Toni Benz is a new member of our community who can impress anyone with her great toned and fit figure. Toni is a mature model who knows what she wants and can be great for different types of art and commercial work. Being a fun, energetic and artistic individual with professional experience in catalogs, calenders, magazines and books, Toni can do anything from bodypainting to dance performances to even mild erotic assignments.
To find out more about her professional experiences as well as daily routine, we asked Toni a few questions.
How did you become interested in modeling?
The usual story, a photographer saw me and my pictures and said I should try modeling and showed me how to contact agencies and be part of modeling directories.
Tell us about your first modeling job. What were your impressions?
My first professional job, I actually worked on clothing and then marketing with another girl Yamaha. It was easygoing and fun, I was hungry all day but it was very fun and exciting, even more then I had anticipated.
What is the best job you ever did?
I love to work with artists and do unique things like body paint, I also love bikes and cars. A staple of mine is catalogs and I love to see myself in them, it makes me feel proud. Someone accepts me to represent their clothing. I am looking forward to working on a calender and magazine launch, where I will be on the cover next, in Canada.
Tell us about the worst job you ever did, or the job you've absolutely hated.
I went to Atlanta to test for the print on packaging of pantyhose. Let's just say the advertising person thought I wanted the job a little too much. But I always turn things to positive, I had my daughter waiting for me and we took a mini vacation and I showed her Atlanta.
Share any funny or embarrassing situations that you experienced during your modeling career.
I seem to always get caught changing, I was being bodypainted and looked over my shoulder, saw 3 people mowing the lawn staring at me naked being painted, this also happened in the woods , someone yelled hey, while I was changing and I stood up and stared to see where the voice was coming from, I was naked and not thinking and just stood up. I am not shy, it just feels like it always unintentionally happens.
What do you do to stay fit? (your work-out and fitness agenda)
I workout 6 to 7 days a week, I love to workout, I also do massage therapy, wrestling, and modeling, so my muscles are always at work, I do 45 min to an hr of elliptical a day, walk my dogs with weights on my ankles 4 times a week for an hr, and weights 3 times a week for half an hr.
What is your everyday schedule?
Take my daughter to school, walk dogs and clean house, workout, take a shower, start either a photoshoot or clients as a massage therapist and the doing e-mails and calls that I need to, watching TV an hr a day and helping daughter with homework, then bed, sometimes not in that order. But that is my day.
Have you ever taken on other jobs within fashion industry besides modeling (fashion design, photography)? Would you like to?
I have not, I do not think I would be good at many other fashion jobs, I am not as artistic as most, however I write for magazines on fitness and nutrition and I take my own pictures and videos for my own members site.
What is your favorite music (singer, band)?
I love everything from Usher to Ozzy and Marylin Manson to Dan Folgeburg, I love it all actually. My favorites are Madonna, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac and 3 Doors Down, I workout to techno and dance CD's.
Who is your favorite photographer?
Micheal McGowan, Youngstown, Ohio.
Favorite fashion designer?
Sleek lines of Gucci, I do not like overdone or fancy fashion, simply stated or fetish fashion are my choices. Also love Victoria's Secret.
How would you describe your everyday style? What do you like to wear outside of fashion shoots and catwalk?
Low riser jeans and a tank top.
What is your mascot (lucky charm), if you have one?
I do not have one, I am not superstitious.
Share your modeling secrets. What do you think is essential to successful modeling career?
Being fun and responsible, prompt and easy to work with as well as open minded, a lot of girls are pretty, you must have something else that makes people want to work with you.
Tell us about your favorite location. What's the best place you've ever travelled to so far?
Europe, Italy, love the food, and love the Greek islands.
What is the worst place you've ever travelled to?
Rocky mount NC, a little stop off 95 that has 5 motels and that is it!!
What is your hometown? And what do you miss most about it, when you are modeling abroad?
Cleveland, Ohio is my hometown although I live in Charlotte North Carolina, I miss the people and the blunt honesty and fun up there, love the weather here though, I can only survive traveling if there is a workout room.
What does your family think of your career choice? Are they being supportive?
Most are shocked and they are supportive of all my choices whether they are right or wrong and everyone needs that.
Tell us about your hobbies, what do you like to do for fun?
Workout, hike, play poker and gamble, be with my animals and ride motorcycles, also saying hi to fans on my webcam, it connects me to people.
Other than modeling, what would be your career choice?
I used to be an R.N. before I decided to be a massage therapist and model, I would love to own a workout express or a wildlife preserve, my two loves, animals and workouts. But I crave the attention and adventure modeling brings me and massage allows me to have a steady income with the freedom to travel and do assignments.
See Toni's portfolio