Meet Joe, Winner of our Cover Model Contest!

Monday, 02 April 2012 12:09

Joe D’Anieri is the definition of natural beauty—inside and out. Although his chiseled skin and flawless sun-kissed dreadlocks turn heads wherever he goes, it’s his kind and approachable personality that really make him sparkle.

The 18-year-old Loften High School student started modeling just last year. It wasn’t until people started suggesting to him and his mom that he would make a great model that Joe really began to consider it. When he heard about Gainesville Fashion Week, he knew he had to try it.

It turns out people were right; he did make a great model, and he was selected to be a model for GFW in 2011.

“I was excited when I first got the callback,” Joe says. “Then when I got the second callback to say I was in, I got really, really excited. I thought I was going to be famous.” Little did he know he would also end up on the cover of a magazine!

This year is Joe’s second year participating in GWF, and he has also modeled in last year’s Asian Kaleidoscope Month. But the runway isn’t where he spends most of his time. 

Unless Joe is at school or working at Hollister, you probably won’t find him indoors. He loves being outside and playing sports with his friends. His favorite sport is tennis, but he also enjoys sand volleyball, basketball, baseball and soccer.

As a child growing up in Kansas, sports were his main focus. Back then he never dreamed he would be interested in modeling.

Now, however, he thinks differently. Joe’s new dream is to continue his modeling career and become a swimsuit model. In fact, his first gig at GFW involved nothing but a speedo. 

“I was nervous, and I was the first one out on the stage,” says Joe about the experience. “It was pretty crazy, but when I started walking I was fine. I usually get nervous before and after, but never during.”

Joe says his dream cover shoots would be for People, because it would mean he was famous, or for Men’s Health, because health and fitness are a huge part of his life.

His cover photo shoot with INsite was his first time doing a real photo shoot. He says he was nervous, but excited that he won.

“I kept telling people I wasn’t going to win,” he says. “I wanted to jinx it and it worked.” That, and the thousands of reader votes!

To take a look behind the scenes, click here, and be sure to check out Joe's fellow cover model contest winner, Christen Finkbeiner.

FUN FACT
No matter where Joe goes out to eat, he always orders chicken fingers, fries and a Cherry Coke. He says his mom makes all types of different foods every night at home, and he loves to try new things when she cooks them. When he goes out, however, he’s not interested in trying new foods. 

“Going out for dinner is a treat,” he says. “For a treat, I just want my chicken fingers.”

By Alexandria Ugarte
Photo by Rob Foldy 

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