Feel good doing what you love.

Meet Larissa Raponi –  a 24 years old half-Italian and half-Fijian, born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. Larissa is trained in gymnastics and dance and is now actively coaching children in gymnastics.

Larissa began her modelling and dancing career in 2018, which has given her opportunities to meet new people and experience new things. Larissa has done several photoshoots, music videos, and performed as a background dancer in concerts.

We sit this month with Larissa to know more about her and here is our exclusive interview with her.

Photographer: DOUBLE D @david_dubreus

Tell us about your education
In high school I was still figuring out what my strengths and weaknesses were, and what I wanted to pursue in university. I realized I enjoyed learning about law and sociology, so I applied for the Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, minoring in Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Toronto. As challenging as my program was, I graduated in April of 2021 successfully. I have volunteered and interned at law firms, and hoping to eventually pursue a career in law, specifically youth justice. This is something I am passionate about, and I am hopeful that I can make a difference in youths lives who were negatively impacted by the system. I think that my experience training young gymnasts will be vital to that field as it has taught me how powerful physical activity, expression, and group building can be for young children who might otherwise be struggling in this society.

Share some of your childhood memories.
Some of my favourite childhood memories would definitely be training in gymnastics with my friends, as well as dancing in shows and competitions. It was where I felt most myself. I have always been an active person so I enjoyed playing sports and games with my friends in my neighbourhood and at school. I definitely think these experiences have shaped who I am by making me stronger, teaching me perseverance, and giving me a platform to learn more about myself and my interests on a broader scale.

How and when did you get interested in gymnastics?
I started gymnastics when I was three years old. My parents always told me that they knew to put me in gymnastics because I was always climbing and jumping around. They realized that it would be a sport best suited for me and I’m so thankful that they started me at such a young age. I think physical exercise and art are so important for our youth, they help kids develop healthy, strong, and nurtured minds, bodies, and souls.

How do you feel teaching gymnastics?
I started teaching gymnastics as soon as I quit training, which was at age fourteen. I have coached preschool, recreational, and competitive levels. It’s always a positive environment, and it is great to work with children who are excited and eager to learn new things. It is also incredible being able to pass on the things I’ve learned from this form of artistic expression as it is about so much more than perfecting the craft. It is about building character and confidence, which I think is reflected in the way I coach.

How did you get into modelling? What was your first project?
I joined a dance company in Toronto in 2018 and they had a photoshoot with all the dancers for the company. That was my first experience modelling and having professional photos of myself. Once I posted that photo on instagram, I had a lot of photographers reaching out and wanting to work with me! It all happened so fast and I was not expecting myself to fall into the category of a model. But I realized how much I enjoy it, and how confident I felt being in front of a camera and expressing myself. I think it also showed me that we are so much more than the societal standards of beauty and being able to model has truly made me understand how much we are evolving not only in the industry but in society more broadly.

Photographer: MUSAEL DEBRETSION @mossy__prod

What do you like about modelling and what are its drawbacks?
I love modelling because it gives me an opportunity to express myself. I’ve always felt more confident leaving a photoshoot than coming in. I also love having the opportunity to meet new people who are just as passionate about creating as I am.
There are definitely drawbacks of modelling. Rejection is always hard to deal with. It’s difficult when you apply for certain gigs that you’re really excited for and you aren’t chosen. But I have learned to not take it personally, be patient and to keep a positive attitude. It makes it bittersweet once you do land a gig.

How did you get into music videos?
I believe my first music video was with Navneet Sharma, who is an incredible artist and an wonderful person. We have shot two videos now and each has been an amazing experience. He’s so extremely talented and I love working with him. Ever since I filmed the first video with him, I began to have more people reach out wanting to work with me in music videos. I’m really appreciative of the skills he taught me and the confidence I developed from our shoots.

Photographer: DOUBLE D @david_dubreus

Tell us about your favourite music video projects.
I think every music video I have done has been an incredible experience and I don’t think I have a favourite. Most of them I have gotten to film with friends of mine, who are also models and dancers, so it made the experience even more enjoyable. Networking is a really important part of the industry and even though it might feel intimidating at first, it’s important that artists develop the skills necessary to be good networkers.

What are your secrets to being fit and looking beautiful?
My secret is to be completely authentic and confident in yourself. Real beauty is reflective of the inside, and that’s what I hope to pass on to other young artists who are just starting out in the industry.

What are some of your other hobbies?
Some of my hobbies are reading, cooking and baking, photography, working out, and travelling.

What type of dance do you do?
I was trained in ballet, jazz, acro, heels, hip hop, and commercial dance.

Give us some of your favourite hang out spots in Toronto
Some of my favourite hang out spots in Toronto are Lavelle, Kost, The Porch, and the Distillery District. I love places where a lot of artists hang out. As someone in the industry, I find it inspiring to be around people who aren’t afraid to express themselves.

What are some of your plans for the future?
Now that restrictions have lifted, I would like to start travelling more. As well as getting more opportunities in my field of work. I’d like to find a job in the youth justice field and see where that takes me. But for now, I’d also like to meet new people and gain more experiences in my modelling and dancing career.

How do you unwind?
When I have time to myself I like to focus on my self-care. That includes manifesting, journalling, taking a candle lit bath, watching Netflix, and reading a good book. It’s so important that people understand the value of self love and really take the time needed to focus on themselves so that they can be better not only in their work but also their interactions with people. Self love allows people to develop confidence and strength, which is so important as an artist. You really have to believe in yourself and focus on your mental well-being in order to perform your best at gigs.

Your message for our readers and your fans.
If I could give a message to anyone reading this, I know firsthand what it’s like to put yourself out there in this industry and the societal expectations that come with it. My message to young up and coming artists, as I said before, is to stay true to themselves, love themselves, break boundaries and stereotypes, and feel good doing what they love because that’s all that matters at the end of the day.

Message for us at Toronto pages
I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to share my story and my perspective of the industry. It’s great for a magazine to want to focus on real people and their lives. It’s given me another opportunity to promote myself and what I believe in, which is authenticity and confidence.