Vem Magalenha
Never Give Up
Written and photographed by Rick Perez, @goodtimerickstudios
For about two months, one of the rooms in my house was empty. I saw this empty room as a blank canvas and opportunity to create. I invited my gorgeous Brazilian American friend, Melissa Kumpis, over for a collaboration. She brought different items from her wardrobe and with a bottle of wine we talked and took pictures for a few hours.
I met Melissa the year prior through her boyfriend Blake Imperl, lead singer of the band Stray Monroe. We would catch up during shows and I often got together with the two of them at their studio apartment. She was always sweet yet shy, but had an openness that I rarely saw in introverts. I was glad for this one on one time because I could finally get to know her story.
Melissa grew up in Brazil and moved to the United States with her family when she was 16 years old. I was curious about what her life was like before immigrating here. We started from her early years.
“I loved growing up in Brazil,” Melissa tells me, recounting her childhood. “It was really fun. The kids were really outgoing. I didn’t have too many friends but the ones I did have were good ones.”
Family was also a huge deal growing up. She went on to tell me how different her family culture was compared to here. Her and her family would always go on trips and extended family would be at their house often. Everyone would constantly be together.
As she blossomed into adolescence, Melissa was discovered by Kee Mod Agency (later bought by Ford Models) and moved from her small town of Curitiba into the big city of Sao Paulo to pursue modeling. There, she modeled for a few clothing campaigns while living away from her parents and sister. '“My mom would stay with me for two weeks and go back to my town for two weeks while I was by myself. Luckily I had my grandparents with me as well so it wasn’t so lonely.“
I was curious about how this seemingly shy woman would have courage to perform in front of the camera. What about modeling did Melissa enjoy? “Once I’m in front of the camera, everything changes,” she says, “It’s like I’m a whole different person. I become super confident when I model and I like it.”
The confidence she portrayed landed her a job offer to work for a season in China when she was 16 years old. This was a life changing opportunity, but she came to the crossroads of another life changing opportunity: moving with her family to the United States. In end, she chose to be with her family, a decision she often looks back on.
“Did you ever think ‘What if?’” I wondered. “Do you ever imagine how different your life would have been if you took that job?”
“I feel like that all the time,” she expresses, “The people who took jobs in China or another country got really big. It’s not for me anymore, though. I’m a whole different person now. ”
We went on to discuss her life after she moved to the United States. Was this an easy transition?
“It was awful in the beginning,” Melissa admits, “I didn’t know anyone. I was super shy and afraid to speak English. I thought that everyone would judge me because of my accent. I didn’t make any friends in high school and was lonely most of the time.”
I reflected on how I would feel moving to a different country at 16 years old. I know that I would definitely feel insecure and lonely and maybe even a little angry.
“Were you mad at your parents for moving?”
“Not really. I was upset that I was away from home but I wasn’t mad. I knew that this would be a different experience and it would be good for us in the end.”
As the years went on, Melissa’s confidence grew and the fear of speaking English diminished. She met her now boyfriend Blake and found a valuable, supportive partner in him. Currently managing many aspects of her family’s gelato company, she finds herself growing as a business woman.
“It’s busy, I’m wearing so many hats,” she says about her job, “But I am learning how to be more professional and learning how to become an adult. It’s hard, but it’s worth it because I get to see my family everyday.”
It seems that no matter how difficult life can be, Melissa is motived by the love of her family. Her loyalty brought her to the United States and is allowing her to grow as a person. This is just the beginning, but I know that the devotion to those she loves will prove fruitful in her career and personal life.
“Do you have any advice for a young person just immigrating to the United States?” I ask.
With the striking confidence she says, “Never give up.”
