A male model from Bridgeport says his life "changed overnight" recently when the fashion magazine Vogue began to publish his work.

"When they actually published it on their website, I was like, 'They chose me?' I'm like, 'Little old me, from Bridgeport?'" Hector Rodriguez recalls.

The 26-year-old who has been modeling for about four years says when he began submitting photos to the iconic fashion and lifestyle magazine, he never really expected to get published.

But the Harding High School graduate says all that changed a few months ago when Vogue reached out and said they loved his work and wanted to start paying him for it.

Rodriguez, who grew up on the East Side and studied acting in New York, now encourages other young people from Bridgeport to reach for the sky.

"If you have a dream or a goal, chase it, go for it, because yes, you may get a bunch of 'no's.' I've gotten a bunch of ''no's.' I've felt discouraged myself, but eventually, when something's right for you, it's right for you and the time will fit. So just keep going towards it, learn as much as you can about it. Perfect your craft and, eventually, something will happen because I couldn't believe it myself, yet, here I am now," Rodriguez says.

He adds that the exposure he has received from Vogue is opening all kinds of doors.

Rodriguez says in addition to broadening his horizons, the publication is helping to give him a path forward in the entertainment industry.