logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2021
41m 55s

Angela Martini | Model, Former Miss Alba...

NATALIE BRUNELL
About this episode

Courtesy AngelaMartini.me:

Angela Martini was born in Shkoder, Albania during a time of political instability as communism started to dissolve in the region. Her early childhood was plagued by kidnapping attempts, neighborhood violence, and at one point, a short stay in a refugee camp. Concerned for her safety, Angela's mother sent her to Switzerland to live with her father at the age of ten. After leaving Albania, she would go on to live a lonely childhood, often feeling neglected and isolated from the outside world. During these years, Angela dreamed of building a better life--a dream that often seemed impossibly out of reach. At the age of 21, in hopes of pursuing a professional modeling career, Angela boarded a one-way flight to Miami. The very next day, she was signed by Front Management Agency in Miami, and only 3 months later, by Elite Model Management New York--one of the world's premier modeling agencies. She quickly started booking campaigns with retail giants such as JCPenney and Macy's. In 2010, Angela was crowned Miss Universe Albania. A few weeks later, without a hairstylist or makeup artist, she placed sixth in the Miss Universe pageant, the highest finish for any Miss Albania in history. This platform catapulted her to celebrity status throughout Europe and allowed her to cement a successful modeling career. To date, she has been featured in GQ, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Maxim, and Esquire, to name a few. Throughout the years, Angela has had various business ventures, including the building of a successful swimwear line that was featured in major events such as Miami Fashion Week. Despite the glitz and glamour that surrounds her, Angela's outlook on life has evolved. She is focused on transforming herself into a person that reveals her soul and deep sense of spirituality. Through her movie production debut in 2020, with the short films Fusion and A Way Out, Angela combines fantasy, spirituality, and humanity to piece together complex themes into cohesive narratives. In her memoir "Love. Hope. Light." she commands the attention of the reader through her vulnerability, but at the same time, her resounding strength. She reveals an intimate part of herself through her life experiences and the difficult lessons she learned along the way. Those lessons--some more painful than others--combined with her mother being the outstanding role model that she was, is what molded Angela into the incredible woman she is today. The lived experiences revealed in this book inspired her to become a certified life coach in 2017. In love with her new path, Angela hopes to look beyond the vanities of this world and looks forward to writing the next chapter of her life--one that will certainly take the world by storm.

Up next
Jun 2021
Mike O'Hearn & Mona Muresan | Fitness Influencers, Bodybuilders, Mr. & Ms. Universe, Entrepreneurs
Host Natalie Brunell sits down with fitness power couple Mike O'Hearn & Mona Muresan. Mike is a bodybuilder, personal trainer, actor, and model who has been featured on hundreds of magazine covers, was Fitness Model of the Year seven times, and is a four-time Mr. Universe title h ... Show More
59m 3s
Feb 2021
Logan Hollowell | Fine Jewelry Designer, Alchemist, Goddess, Social Media Influencer
Logan Hollowell is a fine jewelry designer, an alchemist and a social media influencer.  Her celestial-inspired creations are handmade in Los Angeles using 14k and 18k recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds and rare precious stones sourced sustainably around the world.  Her pieces ... Show More
45m 39s
Jan 2021
Rachel Brown - ABC7 Los Angeles Anchor & Reporter, Talent Coach
Rachel Brown is the weekend morning co-anchor and a general assignment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News. She joined the station in June of 2019 and is thrilled to become a member of the Los Angeles' #1 news team. Rachel is a native of Chicago's South Side. She received a bachelo ... Show More
56m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Federal Agencies Face Pressure to Cut Jobs as Employees Weigh Buyout Offers | First Lady of Illinois and Former Inmate Team Up for Criminal Justice Reform
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wants peace with Russia, but that Ukraine needs security guarantees for a ceasefire. The comments follow a contentious Oval Office meeting on Friday between Zelenskyy and President Trump.European leaders say they're stepp ... Show More
39m 59s
Mar 2025
New Tariffs Take Effect on Canada & Mexico | Senators James Lanford and Elizabeth Warren Discuss Trump's Agenda | Ione Skye Reflects on Fame, Love & Loss
From immigration to DOGE and cutting costs, Americans are divided on how President Trump and his administration are doing so far as the president prepares to address Congress about plans for his second term on Tuesday.The Trump administration has suspended billions of dollars in ... Show More
49m 25s
Apr 2025
How Will New Tariffs Impact Prices and Stock Market? | RFK Jr. Encourages Measles Vaccine and Addresses Cuts to Health Programs
President Trump imposes a 104% tariff on Chinese imports, prompting a fierce response from Beijing and raising concerns about rising costs for American consumers. Anna Coren reports from Hong Kong on the potential global fallout.President Trump's tariffs could drive up the cost o ... Show More
51m 12s
Apr 2024
04/21/2024: Secretary of Commerce, On British Soil, Kevin Hart
Since taking office as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under the Biden administration, Gina Raimondo has turned the second-tier agency into a center of national security, manufacturing, and job creation. Correspondent Lesley Stahl meets Raimondo - including in her home state of Rh ... Show More
52m 4s
Jun 22
Special Coverage: US Attacks Nuclear Sites in Iran
American bombers struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites overnight, putting the US directly into Tehran’s war with Israel despite President Donald Trump’s longtime promises to avoid new conflicts.Addressing the nation late on Saturday in Washington, Trump said Iran’s “key nuclear ... Show More
40m 59s
Jun 22
Special Coverage: US Attacks Nuclear Sites in Iran
American bombers struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites overnight, putting the US directly into Tehran’s war with Israel despite President Donald Trump’s longtime promises to avoid new conflicts.Addressing the nation late on Saturday in Washington, Trump said Iran’s “key nuclear ... Show More
40m 59s
Jun 22
Special Coverage: US Attacks Nuclear Sites in Iran
American bombers struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites overnight, putting the US directly into Tehran’s war with Israel despite President Donald Trump’s longtime promises to avoid new conflicts.Addressing the nation late on Saturday in Washington, Trump said Iran’s “key nuclear ... Show More
40m 59s
Nov 2024
Former W.W.E. Boss Tapped to Run Education, and Trans Rights on Capitol Hill
Plus, this musical wants France to love it back.   Tune in every weekday morning. To get our full audio journalism and storytelling experience, download the New York Times Audio app — available to Times news subscribers on iOS — and sign up for our weekly newsletter.Tell us what ... Show More
9m 42s
Feb 2025
The F.B.I.’s New Boss, and the Foreign Aid Fallout
Plus, a James Bond takeover.  On Today’s Episode:  Emergency Food, TB Tests and H.I.V. Drugs: Vital Health Aid Remains Frozen Despite Court Ruling, by Stephanie NolenAgent Orange Twisted Her Limbs. The U.S. Is Abandoning a Vow to Help, by Damien CaveWith Coffins and Taunts, Hamas ... Show More
9m 24s