. She’s been all over the world. She’s an amazing person. I went two years ago, and her camp is incredible. It’s three or four days.
Melissa: How does it work?
Kristy: Her whole deal is you will be kind. You will accept
each other. You will cheer each other on. This is an inclusive event. She serves real food. She wants you to eat. She’s not about eating disorders. She’s about you being you, and you love you for where you’re at.
Melissa: How many people attend?
Kristy: I think there’s around thirty to forty per class, and she’s done thousands of these.
Melissa: She takes everyone?
Kristy: All of them. It’s just incredible.
Melissa: It sounds appealing.
Kristy: It’s some of the best training I’ve ever received on so many levels. She discusses the business side, and what you should expect from your agent, how much money you should expect to make, what you should do for free, and why you need to do it for free.
Melissa: There’s a lot of volunteer work in the modeling industry. Kristy: Yes, and you’re not going to be paid for everything. What you do better be worth your time, because your time is not free. The thing I liked probably the most about her training is, she talked about posture. Not just sitting up, but your posture of who you are. I’m all about posture in modeling and life. That’s what I do.
Photo by RIC LEWIS @riclewisphotography, Styled by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney Makeup by KAYLA DOUGLAS @kayladouglasartistry
One of the most poignant sessions was our runway training. She splits the class, and we do runway while the other half watches, and then we switch. Halfway through, she’s asks, “What do you think I’m looking at?” Everyone guessed, the walk, or the cadence, of her posture. She’s says, “I’m looking at you guys sitting over there on your phone, or not paying attention, or sitting like you’re slumping and you don’t care. If you’re in a casting, you better look like you’re paying attention, and you better have your best posture. You better look confident. You better be nice to everyone.”
I appreciate Coco. She’s real people. She said that it’s OK for you to put boundaries up. And if you don’t get that job, you’re gonna get a different one, you know?
Melissa: Would you share about your experience preparing for your upcoming runway show for Denver Fashion Week?
Kristy: When I went to my audition in Denver last year for Denver fashion week, I was literally terrified. It was not like anything I’ve ever done before. You had to get in line to walk. You walked down, you stopped, you did your pose, you came back, and you walked again. Then you were told whether or not you’re going to designers’ choice.
There were hundreds of people there. I decided I wanted to do this first because watching what everybody else did would make me nervous. I walked down, did my pose, walked back, and all these people were like, “Get it, Queen!” They were
Makeup by ALEX DALE @estellajanestyle
so sweet, I was almost in tears doing my walk back. I just felt so much support from people that don’t even know me, because I think they realize how terrifying it is. It’s competition, but it’s also not, because we all know that we’re not all gonna get there, and it’s gonna be fine. I enjoyed the community side of it, you know?
The next step at Denver Fashion Week auditions was for the designers Choice. We were all standing in line.
Melissa: You were chosen in round one then? And, that’s when you get to go to designer Choice?
Kristy: Yes. Designers Choice is two weeks later. So, I had to come home and then go back to Denver. When you go back, you still don’t know if you’ll earn a spot. I mean, all this time and money is invested. So, you’re standing there. . . They’re playing this incredible music. They literally put you in huge lines of people and the designers just come up and down the lines and shop for the models they want. It’s the weirdest thing.
Melissa: They shop for humans? How did that feel?
Kristy: Yes, wild. It’s the craziest mind-blowing thing in the world. I wondered, ‘Do I make eye contact with them? Am I supposed to be inanimate? Am I supposed to show emotion? Am I supposed to smile?’ I don’t know, what to do, and I thought, ‘I’m just going to be me. If I got picked, great. If I don’t, that’s okay.’ I hoped that Madison would pick me. Madison is a local designer.
Melissa: When is Denver Fashion Week?
Kristy: It’s in September, and then it’s also in May.
During auditions, this young girl stood next to me. She’s a Greek goddess. She was gorgeous, and nobody picked her. You could just see her demeanor decline all day long. I was crushed for her. I felt really led to go talk to her. I put my hands on her shoulders, and said, “I know you don’t know me, but I really feel like I need to say this. This is one day of your entire life. It shall not define you. You are stunning and the only reason why I got picked is that I’m a Unicorn. You’ll get picked for wedding shows. You’ll get picked for people that want your beauty to be seen in their clothes.”
Melissa: That’s how the industry works. People must understand. There have been dancers and models who have come across my auditions, who we’re gorgeous, said all the right things, did all the right things, but it just didn’t work, and it wasn’t them. It was that I really needed somebody who’s a little less whatever, or little or more available with schedules. I know that people take it so personally. What did I do? How did I go wrong? You never know what’s in a casting director, or designer’s head. Kristy: Yeah. It’s been a unique experience that way.
Photo by JOHN McSWEENEY @johnmcsweeney Designed by My Generation @_mygeneration
Melissa: What has been the oddest thing you’ve been asked to do in your modeling career?
Kristy: What’s pushed me more than anything is Madison of Madvan Designs, because she is so outside of what I would normally wear or do. It’s fun to put myself in. . . This is what I love about modeling. . . I’m learning so much about just trying new things.
Madison literally had my hair in a pompadour, and I had pink pom poms along the line of my head, and pink pom-pom eyebrows. My face was painted white, and I had red lips. I had this wild pink dress on, with my boots that are really cool. I was like, “Here we go.” And, people went crazy. They loved it. It’s fun, you know? I think that’s the most ‘out there’ look I’ve ever done. I haven’t really done anything odd, per say. But that’s probably what pushed me most, as far as a look goes. That was fun for me.
I’m so ready to be so outside of who I am, and really play the part, because I can do that when I’m on a runway.
Melissa: I’m gonna tell you a secret that involves you, and change something in me. I didn’t know you well. My daughter got chosen for a runway show a couple of years back, the 505 locker Runway show. She walked for Prom dresses.
Kristy: I remember that.
Melissa: You were in the show, walked out, and I didn’t know you. I thought, ‘A model who’s in my age range.’ I was so excited! You were wearing a sports bra and a pair of leggings. I thought, ‘That is a woman who is confident in who she is. She’s wearing what she was assigned, and doing so with grace. I wouldn’t have been uncomfortable, but you were fantastic! You looked beautiful. I know what it feels like to not be 20 years old and to have to carefully choose fashion affording to societal ideas of age-appropriate fashion. You strutted out in those tennis shoes like they were a pair of stiletto heels. You owned that runway, and it gave me a confidence boost. It changes something in me, opened my eyes. I’m so hard on myself.
Kristy: Oh, we all are.
Melissa: I do that. . . Torture myself, but the reality is, I shouldn’t be twenty. I’m not, right? And I thought, ‘She looks absolutely beautiful.’ I quit questioning myself constantly because you offered an example that I so desperately needed. That day changed a very old habit in me that has really been hard. Selfdoubt and bad talk to myself had to end.
Kristy: I really feel that we are beautifully made. If you’re upright and working, you’re a miracle. I see a lot of people that aren’t. It’s a miracle that my patients get up to go to rehab, because it’s hard.
Melissa: You change people with your positivity.
303magazine’s Denver Fashion Week 2023 Designer MadVan @maddestmadicosplay www.madvandesign.com
Kristy: That means so much, because it’s literally the reason that I do what I do. It’s fun and I love wearing the clothes in my modeling career, but my whole mission in modeling, why I got into it, is to help people. I’m a changed person. I want people to see that if you decide to do the work, you can change too.
Melissa: You gave me permission to be comfortable in my own skin that I really battled. You’re doing the work that you set out to do because there’s a lot of people in modeling whose goal is to be seen and admired. There’s something really powerful in your goal of reaching people.
Kristy: I want people to be comfortable. I just LOVE people. I collect people. . . and dogs. (Laughs.)
Melissa: Were you uncomfortable when you were asked to wear the outfit that you were beautiful in? (Sports bra and leggings.)
Kristy: Yes. I’m still uncomfortable when I see the footage because I see my stomach. Nobody else sees it, but I see it.
Then I think, ‘That stomach allowed me to have three kids.’ I didn’t think I could have children, and it’s a miracle. When I get hard on myself, I remember that I don’t look bad. I’ve had three children. I’ve lost weight, and I’m not expected to have a washboard stomach. I know I look fine, and I love this body that God gave me. I work out hard and I feel so blessed for a body that can do this.
Melissa: Because you work with patients that can’t?
Kristy: They can’t even get out of bed. I feel like I’ve been given so many gifts that I can see gratitude in all moments. Do I struggle with self-image? Yes. But, does it define me, make me lose my mind, or not do things? No.
Melissa: You offer a great example. Women over forty have so much to offer.
Kristy: We’re all beautiful. I love the human body. All sizes, shapes, and people are beautiful.
Melissa: I am so excited for your Denver runway show! Were auditions this year different than last year?
Kristy: This year I just went to designer call because I was chosen last year. I was chosen. It was really tough this time. It was at the very end when I finally got chosen. You literally feel like meat because they don’t talk to you. They just walk by. I figured, I’m just going to be me and if me isn’t what they want, then that’s alright. It’s the beauty of being in the skin that I’m in right now.
Melissa: The reality of what I’ve found in this industry is that if you try to offer anything but what you are, during the pressure of the actual modeling gig you will crack. There is no façade that can survive the level of pressure, speed, emotions, and physical exertion that modeling requires. You must be yourself or you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Kristy: Agreed. I’m getting so much more from this experience than I’m giving. I feel like I’m being able to carve validation from the experience.
Melissa: You’re very unique. You’re very confident, and you offer something that’s out of the box in all the perfect ways. I was drawn to you because I get incredibly bored with the same old, same old. When I wrote my book series, I built characters that aren’t the norm. There’s a whole sea of people out there, and I chose the unicorns intentionally. Kristy: Isn’t that fun? I love our community. The other gift to me is that I’ve met people who are artists. I love that we all have different values, and that’s okay. We need all different wavelengths.
Melissa: Artists, by trade, aren’t supposed to fit in. It’s what puts us in a unique position to guide, open eyes, and have a perspective that we can present to the rest of the world. It’s a very lonely position because most people don’t think like we do. That’s part of the joy of finding your people, because it’s a very hard position to be in being an artist.
Kristy: I think being an artist is a higher existence. It’s a higher wave than some people are on.
Melissa: Thank you for spreading joy, and light, through beauty. You’re doing good work, and I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Bruce and Kristy Gronseth
Photo by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney
Photo by BRANDON LAMAR @brandonlamarphotography,
Styled by BRUCE GRONSETH, Hair & Makeup by KRISTY GRONSETH
Photo by CHARLETTE STARUP @charlottestarupphotography,
Styled by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney taken at the workshop
by PAULINA G. WALTNEY and JOHNNY EDWARD @jonnycreative in Las Vegas, NV.
Follow Author Russ Ray @eat.travel.type.colorado
THE STARS ON A MOONLESS NIGHT
by Author Russ Ray
When my first marriage started coming undone, a high school friend bundled me up and drove me to Houston. He thought I needed a break.
I said goodbye to my wife in our cabin on Sugarloaf Mountain in Colorado. I told her I wasn’t sure when I’d be back. She seemed disinterested. At first, there was a sense of relief. No more taking each other for granted. No more silly arguments.
We left too late in the day and only made it as far as a vintage motor inn in Amarillo. Fatigue and a freak Texas snowstorm forced us off of the road. The next morning, in the motel’s restaurant, we ate a plate of bacon and eggs mostly in silence. My friend was a man of few words. When we did speak, we spoke of her. Soon, the loneliness set in.
Houston didn’t cheer me up. My friend took me to Galveston and Austin. There was no relief. I missed her so much.
One night I looked up at the stars in the night sky and was comforted knowing she could see the same stars.
Years later, we spoke on the phone.
“Did you ever love me?”
“Yes,” I said. “I loved you very much.”
FEATURES Model
INDIE SPOTLIGHT
SUITABLE MISS is a Pop-Punk/Metalcore Band from Denver, Colorado. Sarah Perez - vocals // Andrew Elofson - guitar // Amanda Morin - guitar
Suitable Miss is a band from Denver, Colorado serving up an eclectic blend of nostalgic pop-punk melody, blistering metalcore intensity and radio pop sensibility. Like a “coming-of-age” movie about trying to find your place in the world, the band’s music is introspective, emotionally vulnerable, and full of unique energy.
Initially formed by vocalist Sarah Perez in late 2019, the band saw much of their early development during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. After releasing their debut EP “Don’t Look Back” in early 2021, the return of live music that summer skyrocketed the band to new heights with a sold out headline show in August of 2021 and multiple regional performances to end the year.
The band followed up their debut EP with the release of their of their first full length album “In Color” in May 2022. The album featured lead singles “Sunshine” featuring local friends Colony Collapse and “Forever” featuring Joshua Roberts of Magnolia Park. Extensive touring from coast to coast throughout 2022 and 2023 gained the band significant traction and massive opportunities. Opportunities like joining A Day to Remember, Jimmy Eat World, The Maine and more at KTCL 93.3’s Big Gig, hitting the road with Equal Vision Records artist, Calling All Captains, and providing local support for notable acts like From Ashes to New, Broadside, Driveways, and Young Culture.
Mgmt: erick.droegs@gmail.com
Father + hip hop artist +writer @city_built_music
