Spotlight Model: Shelly Rio

Meet Ms Shelly Rio

Shelly Rio, whom was born Michelle Corbin, is the only child on her mother's side. Her mom passed away when she was 3 and she never met her dad. She had a modest upbringing, raised in various foster homes and in group homes. She knew what it was to survive. Shelly has always known since a little girl she wanted to model, but couldn't until she was out of the system. Once turned 19 and on her own she started making her own family and had her first son. Holding a number of jobs before pursuing her modeling career, Shelly worked as a waitress for 4 years. It was however, a customer that approached her and said you should be a model that Shelly decided it was now or never.

Shelly found a great photographer, took some pictures, and got an agent. From there everything took off. Originally from NJ, Shelly decided to move to Los Angeles to explore more opportunities. Rio has worked with some of the hottest video directors like Chris Robinson, Hype Williams, and Brian Barber. Just to name a few...
You've seen her in:
Ludacris f Chris Brown "What Dem Girls Like" •• Colby O'Donis "What You Got" •• Lil Wayne "Lollipop"
•• Lupe Fiasco "Superstar" •• 50 Cent "Amusement Park" •• Jay Z "Excuse Me Again" (La La La)
Ms. Rio has graced the pages of the hottest urban magazines XXL, BlackMen, King, and also graced the covers of King and BlackMen Magazine.
Rio is most recognized from Nick Cannon's #1 hit show, MTV's Wild n' Out as one of the most featured Wild n Out Girls'. She also filmed 2 independent movies that went straight to dvd, "Decisions" & "Vegas Vampires." Ms. Rio was also voted #5 on the countdown by E! entertainments, Hollywood's 12 Sexiest Jobs for being a video vixen and a Wild n' Out girl!
What’s next for Rio? She is in the 09′ campaign as the face for Atomic Dogg energy drink, and the face for Bacardi Gold, and she is currently writing a book about her life.. Rio is also the newest addition on The Claudia Jordan & Friends Satellite Radio Show that airs on Monday nights on The Foxxhole.

Currently, Shelly Rio is starting her own non-profit organization for foster kids, group home kids, & single moms to help them with funding when they turn 18. These programs will include helping the young adults transition living out in the real world when they move on their own. (ie: helping them get an apartment, teaching them how to budget their money, funding for college or job training, therapy, helping them build a support system or the ones that don’t have family, and so on.)

When did you fall in love with modeling? I fell in love with modeling and being on camera at a small age.. I started doing fashion shows in my area when I was 16yrs old and knew that this was all I wanted to do when I grew up..

If you could work with anyone, who would it be? If I could work with anyone, I would want to work with Cindy Crawford and do a shoot with her.. She is who inspired me to wanna become a model and I looked up to her..

What was your most acomplished moment and shining glory? My most accomplished moment & shining glory in the industry was when I shot my 1st cover of a magazine and shot a mini billboard for Bacardi Gold.. Those 2 things were on my goal list and I was able to accomplish both of them..

How would your friends describe you? My friends would describe me as someone with a big heart, talkative, and quirky.. They also would describe me as the black Jessica Simpson, lol..
Please give your advice to someone who wants to pursue your career? My advice to someone wanting to pursue this type of career is have a strong backbone, don't ever give in to something you don't feel comfortable with even if they tell you, you'll ever make it if you don't do such and such.. If your meant to be in this career, no one can take it away from you, God always prevails... And last but not least, have fun and enjoy what you do!
Wesbites:
www.shellyrio.com
www.myspace.com/shellyrio