Joanna Krupa: From Model to Animal Rights Activist and TV Personality

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 when she was 5 and began her modeling career at a young age, appearing in various magazines and advertisements, and quickly gained recognition for her beauty and grace.

She rose to international fame in the early 2000s, appearing on the covers of magazines such as Maxim and FHM and becoming a popular television personality. From starring in the Real Housewives of Miami to Dancing with the Stars to hosting the Polish version of America’s Next Top Model, her popularity has made her an Instagram sensation with over 1.8 million followers. In addition to her modeling and acting career, Krupa is a passionate animal rights advocate and has been involved in various 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 in both the entertainment and animal rights industries and here she speaks to Impact Wealth about her next projects, her animal rights activism, and 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 the way they cut their diamonds with their signature L’Amour Crisscut Diamond collection that makes the diamonds look 50% bigger compared to other diamonds with the same carat size. I’m looking forward to designing and doing some amazing collaborations with them.

As someone who has always loved animals, I have been fighting animal cruelty and fur trapping with PETA or the Humane Society and promoting adoption over buying from a breeder. I choose products that are cruelty-free. I started my own organization for Animal Rescue years ago where we foster and find homes for pets and provide pet bedding for people that can’t afford bedding for their animals. My new show will be pet-driven animal rescue type of show but also a reality docuseries of my life and where I am now. The pet rescue show is something that I’ve been trying to get up and running for a few years.

I’m also doing a Polish version of America’s Next Top Model, and we’re on our 12th year of filming. I’m also starting another show in Poland that is more of a makeover show. This keeps me busy, and I get to do my passion projects out there. Poland’s my second home aside from California because I spend a lot of time there. I have businesses such as a lingerie line, a perfume line, and a catering and food delivery business there. I came in as an investor because I believe in the project.

What was it like being on The Real Housewives of Miami? Was it as dramatic as we saw on TV?

It was something that I never thought I would sign up for because I’m all about girl power, promoting other women, and being for other women. It was a tough project and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Being put in a room full of people that don’t have your best interests at heart was hard. It was many years ago, and my life has changed drastically, and I’ve accomplished a lot before and after the show.

My focus now in life is to be involved in more positive projects that empower women in power and work with people who are kind to one another and are good people who give back, and I want to be a good role model for my daughter. I’m passionate about my work but just staying away from the vicious drama cat fights is necessary to be happy and have a career, and you don’t need that kind of behavior around you to make a name for yourself.  As a mother it’s important to be more protective of my image to ensure that it sets a positive example for my daughter.

Are you still involved with professional dancing?

 

I haven’t danced professionally since I was on Dancing with the Stars, I wish I continued but unless you have a partner like Derek Hough, it’s tough.  I wished I pursued it a little bit more since the show. It was probably one of my best moments in my career where I got to do such a fun show, and it was a big challenge.

 

As a role model, what advice would you give to young women who aspire to become models or influencers?

First of all, just love yourself, stay focused on your dreams, work hard, and believe in yourself. dreams.  When one door closes another will open.  Find a good balance good balance between your personal and professional lives, take care of your health, and always be true to yourself.

Social media posts, magazine photos, and TV are mostly retouched with filters, good lighting and Photoshop that may look like perfection, but it’s not reality.