Joanna Krupa: Model, Advocate, and Businesswoman Redefining Her Next Chapter
Joanna Krupa is a renowned LA based model, actress, animal rights activist, and businesswoman. Born in Warsaw, she moved to the United States with her family at age five and began her modeling career at a young age, appearing in various magazines and advertisements while quickly gaining recognition for her beauty and grace.
She rose to international fame in the early 2000s, appearing on the covers of magazines including Maxim and FHM and becoming a popular television personality. From starring in The Real Housewives of Miami to competing on Dancing with the Stars to hosting the Polish version of America’s Next Top Model, her popularity has made her an Instagram sensation with more than 1.8 million followers. Beyond her modeling and acting career, Krupa is a passionate animal rights advocate who has been involved in numerous campaigns to raise awareness about animal cruelty and promote animal welfare. Her talent, beauty, and dedication to her causes have made her a beloved and influential figure across both the entertainment and animal rights spaces. Here, she speaks with Impact Wealth about her next projects, her animal rights activism, and her advice for the next generation of aspiring models and influencers.
What are some of the newest projects you are working on?
My latest and most glamorous project is a partnership with Christopher Designs NY. I love how they cut their diamonds, particularly their signature L’Amour Crisscut Diamond collection, which makes the diamonds appear fifty percent larger compared to other diamonds of the same carat size. I’m really looking forward to designing and collaborating with them on some exciting projects.
As someone who has always loved animals, I’ve spent years fighting animal cruelty and fur trapping alongside organizations like PETA and the Humane Society, while promoting adoption over buying from breeders. I only choose cruelty free products. Years ago, I started my own animal rescue organization, where we foster and find homes for pets and provide bedding for people who can’t afford it for their animals. My new show will be a pet driven animal rescue series, along with a reality docuseries following my life and where I am now. The rescue show in particular is something I’ve been trying to get off the ground for a few years.
I’m also continuing work on the Polish version of America’s Next Top Model, now in its twelfth year of filming, and I’m starting another show in Poland centered more around makeovers. It keeps me busy, but it also lets me pursue projects I’m genuinely passionate about. Poland has become my second home outside of California, since I spend so much time there. I run several businesses there as well, including a lingerie line, a perfume line, and a catering and food delivery business. I came into that last one as an investor because I truly believe in the project.
What was it like being on The Real Housewives of Miami? Was it as dramatic as it looked on TV?
It was something I never thought I would sign up for, since I’ve always been focused on girl power and lifting other women up. It turned out to be a tough project, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Being placed in a room full of people who didn’t necessarily have my best interests at heart was difficult. That was many years ago now, and my life has changed drastically since then. I’ve accomplished a lot both before and after the show.
My focus these days is on being part of more positive projects that empower women, and working with kind people who genuinely give back. I also want to be a good role model for my daughter. I’m passionate about my work, but staying away from unnecessary drama is essential to my happiness and my career. You don’t need that kind of environment to build a name for yourself. As a mother, it’s become important to me to be more protective of my public image, to make sure it sets a positive example for her.
Are you still involved in professional dancing?
I haven’t danced professionally since my time on Dancing with the Stars. I sometimes wish I had continued, but without a partner like Derek Hough, it’s genuinely difficult to keep it going. I do wish I had pursued it a bit further after the show. It remains one of the best moments of my career, such a fun and challenging experience.
As a role model, what advice would you give to young women who aspire to become models or influencers?
First and foremost, love yourself. Stay focused on your dreams, work hard, and believe in yourself. When one door closes, another will open. Find a healthy balance between your personal and professional life, take care of your health, and always stay true to who you are.
Looking Beyond the Filter
What Krupa returns to most often in conversation is the gap between image and reality, a theme that runs through both her career advice and her own evolving public life. Social media posts, magazine photos, and television are almost always retouched with filters, careful lighting, and Photoshop, creating something that may look like perfection but simply isn’t real. Recognizing that distinction, she suggests, is often the first real step toward building genuine confidence rather than chasing an image that was never attainable in the first place.
