Meet Krysta Leanne Ortiz | Model/Makeup Artist/Content Creator/Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krysta Leanne Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krysta Leanne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Just knowing that i am a multi faceted individual, who would want fulfillment from what i do for “work”… therefore having my own business and myself being my own brand, would allow me to fulfill my many facets and still be passionate about what i do. All the while getting to be fortunate enough to have it be categorized as business. For me it was wanting business and play.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
How being a creative looks like on me, is in the form of modeling and dance. I took part in a professional burlesque group and have a burlesque dance career of 8 years, of which i am so beyond proud of because i didn’t come from a traditional dance background. I was able to prove to myself that i could do it without the same experience as a typical professional dancer… to this day i still think to myself “i did the damn thing” when reflecting on my dance journey from the beginning. Having to take extra classes and rehearsal, to landing a spot in a group with a residency show to now.
The art form of burlesque dance carried me into my second art of modeling. The confidence i gained from dance started translating to my everyday way of carrying myself. Which somewhere along the way landed me in front of a camera modeling clothing and lingerie for hourglass shaped bodies. I guess i figured, if i can dance in lingerie, then i know how to move my body properly to model in it lol but the feat of modeling being a “midsize” body wasn’t easy. Unfortunately there are two categories in modeling traditional runway sizes and plus sizes. This left me feeling like there was no place for me, being someone who is right in the middle. Don’t get me wrong, nowadays this has changed immensely and we are seeing way more body types but even a mere 5-6 years ago this wasn’t so much the case. I had to challenge myself to push through and prove body types as myself belonged as well. I wanted women who relate to my body type, to see someone who looks like them… This leads me to my second proud moment in my creative career, is being just that. Getting to model for gown boutiques, lingerie lines, and being approached by Plaboy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well for starters since i’ve had a burlesque career, i’d take them to were i danced my residency @ Harvelle’s Burlesque Speakeasy in Downtown Long Beach.

Then Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a movie screening, because there is something about movie magic that i just adore, plus there is something thrilling about watching movies amongst the dead.

Universal Studios Hollywood there again, movie magic, especially being on the backlot. And who wouldn’t want to hit an iconic theme park while visiting the area.

Then any of the beaches because it soothes the soul.

If there was time, I’d drive us out to Joshua Tree because that is my happy place in all of California. To me the desert is truly a special place, so open and airy, feels so freeing, with the most mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our lord and savior.

Instagram: @krystalenoir

Other: Threads: @krystalenoir
Tiktok: @krystalenoir
Lemon8: @krystalenoir

Image Credits
Rhiannon Rose Larson
Rawl Paredes
Justin Morton
Todd Macmillan