Maria Josephine Reyes

> If art is how we decorate space, then music is how we decorate time.
>
> MJ Reyes, ????

### Hobbies

Playing the Piano, Listening to the Piano, Composing Piano Pieces, Did I mention Piano Playing?

### Family

Luz Reyes (Mother)Kenneth Leighton (Father)

## Selection Info

### Blog Link

ladymariajosephinereyes.tumblr.com

Maria Josephine Reyes (commonly referred to as MJ), is a Selected from the Seventh Selection. Prior to the Selection, MJ was a student at The Juilliard School of Music with a specialty in Piano. Along with this, MJ was noted to be a child prodigy since she was discovered at the age of 8. She applies for the Selection out of a last chance bid to make herself feel relevant and on track with her life when she gets kicked out of Juilliard for falling behind academically and failing and barely passing her non-music-based classes.

## Personality and Skills

Classical, Ambitious, but Fading.

Ever since she could remember, MJ had always been treated as an adult by everyone around her. Her natural intelligence from a young age and prodigious nature often made adults treat her this way— even by her own mother. This, along with her inclination to classical music, eventually formed her somewhat tense nature. Sometimes, she can take things too ~~seriously~~ passionately for her own good. Though sarcastic, she also has a tendency to take people’s words seriously with a level of initial gullibility.  MJ can jump to conclusions pretty easily too, often acting on her initial conclusions.

MJ is an obvious perfectionist, most notably in her work as a pianist. She can come off obsessive over her music, which is a combination of her passion and perfectionism. This often leads to the uglier parts of her personality like her refusal to really work in groups and her extreme competitiveness that drives people away. Despite this, MJ’s pursuit of perfection is admirable once you see the results of thousands of hours of practice she’s put in. With this, she continuously is unapologetic about her ambition. MJ has an intense need to win and just come out on top against other people. Not only does she want to win, she just loves to win.

MJ is ambitious and focused on achieving a life far removed from her origins, especially since she came from very humble origins with her having a single mother and being a Five. MJ built her pride in herself with her talent and thousands of hours of work, allowing her to achieve levels of performance that not many can boast about. However, MJ is full of so much pride in herself, that she denies her own mistakes in life and often tries to pin the blame of her misfortunes and mistakes on others. She does this in order to maintain her idea of keeping her mental image of herself as perfect. This makes her selfish and unlikable to most of the people she was surrounded with back in Waverly, and MJ can’t be very bothered by that. She believes in perfection because she believes that perfection is the only thing that will allow her to make her aspirations come true, she believes it’s the only way to avoid the fate of poverty so many artists have experienced before her. However her determination is quite close minded, and relies way too much on the things MJ has always been good at (all piano and music based), thus making her actually failing her Gen Ed classes due to hubris, thinking that she’d just need to pass with the bare minimum.

MJ has a bit of a superiority complex because she’s always been admired and commended for her talent in music. The child prodigy label had never left her, and neither did the people always had high hopes for MJ. There are no doubts for her talent, but her stubbornness and ambition often got in the way of her truly becoming an authentically great pianist. Along with that, she got so overly confident in her own abilities that she academically fell behind in Juilliard-- so far behind that she was cut from the Juilliard Scholarship program.

Once the foundation of her planned dreams is taken from her, this is where MJ begins to panic and do things irrationally—doing everything she can to get back on track. This triggers MJ’s true fear: the fear of never living up to the genius everyone expected of her since she was a child. Damn, looks like someone never truly did grow up if she’s still living in the shadow of her child self. This is one of her truer weaknesses. She keeps herself in the “child prodigy” box, but even her emotions. MJ doesn’t like to think too much of her emotions because she probably did hurt too much already in the past— all she is a bunch of nerves that she needed to control in order to master her technique as a musician. She had to get over her emotions to get past everyone.

Skills: technically: great in music, especially when it comes to performing piano pieces. Literally has no real practical skills.

## Appearance and Face Claim

MJ is of half-Filipino and half-Illéan descent, and (thankfully) takes more after her mother.

MJ stands at 5'8" (I still don't know what Kelsey Merritt's real height is,,, the internet isn't clear) and weighs around 57 kg. She has large brown eyes with a small scar on left eyelid from a swimming accident.

Prior to the Selection, MJ had straight black hair that reached past her shoulder blades. During make overs, she finally dyes her hair for the first time in five years (after she had an e-girl phase and dyed her front two streaks red) into more of a chocolate brown color.

MJ notably also has freckles on her face. Another notable feature MJ has are the visible nerve lines on her hands and short nails, all with her career and interests of playing the piano.

Her face claim is Kelsey Merritt.

## History

### Pre-Selection

#### *MJ's Official Press Release*

Waverly-based pianist, Maria Josephine Reyes has appeared and performed with esteemed orchestras and in recital throughout Illéa since she was first accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College program at the age of eight. She has been featured in multiple local and international showcases like the Vasconcelos Series in Waverly, the Neueman Classical Festival in Swendway, and the Tyrell Music Festival in Berlin. Along with these recitals, she has notably been competing in esteemed musical protege competitions since she was 12.

Thanks to her generous patrons, Maria Josephine had graduated from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, also known as the "Fame School" where numerous celebrity and prestigious artists had studied in the past. After graduating from LaGuardia, Maria Josephine later received a full-scholarship to Juilliard where she is currently studying her Bachelor of Music, specialty in Piano.

#### *Character Biography*

Maria Josephine Reyes is as classical as the music she’s been playing since she was four years old. In a way, her music has helped her try to achieve a life her own father denied her by never claiming her as his own.

MJ is determined to carve out her own perfect life on ivory keys, so she expects nothing less than perfection in every piece, performance, and competition. What else can anyone really expect out of this former child prodigy?

Yet, those words still haunt her. Child Prodigy. There’s not been a day in MJ Reyes’ life where she has not been haunted by that term. At 21 years old, her talents are no longer regarded as impressive as when she could barely reach the piano’s pedals. Still, she’s the same talented girl, just many years older. Still, her talents were enough to keep a scholarship at Juilliard going— or so she thinks.

If the world was going to continue to remind her that she wasn’t going to live a normal life, she might as well live a life so perfect that her melodies would haunt the world. However life is rarely perfect, and when MJ's scholarship at Juilliard is pulled, MJ's perfect plan begins to unravel. Until the Selection comes along.

### The Selection

On the first day of the Selection, MJ befriends the representative from Allens, Hadley Harper. Though initially threatened by Hadley’s own accomplishments as a ballerina, she nonetheless gained MJ’s respect in that same conversation. In the week between their first arrival and meeting with the prince, MJ also meets Inga Warrington, who helped her turn off a smoke alarm triggered by MJ vaping during her practice. Inga also shows MJ a fire escape where she could vape in peace. MJ meets Damian Schreave on November 6, 2121, as part of the obligatory initial interactions with the Prince.

On November 9, 2121, MJ was taking a vape break from her usual piano practice, but accidentally drops her juul on Harrison Chadrick III (Chad’s) head in a moment of distraction. After some initial annoyance with each other, she tries to get Chad to throw the Juul back up to her in the fire escape— but their attempts fail. MJ then decides to take the fire escape’s ladder down, despite Chad’s weariness of how safe it really is due to its age. The ladder jams while MJ is sliding down it, causing her to slip off. Chad luckily catches her before she could hit the ground. The two of them briefly talk, finding out that both of them came from Waverly, exchanging their documented achievements on Y’allTube, but not their names.

MJ and Chad meet again by chance when they wait at the entrance of the palace where food got delivered. Together, they waited for their food and eventually decided to eat together in MJ’s practice space. Somehow, they both come to an agreement of exchanging piano lessons for Chad and driving lessons for MJ. Chad also helps eases MJ’s mind as she worries about her first date with Damian, as she hasn’t been asked out yet.

On November 25, MJ and Damian do get to go out on their first date . The two of them watched Mannheim Steamroller, talked about some music and how people’s expectations weighed them down, which earned some respect for Damian in MJ’s perspective. The two eventually went out for K-Barbecue and Starbucks for the rest of the night.

MJ and Chad’s first driving lesson ((CAN I JUST BKJDSFNJK PUT PLACEHOLDERS HERE FOR NOW JSNFKJK))

CHRISTMAS!! OH GOD,,, NEW YEARS EVE BRO,,, CHAD'S SWIM MEET!!

Chadreyes makes out in a broom closet at the UN,,, and then agree to tell Damian. Damian takes the news well, and on the same day: Chad and MJ go on their first official date.

### Post-Selection

MJ and Chad move in together after MJ gets eliminated. They date until early 2124 when MJ is offered the opportunity to work abroad for numerous film projects in Vienna. What follows is known to be the Hot Girl European Summer of 2124 for Hadley and MJ.

During the 2124 Tokyo Olympics, MJ still attends to support Chad. Though she had no initial intention of reconnecting with him, they do end up seeing each other. ((IDK I HAVE TO CONFIRM STUFF BUT YIEEEE CHADREYES))

## Relationships

### Family

* **Mother**: Luz Reyes, 45, Five, Lounge Singer at The Richmond
	+ Came to Illéa for a better life when she was about 21. She ended up working for The Richmond Hotel as a Lounge Singer, even if she was a Registered Nurse back in the Philippines. Deeply in love with the wrong person for the past 22 years. Always hoping that he's going to leave his wife. Still waiting. Dependent, Lovestruck, but always supportive of MJ. Has never missed a recital.
	+ **FC: Angel Aquino**
* Paternal Father: Kenneth Leighton, 50, Two, Diplomat
	+ Heir to the Leighton Fleet Airline Company, chose to be a Diplomat. Has a genuine interest in International Relations through Trade. Has been having an affair with Luz for around 22 years, it's ridiculous how he hasn't actually left his wife yet. Even more ridiculous how Luz still loves this man. Born rich and married a former Selected, Angela Serafica, for the status. Cares for Luz more than MJ. Stays with Angela for public image and so Angela won't get 50% of his assets. Coward.
	+ Kind of ignores MJ altogether other than when Luz tries to remind him that MJ's his child too.
	+ MJ refuses any financial help from her father.
	+ **FC: Adam Sandler**
* Paternal Father's Wife: Angela Leighton, 49, Two, Leighton Fleet Executive
	+ Actually a Former Selected. Prior to the Selection, Angela came from a family of actors and producers but had her sights set on marrying into wealth. Angela made it in the good middle of the Selection but got eliminated when the Elite was chosen. Not a problem for Angela since after elimination, she immediately got a proposal from Kenneth's family. If there's one person that ought to have a huge pay raise, it's the lawyer who arranged Angela Serafica and Kenneth Leighton's Pre-nup. The main reason why Kenneth can't leave her? She'll get more out of the divorce. Has two kids with Ken. Knows about the affair, indifferent to Luz and MJ.
	+ **FC: Jennifer Aniston**
* Siblings:
	+ January Leighton, 24, Two, Luxury Brand Marketing Associate
		- She's something. Currently working in Paris. Follow her @januaryinparis. She's always known that her dad's been having affair and that she has a half sister, part of her felt bad that neither she nor Julian tried to reach out-- but also, how the fuck are their parents not divorced?
		- **FC: Victoria Pedretti**
	+ Julian Leighton, 19, Two, Curator and Art Collector
		- Peak Himbo tbqh, but nice. Not a lot of talents. Taking up Art History in Waverly University. Likes the idea of preserving and collecting art. Doesn't quite know how to react to his dad's affair, tries to block it out altogether.
		- **FC: Ross Lynch**

### Friends

#### Waverly Friends

* Duke Loyola, 24, Six, Bartender at The Richmond
	+ He is canonically the older brother of Vivienne Loyola.
	+ Grew up with his mom working in the kitchens of The Richmond. Likes to think of MJ as a younger sister and likes looking out for her. Closest thing MJ really has to a brother too. Looking for a way out of Bartending in the same place his parents work at, soon applying for a gig on a cruiseship. Hopes to travel the world, and still make the best drinks. Tips are always welcomed. Has a sister who's a Lifeguard in Bonita.
	+ **FC: Diego Tinoco**
* Nigel Said, 21, Student at Juilliard (Bassist and Cellist)
	+ Nigel has Parents who teach at Juilliard, and has always been set in a career in music. Is one of MJ’s friends since Highschool. He’s in a band, really cool guy. Met MJ at one of her Saturday Classes while waiting for his parents, MJ found Nigel tolerable enough to hang out with in Highschool. Dating Misha since Freshman year at Juilliard, MJ was the one who actually introduced them to each other.
	+ **FC: Tamino-Amir**
* Misha Hansen, 22, Student at Juilliard (Dramatic Arts)
	+ Nobody really liked Misha, so no wonder she and MJ got along so well in Juilliard. Determined to become the next IT Girl in Hollywood. Has a lot to live up to because of her famous parents, but doesn't mind the challenge. Became friends with MJ one day when they both realized they were the kids that didn't have anyone to sit with during lunch. Inseparable competitive bitches ever since.
	+ **FC: Sydney Sweeney**
* Reed "Sully" Sullivan, (Deceased at) 64, Pianist at The Richmond
	+ Was part of a successful Jazz Band until it dismantled. Traveled a lot until he found himself playing piano at The Richmond. When Sully first met MJ, she was barely tall enough to reach the pedals of a piano. She was just a small curious little thing who liked to sit beside Sully and watch him play songs. Things changed when MJ started asking Sully to teach her, asking him to help her play on an old baby grand piano found in the lower floors in the staff area. It was curious for a Four year old to be so into piano but Sully obliged. He never expected the child to be so proficient with the instrument, but he was proud. Sully was always so proud to watch MJ grow from child prodigy to a successful scholar at Juilliard. To him, it felt like MJ was his second chance to make up for a couple of mistakes he made in the past. Died of a heart attack doing his favorite thing in the world: playing the piano at The Richmond.
	+ **FC: Tom Hanks**

#### Palace Friends

* Samantha Pal, 26, Six, Maid
* Clover Pal, 23, Six, Maid
* Alexandra Pal, 20, Six, Maid
* Tiernan "Tye" Sullivan, 24, Two, Guard at the Palace
	+ Is having a fling with one of MJ's maids (MJ is not sure which one tbh), is actually Sully's son. LMAO MJ doesn't know that initially. Technically also MJ's cigarette supply in the Palace (unfortunately).
	+ **FC: Jacob Elordi**

### Romantic Interests

* Harrison Chadrick III
	+ Driving Instructor, Piano Student, Roommate, Boyfriend, Husband, Knight in Shining Under Armor
	+ bro,, they have 7 kids together,,,, they do have a basketball team,,,
	+ #TeamChadreyes

## Quotes

> "It's a piece, not a song."
>
> MJ, I wanna use this someday. Please hold Anya accountable.

> "Won’t be right back. I’m gonna practice."
>
> MJ, literally her everyday

## Trivia and Notes

* MJ actually started playing the piano at the Age of Four in the same hotel lobby she currently works part time in.
* She lives in Woodside, Queens, New York with her mother in a 17 square meter apartment. Woodside, Queens is also known as Little Manila with a rather large Filipino community.
* MJ's mother is a Registered Nurse in the Philippines, but due to immigration in Illea being tough and the Caste system sucking, her mother was deemed only worthy of being a Five (as MJ's maternal side of the family were mostly guitar makers).
* MJ is also actually very good at math; most especially sequences. Her phone’s passcode is the Fibonacci Sequence.
* She was offered a spot in a Swiss Conservatory, but didn’t take it because she’s a stubborn bitch who was either “Juilliard or dEATH”.
* MJ competed in a lot of piano competitions for the prize money for her and her mom. Unfortunately, MJ was more of the breadwinner between her and her mother.
* MJ's been abroad for a couple of international competitions. She often traveled alone, representing her sponsoring foundations.
* MJ can actually play one other instrument, and that's the violin. She's not as good on it as the piano, but mainly uses it when composing pieces that need strings.
* MJ was born on April 16, making her an Aries Sun, Aries Moon, Virgo Rising, Mercury in Virgo, Venus in Virgo, Mars in Scorpio.
* Her Hogwarts House is Slytherin.
* Her favorite song is Somebody to Love by Queen.
* She loves getting Rush Tickets to Broadway Shows and secretly has a Playbill collection of the shows she's seen. (but she won't admit that she lowkey likes Musical Theatre cause that's not her aesthetic).
* She keeps a log of all the hours of piano practice she's done since she was 8 years old.
	+ In total, she's clocked in around 11,000 hours of practice averaging at 2-3 hours a day of practice.