Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steel City. The City of Champions.
If there is one city that undoubtedly and unabashedly loves its sports, it is this beer-and-shot drinking, Primanti’s-eating blue-collar city. Nestled deep in the Allegheny Mountains on the confluence of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, Pittsburgh can lay a valid claim for being one of America’s most important and vital metropolis’s.
During the American steel industry heyday of the late 19th and early 20th century, almost 90 percent of all American steel was produced in Pittsburgh by locally-based Carnegie Steel, who would later merge with present-day industrial giant, United States Steel Corporation or commonly known as USX or U.S. Steel.
If the name Carnegie sounds familiar, it is from Scottish-American industrial philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie and the private research university over in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh that bears his name in Carnegie Mellon University.
While many outside of Pittsburgh associate the Steel City as one of steel mills and smoke stacks, Pittsburgh’s rich sports heritage and achievements aren’t far behind, whether it is seeing the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers over at Heinz Field, the five-time World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates or the recently-crowned back-to-back and five-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
If you’re a sports fan living in the 412, you are proverbially spoiled by all of the greatness that has played there either professionally or collegiately.
Thanks to local Pittsburgh-area born standouts and current future Hall of Famers such as Joe Namath from Beaver Falls, Joe Montana of Aliquippa—also the hometown of former New England Patriots Super Bowl champions Ty Law and Darrelle Revis, who also starred at Pitt—former Pitt Panthers and Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino from Oakland’s Central Catholic, former Pitt wideout Larry Fitzgerald, and former and current Steeler greats such as Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.
Notable Super Bowl-winning and college coaches from the Steel City include John Calipari of Moon Township, Bill Cowher of Crafton, Mike Ditka of Carnegie and current Green Bay Packers head coach from Greenfield.
While known strictly as a football town, Pittsburgh’s sports heritage even extends to the links in the form of the late PGA icon and hero in Latrobe-born Arnold Palmer.
Even in the world of entertainment, Pittsburgh has produced some of the very best and top A-listers in Hollywood as the likes of Blair Underwood(L.A. Law, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Joe Mangianiello (True Blood, Spider-Man), Ming-Na (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Ted Danson (Cheers, Damages) Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars), Zach Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes) and Hollywood producer Paula Wagner of Cruise/Wagner Productions all perfected their crafts at CMU’s world-famous Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
Even Akron-born Melina Kanakaredes of Providence and CSI: New York fame honed her acting chops at Point Park University
Local-born Pittsburghers such as the fore-mentioned Mangianiello and Ming-Na along with Robinson Township-born Michael Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns, The Founder, Birdman and Spider-Man: Homecoming) have all made their mark on the silver screen.
Even in the world of hip-hop and entrepreneurship is Pittsburgh at the top of its game thanks to the likes of Taylor Allderdice High alum in hip-hop star Wiz Khalifa and business investor and current owner of the Dallas Mavericks of Shark Tank fame in Mt Lebanon’s Mark Cuban call Pittsburgh home.
Could bikini, fashion, promo and lifestyle model in Brentwood native, Dana Quinn become the next black and gold loving beauty? Like all Pittsburgh natives, Quinn is a die-hard sports fan of her local teams in the form of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. Despite being just 18, at a gangly 5’9, the slender yet tall dark-haired beauty has the right kind of look that commercial lifestyle and bikini/swimsuit brands are looking for in today’s modeling world.
Young. Fresh and versatile, Quinn has the ability to model for a wide variety of genres and is ready for her close-up. Below is my Q and A with Dana as we talk a little Pittsburgh, modeling, how to look great his summer and her upcoming fashion shows that she is set to appear in this season.
Name: Dana Quinn
Age: 18
Height: 5′ 9
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA
Measurements: 34B-26-34
Social Media Links: Facebook: DanaQuinnModel | Instagram: @DanaQuinn_Model
What kind of model do you consider yourself (IG, fitness, bikini, swimsuit), etc? I consider myself mainly a fashion model, but I also do promotional modeling as well!
What brands have you modeled for? Which one do you enjoy modeling for the most? I haven’t modeled for many brands quite yet but one of my favorites would be Guilty Soles, they’re my favorite shoe company!
Where has been your favorite place to shoot? Honestly that’s a tough one, but I’d say my favorite place was The Smart House in Mt. Washington! I did a fashion show there too!
What is the most exciting aspect of modeling? The most exciting aspect to me would be the people. I’ve met so many good people, from my fans, to the models and photographers, and even the designers are all so amazing. The love and support I get from everyone is overwhelmingly awesome!
With summer now here, what fashion and style tips and trends do you have for looking good when the temperature drops? Stay cool but comfortable!
Athleisure? Fashion or fitness fad? Personally, I think it’s cute and defiantly think with the right combo of clothes it’s fashion.
What swimwear trends do you see being big this summer? I think one-pieces are making a come back, truly. I just ordered 4 online a few days ago actually!
What is your go-to swimwear style that you MUST have? I love my floral high-wasted Victoria Secret bikini, I take it to every trip I go on!
Within the industry, who is your modeling inspiration? Gigi Hadid is my biggest inspiration. Everything she does is full of passion. You can just see the soul and energy she puts into her work. She’s flawless!
What is your secret to staying in shape? I work out 2-3 times a week at the gym and in my spare time I love to hula hoop incorporated with dance
What is your workout and fitness secret to staying in shape? Making healthy food choices is a huge part in staying in shape. If I could tell my body what to do, you’d see me at Chick-Fil-A Monday- Saturday and then KFC on Sunday!
What is your opinion of the whole “shaming” issue that seems to permeate across social media and how have you handled it, if any haters tried to call you out? I think it’s disrespectful and childish. I’m a firm believer in karma, and what comes around goes around. We should all treat each other with love and respect and “shaming” is just wrong.
What would you say is your best feature? I think my best feature would be my eyes. They change colors sometimes, nothing crazy, just different shades of brown/ hazel and sometimes dark green!
Any beaches you plan on hitting up this summer? I’ll be going to Myrtle Beach, The Outer Banks, and I’ll be going to Disney in Florida!
Any future projects coming down the pipeline? I have big plans coming up including 3 fashion show events and 2 trips to Erie, PA!
Outside of modeling, what are your hobbies? I do this thing called hooping, it’s hula hooping incorporated with dance, I also love to make art, and write stories and poems.
Sports question: Who are your favorite teams and clubs: I’m a Pittsburgh girl so you can already guess my heart is with the Penguins and Steelers!
What are your favorite cities to travel to? I love going to Erie, PA. I also love Indiana, PA!
What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into modeling? BE YOU!! I have so many girls trying to copy me and do what I’m doing and it makes them look unoriginal. Be different. Be unique. Be you. Reach for the stars and don’t stop until you get there.
Special thanks to Dana for her time and assistance during the Q and A interview process. All Images are used with permission and are the rightful property of their respective owners.