New Jersey--home of our model search winner Joli Robinson. Oh yeah, it's also known for Atlantic City, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. As we sat down for the interview, she asked me to wait a few seconds while she wrapped up a text message to her friends--10 minutes and a failed text send that ended with a "motha fucke," later, we started our little convo. Needless to say, the movie-like representation of the Jersey attitude came out right from the get-go.
She's the daughter of a print model and a G.I. She's only 19, but she's got the determination and drive of a person years older. She definitely knows what she wants and there's something telling me--internships at Arista and Esprit, an upcoming cable show and a start-up modeling career--that her goal of a BFA from Rutgers University is attainable. She's one of the nicest--nevermind hottest--chicks I've met of late. The stuff she's got up top (think higher guys) might make some a little insecure, but that quality just helps weed out the suckers. But keep your guard up...she just might kick your ass if you cross her. Remember, she's from Jersey.
2NR: So, you had a 6 hour flight?
JR: Yeah.
2NR: And that's all you brought? (glancing at a couple bags) You travel light!
JR: Well, I'm actually packing heavy. I didn't know what you guys wanted for the shoot. I would have just brought a couple pairs of jeans and T-shirts.
2NR: And those beat up Timberlands! You look like a kick-back, dress-down kind of person. What do you like to wear when chillin?
JR: White wife-beaters. They're the cheapest thing in the world and go with anything.
2NR: You're a little rugged.
JR: (laughs) That Jersey mentality. Well, you were making fun of my hiking boots earlier. We got a lot of potholes! My boots are like 5 years old.
2NR: I think them's fightin' boots.
JR: Yeah. (looks at them and amusingly laughs to herself)
2NR: You do a little street boxing? (starts to laugh more) It's cause you got a little attitude. You could bust a little verbal abuse--as you did to me a little earlier,
JR: Yeah. I'm not too scared of you. I could definitely hold my own. (glances out the window) I could take on the art director. Well, actually he's nice. He'd probably take a few punches.
2NR: I don't know. He was watching a DVD earlier about bar fights...he'd forget you were a chick and just let you have it.
JR: Well, he'll be the lucky one.
2NR: Let's get to it. What's your turn-ons about a guy?
JR: I don't like a guy that's too tall; 6 ft is too tall.
2NR: You're 5 ft 8 in.. If you get a guy your height, the second you pop on some heels he'll be known as the short guy with the hot girl.
JR: Well, maybe someone that's about 5 ft 11 in.
2NR: (I'm 5 ft 11 in.) Really? (I stand up to stretch my legs.) Are you more physically attracted or mentally attracted to a person? What really sticks?
JR: Humor and confidence. Great personality, really great body, great eyes. Asians have really nice eyes. You know, I can read a person's eyes.
2NR: (At that, I stopped staring at her and turned away. I mumbled to myself...) I really didn't mean what my eyes just said.
JR: Huh?
2NR: Nothing. Let's move on to personality.
JR: I like a down-to-earth type of guy. Someone who's ambitious but doesn't get stressed out about doing nothing--a person who can just chill at the park or at the beach and not be neurotic. He doesn't have to super gorgeous. I'm not known for dating a lot of model types.
2NR: So, he doesn't have to be cute?
JR: Well no.
2NR: Oh.
JR: I don't want him to be NOT cute, just a guy who really takes care of himself. Ooo, dark hair, I like dark hair. In case you didn't know, I like Asian guys.
2NR: A guy like a Chris Judd?
JR: He's a little light. I like darker skin.
2NR: What's your idea of a perfect date?
JR: I've done the whole dinner and a show thing, and it wasn't something life changing. It'd have to be something where conversation took a huge part of it. He would have to say things, talk about things that would be intriguing. He couldn't just talk about me.
2NR: Any turn-offs?
JR: People that talk too much shit. Especially chicks. I kinda don't like small talk too much. It's one of my pet peeves. I don't want to waste too much time. It's sounds bad, but I just don't like the games. Games are stupid. If you're gonna get along with me, it's gonna happen from the first day.
2NR: What could a person do to piss you off?
JR: Being two-faced with me pisses me off. If you show up and are nice to me, then later on talk shit about me, then come back and be nice to me...oooo...it's on. It is ON. Watch out for the right hook.
2NR: Lucky for me I live way on the West Coast so I guess you can't come after me.
JR: My brother lives out here. He's 6 ft 2 in. Watch it!
2NR: I could take him.
JR: Yeah, right.
2NR: Take him out to lunch. Hmmm, food. What do you like to eat in the modeling off season?
JR: I'm really big on Asian food, like dim sum, Korean, Japanese; I'm big on prime rib.
2NR: Prime rib is not Asian.
JR: I like a 24-oz steak. Mmmm. There's this place in Hoboken where I ate one. Only me and this one other guy did it. I have a fast metabolism. I can eat.
2NR: Metabolism? That's a lot of meat. I think you might have a man's stomach. Any piercings? Maybe a tattoo of a goldfish, a leprechaun, or something? (she reaches for her ears) Uh, ears don't count.
JR: I don't want any holes in my body. Although, I would like to have a phoenix on my lower back; maybe a really different looking dragon.
2NR: What's something you do that you gotta stop.
JR: Like crack? I'm getting over it. Uh, no. I'm really impatient. I'm really gung-ho about things. I really want to do more than what I'm given. Now that I'm doing a lot of things this year, I'm more satisfied. I'm a little bit of a control freak. I just like seeing things getting done.
2NR: What are you known for?
JR: I'm really goofy. And when I'm online I'm notorious for my confusing gibberish. I have to decipher what I'm saying for anyone I'm talking to. I'm an ADD girl. I jump from subject to subject.
JR: What makes "Joli Robinson" special?
2NR: I don't know. I guess compared to most girls my age who party, I could say I have more focus. I don't want to say I have a better work ethic, but I'm taking a chance with things beyond school. Modeling is a connection that helps me get to places within the entertainment industry--modeling, acting, fashion, even behind the scenes like managing.
2NR: Unless you get punched in the face and get mangled, I don't think you're gonna be a "behind-the-camera" person.
JR: With modeling, being in front of the camera doesn't leave you with much control.
2NR: Do you like being bitchy?
JR: (in a sad tone) It's not bitchy; do you think I'm bitchy?
2NR: (Damn, I feel bad. I'm backpedaling now.) No...
JR: I like getting things done. I like to have things move along. If I had a small position someplace I'd obviously do it, but I'd feel like...awwww, damn. I could do more. A lot of people walk through life and kind of go with the flow.
2NR: You'd be the person in the rowboat with all the paddles and the megaphone yelling "go!"
JR: And everyone would be looking at me saying, "Give us some paddles."
2NR: How long have you been out in "Joizee?"
JR: Oh "Jersey".(whoa! dissed) Since I was 8. All my friends are all out there. That's where I got started in the scene. I kicked with race crews. Alpha in Piscataway, and since all the Filipinos know each other.
2NR: So, you hang out with Filipinos? Did you know I'm Filipino?
JR: (with a smile, she cuts me off) Different areas of Jersey get really segregated--not in a bad way--but you'll find huge groups of Filipinos in one town. There's a lot of crews out there, like Revtech 2 from New York.
2NR: You're into the cars.
JR: Not really the mechanics of them, but cars are definitely cool.
2NR: I know you've said you wanted to own some 250 bazillion-dollar fuck-off type car.
JR: That's only if I had all the money in the world! Realistically, I'd like to own a '94-97 Supra. You could still get one for like $15-20k without putting work into it. But living in Jersey you don't really need a car. We got that "metro" thing going. The train station is 10 minutes from my house and I work in the city. City parking sucks and you'll drop $35 each time you go.
2NR: That's why I can't live on the East Coast. You can't drive--and the fact that a square mile has enough people to fill a friggin stadium. You're going to school?
JR: Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers. I'm going for my BFA. Bachelors of Fine Arts.
2NR: You're an artsy girl?
JR: Not in the stereotypical sense, but I'm into painting, sculpting. Fine arts is not for me. I want something media related. Visual effects. Graphic design.
2NR: Besides ashtrays, ceramic vases, rattan baskets, etc., have you made anything?
JR: You mean besides the paperweights? I worked with companies to do murals, 3-D projects for kids. I'm actually really, really into graffiti. I haven't actually done a piece in two years, but I have sketchbooks.
2NR: What's your style?
JR: I'm kind all over the place--not really into the crazy bubble-look, not really wildstyle--you'll just have to see it.
2NR: Interesting. You know, since you got this art thing going, Erik, 2NR's art director, and I decided you could replace our friend Kevin here at Primedia. We really don't care if you suck, we just know you'd be more fun to look at.
JR: Awww. OK.
2NR: Glad to see you're not the raver girl.
JR: No. I'm very much into Hip Hop.
2NR: Do you have a favorite artist?
JR: I'm a huge 'Pac fan. Biggie. Nas. Tribe. Em.
2NR: Kinda deep. You're into artists who are lyrics driven, but are lucky to have good producers.
JR: Matter of fact, that Filipino kid I was just talking to before we started the interview--Buddahkai--you'll definitely hear stuff from him.
2NR: Hopefully, he doesn't just get signed then hidden within the crew like Jin tha MC did in Ruff Ryders. Stereotypically, Filipinos are more popular in the scene for their singing.
JR: True. They've got so much musical background, but the (Buddahkai) style is not like Jin's.
2NR: You seem to take a little pride in your Asian side.
JR: I do. It's not to discredit my Caucasian side, but I'm intrigued by it. I don't speak a lot of Chinese.
2NR: I'm sure you cuss well. Upcoming projects?
JR: I'm working with a TV network called World Asia. When it comes out it'll be like an Asian BET. I was in San Diego for the Asian American Film Festival.
2NR: Feel good for people to recognize your potential?
JR: When someone you've never met comes up to you and gives you a complement it feels amazing. I used to be incredibly shy. The first couple of shows in the import scene helped me to come out and do regular modeling in the city and higher fashion stuff. I did some runway modeling for about a year when I was 15, left, and then came back at 18. I really wasn't pursuing modeling, but I had a friend who referred me to an agency and I got a couple jobs. I have the Asian mom saying "you have to do good in school," but I was more into the arts.
2NR: If you really want to piss of your parents tell them you want a career in the arts.
JR: Yeah. My mom almost had a heart attack. She's like, "Honey you should really go into pharmacy if you're going to Rutgers.".
JR: My dad was really supportive, though. My mom actually wanted me to model. She was a print model when she was in Europe.
2NR: About the Import Tuner Model Search. How did it feel being chosen over tons and tons of other aspiring models?
JR: I was going to do this mass-marketing thing and have a whole bunch of my friends vote for me. Before I made the call, my friend told me they had already closed voting and picked a winner and I was like, "aw crap." Then a guy with an accent calls me and I thought it was a joke. I was like, "Who is this guy with the Aussie accent?" He said he was calling from Import Tuner. Yeah, right. It's gotta be a joke. You guys really took care of me. Flew me out. Put me up in a nice hotel and everything.
2NR: What do you think about the war with Iraq?
JR: It's so complex. I have a couple friends and ex-boyfriend out there right now. He took a semester off right before the war started and was sent out rather quickly. It's a little unsettling. It sucks that we have to go out there, but if I were one of the people screwed over there in Iraq, I'd want someone to fuck up Saddam, too.
I wiped the tear from my eye as we joked our way to the end of the interview. I lifted my 5-ft 1-in. Filipino frame and not too un-cute face from the leather sofa. I pushed back my black hair and adjusted my glasses around my Asian eyes, took a step toward her and stuck out my hand. She put her hand in mine and I got a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek. As she walked out the Ok, so it didn't happen quite like that. We just said "late" and waved to each other as she stomped off in her 5-year-old Tims. As she walked off, I yelled out, "I'll call you if I have any unanswered shit." Without even turning around she held up to fingers--you pick the two--and replied "Sure, whatever. E-mail me from my Web site." Damn, I love that Jersey Girl.
Model: Joli Robinson
Age: 19
Height: 5 ft 8 in.
Weight: 120 lb DOB: 5-24-83
Sign: Gemini; Boar
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Nationality: Chinese/Caucasian
Measurements: 34B/25/36
Turn-ons: Down-to-earth personalities, humor,confidence, great body, eyes, dark skin
Turn-offs: Two-faced back-stabbers
Sports: b-ball, football, boxing, breakdancing
Ambitions: To work in the music industry
Drop-a-line: www.joli-R.com
Shouts: Big up to God. My family. My brother out in Cali, Team Alpha Sparten, Victor, Buddha Kai Smoke, Smoke the Legend, Eddie and Armie from New Image, Jaryd, Fred, Allied Forces Ent., Mike Tsang Workld Asia, Tim Owens, Jonas, everyone in Edison and at Rutgers, China Knight 8, Anthony, Seth K., Ewok and all my girls.