JHANELLE CASTILLO BY SHAMAYIM

MODEL: JHANELLE CASTILLO

PHOTOGRAPHER: SHAMAYIM

STYLIST: RAYTELL BRIDGES

Jhanelle Castillo in Gillette Advertisement for December '13 GQ, DETAILS, Vogue & Glamour Magazines

Photographer: Liz Von Hoene

Stylist: Andreas Kokkino

Model: Jhanelle Castillo

JHANELLE CASTILLO IN TARGET FALL 2013 CAMPAIGN (BILLBOARD)

IMAGES COURTESY OF: ROB KALMBACH

http://robkalmbach.com

TARGET FALL 2013 CAMPAIGN

PHOTOGRAPHER: LIZ VON HOENE 

http://stocklandmartel.com/vonhoene

MODEL: JHANELLE CASTILLO @MAJOR MODELS NY

http://majormodel.com/details.aspx?nav=10&pg=5&modelid=569270&subid=3961&mainsubid=3961&a=66

JHANELLE CASTILLO IN DISTINCT HOMME MAGAZINE, F/W '13

DISTINCT HOMME MAGAZINE

FALL/WINTER 2013 Issue

'Venice Custom'

Photography: David Harry Stewart

Fashion Stylist: Amy Mach

Lead Asst. Stylist: Aiden Styles

Stylist Asst: Andrea Sagun

Tattoo Illustrations: Brittany Thurston

Grooming: Willie Kelley, Jr.

JHANELLE CASTILLO//LOVER NOT A FIGHTER

VIDEO BY: DAVID H. STEWART

MODEL: JHANELLE CASTILLO

JHANELLE CASTILLO FOR FACTICE MAGAZINE (FRANCE) #19 JUNE/JULY '13

Publication: Factice Magazine (France) 

Issue: #19 Warm Alert (June/July 2013)

Editorial: 'Los Angeles Fever'

Models: Jhanelle Castillo (Wilhelmina LA & Major Models)

Julia Lescova (Wilhelmina LA)

Lina Jornea (Hollywood Model Management)

Photographer: Benjo Arwas

Stylist: Amy Mach

Asst. Stylist: Aiden Styles

Hair: Carina Tafulu

BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

Film by: Ziyan Zhang

FACTICE #19 - LOS ANGELES FOREVER By Benjo Arwas from Benjo Arwas on Vimeo.

MY RIDE OR DIE GIRL...

I'm not a religious person. I can't say that I'm a spiritual person either. I don't know if there is an after life or an omnipresent deity up-above. I just don't know. However, I do believe in angels. Supernatural beings that watch over us that are completely selfless and full of love.

Due to a series of stressful events in my life my body couldn't take it anymore. I started loosing my hair. It began as a small bald spot on the side of my head and it quickly escalated into a head populated by bald spots (of all shapes and sizes). This part of my life was the most important and difficult chapter of my life. A chapter where I got to know myself more intimetly. After going to a dermatologist, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Alopecia Areata.' Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system attacks hair follicles, which is where hair-growth begins. It's crazy how our bodies cope with stress, huh? 

Can you imagine a model with a head full of bald spots? I didn't think so. I decided to completely shave my head to mask the spots. Although I still continued to book modeling jobs, my self-esteem was at an all time low. Confidence is the most important characteristic that a model must posses and during this period of my life, my confidence levels were virtually nonexistent. Therefore, I decided to take a sabbatical from modeling and the fashion industry. A break to re-evaluate my life. I left my modeling agency and literally went on hiatus from the world. 

If I was stressed out prior to developing alopecia, imagine how my stress levels skyrocketed after loosing my hair. My dermatologist told me that the best thing to fight alopecia other than cortisone injection shot treatment was "relaxing." Easier said than done, right? Well lucky for me, I had an angel that made this journey easier. 

They say that one of the best medicines is laughter, I absolutely agree. My girlfriend made me see life from a different perspective. She always made me look at the "bright side" of things and never let me give up on my dreams and aspirations. She has this care-free mentality that is admirable. I was not as care-free as she was. I like to have structure in my life. I always need a plan, so every single day that went by I started searching for jobs in my field of study, political science. I figured that I had a bachelors degree so might as well put it to use again but my girlfriend never let me. She was my biggest cheerleader! According to her, this industry was not ready to let go of Jhanelle Castillo, lol. 

My girlfriend would go out of her way to make sure that I was always smiling. I was the grumpiest guy during this time of my life, looking back I don't know how she put up with me. I would occasionally wonder if she was still physically attracted to me. It was a stupid thing to wonder because she couldn't keep her hands off of me, lol. I don't know if it was my shaved head she was attracted to or the fact that my head looked like a cheetah or a dalmatian when it would grow out. She loves dogs and my head seriously looked like a dalmatian print hahaha. Our relationship got even stronger during this period. We had more time to spend together, I swear all we did was laugh and love each other. Ahhhhh, the power of love!

After twelve months of cortisone injection shot treatment and being exposed to my girlfriends care-free lifestyle my hair and stress levels improved. My hair was probably 80% back and my girlfriend convinced me to get back into modeling. I still had several bald spots and I was not mentally ready to get back into the most superficial industry: modeling. Thanks to a crazy/ingenious idea by my girlfriend I gave modeling a second chance. She introduced me to EYE SHADOW. She would apply Bobbi Brown eye shadow on my bald spots and they would "disappear" in seconds. Her idea was brilliant. She motivated me to start shopping for modeling agencies. 

I'll never forget the day I had my appointment with Major Model Management (One of the top modeling agencies in the world). I was extremely nervous that the agents at Major would be able to notice my alopecia. I woke up super early in the morning, worked out, took a shower and crossed my fingers that this make-up thing would work. I went to my appointment and had an instant chemistry with the entire board. They offered me a contract on the spot and even started sending me out to clients the same day. 

My girlfriend has been my guardian angel. She has watched over me and lifted me up when I've been down. She would wake up early every morning to apply make-up on my head before all my castings. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be in this industry today. Thank you Nina for being the best girlfriend/best-friend/guardian angel I could ever ask for.  I can never thank you enough for everything you and your family has always done for me. I love you. 

I am not religious or spiritual but I think that if there is a god and a heaven... god has a special place for you and your family. 

This was my first alopecia spot. 

I had no idea my head would soon be covered by spots, lol. We were too busy having fun & loving each other.

On our way to Nina's college graduation! Buzzed my head short to hide the spots... but they were still visible. 

With the new grad!

Shaved my head completely, totally felt like Vin Diesel, lol.

 With my beautiful girl! Always have a smile on my face when I'm with her!

I'm part WALRUS :-)

I'M ALL GOOD NOW! NO MORE ALOPECIA :-)

The first time I got TeaBagged

Jhanelle Castillo by Sean Watters

If you are familiar with the modeling industry, chances are you have heard the name. If you have not heard his name before, you've definitely seen his work at some point.... and if you have not: then let me introduce you to Sean Watters. His work has been featured in countless editorial publications from around the globe and has an awesome blog that has amassed thousands of followers world-wide. Sean is unlike any other photographer I have ever worked with. He loves to push the envelope and makes you explore what's out of your comfort zone. When you shoot with him you have to trust his vision. He is an artist. Never F**k with an artist's vision! When you are in front of his lens just know that he is going to create something unforgettable. This shoot was truly memorable to say the least, lol. He opened an entire box of tea, spritz my entire body with water and opened every tea bag... and poured them all over my body... EVERYWHERE, when I say everywhere... I mean EVERYWHERE. I had tea particles in every crevice of my body, for days (Yes, I took multiple showers... Couldn't get rid of that Sh*T). I'm glad I never questioned Sean's vision. The end result was sick! -Sean thank you for ALWAYS pushing me to give you something different. You have believed in me since day one. You are one of my closest friends & my favorite 'MOVIE BUDDY.' I luv ya homie! Keep doin' your thing! I owe you a box of tea.

Credits:

Jhanelle Castillo @Major

Photograby: Sean Watters

XEX Magazine Does the Harlem Shake

Jhanelle Castillo does the Harlem Shake for XEX Magazine

The best part about modeling is that every job is different. It is definitely one of the least monotonous jobs that you could ever have, well that and being a zoologist, hahaha. I had the pleasure to be casted for XEX Magazine's Harlem Shake Video. Seriously, this was probably the most fun I have ever had on a job! Thanks Sailey Williams & crew for a fun packed day! 

Credits:

Sailey Williams (Art Director)

Adolphus Amissah (Tech & Video Editor)

Andrew Strasser

Brian McClellen

Carlos Fernandez

Cherie Lily

Curtis Ryan

Darren Graham

Inoisell Miranda (Fashion Editor)

Jamarcus P. 

Jhanelle Castillo

Juan Soto

Kristen Davis

Melissa Davis

Omar Valdez

Wisco

50 Shades of BROWN

50 shades of brown? I know, I know... "how unoriginal, right?" That was my horrible attempt at a joke at the expense of the '50 Shades of Grey' phenomenon lol. My good friend Daniel D'Ottavio wanted to capture the spirit of love and seduction: without being so literal. The tricky part about photographing half naked couples is finding that equilibrium between seduction and imagination. These type of photo-shoots can easily turn out raunchy. Lucky for me, my girlfriend's dad A.K.A. my second dad loved the portraits. I know this because he allowed me live another day, lol. He is a man of few words and I like to live so his opinion mattered most, lol. My modeling agency loved the shots too! Daniel D'Ottavio is an amazing photographer, he really knows how to capture that 'special moment.' Thanks Daniel for the beautiful pictures. On another note, how beautiful is Nina? Ahhhhhh... She takes my breath away (Cheesy but true... so true).

Credits:
Nina Daniele @The Lions NY
Jhanelle Castillo @Major Models
Photography: Daniel D'Ottavio

Jhanelle Castillo & Adrienne Bailon for Cosmopolitan for Latina's, Spring/Summer 2013 Issue

I'm the oldest of three sisters. As an older brother I did anything to entertain my little sisters... yes, I even played with Barbie's (But in my defense I used my WWF wrestlers and not Ken, LOL). So growing up my sisters were into the Disney show 'Cheetah Girls.' When I got the call from my agent, that I was shooting with Adrienne Bailon I knew how jealous my sisters would be hahahaha. The shoot was full of energy! I did not feel like I was working... it was that much fun! We shot in Harlem, NY... an area full of life, culture and amazing Latin & Soul food! -Check out the 'Behind the scene's video!'

Thanks to Cosmo for Latina's for being an awesome crew!

Credits:
Jhanelle Castillo @Major Models
Adrienne Bailon (actress/singer)
Photography by Todd Marshard

Enyce Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign

Jhanelle Castillo for Enyce, Spring/summer 2013 Campaign

Enyce is an American Hip-Hop fashion label owned by Sean Diddy Combs, A.K.A. Puff Daddy, A.K.A. Diddy, lol. Enyce is one of two fashion lines owned by Sean Diddy Combs, the other being Sean John. The crew was cool, I mean they work for Diddy so I guess they all have to be cool, right? Hahahaha. When I was shooting this campaign I couldn't help but remember of the Dave Chappelle skit of "P.Diddy... Making the Band." Enjoy the video, lol.

Credits:

Jhanelle Castillo @Major Models

Scott Buker @Red Citizen