X(ist) Marks the Spot for Children—And 'Housewives'

It's 5:30 on a Friday evening, but the workday is still in full swing at Xist Model and Talent.

Maria De Santis, the Caldwell agency's owner and director, is the busiest she's been since opening four years ago.

Like raising them as her own, casting children can be a round-the-clock experience.

The Caldwell native has an assistant, Jamie Jacobson, but still multi-tasking isn't an option—it's the status quo.

It's been a chaotic week for the agency that handles some adults, but "mostly kids and teens," De Santis said.

It's not time to go home just yet—there's one more big casting meeting at 6 p.m., and the clock is ticking.

Then there's the ongoing excitement over the daughter of a certain housewife.

A New Xist-ence: TV Stars?

De Santis is Gia Giudice's talent agent, and her mom is Teresa on the Bravo network's reality series, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (Mondays, 10 p.m.)

Xist Model and Talent has been featured several times since the show aired last year, but received its most exposure in last week's episode, "It's Not Me, It's You."  

In fact, People magazine even dropped by last week to speak with De Santis.

"It's fun," De Santis said, adding that overall her association with the show has been a positive experience.

"It's a good crew," she said.

Here's more insight from De Santis on Hollywood fame and her hometown pride in Caldwell.

Caldwells Patch: What's your background in the modeling and talent industry?

Maria De Santis: I was acting from my teenage years on ... I studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

CP: Do you have some favorite actors and/or films?

MD: I like Johnny Depp, and "Steel Magnolias" is a favorite!

CP: Surprisingly, you didn't mention William Shatner as a favorite actor ...

MD: (laughing) Oh, I like Shirley MaClaine ... definitely.

CP: What did you do before opening Xist?

MD: I was a computer engineer for a corporate law firm in downtown Newark. That was interesting!

CP: I'm guessing that wasn't your dream job.

MD: I always wanted to do this ... It's a good nod to my grandparents ... my grandfather, Raymond De Santis, was a musician. He actually taught at the Caldwell Studio of Music.

CP: As a Caldwell native and business owner here, what can you say about "uptown" Caldwell?

CP: I think there's a lot of pride in this town, and passion. We're actually a hot spot—a lot of things have been filmed here, too. We have the basis to be an upscale town—everyone's trying!

CP: How exactly did your "Housewives" connection come about?

MD: I've been Gia's agent for three years—before the show. One day, we get a call from Bravo to film at the office. After that, they came over and over again! This season, we have been featured three to four times, on and off site. They filmed an acting class here.

CP: For all the devout "Housewives" fans out there, what can you say about the show that viewers might not know?

MD: That I can actually say? It's not scripted.

CP: No scripts?

MD: No, it's not. They may stop shooting for clarification purposes. Last year, we had to stop filming, just to clarify for the audience what we were doing.

CP: What can you say about Gia?

MD: She's got raw talent, and fiercely competitive—with humility. The minute I give her a script, she will make sure she's completely prepared ... she's on. She's just very good.

CP: How about her mom?

MD: She's supportive and proud.

De Santis, 32, whose clients have often appeared on "Law & Order SVU," is enthusiastic about a few developing projects. One involves the possible casting of her most famous current client (hint). Another venture may feature the agency as a whole.

She has her fingers crossed.