The favelas in Rio are often referred to as dangerous, with many people from outside of Brazil forming their own assumptions on the places people like Juliana are from, which is something she aims to dispel everywhere she goes. Although harmful narratives regarding the favelas and the communities that reside in them are common, Nalú continues to promote the people in her neighbourhood, their resourcefulness, joy and creativity. She emphasises that “this is never going to change, it doesn't matter where I am, I’m very proud of it [Chapādo and similar areas] because many people think the favelas in Rio are really bad but in the favelas there’s really good things as well like look at me. Good things come from the favelas and this is how we have to change our mindset about Rio and the favelas because I feel like people love talking about how dangerous it is and stuff like that everywhere is dangerous you know? There’s both sides. And I’m grateful that I saw the other side.”

Known for its monumental role in football culture and being the home of legends like Pele and Ronaldinho, Juliana often reflects on her earliest memories of the beautiful game and when she first became a fan. She declares “we didn’t need much honestly. Just being around people that we love and having fun is something that I miss a lot” The nostalgia of being a child, with little responsibility and the whole world at your feet is something many people can relate to, that exact jubilation and childlike carefreeness is what punctuated Juliana’s upbringing in Chapādo.

From a young age, Juliana had dreams of pursuing a non traditional path, she states “I just knew I wanted to do something different, I wanted to express myself…I used to tell my mum to take me to auditions and dress me up at home” This determination laid the foundation for her future career in modelling.

After travelling up and down the country with her mum to auditions and castings at the age of thirteen, Juliana was finally chosen to model for a L’Oreal Paris’ Brazil campaign when she was eighteen and nothing has been the same since, it was at that very moment things skyrocketed for Nalú. When Juliana had left Brazil for the first time she was nineteen and found herself in America pursuing her dreams with the support of the agency she had just signed to. Unfortunately, moving six thousand miles from home came with its own challenges. Contemplatively, Juliana says when “I moved to LA it was very difficult because I didn’t know English at all. I never studied English because my mum couldn’t afford it so I remember getting here and everyone was just looking at me like oh this pretty Brazilian girl. And I was like damn I went to uni, I’m smart and it felt so useless not being able to express myself.” During this difficult period, Juliana’s dog Rio had passed away and as a result her mental health suffered immensely. To find her footing, Nalú decided to relocate to New York for a little bit which was closer to her agency. And after a while of getting things back on track Juliana returned to sunny LA, reconnected with her friends and got back to her normal life. While in LA, Juliana has formed a close friendship with dreamy Colombian American singer Kali Uchis and credits her for being a grounding force in her life, anchoring Juliana in the busyness of LA life and modelling. The two have been spotted together at various fashion events and sometimes share glimpses of their friendship on social media.

Creative expression across different mediums is really important to Juliana, music in particular plays a significant role in her life. Nalú’s diverse taste spans genres like neo-soul, indie rock, afrobeats and more. She is especially a fan of artists like Erykah Badu, Asake, and Lana Del Rey, even attending one of Del Rey’s magical performances which she has described as “epic.” She also shares that baile funk is a major influence in her life, calling it "a hundred percent me." Originating in the favelas of Rio, this genre has exploded in popularity worldwide, with its viral dances and songs spreading across social media, clubs, and more intimate settings like house parties. Baile funk has truly become the defining sound of present-day Brazil. When it comes to film, Juliana’s all-time favourite is Closer, starring Julia Roberts. Roberts' stirring performance demonstrates both endurance and charm, something Juliana exhibits in her own life as she navigates the fashion industry with grace and determination. Her love for film and music inform her overall vision and approach to the various projects she works on.

Over the years, Juliana Nalú has modelled for the likes of Places + Faces, Emilio Pucci and has recently featured in GUESS USA’s latest F/W 2024 campaign. In addition to her brand success, Juliana has graced the covers of several fashion magazines, including Elle Brasil and Schön Switzerland. Her editorial work has been featured in spreads that highlight her expressiveness and creative flair. Alongside the big names, Juliana loves working with up and coming creatives who are just as enthusiastic and imaginative as her, she warmly expresses “ I just love creating new things and I feel like when you’re working with someone who’s upcoming they don’t have the pressure of being perfect and this is how you create new things and great things…I’m just grateful for everyone who passed through my life.”

Despite her growing fame, Juliana has remained grounded and connected to her roots. She frequently returns to Rio de Janeiro where she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her mum who she considers her best friend. Although based in Los Angeles, the model remains deeply connected to her Brazilian roots. Her favourite dish is Feijoada, a hearty, comforting traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans and spices, which she says reminds her of home.

Nalú’s connection to her culture is something she holds dear, and she often speaks about how her upbringing in Brazil has influenced her as a person. She says proudly “it doesn’t matter where I go [there are] so many amazing cities but Rio still hits differently. It's not because I’m from Rio. It's just [that] the energy and culture feels different when you’re there and I don’t think I [only] feel that way just because I’m from Rio.”

Alongside modelling, what makes Juliana an It Girl is her involvement in her local community and nonprofit focused efforts. She is passionate about accessibility and has used her platform to build a charitable organisation called Favela Seeds which has always been a dream of Nalú’s. She passionately voices “I remember telling my mum, if one day I have the opportunity of being big or having the resources to make something that we can give back to the girls or kids that want to become something big one day, I want them to have access to things like English classes because I know how much that affected me.” Now she is in the position to provide resources and opportunities with her team consisting of her mother, brother and sister in law. She proudly declares “we have this place in the street where I was born, where I lived my whole life…the kids there learn jujitsu and do [many] cool things. And now we're opening another one that’s for English classes, theatre, and many other things. It’s something that makes me very happy and it gives me meaning in my daily life.“

Looking ahead, Juliana shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to be a popular model and her social media presence continues to grow. With a keen passion for clothes, she has also announced the launch of her bikini line Juvikini which will be modelled by two local models who were chosen at her recent Favela Seeds casting.

She may be a super in demand model taking the world by storm but as Juliana Nalú continues to rise and represent the next generation of Brazilian models who are making waves internationally, her authenticity, altruism and drive in an industry that is often defined by fleeting trends showcase what it truly means to be an It Girl.