Interview with Ariana Jenée — Aspiring Petite Model
Ariana Jenée is a 22-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Ariana Jenée. I was born August 20, 1992 in Reno, Nevada, but I have moved a lot in my life and California is my home. My mother, Lisa Morton, was a young single mom; she passed in 2007 at the age of 36, and I never met my father.
I have had a passion for being in front of the camera since I was a young child. My grandmother is a photographer and always used me as her model. We both learned and practiced together throughout my life. In high school dance was my second passion but even dancing couldn’t replace the happiness I get from being on camera.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
My grandmother, Valerie Morton, started practing photography on me as a toddler. It became my passion as well. As I got older I really started to become more dedicated and interested. I started working with other photographers and learning on the way. The information I learned from them I used with my grandma for practice as well. Then I started trying to do little modeling jobs as much as I could and now at almost 22 years old I am ready to go full speed ahead.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I am a dreamer and goal setter. The list is miles long. I could go on and on about all my different goals but in my mind they all lead to two different things: Happiness and Success.
In five to ten years I hope to have completed my college education while also making a career out of modeling and even acting. I want to be financially stable and able to travel.
10 years from now I hope to be the woman I have growing up to be and working so hard to become in all aspects.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I have worked for many clients; for staples as a model for their website, for an ad for a boutique, many music videos, modeling for flyers, a calendar, as an extra for talk shows, and plays and dance recitals throughout school.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Best experience is having somebody completely random come up to me in the grocery store and recognize me from some of my work and tell me how they started following me on social networks and how I inspire them.
Worst experience is getting turned down because I am not a giant tooth pick. I believe that being tall and skinny is not the definition of a model. Beauty comes from all shapes, sizes, cultures, and more. A model is more than someone with a skinny waist, it’s someone that can make people inspired and motivated, someone who can be looked up to.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Everything is an extraordinary experience for me. I never thought that I would be able to experience any of this. Especially with the life I’ve lived. It’s all a blessing the good and the bad. I just keep looking forward to more.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Modeling isn’t one type.
Like I stated earlier, you shouldn’t have to be tall and underweight to be a model.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I used to dance and do yoga. I now go to the gym as often as possible or do at home workout DVDs. I do not eat fast food or junk food and don’t drink sodas. Next month I will be starting a whole new extreme workout plan and diet. Nutrition and exercise mean everything in the modeling industry. So I have to really be dedicated and focused on them both.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I love to write poetry.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I am beautiful and perfectly imperfect, completely comfortable in my own skin. Of course everyone has room to grow and improve as a person, and that happens with time. I’m human. I like learning from my mistakes and I never regret them because they’ve made me who I am today.
Do you have any fears or phobias?
I am terrified of clowns.