On a cool Summer’s day in New York City, I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Dria Emanuel. The sultry senorita was an absolute delight to speak with. Her captivating eyes were very attentive to the questions and her drive shone through in her personality. It was during this interview for Beauty & Brains where the self-described “hustler” laid it all out on the line. The former student at St. John’s University has utilized her smarts by becoming a certified real estate agent.

But with those brains and that ambition comes a beauty that is very rarely seen in the Big Apple. Subdued features with a sly hint of sensuality. Yet, that calienté passion is bubbling underneath the surface. The 21 year-old beauty has taken her entrepreneurial spirit into the modeling game and has been pushing herself heavy in the game.

The grind has taken her all across the U.S. and has introduced her to interesting characters. Having taken time out of her busy schedule to sit down with Beauty & Brains -- the Piscean talks about overcoming childhood racism and stereotypes, why New York is the place to be for modeling and talks about her hidden fantasies.

B&B: Latinas are usually described as passionate lovers. Is there any truth to that?
DE: I definitely agree with that.

B&B: So, how did you discover that you were passionate about modeling?
DE: I was actually walking down the street in New York City and a guy by the name of J. Nasdaq had discovered me. He turned out to be a casting director and a modeling agent. He persuaded me to get into the business. I gave him my number and he gave me a call. It was about business. Once he got me in front of the camera, I turned into a different person. I was sexy, sultry and passionate. This whole new person came out of me. Before I did modeling, I wasn’t too much into my sexuality, so whether I’m in a relationship to be sexy for my man or in front of a camera, I know that I want to be sexy through and through.

B&B: Would you ever role play?
DE: Never say never [laughs].

B&B: If Latin men are usually protective over their women – how did you father feel about you taking these provocative photos?
DE: I don’t have a father. Never have, never will. I never even had a male role model. I do me.

B&B: Does this shift your perception towards men?
DE: Oh, definitely because I always think that all guys have ulterior motives. I have never met that one guy who can just say that they love me unconditionally. It always teeters back into sex. I have a lot of guy friends who are like my brothers, but they don’t look at me in that way. It was always a bigger plan in their eyes with them. Continued on page 2 »