Phoebe Palomino

Chapter 8

CelebPoint: Supermodel and Emmy Award Winning Actress #PhoebePalomino shocks fans with her decision to drop out of New York Fashion Week after participating in two shows. The twenty three year old actress made reference to her mental health which had her trending on twitter with fans showing support with #TreatPhoebeWithCare. The model's refusal to participate in fashion week has fans questioning the treatment of models during fashion week with some citing that Phoebe often looks frail during this time of year.

10,000 likes ~ 600 comments

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Fashion week is a time that we all look forward to as we get to showcase the latest collections from some of the biggest designers and spend time with our fellow models. Although there is a lot of prep that goes into preparing for fashion week, it is a period that means a lot to me so it was hard to drop out.

My decision not to participate in any more shows caused a lot of commotion since I was scheduled to open and close shows for a few designers. I really wanted to go through with the set program but I mentally was not where I needed to be.

I smile as Salma cuddles me in bed, "You know that I call you my daughter, I may not have birthed you but I raised you from when you were a small child and I love you so much."

"I love you too." I respond and she kisses my head, "You are the only mother that I have ever known and as beautiful as it is, it also hurts."

She tightens her grip around me.

"I know, baby. I wish I could slap some sense into that woman but what I had to learn in life was that not everybody is meant to be a parent. My body birthed five children but God blessed me with six more children and whether you know it or not, you all have a special place in my heart." 

Salma gives my head another kiss which warms my heart.

I have always felt so lost in life because I was one of the few siblings who had a mother who was still alive but the only difference was that my mother wanted nothing to do with me. Every now and again, she would try take my father to court over custody but I think it was only for the media attention.

"You have always been my special girl but I need you to do something for me and for yourself." I turn my head slightly to look at Salma as she cups my face. "I need you to speak up."

I furrow my brows at her, "What do you mean?"

"You allow people to walk all over you and dismiss you as if you mean nothing. I know that you have it in you to speak up because I see you do it with your siblings but you need to do that outside too." She smiles sadly. "You are beautiful and I want to see you name in headlights. I know that you get lost in the midst of being one of eleven siblings but you are the most famous actress out of them. You go out there and show everyone who you really are."

"Thank you." I quietly say while kissing her cheek. "I appreciate everything that you have done for me."

"I'm your mom." She cups my jaw before giving me the biggest kiss on the cheek. "You never need to thank me for anything."

"Ok, mom."

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PhoebePalomino: Phoebe Palomino.

A Wildfire.

7,000,000 likes ~ limited comments

Speaking to Salma really enforced the fact that I need to put myself out there and instead slinking into the background. My siblings have big personalities so I'm usually not the one that people remember after a meeting or event. When people first started saying that Alessandro wasn't my father, I chose to say nothing when I could have used that moment to inspire those who have been through the same harassment. 

I have never said much but now that it's time that I speak up for myself.

"You look beautiful, baby." Salma kisses my head infront of the cameras and I give her a loving smile. "I am so proud of you." 

I really needed this.

My siblings compliment me all the time as does my father but I really needed that mother figure to reassure me that I am doing well. Salma has always been my mother but I have always been careful in the way I addressed her because my biological mom is still alive and I would hate to cause conflict.

"You're doing great." Harmony mumbles while rubbing my back and I chew on the inside of my cheek.

For the first time since I have entered the spotlight, the reporters are calling out to me more than they are my parents and Harmony. Whenever I would invite my family to my premieres, the reporters would forget that it was my night and they would make it be my more famous siblings night.

"Are you depressed?" Somebody calls out and I try not to show my emotions.

"Treat Phoebe with care."

Hearing people say those words makes me want to cry as I did a not realise how much of an impact it had over me. My mom was showing me all the beautiful, heartfelt tweets being posted with that hashtag and it really pulled at my heart strings.

I've tried to stay away from social media since it was reported that I had dropped out of fashion week but it's hard. You want to know what people are saying about you whether it's positive or negative so it was pretty refreshing to see #TreatPhoebeWithCare.

"Thank you." I mouth as more people recite the words and that's when I find myself being overwhelmed with tears.

I place my hands over my chest while tearing up and the comfort that I receive from my family, it makes my heart weep.

"My little wildfire." My dad kisses my head. "Here you've gone and stolen all our hearts once more."

 I wrap my arms around him while wiping my tears away and he chuckles to himself.

"That's my girl."