Cindy Cohen knows perseverance. The 40-year-old mother and now wife survived an abusive relationship and once being homeless to now pursing her deferred dream of modeling success. Cohen may have the less experience as a model but she is up for the challenge. ESSENCE.com chatted with the survivor while on vacation about overcoming abuse, single motherhood, and finally getting her chance.

ESSENCE.COM: Congrats on being a "She's Got the Look" finalist. Many of the contestants have more experience that you. Did you feel intimated at all?

COHEN: I didn't feel intimidated. It just made work harder. The some of the other women are supportive and they helped me during challenges because they knew I didn't have as much experience. It's a great opportunity. I'm enjoying it.

ESSENCE.COM: Your lack of modeling experience is credited to your past as a single mother and even being homeless at some point. How did you move forward from that?

COHEN: I was in an abusive relationship and I was finally able to get out of it. I had to deal with a lot and I was homeless, but I got through it took care of my son. He's now in college and I thought what could I do now. What can I do for myself? Maybe I can model?

ESSENCE.COM: Well, You've made it! How does your family feel about you being eye candy?

COHEN: (laughs) Well, my son is very embarrassed. He was always protective. He never likes his friends looking at me when he was in high school, so he wasn't happy about seeing me in my underwear. My husband is very supportive. He actually likes the attention.

ESSENCE.COM:  You seem to now like the attention as well. How were you able to gain your self-confidence and keep your youthful beauty?

COHEN: I was very awkward and tall and I had bad skin. I didn't really take care of myself when I was young. I didn't know much about skincare. I didn't know about using sunscreen. Now, I like that I am tall and I take care of my skin. I exercise and eat well. I started to realize that there is a connection between stress and your appearance, so I learned as I got older how to manage my stress. I also realized that it's about your inner beauty. Before when I was younger, it was about my outer beauty now I focus on about my inner beauty as well.

ESSENCE.COM: What's next for you after the show?

COHEN: Well, hopefully modeling. I'm excited about that. I think it's great that barriers are being broken down in the modeling industry. I would like to encourage women and girls to take care of themselves and know that it starts with the love you have for yourself.women and girls to take care of themselves and know that it starts with the love you have for yourself.

une in to TV Land's "She's Got the Look," on Thursdays, at TK P.M.

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