Sessilee Lopez: Fashion's Next It Girl

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Sessilee Lopez: Fashion's Next It Girl

Dominican and Portuguese model Sessilee Lopez, 20, graces the March cover of Latina. Inside, she opens up to contributing writer Michael A. Gonzales about her rocky journey into the predominately white fashion inner-circle. She also addresses the rumors linking her to rapper Kanye West and the skin condition that almost kept her from modeling. Take a look at Lopez's stunning fashion spread in Latina, and read more of her insights on life as one of the beautiful people.

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"Years ago, I used to be self-conscious," says Lopez. "But that doesn't work in this industry."
17 Comments

"I love her hair and skin tone. Many woman would die to have that tanning look. So young, and so full of opportunities to be one of the top grossing model that the fashion industry would ever have. She is a certified Reborn Babies."

20 years old??? Wow!! Amazing!! She looks mature and exotic..Beautiful.. It's very good if she will be a trendsetter reborn babies dolls
i love very beautiful regards, Rusli zainal sang visioner
Ugh, it frustrates me to read comments like that from cameraguy and mxld as a darker skinned Latina woman. The fashion industry is just as ignorant which is why on her model blog she categorizes herself as "African American". I dont think there are many folks casting for fashion shoots out there who are going to take the time to pay attention to her ethnic heritage, so she is forced to put herself into one of two boxes, "Black" or "White". When are us Latinos going to realize that being Hispanic isn't about race? We come in all shades of the rainbow, so embrace it and recognize its our shared culture that defines us. Sessilee Lopez is a beautiful example of a proud Afro-Latina, lets root for her and support her instead of trying to knock her down or reject her!
This is long overdue! Hopefully this isn't a one time deal. I also hope that Indians will also be recognized instead of ignored. And for those who don't want her on the cover because she is part African American, I bet you don't question any of the other mixed people who have graced the cover over the years. As long as they aren't mixed with black, right? And Portuguese is also a latin language. She's beautiful and the cover is gorgeous.
Lovley, the pelo is questionable but in high fashion edgy is in, he face and color are magnificent, it would be nice to see more curvas on her but then again she is a model that is "in" for all the young girls out there we need more women w/ curves around
Besides she's beautiful and I am happy to see her on the cover.
I'm sure she's never been to Africa either so she can't be a part of that culture either? So every race disowns her? That doesn't make any sense what-so-ever. If she is proud of her heritage, I salute her for claiming it! "Viva La Lopez" is her fans' mantra and I love it! She is what she is.
I think this article is quite hilarious. Dominican and Portuguese? I guess they just happened to overlook the fact that she is also African American, as it so clearly states on her website. I wonder if I can get on the cover of Cherokee Magazine being that my great grandmother was half cherokee. LOL
What! She doesn't speak Spanish. My Dominican parents made sure I spoke Spanish. It just doesn't seem right. And she's never been to the island. Hmmm...I think she's just an American chic with Caribbean and European parents. Yeah, this is a stretch. I mean what about the colloquialism of her "Dominican" heritage. I'm sorry...doesn't speak Spanish, hasn't been to the island. Can be that Dominican. She can't even talk to her cousins on the island. Yeah, I know this is gonna piss some of you off but if you don't know your heritage then you can't really be part of it. And part of that heritage is the language and the island. This one is a stretch.
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