Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Irino.
Hi Vanessa , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for Casper started at a very young age around 5 or 6 years old. Besides him being a cute character I also felt related to such a feeling that he had felt. Just wanting to be loved and accepted by family. I was 8 years old when the Casper movie came out. And it also altered my life. The New England setting had me remembering a past life dreams that I’ve always had it was just all too familiar. As well as being a ghost still. Starting in childhood that’s what I always felt in the family dynamic and then in public. I grew up like Kat. Bullied, misunderstood and different. That’s when I started collecting some Casper items that were produced after the movie came out. My first cast plush given to me by my great-grandmother, had been bringing me comfort. Casper himself had always brought me comfort since a very young age. It wasn’t until my son was 4 years old when I introduced him to Casper and he just fell in love with him also. But of course in different reasons than I did growing up. I started collecting a few items until it got to be so much that I had to transform the guest room into the new Casper room. After a couple years of collecting I had made a friend on tiktok that has the world record for the largest scooby doo collection. She inspired me to go towards the world record for my Casper collection and helped to me all the way through it. Since achieving this Guinness world record my life has completely changed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggles are always needed for success. The many years of being bullied by kids and then by adults being treated like a ghost being swept away pushed away and being the Black Sheep has just led to so much torment and trauma but I turned it into this wonderful achievement. I am now seen finally and people are interested in my story. More so especially locally I give tons of gratitude to Curious Twins Paranormal. For all of their support, love and for believing in me since the beginning. Because of them I was able to be noticed out in the world as they lifted me up and gave me my first panel after getting my world record.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a jewelry business called Vantique! A combination of my name and antique. My favorite pastime growing up has always been going to antique stores and it still is. I love finding trinkets and random little objects that would be considered trash and turning them into wearable arts such as jewelry, hairpieces and more. My wardrobe is all Victorian attire. After discovering my favorite band Blackbriar, The beautiful front woman Zora always dressed victorian. I’ve always felt that in my soul that that was who I was and she really helped me find who I was. She is a muse, an inspiration to me. For many years I tried finding myself and she had changed my life. I’m so thankful I was able to meet them last year and tell her this in person. I also made her a lot of jewelry as well as the band mates. A huge highlight of the year that I’ll never forget. Of course I also incorporate my creativity with Casper creations.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never ever give up. That’s something my late grandfather Andres Rios would always say. After getting my Guinness world record it just showed how much that I can achieve just by not giving up and going headstrong towards all my dreams and goals. There’s still a lot more that I wish to achieve and I’m going for it all. One biggest goal and Dream that I’m trying to achieve is to meet Christina Ricci. So she can sign my Guinness world record certificate. To get to show her my achievement and tell her how much of a hero she was to me growing up, would be the greatest honor. Also spreading the message that Casper has always tried to teach us. To be kind to one another. Love and accept each other, and of course to always be friendly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/vantique95
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintageapparition
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@thefriendlyghost95
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vintage_apparition
