Beyond the Lens with Bosslady Leila Ciancaglini
- Aaron C
- Jul 6
- 9 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Okay so I met Leila in 2021 at a Hollywood Christmas party, I was covering as a photographer. Leila wasn't the loudest person in the room, or anything... in fact, on first meeting her, I thought she was a bit shy in a very charming, delicate way that made her stand out. In our quick 5-minute interaction I shot my first picture of her right there, and she asked me for my business card. I had no idea who she was... If anything, I thought maybe she was a model that wanted to shoot together again in the future. And come to think of it... in some ways my instinct was right, but when she started producing her RLC Talent Fashion Shows... it was beyond any of my expectations... it was genuinely my "Welcome to the World of Leila" moment.
I basically shot all of Leila's fashions shows for almost the first 2 years of her productions, right up until I began my trek back to Michigan to help with my mom. I had a wonderful time working with Leila... we had other types of projects we were developing... and I was sorry that the timing of my departure worked out the way it did... but it was necessary, as you only have one mom.
Recently, I told Leila about my personal reinvention podcast after losing everything, going homeless, during Covid, and what it means to reinvent oneself after the collapse of a longtime identity, career, or relationship. As you will learn, Leila also went through her own version of reinvention during that time. And I shared the sample clip with her below.
After hearing the clip Leila shared these words with me, "Thank you, Aaron, for sharing your beautiful story. You're a mentor to others. I'm happy to be featured in this article." So I want to thank her for giving it her attention. And I'd love for you all to check out the audio podcast on YouTube and Spotify to hear my story of reinvention.
Now if you don't know Leila Ciancaglini she is a bosslady... and I call her that in the most affectionate way. Just as she has often referred to me as "bello" which I have to admit for years now, I didn't actually know what that translated to until I finally looked it up about 20 seconds ago... But I always thought it sounded good. LOL
Okay, so I'm gonna start off by sharing Leila's bio below, and then we will get right into the interview. And I will sprinkle in some content of her along the way... So prepare to be amazed!! Are you Reeeeeeeeaaaaaaddddyyyyyyyyyyy?!?!?!.............. Feast your eyes on the one-and-only Leila Ciancaglini!
Leila Ciancaglini is an entrepreneur, producer, and CEO of RLC Models & Talent Agency (Ragaza LC Models & Talent Inc.), a talent agency she has led for 21 years.
Her agency’s early growth came through partnerships with sponsor companies Tecate Beer and Budweiser, supporting high-profile events like football games, boxing matches, and Grand Prix car races. That foundation allowed her to collaborate with over 15 sponsor brands and build relationships with networks including Univision, Telemundo, Fox TV, and Estrella TV.
Through RLC Models & Talent, Leila has worked on productions of all scales and collaborated with names like Eric Roberts, Drake, Enrique Iglesias, Camilo, Eugenio Derbez, Snoop Dogg, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny.
Leila herself is a multifaceted talent with a 19-year career in theater, television, film, radio, and hosting. Her credits include over 27 movies and TV shows such as El Pelados de la Noche on Azteca TV, Larry King Show, Hollywood Life, Us Arminia, Leila Live TV show, and Dash Radio. In 2026, she added to that list with a role as “Leila” in the feature film Iron Gospel.
In 2026, Leila produced and released RLC Backstage, a docuseries showing the behind-the-scenes of the RLC Fashion Shows. The series premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood as part of the Indie Film Festival LA.
Beyond talent management, Leila has expanded RLC into media and live events. She launched her website at http://rlctalentagency.com and produces the RLC Talent Fashion Shows alongside RLC Talent Magazine. Recent magazine covers featured Sugar Shane Mosley and Corey Feldman, and Eric Roberts with DJ Esther Anaya. Her upcoming issue features Nicole Murphy, actress and ex-wife of Eddie Murphy, alongside actor Matías Desiderio.
She has produced over 45 fashion shows at venues including:
- Santa Anita Park – combining fashion with horse racing
- BLVKBOOK at Beverly Center Mall
- Whiskey Hotel Hollywood
- Malibu’s Cielo Farm
- SUR Restaurant & Lounge
- Rafi Lounge, Malibu
- Hollywood’s The Lounge Kookaburra & Yacht events
Featured Designers:
Karl Kani, Jesse J Collections, Lozzee Collection, ARC, Cosmo & Donato, Queen of Melrose, Blue Malibú, Bella Couture, Fraud Collection, Elaris Designer, Eric Glennie, BROWN LICORICE
Vendors & Partners:
Findu, Jin Lee, Asulin Jewelry, OlyNation, NATALIE POLICAN, Massage-Mate, NN Beauty, AMENTARA, Vitality Sunshine, Audacious Nutrition, LumaraSystems, Dr. Rohan Nagar MD (Internal Medicine), PhD Ayurveda MAPA
Gifts & Sponsors:
Legendary Foods, Coca-Cola, Smart Water, Vitamin Water, Life Force Water & MindBody Matrix
In 2025, Leila opened RLC Models Classes in Calabasas, her model school with plans to expand into Los Angeles.
Her latest projects for 2026 include:
- RLC Backstage: a new reality series taking viewers behind the scenes of the RLC Fashion Show
- RLC Model Classes: ongoing training programs for emerging models
- Leila Live TV: her show What Do You Need to Grow Your Business?, focused on entrepreneurship and the entertainment industry
Throughout her career, Leila Ciancaglini has built a reputation for adapting, innovating, and creating opportunities that connect talent, brands, and audiences across fashion, film, and TV.
Aaron: When we first met, Babes in Toyland Christmas Event 2021...where were you in your life or career?
Leila: When we first met at Babes in Toyland Christmas Event 2021, I was already deep in my career running RLC Talent Agency and RLC Talent Magazine. I had actually been to Babes in Toyland events before 2021 — my last one was 2021. Back then, it was THE party in Hollywood. Everyone in the industry went. It was popular, high energy, and a big networking spot for talent, agents, and creatives. At that point in my life I was focused on growing the agency, representing international models, and expanding into magazine publishing.
Aaron: What do you remember most about that time?
Leila: What I remember most is how busy and exciting life was. At that time I was working with boxing shows — they would hire me to provide ring girls for the events. I was also filming my TV show, Leila Live TV Show, at those boxing shows with 360 Promotions and Tom Loeffler. I was traveling to different countries creating content about how to live the experience of your life.
I also remember Hollywood being so much fun back then. Everyone was going out, the energy was incredible, and the industry felt really alive. The parties, the events, the connections — it was a time when people showed up and celebrated together.
Aaron: How has your life or career changed since then?
Leila: A lot has changed since then, mainly because COVID-19 really impacted the economy and the entertainment industry. That pushed me to get more creative and build my own platforms.
In 2023 I launched my own RLC Fashion Show. In 2024 I started RLC Talent Magazine, and in 2025, I opened RLC Modeling Classes. Now I’m also developing RLC Background Docuseries.
Through all of it, I’m still running RLC Talent Agency — that’s my main business and my foundation. The biggest change is that I shifted from only booking talent to also creating my own productions, shows, and educational platforms.
Aaron: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Leila: I’m most proud of my RLC Talent Agency. I’ve run it for 23 years, and because of that, I’ve been able to open doors for so many people. I’ve given work to so many models and talent, and worked with major sponsors across big boxing events, soccer, basketball, concerts, movies, and TV shows.
I’m also really proud of what I’ve built in the last 3 years. My own RLC Fashion Shows, which I produce myself, have become so popular. I want to thank Juan Le Prince, who is my friend and my PR — he’s helped me a lot with production. I’m proud of my amazing models, photographers, filmmakers, and my graphic designer Daniel Sinoca, who creates my flyers and helps me produce RLC Talent Magazine.
And personally, I’m proud of having such an intelligent son, AC Swadling — Andrew Swadling.
Aaron. What part of your journey do people rarely see?*
Leila: I think people rarely see how much work I put in behind the scenes. They see the shows, the magazine, the red carpet — but not the late nights, the planning, the setbacks, and the constant problem-solving.
Only my close friends and the guests who come to my shows regularly really see the real work it takes. The public sees the glamour, but the journey is built on years of hustle that most people never see.
Aaron. What is something you had to learn the hard way?*
Leila: After COVID-19, I learned the hard way that you can’t rely on just one business. When the pandemic hit and everything slowed down, I realized that if you only have one source of income and it goes bad, then everything goes bad.
That’s when I decided to diversify. I launched RLC Fashion Show, RLC Talent Magazine, RLC Modeling Classes, and now RLC Background Docuseries. Having 2, 3, or 4 businesses creates balance. If one slows down, the others keep you moving forward. COVID taught me to never put all my energy into just one basket.
Aaron. Was there a point in your life when you had to start over?
Leila: Yes, like I mentioned — I feel like I had to start over after COVID-19.
When the pandemic hit, the entertainment industry changed overnight. Bookings stopped, events were canceled, and the business model I’d relied on for years suddenly didn’t work the same way. It was a wake-up call.
So I rebuilt. I started creating my own platforms: RLC Fashion Show in 2023, RLC Talent Magazine in 2024, RLC Modeling Classes in 2025, and now RLC Background Docuseries. It felt like starting from scratch, but with 23 years of experience behind me. COVID forced me to reinvent, and I’m stronger for it.
Aaron. What helped you keep going when things were uncertain?
Leila: What helped me keep going is that I believe in myself. I love life, and I have my son, Andrew, that I love with everything. Nothing stops me.
Even when things were uncertain, especially during COVID, my mindset and my love for my son kept me moving. I’m passionate about what I do, I love the people around me, and I refuse to give up. When you believe in yourself and you have people you love, you find a way to push through anything.
Aaron: What is something glamorous from the outside that is actually difficult behind the scenes?
Fashion shows. —- From the outside, everything looks glamorous — the lights, the outfits, the models walking the runway. But behind the scenes it’s a different story. Models are walking in high heels all day and still have to look amazing, even when they’re all in pain.
Backstage is chaotic sometimes. Everyone’s running, things look disorganized, last-minute changes, wardrobe malfunctions, timing issues. But somehow, when the music starts and the first model hits the runway, it all comes together. The audience sees perfect and glam, but they don’t see the pain, stress, and hustle that makes it happen.
Aaron: What would you say to someone who is trying to reinvent their life?*
Leila: Believe in yourself. Love yourself. Be grateful you’re alive. Look at what you’re good at. Look at what elements you already have — your skills, your network, your experiences. Then take that and start creating something. Even if it’s small, use it to begin a project.
That first step might lead you to something big. Reinvention doesn’t happen overnight. But if you start with what you have, stay grateful, and trust yourself, you’ll build your way there. I had to do it after COVID, and I’m proof it’s possible.
Aaron. If someone discovers your story for the first time through this blog article, what do you hope they take away from it?
Leila: I hope my advice and experience can serve as mentorship for people who need it. If my story helps even one person believe in themselves and start over, then it’s worth sharing.
I also hope people get to know me and my work. Maybe they’ll come see my fashion shows, hire the models and actors from my agency, want to be featured in RLC Talent Magazine, or enroll in my modeling classes.
At the end of the day, I want people to see that with passion, reinvention, and hard work, you can build something meaningful — and you can help others rise with you.
Leila's Donation link:
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