I was thrilled that The Matagorda Advocate did an interview with me about Orange Juice and Biscuits and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! This was especially fun because this is one of the papers from my hometown of Bay City, TX! Thanks so much to Adriana Acosta and The Matagorda Advocate for featuring OJ&B. MUCH LOVE TO THE BAY!!
I Am Fashion: Bay City native blogs fashion week
For Jonathan Valdez fashion is everything.
The Bay City native is living his dream in New York City and blogging about his favorite subjects: celebrities and fashion.
His blog, Orange Juice and Biscuits, was voted one of the Top 5 blogs to follow in 2009 by Mashable, an Internet news site.
“I like to tease and not be rude,” he said. “I always say I am giving advice and telling it like it is.”
This year, Valdez was selected to be official media for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 show, to be held at the Lincoln Center in New York City, Sept. 9 through 16.
“This is such a great honor because not everyone gets approved for these credentials,” he said.
This is his second year as official media for the fashion show, and will be on the sidelines reporting with other fashion media like Elle and Vogue Magazine.
To be approved credentials, writing samples must be submitted.
“You never know what’s going to happen on fashion week,” he said. “But I will make sure to be the first to post online the latest information.”
Valdez will live tweet, take photos and review the latest fashion collections on his blog.
THE PERFORMING BUG
Valdez is a 2003 graduate of Bay City High School and was a member of the Dungeoneers, the speech and debate team.
“He left such a lasting impression,” said Magda Mirelez, theater teacher at Bay City High School.
As a Dungeoneer, Valdez competed in UIL Theater, improvisation and One Act plays, drama and solo singing.
“He was so fearless to do and play any role during competition as well as help out with props or anything else that needed to be done,” she added.
Mirelez, who keeps in contact with Valdez, said he is witty, fun and awesome.
After graduating from high school, Valdez attended Texas State University where he majored in communications studies and minored in Theater and Psychology.
While attending college, Valdez had the opportunity to have his own morning talk show, Orange Juice and Biscuits, which focused on fashion, pop culture and celebrity news.
“We named it that because we wanted a name that was unique, different and that it stood out,” he said.
The show was heard on campus twice a week for two hours and he covered fashion, celebrity news and music.
“This show gave me great experience and allowed me to edit interviews and create my own commercials,” he said.
Orange Juice and Biscuits was a popular morning show that allowed him to interview celebrities in several South By South West Music and Film festivals.
At the festival, he was able to do red carpet interviews and meet several celebrities like Rosario Dawson.
“I was also at another red carpet event where the Hollywood Reporter and New York Times Reporters were next to me,” he said.
With his popularity and fan base following, Valdez decided to continue his Orange Juice and Biscuits show, in online format.
“And that’s how my blog began,” he said.
THE BIG APPLE
Valdez dreamed of performing live theater in New York City and in 2009 he followed his dream.
This is the perfect place to be if you want to do theater or fashion, he said.
“This is where everything happens first,” he said.
Aside from being a fashion and celebrity blogger, Valdez also does freelance public relations.
Valdez blogger status has allowed him to reviewed fashion, beauty and cosmetic lines.
“I was at a Donna Karan Fashion show event and for a moment I had to step back and take it all in,” he said.
Valdez says he is glad he grew up in Bay City because it has allowed him to appreciate what he has accomplished.
“This city has a lot of diversity,” he said. “I came home every summer and worked at H-E-B,” he said.
Valdez enjoys coming home and visiting with family and friends.
Valdez hopes to continue blogging celebrity and fashion news as well as continue to review product lines and fashion shows.
He is currently working to get sponsors for his blog.
“I want to continue working on this industry whether it’s fashion public relations, social networking and blogging,” he said.
He hopes to be an inspiration to others.
“Always do what you are interested in,” he said. “Do what feels right and don’t compromise.”
Be sure to check out the original posting by clicking here.
