Jessica Rodriguez (right) and daughter Breanna
Remember former talent manager-actress Jessica Rodriguez and husband-athlete David Bunevacz?
The US-based couple has a 14-year-old daughter named Breanna, who is an equestrienne and a model.
Breanna and her mom are part of the ongoing reality TV tilt, “Making a Model With Yolanda Hadid” (Lifetime, Mondays, 8:30 p.m.). They, and other moms and daughters, are mentored by Yolanda, an ex-model herself and mother to supermodels, Bella and Gigi Hadid.
The eventual winner of the eight-episode contest will be represented by the management firm IMG, which Jessica described as “the biggest modeling agency in the US.”
After placing fifth in an equestrienne competition last weekend, Breanna acknowledged that her life is at the mercy of powerful horses, hence her respect for them.
“I’ve always loved animals, horses especially,” Breanna told the Inquirer in a video chat via Facebook Messenger. She was relaxing after the event, reclined beside her mom at their Los Angeles home.
Breanna Bunevacz —INSTAGRAM
Excerpts from our chat with Breanna (B) and Jessica (J):
How did you get a spot in the show, and how did it affect you?
B: I was scouted on Instagram. They messaged me, and we e-mailed back and forth. I’m really excited. It’s going to [offer] a lot of opportunities. [Being with my mom] felt good. It was a little stressful, but I feel I was able to bond with her. I saw different sides of her and we became closer.
J: My first love before show biz is modeling. But show biz is a big part of me, [even if] I think I was too tall for it. I got excited when she was picked. It was a dream come true. It’s like God gave it to us. Before, we only had 50 followers [on Breanna’s Instagram]. Now, it’s 12,900. I realized, “This is real!”
How did David feel about Breanna getting interested in modeling?
J: At first, he didn’t want Breanna to be in the business. She was doing so well as an equestrienne. But she’s very good. She’s able to do both and still do well in school.
Breanna, what do your celebrity parents teach you about work?
B: They teach me a lot about balance—school, horseback riding and all that … I learn whatever I can.
J: She has to have fun for her to love something.
How would you describe Yolanda’s personality?
B: She’s like her (Jessica). She’s a mom who had to raise her girls. She’s kind.
In what ways did joining the show change you?
B: I’m more confident. Everyone’s saying, “Whoa, you’re different!” I’ll start a YouTube channel soon.
J: Oh, I’m so proud of her. It’s very hard for a teenager [to do all these]. She started modeling at 13. She wants to do so many things.
What does the show teach aspiring models?
B: Thinking of ideas, what to do with your body… how much hard work modeling takes.
J: Teens are awkward with their bodies. In the show, [the mentors] teach positioning, how to look at the camera, and how to go to meetings by yourself. Yolanda’s big about independence.
Do you have plans to visit the Philippines and do modeling work?
B: I think so, [eventually]. I’m just super busy—I’m going to a new school and [have become busier with] modeling.