He made something all brand new for me for his show. We worked on it as a partnership, just like we did the Grammys dress. That was two geniuses or two art world fanatics. Genius can seem arrogant, but more like creators.
Urban Grandstand Digital: I definitely was going to have you talk about that dress from the Grammys. Probably strange from a male perspective (laughing), but I thought it was awesome for you. The idea is it was different, and at the end of the day, it’s not like you didn’t look good in it. I just think there was so much press behind it, some positive and a lot negative, and when you look at different sites and you question why people say certain things…
Joy Villa: What people don’t know is that what they see on the outside is different than what’s on the inside.
I knew that it would get some hate, but I don’t care. I can’t judge what others think, and the internet loves to go crazy. Controversy sells. I went into it saying I wanted to be creative, have humor, creativity, and aesthetics. My idols on the carpet are Cher, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. These are people who make a splash when they go on the red carpet. When I go on the carpet, I’m not going to be anything less than Joy Villa. This is how i’ve always been. There’s pictures all over, that I think look just as wild. I’ve modeled crazy things and walked around wearing crazy things. I lived in Hollywood for 6 years and I love in New York now. There’s all kinds of influence. If you’re in a conservative zone, like Omaha Nebraska, and you see this pop up, of course it looks outrageous. No one knows who I am yet, which is fine.
Urban Grandstand Digital: They know now…(laughing)
Joy Villa: I was laughing at it, and it doesn’t offend me when people say negative things because they’re interested. They’re communicating, looking at it, and posting about it. So I’m honored. You’re giving me your attention. I knew it would be on the worst dressed list, and the best dressed list. You have to take chances as a fashionista. For me, it was a success.
Urban Grandstand Digital: I love that you look at it that way. It’s beautiful, and it was good dress. You want to be different.
Joy Villa: Honestly, if I had warn something that look like a “best dress”, nobody would know who i am. I wanted to make a splash. They would know eventually, but they wouldn’t know now. The viral sensation surprised me. I didn’t think it would go that crazy on the front page of Yahoo News! People were sending me clippings. CNN, Jimmy Kimmel, Kelly Osborne. Everyone I saw in person thought it was amazing. It was mostly women saying they wished they had the guts to wear it. They loved that I had body confidence. Everyone who knows me knows I have great body confidence. I work out, I’m a vegan, and I’m a health advocate. I’m an advocate for body confidence, not matter what size and shape you are. So I’m all about it. I just want everyone to know that n stylist made me wear it. I take full responsibility. I’m the stylist (laughing).
Urban Grandstand Digital: It definitely makes people take notice to you now, especially at a time when you have your new single.