It seems that the term March Madness doesn’t just apply to college basketball anymore, but to the weather as well. It goes from rainy and cold to sunny and warm in an instant. If you’re not careful, you’ll be caught outside in a full winter coat during 60-degree weather. While the weather (and your NCAA brackets) aren’t things we can control – Babes of Jersey City is! So keep reading to learn more about our babes of Jersey City for the month of March!
Meet Denise @denisemmercedes
Denise Mercedes is a creator who was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. She started modeling at the age of 18 and gained recognition at the age of 21 when she began posting photos to her social media of fashion and body positivity. She has collaborated with brands like Forever21, Target, JCPenney, and many more.
1. What do you currently do for a living and what is your dream job?
I work as a social media influencer and fashion blogger. I work with different companies by blogging about their products. I am also a fashion designer and have collaborated with brands by releasing an online capsule collection. I love what I do now but before this, I always wanted to be a vet. I love animals.
2. What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?
I love to hang out in downtown and of course, go to Newport to shop. My favorite place to eat is The Crepe Guru. I can’t get enough of those Nutella and Strawberries crepes.
3. How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?
It feels amazing, to be honest. As someone who was born and raised in JC, it feels good to be able to represent my city.
4. What are 3 random facts about yourself?
I am obsessed with dogs.
I’m Dominican
I’m still in the process of learning how to cook! Haha
5. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?
The craziest thing I’ve ever done was zip line and I loved it! Next thing I want to try is paragliding! Who wants to join me?!
6. What do you love most about Jersey City?
I was born and raised here. I’ve seen it change little by little but I love how Jersey City still kept its diverse vibes.
Meet Dashon B @_blackefron
Dashon Brown was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He picked up photography and graphic design at the age of 14. At the age of 16, he interned for Def Jam as a graphic designer until he was 18.
1. What do you currently do for a living and what is your dream job?
I work full time as an IT Support Specialist for Real-Time consultants and I also work part-time as an IT consultant for Bed, Bath & Beyond, all while studying full time at NJCU for a degree in Computer Science to become a software engineer. My dream job would be to able to work remotely for any tech company so that I can work and travel anywhere in the world as long as there’s a WiFi connection.
2. What is your favorite place to eat or hang out in Jersey City?
My favorite place to eat in Jersey City is Brightside Tavern. Literally my go-to spot for last-minute first dates. They have the best burgers.
3. How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?
I was very surprised when I received the nomination and I couldn’t stop blushing. Lol
4. What are 3 random facts about yourself?
- Hotline Bling is my favorite song of all time.
- When I was 14, I went to magic camp and I am an elite magician still to this day!
- I enjoy videography and video editing.
5. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?
If I spoke about the craziest thing I have ever done, it would probably lead to my disqualification for a JC babe. So let’s just say I’d like to go skydiving. Lol
6. What do you love most about Jersey City?
The thing that I love most about Jersey City is seeing it grow. I’ve watched this city make a total 180. Makes proud to say that I was born here!
Meet Nicole @theofficialnikkilou
Nicole Lourdes Fernandez, known professionally as NikkiLou, is a Cuban-American singer-songwriter, actress and dancer. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Since she could remember, she loved writing, creating melodies, and performing in sold out concerts where the stage was her mom’s bed. Nicole’s love for the stage began with dancing she was trained in all styles from ballet to traditional salsa and so on, which inspired her passion for choreography and cheerleading. Nicole was an All-American Varsity Cheerleading Captain. Her strong desire for acting began in college and, upon graduation, she moved to New York City to further pursue acting. After graduating, she started auditioning and working. Now, Nicole currently resides in Jersey City where she has been focusing on her music career, as well as other writing collaborations. Nicole has released two singles so far – “Type of Way” and “Ride It” – as well as videos which are both a part of the soon to come EP called FVCK PRETTY.
1. What do you currently do for a living and what is your dream job?
I currently bartend and write music for a living. My dream job is to do exactly what I do now and be able to make a living off of it and support those that I love. I want to be not only a recording artist on tour but also produce, write, act, direct, manage and build a nonprofit organization. LOTS TO DO!
2. What’s your favorite place to eat or hang out in Jersey City?
My favorite place to hang out in Jersey City is RED UNDERGROUND. It’s like my getaway. The music is ever-changing and they always have different DJs from NY/NJ who to do their thing. The interior has an old Hollywood vibe which I’m obsessed with. There is almost always room for you and your friends to lounge around and a dance floor in case you wanna bust a move. Above all, the staff there are always so fun, full of love and considerate. Love them!
3. How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?
This community has welcomed me with open arms, I am a Miami girl, but Jersey City never made me feel nothing less than family. My adult life and music career were made here and being nominated makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger – a movement. a place where it actually doesn’t matter where you are from, only that you connect and grow.
4. What are 3 random facts about yourself?
- I can’t get pedicures. I’m way too ticklish and I’ve kicked a nail technician in the face before
- I love and know how to fence
- I am obsessed with horror movies and know how to do special effect horror make up!
5. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?
This is a tough one …. so I’ll go with the craziest thing I want to do! Fly a plane, I have the eyesight! That would be crazy only because I’m afraid of heights.
6. What do you love most about Jersey City?
The sense of community, everyone is fearlessly themselves. People don’t realize how in many parts of the country and even the world there is a sense of shame or restriction because of who you are what you love or the way you look. Here, this place… Jersey City is a safe place, the place where the ordinary and the strange all roam free and express themselves and create. Everyone belongs. We are so rich with culture and everyone, at least in my experience, is not afraid of showing and sharing who they are. It’s courageous and inspiring. It’s real, and I’m grateful I left everything I knew and landed somewhere that was willing to teach me, support me and love me like I was one of their own.
Meet Zach @zack.michaelson
Zack Michaelson is a JC resident who is a professor and hedge fund account manager by day, as well as a signed agency model by night.
1. What do you currently do for a living and what is your dream job?
I work for a large hedge fund in the city developing and implementing quantitative portfolio management strategies, and also teach finance at NYU and Columbia. As for dream job, I’m doing it — I always wanted to balance industry and academia and have fulfilling roles in both. I’ve been fortunate to find roles that let me have that in a way where the two enhance each other without conflict.
2. What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?
Orale, Light Horse Tavern, and South House are favorites. Near and dear to me are places where I’ve gotten to know the owners or managers like Battello, Gringo’s, Surf City, O’Hara’s, Hudson Hall, Harry’s Daughter, and Loradella’s. And I was even a bartender at Bistro at Grove (aka Grove Square) for a hot minute, so it will always feel like home to me.
3. How does it feel to be nominated as a Jc babe?
Awkward
4. What are 3 random facts about yourself?
My kids are 6 and 8, but know Post Malone lyrics better than me.
I’m not a big fan of torture or genocide – I was elected to the Board of Directors of Amnesty International twice because I like to go on the record as being opposed to such things.
I used to pick up cars and bench press over 400lb when I competed in strongman and powerlifting. (Now I’m weak, though.)
5. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?
I’ve always wondered what modeling is about at a big NY agency but figured that life surely passed me by. But then I was offered a contract with BMG two years ago and created a little Instagram account for it (@zackinaction), and sure enough, crazy as it is for an old father of two to be doing, I get to have this little side hustle hobby doing modeling and brand ambassador work.
6. What do you love most about Jersey City?
The unique balance of a community feel while being in an urban area with everything to offer. There are a ton of great restaurants and activities right outside my door, even more than I felt living in Manhattan. But all of them feel much warmer and more of a community than one gets in most cities. There’s the friendship and connectedness of a small town here, with amenity, convenience, culture, and vibrancy that rivals of any of the best neighborhoods in the NYC metro area.
Have a JC babe you want to nominate? Email us info@chicpeajc.com
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