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In Her Prime
Big-city living can feel like a grind, but In Her Prime is where women hit pause, tune in, and turn up. From boardrooms to brunch tables, we’re bringing bold conversations about careers, confidence, and crushing it—all while keeping it real.
We’re Elise and Domenika, the voices behind the mic and the movement. What started as a sister brand to House of Movement has evolved into the podcast women actually want to listen to. It’s where stories get honest, growth feels effortless, and inspiration flows.
Follow us on Instagram @houseofmvment to get involved and keep the conversations going!
In Her Prime
Victoria Baldesarra: Body Image, Mental Health, and Moving to LA
In this episode, we chat with Victoria Baldesarra, a dancer, model, and mental health activist with over 15 years of industry experience. Best known for her role as Michelle on The Next Step, Victoria shares her journey of moving from Toronto to LA, navigating the visa process, and building a powerful online presence. She opens up about body image, mental health, and her experiences working alongside artists like Ty Dolla Sign and G-Eazy, offering an inspiring glimpse into her multifaceted career
Hi guys, welcome back to our podcast. I'm Elise. And I'm Dom. Today we have a very special guest. She has worked as a dancer and a model for over 15 years and has built a strong online presence, not just through dance, but through body positivity and is a mental health activist. She has been acting in the next step since season one and has worked alongside artists like Ty Dollassine, G Eazy, and many more. Welcome about this.
unknown:I'm sorry.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you for coming on.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you for having me. We start every episode on with Peek and Pit. So basically, just something that went really well last week or something that you're struggling with. Do you want to start off?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Um, the last few weeks have been rough. I was just telling you guys about my little injury. I um have a little knee injury right now, so I actually tore my ACL and meniscus in dance class two weeks ago today. So that's been a little bit rough. But I think actually the silver lining in that has just been like shifting my perspective and realizing that I need to rest because the last year for me, we have one month left of 2024, it's been so crazy. And I haven't really prioritized rest. And now this is like forcing me to actually relax and reflect.
SPEAKER_00:I mean, that's fair. I feel like when you're like doing a career like you do, it's just go, go, go all the time. Like if you're constantly getting new opportunities, uh it's really hard to say no to.
SPEAKER_01:So it is hard. And I also feel like the second I'm like resting and chilling, I'm like falling behind, which is like a really bad habit. I feel that too. But I need to shift that where it's just like that doesn't that doesn't mean anything. It's just about timing and and you realizing that you need to prioritize rest.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. I'm the type of person where I feel like if I'm at peace for a little bit too long, I get jittery. Yeah. In terms of like work, and like we always talk about this. Like, if I have a really slow week at work, I'm like okay, I'm like waiting for like the other shoe to drop, and I'm like, okay, I need to get assigned something more. But like I guess now you can just chill and like relax. And I don't know, at least like you get to go into the holidays and you're not like go, go, go, go, go.
SPEAKER_01:Because you were in LA when this happened. So I was in LA when this happened. I was in a dance class, and literally, I you know what happened though is I should have listened to my body a little bit more. I woke up that morning and I was like really lethargic. I wasn't like feeling great. And I still went. It was my friend's class. I committed to it. I had already paid for the class, so I was like, I gotta go. And it was a two-hour class. So like the last 20 minutes it happened, I was like going across the floor and just like boom, my knee just blew out, and it was it was weird. I I honestly like I don't I can't even describe what it really felt like. It was just like it happened, but then I was like, I'm fine, it's fine, we're good. And then like I got up to like go walk, and then I was like, something's wrong. And then yeah, I've obviously found out in the last two weeks that there's something wrong in there. So is this a common injury? It's really common. Super common with like athletes. I think it happens in so many football games. Like, I think Alex Earl's um oh yeah, he's just yeah, really. He just saw his ACL, yeah, another football player in another game tour is meniscus. Like isn't that like the most painful injury or something? I think it's ACL. ACL.
SPEAKER_02:Because ACL is your bigger, like more dominant part of your knee. And that's your thought it was.
SPEAKER_01:They thought it was smaller ACL, and they were like, I and on the MRI it actually showed that I have a partial tear, so it's still intact. But I got really panicky because when they did the initial assessment on me before I got the MRI, they were like, it's your ACL. And I was like, Great. So I'm gonna be out.
SPEAKER_02:Or if you would have torn your ACL fully, the significance of that, like affecting it.
SPEAKER_00:I think it's like such a long recovery.
SPEAKER_01:Long recovery.
SPEAKER_00:It says like six to nine months. Jesus.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and like especially for me because I'm a dancer and I choreograph. I literally teach twice a week in LA. That's like this is like your job. This is my job. Like, I wish I could just be like, okay, well, I'll just work from home or like whatever.
SPEAKER_02:But like No, that's like one of my girlfriends. She teaches dance in Vaughn at JC J JCB, I think. Oh, JCB, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. But she got like she had an injury a couple months ago, and I remember like the physical like apart from like the physical strain she took on, like, she was so anxious because she's like, I literally can't teach, I can't work. She also works at a Cairo clinic, so like I you're like, this is my job. Like, it's not like you can be like, Okay, I'm not gonna go into the office today. I'll just work from home, but I'm still able to be there. Like you're like out for a little bit. Yeah, that's just like but if it's common though, like it's probably very easily understood. Yeah, which is like as to what's the right thing.
SPEAKER_00:I feel like low key this is a good time too, because like with the holidays, I feel like everybody kind of takes it off anyway. So it's not like it's like peak summer where you have all these opportunities lined up. Like maybe this is like not that there's ever an ideal time, but it's like the ideal time.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, because all before this, for the last six months, I was traveling, I was choreographing, like super busy. I was on set, and if this would have happened then, it would have literally ruined a lot of things. I mean, obviously, perspective wouldn't really ruin anything in the grand scheme of things. I'm still healthy and fine, but definitely it's it's okay that it happened now.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, so that's your peak. Okay, then peak.
SPEAKER_01:Um, just being back in Toronto. I flew back on Thursday of last week, and I just I love being back. I've uh it's been like two months, and just being with my mom and dad, honestly. Two younger siblings? I have an older brother, so I saw him on Sunday with his wife. They just celebrated one year married, which is crazy. Congratulations. Thank you. Yeah, honestly, like they they're just my favorite people, so it's just been nice being with family. I think. How do you split your time between LA and Toronto? So I moved to LA when I was 19 and full-time. Full time. Uh didn't really mean to. It was like I went with my mom to do pilot season, which back in the day for actors, that was like when the busiest season of auditions were. So it would be from like January until April when they would come out with all the different pilots pitching to different networks and whatever television programs. That's not really a thing anymore because of streaming, so that kind of shifted in the industry. But flashback to when I was 19, I signed with a manager in LA and he was like, I really think you should be in LA, you know, taking some classes, um, just here to audition in person. And my mom was like, Okay, like let's go, we'll go for like three months. And I was like, Okay. So we went, I had a visa at the time, and I remember saying to my mom, I was like, I really love it here, and I feel way more inspired here than I do in Toronto, and I want to move. And she was like, Okay, well, how are you gonna get around? Your car's in Toronto. Like, she didn't even really bad enough.
SPEAKER_02:So your parents were like super encouraging of you wanting to pursue something and like moving to LA. My dad, not so much with the LA thing, but yes, with you doing like my career, not a traditional career, like being 19, like that's normally when people are like, Okay, I'm starting university.
SPEAKER_01:And I was I applied to university, I applied to Ryerson, like I was gonna go, but then I was offered a job to tour in Australia, and then I was doing the LA thing. So I was busy what would have been my first year.
SPEAKER_03:Okay.
SPEAKER_01:And um, my parents were like, Well, you can either go make money or we can like pay for you to go through school right now. So I think you should go make money. And I was like, Okay, I agree. And you know what? Like, even let's say in two years from now I'm 22 and I want to go to school, I can still go.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_01:And I still feel that now as a 26-year-old. But yeah, I moved when I was 19. My mom was like, Well, why don't you sign a year lease somewhere? And if you hate it after your year, then you come home. And I was like, Okay, my parents packed up a bunch of stuff in my car, drove my car from Toronto to LA in like three days because my dad's a psychopath, and I haven't left since. It's been like six years, which is crazy. And where in LA? I'm in West Hollywood. Okay. So I've lived all over. Yeah, I'm right in the thick of it. I used to live like in the valley where all the dancers live in North Hollywood. Um, I didn't really like it there anymore after like three years or so. It was just a little bit too boring, honestly. I was like, I'm just gonna be able to do it.
SPEAKER_02:It's more like yeah, in terms of like, okay, if you were to live like base it's in Toronto vibes, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:It's more like downtown city vibe. I mean, actual downtown LA, no one lives there because it's so dangerous. And honestly, it's like Skid Row, it's safe at all. Um parts of it are parts are really cool and artsy, but then there's other parts that are just not it. It's just like one wrong turn and you're in a bad part of town. But yeah, West Hollywood is poppin'. It's so fun to watch. And with like when you move there, I'm assuming not with a roommate. Like it was by yourself. By myself. Literally lived alone, signed a lease for my own apartment. At the age of 19. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Honestly, sometimes I think to like other because my parents had like a similar reaction to like modeling and university and stuff. Like my dad wanted me to put off university to keep modeling. Right. And I decided I don't want to do that. But then I talked to friends who have parents who are like, oh, my parents would never encourage that. And I'm like, I think it's funny, just like different people's like family dynamics of like what different parents like think is like important.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I agree. Well, you were saying like your dad's a doctor and your sister's a doctor, and like to me, like it's crazy that they were Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:My dad was like, No, like I think that because I had lived in New York like a little bit, and he was like, I think that you should move there, and I think you should just model full time and do this, and this is good. Like, you're doing a really good job. And I was like, I want to go to school.
SPEAKER_01:Like, I want to go to Western embark.
SPEAKER_00:Did you go to Western?
SPEAKER_01:Oh my gosh, that's so funny. Wow, that's cool though.
SPEAKER_00:Honestly, I I mean I'm gonna I will say I I had been modeling for like a certain period of time where I came to the point where I'm like, I'm kind of over it now. I love like the idea of modeling, but like the constant pressure of like body image was just too much.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I mean that's everything, and also just like the castings. That's too much. Oh my god, I know I feel that.
SPEAKER_02:Did you get a lot of not pushback, but like were there like you being 19, were there a lot of opinions that were around you when moving to LA? Like extended family or like friends, like, or was it just like this is what I want to do and like I'm gonna do it? And you were like blocking out.
SPEAKER_01:I think everyone in my life kind of knew that I wanted to eventually move there. Like I'll never forget the first time I went to LA, I was 10. It was for a dance competition. And I literally remember looking at my parents and I was like, I want to live here. And they were like, Okay, relax, you're literally 10 years old. But I was like, it's it's like this is the mecca of film and TV and entertainment and just like people that want to hustle and and really like be something and do it, you know. And I was like, I want to be around that, and that that's what's gonna like inspire me. Um, so I think everyone in my life kind of knew that maybe I would end up there, but just it was soon, like I was so young. I had only really lived on my own for like four months in Toronto, um, and like at like parklon in Lake Shore. I like was living at my uncle's condo, and like that was the only experience I had living on my own. So then to go from like having my parents 45 minutes away from me to then being like they're like a five-hour flight away from me was a huge adjustment where there was just a lot of people.
SPEAKER_00:So it was like time difference, all of that.
SPEAKER_01:All of that. I think I would call my mom like five times a day to be like, how do I do this? And like, what like what do I wash in cold and what do I wash in warm? Like, I didn't know anything about living on my own. So when you moved to LA, who was your like when you moved to LA at that point you were with an agency or a manager? Yeah, so it's different in LA. Like they have agencies and managers, but they essentially all do similar things.
SPEAKER_02:There's like a manager through an agency.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, exactly. So I had a manager there, I still had my agent in Toronto, and then at the time I was signed with a different um agent for modeling, but yeah, and and I also had just signed with a social media manager. So I kind of was had all bases, yeah, covered. Um but did you know anyone? Yeah, I did. Honestly, all the people that I would hang out with when I first moved there were Canadian, like they were from Toronto or Vancouver. Um, two of my fellow cast mates from the next step, actually, Jordan and Trevor, they lived like at that time, they lived 10 minutes away from me. And they were like my older brother and sister, still are. Um, but they really like helped me with a lot of things. I'm like, guys, how do I like open a bank account? Like, you know, there's all these little things that people don't tell you. And my friend Jordan, she really like took me under her wing and and told me a lot of stuff and helped me figure it out. But yeah, yeah. And then I met some people through my acting classes. Like, I was in like a three-month program at this acting school in LA, and I met some cool people and hung out with them and and stuff. But yeah, so all of these opportunities stem from dance.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. So like you starting super young, it was just it was just something that you always did. And then was that your introductory or segue into next step, which was your first like job?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I started dancing when I was three at like a dance studio in I'm from Caledon originally. Um, and I was really into it, like it's all I cared about. I was in competitive dance, and then um at 13, my dance studio owner was like, There's an open casting call in Toronto for dancers ages 13 to 18. He's like, You're 12, but like we'll send you. I was like, Okay, I'm turning 13 next week. Um, and I always look older for my age, so I didn't really like stand out, I didn't really look younger, but I definitely my essence felt younger, yeah. So I went to this audition and I was terrified. At the time, I had I had gone on like some modeling audition calls and I hated it.
SPEAKER_00:I remember what modeling castings used to be. They're definitely not like this anymore, but they used to be you were in a room with 50, 60 girls, and you were all wearing the exact same skinny jeans and a bodysuit. Black suit bodysuits and all these little black booty heels, and you're basically just like standing in front of these like agents being like, pick me, like choose me. Yeah, and I don't think it's like that anymore.
SPEAKER_01:I no, I don't think so either. Honestly, I I couldn't tell you because I haven't gone out on a casting call in a while for modeling, but yeah, I was like going out for like commercial auditions and stuff, and I I was like nine at that time, and I told my mom, I was like, I don't really want to do this, and she I was like, all I care about is dance, and she was like, Okay, then we're not gonna do it. But then that dance call came, which now I look back and it was a call for the next step, but they didn't tell us what it was. And I went and I went into a room with like 150 people, boys and girls. No way, and I was so intimidated, I was like, oh my god, there's like no way I'm gonna stand out in like a room full of all these people. We all did a few conservative like freestyle, and then they started making cuts, and they were like, if you hear your number, please stay. If you don't, you're welcome to leave. And my parents were out of town, so I went with a dance friend that her mom drove me and stuff, and um, they called my number, but they didn't call hers. So then she was like, Well, we have to wait for you, and I was like, Okay, we're a girl. She literally, her and her mom were like waiting for me for like three hours while I went back into the room. Then they asked me some questions. I remember they were like, you know, what's your name? Like they asked me just a few things about myself and why I dance and all these sweet questions. And then I can just imagine like the innocent responses you probably gave a 12-year-old.
SPEAKER_02:Like, why do you dance?
SPEAKER_01:Because I love it.
SPEAKER_02:And like literally happy passion, like, and like, what do you want to be in the past? I'm like, well, it's all I've ever known.
SPEAKER_01:What do you want to be? Like a professional dancer, like on tour with Beyoncé, is like literally what I said.
SPEAKER_02:I can just imagine, like, super naive, just like innocent. Like 12-year-old.
SPEAKER_01:And then fast forward to later that day when I was driving home with my friend, I had a phone. It was 12. I don't know why I had a phone, but shout out to my parents for that. Um, and I got a call from the casting director, her name's Amy Wright, and she was like, Hey Vittoria, we just wanted to know if you're available tomorrow to come back for a callback. And I was like, sure.
SPEAKER_02:Let me talk to my mom.
SPEAKER_01:Let me literally like we talked to my mom because my parents were coming home that night. I called my mom. She's like, okay, sure, like I guess we'll take you tomorrow.
SPEAKER_02:And then we're gonna like sift between other options.
SPEAKER_01:13 people, everyone, boys and girls, everyone was so different. You had black girl, Asian girl, you know, Hispanic girl, everyone was so different. And I was And was that the cast then? So that was the cast, and they told us, okay, we're today we're gonna shoot a demo, we're gonna shoot a pilot. I have never acted a day in my life at this point. And wait, what? Yeah, this is it's it's the craziest story, and I've told it so many times, so people probably Well, I think they want to see, like, okay, you can dance, but you can act.
SPEAKER_02:So for people, no, like you went you just thinking this was another dance call. Another dance call, but for what? Like, did you know it was for a TV show?
SPEAKER_01:Potential TV show, potential movie, just casting call, open casting call. They want to. Okay, just to like put your name out, get your name out there.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. And I was and then at this point you had no, like the the idea of like dipping your toes into acting was that I didn't want to. I was like, I don't want to do that. I want to dance.
SPEAKER_01:I love dance.
SPEAKER_03:Like, I just want to dance mom.
SPEAKER_00:No, literally, that's all I cared about. And then but I remember like the first season of that show. Like you could kind of tell that like it was improv. It was improv. Yeah, you can tell.
SPEAKER_02:Like when we get to that point, I need to ask. I need to know.
SPEAKER_01:Like, yeah. So when I went into this casting call, I'll finish up the story here, but um the sh showrunner slash creator of the show, Frank Van Keegan, he had just done Winging It, which was on Family Channel just prior to that. And he was like a stand-up comedian. He was on Seinfeld, like he had a huge background in improv comedy. Um, and he kind of was just like, okay, like giving us little scenarios. You're gonna walk up to this girl and be like, hey, like, I'm the new girl, Michelle, blah, blah, blah, blah. And like, okay, tell them like where you're from. And I was like, Where am I from? He's like, You tell me where you're from. And I'm like, I'm from Wisconsin. Why did I say that? Don't know. It was the first thing that came to my mind. But essentially-really nervous, so nervous, like overwhelmed, overwhelmed, so nervous. And you're 12. Didn't like my outfit. Yeah, I was 12. I turned 13 the next week. I remember I hated my outfit that I wore. I was like, I don't know why I'm like, that'll like make or break it. Terrible idea. I don't know what happened. You dressed yourself. Yeah. Yeah. I was wearing like white booty shorts and like a black sports bra with like the I don't know. It was just not it. It was it was not cute. Anyways, um, so that happens, that's it. And then they're like, We're we'll let you guys know what happens with this pilot because we're gonna pitch it to different networks like Nickelodeon and Family Channel and all these things. And I was like, cool. Months go by. At this point, I'm like in grade eight. And um I get a call from Amy Wright in the spring of 2000 uh 2012. Yeah, 2012. And she's like, so the show's been picked up, but you have to re-audition. And I'm like, okay, so I'll re-audition. Go to this open casting call again now that the show's been picked up by Family Channel, and it was even bigger than the first time. I'm like, great, now there's even more people that I'm up against because now this is an actual show that they're creating. They didn't tell us the name of it or anything, they just said the show's gonna be a thing. And I was like, Okay, that's crazy that they would make you like re-audition against all these people. Because the network, once the network picked it up, once Family Channel picked it up, they were like, We some of these characters we don't align. Don't align, and we don't, we don't necessarily think that they're like the right fit for what we want in the show. So we want everyone to come back.
SPEAKER_02:So But at this point, had you already like established that you wanted to go into acting.
SPEAKER_01:No, I was like, that was cool, that was fun, but like I'm in grade eight. I just like want to like graduate elementary school.
SPEAKER_02:And like go to go to high school.
SPEAKER_01:Literally, I was like, cool, like that's great, like whatever. And at this point, I was like in the prime of my dance, like I was really, I was doing something like that. Like trying to kick it off. Yeah, like I really was like super dedicated to dance, and like I was training six days a week, every day, like every night, would go straight from school to dance until like 10 p.m. Like I had no life, to be honest with you. Yeah, um, and then that season where I turned 14 was my first year shooting the next set. So they picked up the show, and it was the craziest experience ever, but honestly, like the best thing that's ever happened to me.
SPEAKER_02:So, like, how did you go from not wanting like what was that internal monologue with yourself? Like, did you like with like not wanting to act until until then being like, Okay, I'm gonna like be on this, like this like family channel show and like be one of the main characters?
SPEAKER_01:Like, how where I think I think what brought me a lot of comfort was I wasn't doing it alone. It was like all of us, so there was 10 of us in the main cast, and all of us except for Lamar Johnson and Alex Beaton had they had prior acting experience, like pretty big stuff that they've done in Toronto and and whatnot. But everybody else on the cast, we were all just regular dancers from like the GTA area. And to just real people, real people, okay, but scripted. And I think what brought me a lot of comfort whenever I would get super nervous or uncomfortable was that I wasn't alone and that everybody else was in the same position as me, where they were just being thrown into doing this crazy acting improv world where they have no experience. And it was just like showing up to summer camp every day. Like we were like learning dances and choreographing, and at lunchtime we'd like go outside and like do tumbling. It was just so fun. So I think anytime I had this like nervous, like self-doubt because I was so young, I would just kind of like look up to everybody else on the cast because like I said, they were ever everyone was quite a bit older than me.
SPEAKER_00:So I feel like you were like still doing stuff that you like love to do. It's literally what I love to do. Like, it's not like you're just acting, like you're acting, but you're also doing it's a show about stuff that you love to do and you're doing.
SPEAKER_01:I was dancing and I was honestly at the same time getting paid for it, which I didn't even know. I was just like you, it didn't register to you, yeah. Yeah, and like my mom at that point was super involved in you know, managing me, making sure I got to set. She was my chaperone on set because before you're 16, you have to have a chaperone on set. Um, so my mom really like dedicated her like life to helping me make this all happen. So shout out to my mom.
SPEAKER_02:I can imagine when you're on set, it's like so motivating and everyone's there to do the same thing. And like you said, everyone's starting at ground zero, and then you go to school and like the GTA, and it's like she's so weird. Like, did you see her? Like she can't.
SPEAKER_01:Misunderstood is like the best way to put it. Like, so I had filmed all summer, had the summer of my life, and then I had to-like on such a high, you look at it. And then I had to like go to school and be like a regular degular kid, and then not to mention, like, also in my dance studio, also just regular, I'm dancing at the same level with everyone, and I couldn't act like any better or like higher than anybody, right? Which uh that's not in my personality, anyways. That's not how I roll, but like it was hard because I felt like I was so passionate about something, and everybody else on the cast was already moving on into their like adult real life or going to university or whatever they were doing, and I was kind of like stuck in this in high school, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:I feel like dance is already like so competitive, like you're competing against your friends basically every day. So I feel like I would assume that you're on the show that a bunch of your friends probably auditioned for didn't get, yeah, and then you have to go back and dance with them. And now they feel like a little bit of resentment towards you, or they're trying to like show up a little bit in like practice, or it was uncomfortable, and like my mom and I talk about it all the time because my mom, now in my adult life, told me how many comments were made to her as a parent, being like, Well, she's obviously gonna be favored because she's on a TV show, or she obviously is put in the front because of this, this, and that.
SPEAKER_01:My mom's- People are very catty. No, she's actually just working her ass off to do that. So, like, I don't know what you want me to say. She's not getting any favoritism, and I don't feel like I got any favoritism from my studio because my studio was like, That's great that you're doing that, but you just outside of here, and you still need to earn and respect everyone here and still work hard that you were, you know, doing before. But it was really hard. Like, I ended up really not really having any like dance friends anymore. Like before I started the show, I was so close with like three or four girls. And then as the show went on, and as I would go to like dance competitions and get recognized, it really isolated me. And honestly, like I left dance a year early. I didn't do my last year, my senior year, because because of that, because I was just felt so like again misunderstood. And I just at that point, I was like, this isn't really making me feel good about myself, it's actually making me feel sad and isolated. And my poor mom, like now when we talk about it, she's like, I dealt with so many things behind the scene scenes from parents and like the studio that like I just we needed to remove ourselves. She harbored all of that. So much for me, and now I'm like, oh my god, like that's like our parents, you know, they make so many sacrifices for us, but like now as an adult, I understand how hard that must have been. But yeah, it was very competitive and it was really uncomfortable at times. I was just like, I just like it.
SPEAKER_02:I know because it's like you're like a double life, you like really doing it. Oh, and you film that you you would film the next step and you were in such a welcoming like community, and like everyone was just so effective. And then you go to like like high school, and like I know how catty it is, and like I know how mean girls can be, and like all of us, and especially at such a young age where you're so everyone's so impressionable, and like yeah, if one person says one thing bad, the whole everyone will follow. So I can't like I can't imagine it was interesting in school.
SPEAKER_01:Everyone was so cool with me, like all the teachers, they were so awesome. Like they would be like, Oh, can you like sign this for like my niece or nephew? Like, everyone in my high school was so amazing. It was just dance, it was that's when I got like well it's like a competitive space, though. Yeah, and I think even like my school was super supportive. They were like you go to high school, St. Michael's Catholic School in Bolton, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:And they were awesome, they're still awesome. I mean, you were also just like so young, and I feel like aside from just the competitive nature of like that you would get from dance, even just like body image, being like constantly like in the spotlight and portrayed at like such a young age. I know that especially in like dance culture, it's kind of expected that you like maintain a certain size and that got really hard for me also when I started the show because when I started, I was obviously 13 and like had no boobs or like no butt.
SPEAKER_01:Like I was small. You were just a little frame. I was a little growth, yeah. And then obviously I hit puberty and like was developing like in front of everyone's eyes, like in the in front of the camera, you're like evolving into a couple of things. Literally evolving into a woman, yeah. And on top of that, in like the third season, I broke my ankle, so then I like put on weight because I wasn't really dancing, and like it was just a very hard time for me. And I'll never forget, like, I think I was 17, and like this was when Instagram was really starting to pop off. And someone wrote a comment to me that was like, Why don't you lay off the cheeseburgers? Like, you're looking a little thick on the next step. And I was like, First of all, you're saying that to me who's someone who's underage, I was 17, and also like that's it's obviously it was damaging to me if I'm still talking about it now. You know what I mean? It really stuck with me because I was so young and impressionable.
SPEAKER_00:Stuff like just sticks with you. Like, I can even think back to when I was modeling because I was modeling when I was like 14 until 20. So young. And I remember my first interaction with like my brand new agent in New York. Like I had just stepped off the plane, I'm here, was like, you need to lose like four inches. And I'm like 16. It's terrible. And it's just like I think that whole space of like modeling and acting and dancing, it's all like the same realm of you're in the spotlight and you're expected to maintain like a certain physique, a certain look, you're expected to get work done.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's it's really hard and it's really damaging. And I think you know, the more conversations we have about it and the more we actually open up and talk about, you know, how the industries should shift, there has been shifts, which is great. But fast, you know, backtrack to 2015, 2016, whenever this happened, there wasn't that space where I felt compelled to like talk about it. I had like internalized it where I was like dealing with it privately.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:But it was really hard.
SPEAKER_02:So what like you so now you have like the pressure of social media and the next step and just like dance, was it like a culminate like a combination of all of them that would like put a stress on you as like body image, or was it like one facet that like stressed you out more?
SPEAKER_01:It was all of it, honestly. And I'll like I think when it really started to affect me was my last year of high school, because at that point I left the dance studio, so I wasn't training all the time. So you were only at that point you were only dancing for I was only dancing for the next step and we were getting ready to go on our first like Canadian tour of two months, and so I was trying to train just as much as I could, but it just wasn't the same kind of training. I was then doing online school, and like online school is extremely hard because you really have to be so self-disciplined. Like, no, you don't have a teacher being like, Okay, now you're meeting like these goals and da-da-da-da-da. It's you really are doing it on your own time. So I was really struggling with that. Once again, I just felt super isolated, and I was like, I just have so much stress on me to make all of these things work, and on top of that, I'm dealing with like me feeling not confident and not scared, you know, like I hate how I look. Yeah, yeah. All the time. I was just like literally like, oh my gosh, like I've put on so much weight, which I didn't. Like now when I look back, I'm like, obviously, I was so small. I'm like You were like you were a zero. I literally was like wearing a size 2 GM.
SPEAKER_02:Like, can we relax a bit? I remember though, like that feeling in high school being like like so insufferable. And like at the like, I remember grade 11 was when I like started and I was like, I don't know anything about working out. Like, I don't know how to like make it go away.
SPEAKER_01:Apart from like I'll never forget I had friends who were like, I'm going to the gym, and I'm like, what do you do at the gym?
SPEAKER_02:And like for me, I will never forget the so I remember it was prom and I was like mom like I need to lose weight and and she was like okay like let's and I was like no I'm gonna go on a juice cleanse and I was like I'm gonna take you know those like the juices that are like D bloat that are basically just laxatives like that you drank and I remember I like mentioned it to my mom and she was like Are you fucking insane?
SPEAKER_00:And I was like well no like this is how I'm gonna lose weight like even I remember like Brandy Melville was like such the thing at the time.
SPEAKER_02:Oh my god Brandy Melville, everything was like one size. And I remember when I couldn't finish, I was like, no, I'm fat. Me too. Especially the pants.
SPEAKER_01:I was like, there's no shorts are gonna fit me.
SPEAKER_00:I um modeled for them for like I was like their girl in Toronto. And it was like expected that, like obviously, like even as I age, like I gotta fit into this one size pant. So this will last you for the next seven years. Oh my gosh, I remember like the prep that went into that shoe. Like I can't even think about it. Like it's just like such like an unhealthy behavior for like a kid to be thinking about. It's terrible. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:But did any like I know like a lot of like I had a lot of girlfriends when they were in high school, like started to feel this way and it like led into like eating disorders and stuff like that. Did it ever get to that extreme?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and I think that I I had a really close friend in high school that was she had a pretty serious issue. I had one too in it, and she was hospitalized. And honestly, after she was hospitalized, it really shifted my perspective on things because I saw how badly she struggled and I was like, it's not worth it. You know, like life's too short, and it it did change a lot of things in my mind where I was like, I don't really I didn't care as much. And honestly, still now to this day, that still sticks with me because she was a really close friend of mine. Um, so to see her like go through that really changed things for me. But I mean, I still to this day, you know, I'm 26, like I still have days where I'm like, I'm I don't feel good, and that's normal. I mean, there's so much pressure on us as women, and then on top of that, you add social media, you add, you know, being on camera, like like all angles, films. I've I've done I've done things where like the juice cleanses and da-da-da-da, where I'm like, hey, next week I have to be in a bikini onset, like, can't eat that, and that's just not really my approach anymore because I'm really trying to just be like, this is my body, it does amazing things for me, and I need to be grateful for that. It's an amazing vessel.
SPEAKER_02:Did you ever have like on the next step? Hopefully not, but someone make comments or like want you to look a certain way, even just like right, yeah, just try like trying to cater to their desire of like the image that they had of you, or would it was it like a opening, like open and welcoming, like, no, it's it's okay how she looks.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, there was it was like season four or five, I think, where I had gained weight. Like I said, at that point I would have been 16, 17 and like coming off an injury. And that's when you're like you're you're getting your periods for the first time and you like you don't even know what's going on. I didn't even like I was literally changing and evolving in front of everyone's faces, and every year I changed sizes, like either up or down. And yeah, one time one of the wardrobe ladies on set was like, are those like too too tight for you now? And I was like, Do they look like they're too tight for me now? And I remember attitude because I was like, if they look like they're too tight for me now, then yeah, I probably need a bigger size. Why are you giving me a size that I didn't put on my size sheet? Like, I remember that being a thing. But I I had no problem saying something at that time because I was like, You're making me feel like shit. Like, I don't, I don't appreciate that at all. Um, so I kind of stepped away from that side of things and I was like, I'm really just gonna focus on my acting and dancing because that's ultimately what I really wanted to do. And then a year ago, October 2023, I got this random email and I thought it was spam, and it said good American open casting. And I was like, okay. Have you modeled prior to this? I've done like smaller campaigns for like a friend who's like, hey, can you model for my like sunscreen? Yeah, like and I had been doing influencer work at that time, like just my own really things, but nothing of like this level of a company that was gonna hopefully hire me. So I email back and I'm like, hey, like what are the details? And they're like, um, we're doing two different calls. You can either apply in person at our open casting call in LA, or you can apply on TikTok.
SPEAKER_00:And I was like, I saw the TikTok one that was like the TikTok craze of Good American girls were like submitting.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, where they were like, hey, what's in the case? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And you had to like wear jeans and a white jeans in a black or white top. So I did it. And I was like, why not? But also I was like, oh, this is gonna be like a little weird because like my whole following is gonna see like me applying for this open casting wall. But I was like, honestly, fuck it. Like, I I really want to try, try, you know. Um, and then January of this year, I got an email from them that were and they were like, hey, like you've been accepted into our in-person callback in LA. Um, we're gonna put you down on the list. Like, please come out to our open call. I was like, okay, sure. So I went, that was January of this year, and um, it was cool. I met some other girls, everyone was so different at this at the casting call.
SPEAKER_02:Like in terms of how they looked. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. So like that's the brand that she goes to. But that is the brand. Like you see the girls and you have all ethnicities, all sizes, all sizes, all heights. Yeah. Literally every type of woman, um, except for like maybe I think what they should do next, in my opinion, is like maybe an older model, like maybe someone's- I love when brands do that. Yeah, like maybe a woman who's like 40 plus or even 50 plus, you know, just to actually include all of their, you know, people who are buying their jeans. That's just my my little hot take. But it's something that I actually talked about with them before when I ended up working with them. But yeah, so then I did the open casting call. I had like a little interview with um a previous winner of the Good American casting call and a few other people who represent the brand. And it was great, but I was like, there's so many people here, there's no way like I'm gonna stand out. And then two months later.
SPEAKER_02:Were they looking for like your generic or like your typical model type, or was everyone like people, some of these girls had never even been to a casting call.
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so it was just it was really just open to so open, okay, which I love that they do that because it really gives everyone a fair shot. Like, you know, it wasn't like a traditional like runway movie. No, not at all. Um, and then yeah, two months later, I was shooting a movie in Toronto and I got an email from them that I was selected, which was crazy. So it was me and six other girls. I was the only Canadian. There was one girl that was from the UK, she was from London, and then everybody else was from different states.
SPEAKER_00:Were the other girls like influencers, or did some of them have no following? Most of them no following.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. Um, two girls, uh, Tabitha, who was from London, she had done, you know, she had just done a campaign for Olaplex. She's now really killing it. She's got gorgeous long hair, she's like Sri Lankan, she's gorgeous. Um, but yeah, she kind of had a following before, and then my other friend Allie, who ended up uh booking the shoot as well, she has a following too. She's a plus-size model, so yeah, and honestly, it was just like a crazy experience. We worked with like basically all of the creative team who works with Kim and Kylie and Chloe, like all of the Kardashians, like the makeup artists and the hairstylists, makeup artists, hairstylists. Um, there's one woman on set, her name's Kim also, and she does all of Skims, creative direction. It was so cool. And how long was the whole process shooting for them? Was it just like a one-time campaign? Okay, it was one day in LA, but the day before they had us do our fitting and then they had like a welcome dinner, which was really cool. And now I'm like, not a lot of brands do that. No, it was so awesome. And like now, all the girls we still chat. Like, we have a group chat called Good Squad is so cute. And I'm actually going to one of their birthdays in January in Michigan. So nice, yeah, like we're friends, and it's just like honestly, it just really gave me that confidence boost. I think I was looking for for a while. I just felt like I was in such a rut in terms of like modeling an opportunity, and I just kind of was in this endless cycle of like, what do I want to do next? Like, what's my next goal? And that was kind of a goal that I didn't even realize I had for myself that I achieved this year. So I'm really, really happy that that happened.
SPEAKER_02:Is there like another? I guess like Good American wasn't even in your like. I wasn't in my 2024 card. Yeah, like what that wasn't in your wishboard, but like, or your mood board, but like for next year, is there a brand that you want to model for or that you would love to work with with, or that you've like you just think that they're doing such a good job online that you're like, I could see myself like integrated.
SPEAKER_00:Even like me and Dom always get like super hyped about like when the odd brand will, you know, offer to send us a PR. We get like one PR package a year.
SPEAKER_01:If I continue to grow my platform, especially as an actor, to work with Road would be really cool because I love what Haley and her team does in terms of like each campaign direction, yeah. With like Claudia Schaefer and like they just did one with Matilda, like the hair with the hair, like gorgeous. Like I really, really love their creative direction, also love their products. Um, also, I I'm interested in maybe doing like sports illustrated, you know, when they do the different years. I can see that. I can see it. I really want to try for that maybe in the new year, because I think I also love their mission. I love that they really take women of all walks of life, like athletes, influences, everyone. And then everyone kind of ends up popping off too, which is cool. Um, so I think I kind of want to shoot for that maybe in the new year. We'll see.
SPEAKER_02:Like, I'm honestly just and for something like that, is it you reach out, like you and your agency reach out, or you wait to get approach? Is it or like a little a mix of both? Like you just put it out there that hey, like I could potentially be interested if the opportunity aligns.
SPEAKER_01:I think you apply, right? I think you apply, yeah. I'm not even signed with modeling agent. Okay, so this is just like this is just fully like me solo doing my thing, which is crazy.
SPEAKER_00:I think every year Sports Illustrated does a casting where you can like basically for a week or so um you can submit like your portfolio and all these things, like about yourself.
SPEAKER_01:I don't know much about like I have one friend who ended up booking it two years ago, three years ago. She's a plus size model as well. And she's you know, killing it and just really doing her thing. I mean, it's just something else that is a cool thing to be a part of and inclusivity, and that's just my mission. Like, I want to just be a voice and like a vessel to women that like aren't the standard size. I think I've gotten comments before online where people are like, you're like the typical all-American blonde beautiful girl, but I'm like, but I'm not like your typical size zero, like you know what I mean? Like, and I'm also not tall. So there's just different elements to me that I think I want people to feel like represented by.
SPEAKER_02:Um, and yeah, like I think And like the way that you feel towards like bot body positivity and that just whole movement is that because of everything that you went through, or like do you currently get like I don't want to use the word hate, but do you feel like you still like people are just mean online for no reason? Or that kind of that wave of energy or like that wave kind of you've passed through?
SPEAKER_00:I feel like I never know. Like I know that like body shaming used to be such a big thing online, like the comment sections would just be like. Is it still like that?
SPEAKER_02:Do you do you get that or you just like block like literally just block it out and you don't even pay attention to it?
SPEAKER_01:Honestly, I only really got I I typically don't get a lot of hate in terms of like body shaming, but I got some hate after I posted the Good American campaign because they're like, you're like you're so like typical size and da-da-da-da-da. And I'm like, but there aren't not every woman is a size six or five five. Like, I'm representing someone that maybe looks like my size, and also this is just a movement and a statement of what I've gone through. Just because you are the skinniest person in the room or the tallest person or the prettiest doesn't mean that you're not insecure.
SPEAKER_00:The thing, like at the end of the day, that I feel like gets missed a lot of the time is you are never going to be enough for everybody. Somebody is gonna think you're not plus size, somebody is gonna think you're size 50 and or like might not think you're the best answer and like deserving. Yeah, and I think like it just that's just always how it's gonna be. And you just have to take it for what it is and like keep it questioned.
SPEAKER_02:I'm surprised though, like people could hate on a campaign on a campaign like that and like say something.
SPEAKER_01:I think they were mad at the brand because they're like, why would you cast someone that's just like your typical normal size woman when this is a brand about inclusivity? And somebody else, I remember reading, somebody else fired back in the comments, they're like, but that is inclusivity to include someone of every size. Because we literally had women of every size. You had your zero, you had your five ten, you had your plus size, you had your medium, and I'd say I'm like more medium to like curvier.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And that's what somebody else fired back saying was like, but that is inclusivity, is including everybody in that range of sizes. So I don't know. I can't, I mean, I understand it.
SPEAKER_02:No, I know. I just don't think you're ever gonna please everyone, you're never gonna be everyone's cup of tea.
SPEAKER_01:Like, people are always gonna say something poorly. And I've learned that just from years of like dealing with certain comments and positive and negative, like it is what it is, everyone's gonna have an opinion and everyone's entitled to it. But sometimes I just choose to not engage or read it. Fair enough.
SPEAKER_02:Piggybacking off of like getting comments from other people, how has it been being in the spotlight with like friends and like people like mooching off of you or like wanting something, or like you started to get super popular, and you're like, oh my god, like Victoria's now in LA. Like, I need to be for her friend. Like, how how did you this? But it's just like still happening to this day. I can I can only imagine. That's why I'm like, and to be able to like figure out like I'm assuming you had friends like before you before you like popped off when you were 12, like who hopefully are still your friends now, or people that will like come out of the woodworks and they're like literally nowhere.
SPEAKER_01:You're like, where did you come from? Literally, yeah, it's so crazy that you asked me this because I've kind of struggled with a few people, especially in LA, that I'm just like, I really don't feel like your intentions are pure and we just don't align in terms of like what you want out of our friendship. But yeah, I have a core group of friends here in Toronto that I grew up with them. Like I've literally known them since I was like four. Yeah, I have three, three.
SPEAKER_02:It's good because they're if they like know you prior to like all the fame and they have literally like authentically, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Like my three girlfriends, my one specifically, I've known her since I was three. Um, she has been through everything with me, like every success, every loss, every breakup, like literally everything, and vice versa with her with me. And yeah, I feel really, really lucky that I have those friendships here. And to maintain that. And to maintain, you know, friendship is it's really hard to keep up. But I feel like I really try with all my friends just because I'm not here all the time doesn't mean like I forget about them. I'm constantly checking in, I'm constantly like trying to make efforts to like include it. Even if it's like a FaceTime or like a weekly call, like yeah, all the time because I know how important that is to me, and like their friendship means the world to me. But I have really struggled in LA with finding genuine people that you know that's like one thing don't want something from me.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Yeah. That's like one thing. I I have like a love-hate relationship with LA. Like I have, yeah, even myself, my boyfriend, like have this idea of like we're gonna live in California one day and just like the sun and the vibes and everything. And then I feel like there's this whole other side to LA of like perfection, like everything is perfect, and everybody wants something from you or from somebody, and I feel like it can be exhausting and just like it's very draining, and I've honestly been kind of struggling for the last year and a half being there.
SPEAKER_01:That's honestly why I come back to Toronto a lot. If I'm not as busy there or if I don't have to be physically be there.
SPEAKER_02:I feel like Toronto will like humble you, not humble not like you, but I'm saying like you could get so sucked into that lifestyle like Instagram and influencer, and just like and then you come here and you're like, okay, this is like like being with family.
SPEAKER_01:I need to feel grounded because being with your mom and just like hanging out and just being with my friends who I've known since I was four, like who are not like it's just grounded. Social climbing, yeah. Because I go to an event every week in LA, and it's just the same people, the same vibe, everyone's taking pictures of themselves, and that's fine. Like, I'm there too doing the same thing, but it's it's tiring, and it honestly gets it gets old because you're seeing the same thing all the time, and you're surrounded by like quite a bit of plastic surgery, and like all that's fine, but it's just it it weighs on you. Like going back to body image stuff, like it there's definitely been days where I'm like, I literally I can't do it. I can't think I need lipo and then you're gonna be like, no, literally, like I need to flip something, I need to tweak something about myself, even like right now. I'm like, I need Botox, and everyone's like, Can you relax? Like, you're really fine. Yeah, it just it's it's just when you're around that all the time, it really does consume you. But I really try to like not, you know, surround myself with that kind of energy all the time. Like, I I have to ground that's why I still take dance class, that's why I still like hang out with my friends that I've known for 15 years plus that have been on the show with me for years. Like my roommate in LA, I've known her since we were 16. She's from Toronto, and we we didn't really hang out in Toronto, but then we started hanging out in LA, and like she and I like have this conversation all the time because she's like similar size to me, similar lifestyle, and like just having those conversations and talking about it just makes me feel so much better because I'm like, okay, it's not just me that's feeling that. Like everyone feels that energy. You just can't let it consume you because it gets really bad. Yeah, and I've had moments where I've like had a Menti V and I'm like, hey, gotta come back to Toronto, like I can't do it, you know?
SPEAKER_02:Like Toronto's like a reset. Yeah, it must be nice to like come home to your friends here who like aren't going to these events and thinking about the same things, and they're like, oh no, like I have a nine to five, and I have different priorities and you can talk about different things, and it just it's not the same constant just thing all the time out there. So the next step is done. Yes, the next step is done. Season 10. Oh my god. Season 10, yeah. Okay, so we it it is it aired or you guys just launched.
SPEAKER_00:You guys just I saw that you guys just filmed.
SPEAKER_01:We just filmed this summer. Yeah, um, that's why I was in Toronto. I'm allowed to talk about it now, but for the longest time I wasn't able to talk about it. Um, and it's the last season of the show. It's been crazy. Obviously, the show's been on for 13 years, but just this last season was amazing to be on set with a lot of old members of the of the cast. Um and yeah, it's I'm honestly I feel really, really happy. If you would have, if I would have been on the podcast in September, I probably would have been crying right now just because it's been super bittersweet. But I feel so at peace with it. I feel like it's just been such an incredible journey, and like that's it. You know, it's time to close that door.
SPEAKER_00:So like interesting to like watch yourself grow up like through a TV show.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and people have that forever. Yeah. What do you say? Do you watch it? No, I don't watch it.
SPEAKER_02:I don't like have you ever like watched the full thing through?
SPEAKER_01:I've watched when the first two seasons came out, my mom would love to watch it like every Friday. It was on, and she'd be like, we have to watch the episode. I'm like, okay, fine. And then after that, I was like, I don't really want to watch it. Like, I feel weird. It's like it's a weird feeling because it doesn't feel like it's really me. I don't like to watch what I've done sometimes because then I get into my head and then I'm like, oh, I shouldn't have turned my head that way, or like, do I have a double chit? Like, it's just sometimes it's not healthy for me, but I probably will watch the last season just because it was really fun to film. And I actually right before this, I was doing voiceover um ADR up the street for the next step because sometimes like there's like a few lines that are muffled and whatnot. So I've gotten to see little bits of the show of this last season. Come out. Um, it'll probably be out in like April 2025. I don't know, so don't quote me on that. But um, yeah, it'll be out in the new year, and it's gonna be I'm just so excited to like see the fans react and and whatnot, because every year there's something different. And I haven't really been on the show um as a regular since season five.
SPEAKER_02:So you left, and then your was it so then how did they because I'm I watched the next step like when I was younger, so I think that was like seasons one through, up until like you were still there, yeah. So then how did it work in the show? Like, did your character take a leave?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, like go away. My character was like offered a world tour and she was leaving the next step, and they had like this whole farewell party.
SPEAKER_00:Oh my god. So was it your choice to leave because you had other things going on? Yeah. Or did they say, you know what, we're gonna like pivot a little bit?
SPEAKER_01:And I had a meeting with the showrunners at the time. It was two women, and they were like, What are you feeling this year? Like, are you ready to be like back in the mix at all of this? And I was like, No. And I don't know what was going on with me at that time. I was just like, no, I'm okay. Actually, hold off a year. I was like, nah, I think I'll like take a step back, you know. And they were like, okay, that's fine. Like, we'd still love to have you in like maybe two or three episodes. I was like, great. So I spent like four days on set. Um I don't really know what was going on. I think I was like, at the time, I like had a boyfriend and I was like in LA. 22, 20, yeah. This was like, no, no, I would have been younger. I would have been like 20. I just moved to LA like a year before that. I like started dating someone. Like I'm good. I was like, I just like don't really want to be in Toronto. Um, yeah, no, I don't know why I did that. Probably wouldn't have done that now, but it worked out the way it needed to. And um, yeah, so then I I I've every season I've been like two episodes. But then this last year they asked me if I'd come back, and I was like, yes.
SPEAKER_00:I mean, I know we're gonna get a lot of questions just before we close about visa process. Oh yeah. Like oh my god, yes. Moving to the states, like being a Canadian. I know my sister.
SPEAKER_02:You said you got it like you you got the visa like pretty easy when you were 19.
SPEAKER_00:This yeah, that was now it's definitely not as easy. My sister, she I mean, both my sisters live in the states, but one is like a doctor there, so it was through that. But the other one, she is like a full-time influencer. Okay, and her like she just met a guy there and wanted to marry him and was like, I need to get over here.
SPEAKER_01:Wow, good. Good for her.
SPEAKER_00:She, I mean, she married him after like you know, six months of knowing him or something, but she um the visa process took years.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. So I had two oh one visas, so like an artist visa back to back starting in 2017 was when I got my first one. They last three years. Um you have to maintain a certain level of income, don't you? It's not necessarily the income, but you have to have a sponsor. So at that time, my management down there sponsored me. That's where things get a little tricky. I think just my so then before I give my advice, last year, a year ago, I got my green card on my own, which is like a huge deal, obviously, for any immigrant, just because then I can do any job. I wasn't limited to just being an actor dancer. So if I wanted to go bartend tomorrow, I could. So that was just the biggest thing for me. But then what's hard about the green card is that you have to spend six months of the year in the US to maintain your status. But then I also spend six months of the year at least in Canada so that I can keep my health care and everything. So it's just been like this has been my first year. It's been my first year trying to like keep track of that.
SPEAKER_02:So do you have to be evenly split six and six?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, typically, yeah. Which this year I have been.
SPEAKER_02:I was like there a lot in the winter spring, and then I was here for most of the summer, but then for like most of the fall, I've been so then how does it work though if like you're in you have to be here in Toronto for six months, but then you would like let's say you get an amazing opportunity in LA and you have to be here.
SPEAKER_01:There's exemptions, there's ways around it. Most of it's just like for tax purposes, which obviously we won't we won't go into, but um, yeah, like there's ways around it. If you're like I have this job and I'm also a permanent resident of the US, then they understand because I'm a Canadian citizen, but because the problems is just when you cross the border.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, they'll they'll ask you questions. They'll ask you questions, they can see like your time spent there and stuff. So, like, for example, when my sister was waiting for her visa, yeah, she had to stay in the states because if she crossed the border, Canada would be like, or she she could get into Canada, but going back into the States, they'd be like, Well, you overstayed your welcome to begin with. Yes, and they can ban you.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you can get or to find you and deport you. It's crazy. And like while I was waiting for my green card, I had this thing called advanced parole. And I would have to go into secondary every single time I traveled. And at the time, a year ago, this was my brother was getting married, so I was coming back for the bachelorette, I was coming back for the shower, for everything. And so I was getting pulled into secondary questioning. Every single time. And one time I was in there for like two hours. Thank God I was early for my flight. One time I was in there for 10 minutes, but then you're like stressed because you hear these people who are like literally have been deported before. It's it's crazy. And honestly, it made me really passionate about immigration law. And I'm like, well, maybe if I do go back to school, I could be like a paralegal because it honestly drove me to understand the process so much more. And it honestly And like the depth of why they take it so seriously, yeah, and the depth of why there are so many illegals in America and because of this, because of this, and it makes sense, honestly. It's just unfortunate that it's so crazy in the way it's all come out, but um, yeah, so I think my just advice if anyone is interested in you know, really trying to move down there to like pursue, just really try and like compile as much information in terms of like press and oh my gosh, there's like eight different categories that you need to get a visa, but just start now, like because it takes a while. The process can be really long. So I'm like always just start compiling now before you leave all your accolades.
SPEAKER_00:Think about I always think it's so crazy how hard it is to get down there because like we are like neighbors. Like we do so much work together, we do all these things together, yet we can't go over there.
SPEAKER_01:I know, and like I have a few friends who just moved to London and Oh my gosh, it's so easy. I mean, I know we're commonwealth, but it's so easy. Like they were like, Oh yeah, it's literally two grand, and like I can stay here for like however long.
SPEAKER_00:I just have a friend that she moved there and she just got a work visa and she was like, Yeah, I just applied for it. Yeah, and she was like, if I stay here for like two years, then I can get like my full citizenship.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's literally what my my girlfriend just told me too.
SPEAKER_00:And I'm like, And even like coming into Canada, like not to like knock Canada, but it is very easy to get a visa here. Like it is quiet.
SPEAKER_01:It is very easy, I know. I've had friends like my one friend who's Australian, my one friend who's actually from London, like so easy for them.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, we forgot to do our peek and pit. Myself and Dom have the same peak and pit because we just had our event on Saturday, and it was probably I don't know if you know anything about host of movement, but we I did some creeping. Okay, we host um women's social events around Toronto, and obviously the podcast is like intertwined with that, and we have like an email newsletter and and all the vibes, and we usually do like a workout event and a social, and we have like fun sponsors. So on Saturday we had Solace Pilates, it's like a hot pilates.
SPEAKER_01:I've heard about this spot.
SPEAKER_02:I came to right on top of um Belfast Love, right on King Street beside Early Mercy. Oh my god, I can't wait to go when I'm it is evil and well. Yeah, I wouldn't be able to surprise it's massive, it's so deep. It looks gorgeous. Reformer room, I think it's 19 reformers, and then the hot room which we did a class in was 41 girls. So it's hot Pilates, because that's what I like. Yeah, and there's reformer, but there's reformer. I'm just saying, like in terms of size, like you've got a map massive reformer room and a big wow um hot room.
SPEAKER_00:But yeah, anyways, we did the event and it was I find Pilates events always bring out just like it was really cool girls.
SPEAKER_02:Everyone was like so happy to be there, and you could tell the energy was so high.
SPEAKER_00:Like I think sometimes we find with the events is they're not that like it's a bad thing, but sometimes events can bring out really shy girls. Yes, and when there's a group of shy girls, it's really hard to like socialize and get them together stuff. Yeah, whereas this event I feel like everybody was like open and willing to like meet new people. I love going to events like that.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, congratulations. So, anyways, it was no, it was honestly great.
SPEAKER_02:Like we left feeling so happy, but one of the things, like, and I didn't even think the pit is this the pit. This is the pit. This is the pit. So then this is the pit. Um, basically, we'll to do the reef, we'll talk about the refund.
SPEAKER_00:Basically, girls that either so we have a 72-hour cancellation policy just so it gives our f like these are events, are a lot of work, like sponsors, they take a lot of like time, and we also like work full-time. Yeah, just this is just like a passion project here.
SPEAKER_02:So we put 72 hours out for cancellation just so we have enough time to refund the ticket, give it out to someone else that um wants to come. The event space also wants to know the exact names of everyone that's coming, so it just works out. People either miss the temp the 72 hour, and then they will contact their bank and say it's fraud. Say that the okay fraud. So we've had this happen, and it happened at this event, and it was like so disappointing because then it's this whole dispute. PayPal or whatever bank provider reaches out to us. Somebody did that?
SPEAKER_00:No, so so I do like the back end stuff with the payment plan. She does like the payment plan. We have had about like 10 events at every single event. This has happened, yeah. And I remove the girls from the like email list, like you're done after that. Because like that's that's just disrespectful. Yeah, and also that's just not true.
SPEAKER_02:You came. Or like we have like video footage of like you at the event. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:The thing that happens is like they'll contact us first for a refund. We say, like, no, this is our policy. Like if we scream.
SPEAKER_01:That's so fair. I mean, that's I think that's a fair trade-off.
SPEAKER_02:Like and our policy is like smeared everywhere. Smeared everywhere. Like in the newsletter, when you purchase a ticket, just in bold. Literally in bold. Like we require 72 hours and we like explain why. And then people would just be able to do that.
SPEAKER_00:They'll contact their bank or they'll contact Shopify or whatever and put it as fraud. And then we get charged for it.
SPEAKER_01:That's so wild.
SPEAKER_00:And like we can dispute it stuff, and I'll dispute it with like a literal image of like you were there or like you weren't in the policy like the time frame. Yeah. And most of the time, like we're in the in the green, but I've been dealing with one for like the past couple days, and it's just so she's like, I'm gonna sue you guys.
SPEAKER_01:It's just honestly unnecessary.
SPEAKER_00:And at that point, it's really threatening like legal action. She's like, I'm gonna sue you so scarily.
SPEAKER_02:I'm like, well, okay, well, but then I would say but then I would say peak. We had our brand consultant come. We like onboard a brand consultant to help us just scale this, and she just gave us like a bunch of good ideas, feedback of like where we see this going in 2025. Right.
SPEAKER_00:Even like another thing, like, so we give these gift bags with all of the brands, and we had like really good brands for this one. Like, we had a brand that's in Sephora, give everybody like a blush and everything.
SPEAKER_02:It was valued at like$280, the gift bags.
SPEAKER_00:And um that's awesome that you guys girls who didn't show up, just they bought a ticket, but they didn't show up. They had contacted us after being like, I want my gift bag, and I'm like, that's like a little birthday party, and just taking the loot bag and leaving, or being like, Hey, can you mail me the loot bag?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, which is like so. I was like talking about this with my mom.
SPEAKER_00:I'm like the point that this gift bag is like, thank you so much for coming, like and being a part of this event.
SPEAKER_01:And also like you were a part of it, and like supporting brand, and then you're gonna post, it's all cross-promotion, yeah. We all know how that works, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:But it was like I was when I was talking to my mom about this, and I was explaining to my parents, they were like, Jaw on the floor, they're like, What do you mean?
SPEAKER_01:Like, what like my mom's like on the refund thing? That's just yeah, it's really funny.
SPEAKER_02:Like, it's funny at this point because it's just so insane. I know it's just like maybe don't do that, guys. People are weird, but yeah, it was when I when I explained to my parents, or even like I explained to my boyfriend, he's like, What do you what do you mean, these girls? Like, how can someone do that?
SPEAKER_01:That's like that like people actually I would never do that ever. Yeah, I would never do that before. I wouldn't even think of that. That wasn't even my thought process when you guys were like, and then yeah, that's crazy.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, people do that, but it was like a great event. It was, yeah, it was great, it looks gorgeous there. I need to go, it was amazing.
SPEAKER_00:But we just we have now back in February. We have our one year and we're gonna do a dinner.
SPEAKER_01:Okay, I'd love to have that.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, no, we would love that.
SPEAKER_02:But we like talked about it with our consultant. Now we're gonna like, you know, when you like go on a website and then there's like terms of agreements, we're gonna make sure like that you pick a box and then like everything is in there.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, well, it's good learning lessons, honestly.
SPEAKER_02:I tell you, I didn't even think of that, like, which is why we never even included it.
SPEAKER_01:I wouldn't even think of that. But now you guys know, yeah. Yeah, but I feel like you were doing the right thing in the beginning, anyways.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, well, yeah, I don't know.
SPEAKER_00:People are people are weird. That was that that like blew my mind that someone could do that. Wild. Okay, thank you guys so much for listening to this week's episode. Thank you, Vic, for coming on. Thank you for having me. Where can people find you?
SPEAKER_01:Um, my social handles are all basically the same, Vic Baldessera, but I post more on TikTok these days. I just feel more connected to my audience on TikTok and like it's just more fun and awkwardly.
SPEAKER_02:You like your girls on there?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. I'm like, you know, I just get to like be like authentically me on there and stuff.
SPEAKER_02:I think though, between like we always say with TikTok, I will talk and talk and talk and be like genuinely. Yeah, I think Instagram is very curated. It's very curated and like aesthetic and the perfect carousel.
SPEAKER_01:TikToks, like, I'm gonna just post me my pajamas. So if you want to see me yap and just keep up with my life and my injury right now, um, I'm on TikTok and yeah, just pick ball the series. And um, yeah, that's really it. Okay. Thank you guys. Bye. What a good chat.