Interview with Chantel Heinen — Small Town Girl Turned Big City Model
Chantel Heinen is a 20-year old model residing in Oakland, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Chantel, also know as Chanteezy. I grew up in Avon Minnesota, a small town of roughly 1,500 people. Coming from a small town I always had this feeling of boredom. I enjoyed spending my free time dancing on my own, or taking classes, but when I wasn’t dancing I always felt like I was missing out on something. I always knew there were bigger cities, bigger states, and bigger things out there for me. I long awaited the day I could leave little Avon and move forward in life. As a junior in High School I went to a Performing Arts school for dance in the Minneapolis area where I lived on campus. Living away from home at 16 was such a blessing! Although I love my family, it really pushed me to find myself and take risks, and I truly believe if I hadn’t left Avon I would still be stuck in Minnesota now.
After graduation I promptly moved to San Francisco. I knew I wanted to be in California and after doing research San Francisco seemed like the best place to start. I have been here 2 years and I am loving it! My modeling career is taking off, I am networking my butt off and just enjoying life!
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
As cliche as it sounds I first knew I wanted to be a model when ‘America’s Next Top Model’ first aired. I was really young, but I knew that was the career for me. The models always looked like they were having so much fun, and I always dreamed of being on the cover of a magazine for the world to see and appreciate. For a long time I kept pushing to the back of my head and telling myself it was impossible, that I didn’t have what it took. Recently within the last year or so I have really decided to push myself. I am coming to peace with who I am and how I look.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I would love to be a full time, professional model in five years. My dream is to model, and only model! I hate working 9-5 jobs, I wasn’t built to sit at a desk all day, I need adventure and challenge.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
Right now I have a full-time desk job, so I don’t have as much time as I would like to dedicate to bookings. I do at least one photoshoot a week, and more if my schedule allows. At this point in my career I am focusing mainly on print work. I am still building a portfolio but I find what I am being booked for most often is catalog, and commercial, although I am open to all and am eager to start doing more high fashion!
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
It is difficult to narrow down experiences I have had to best and worst. I have yet to have a bad experience at a shoot or on a job. I suppose the worst experience would be fighting myself on the days I have a shoot but don’t feel my prettiest, it is tough sometimes to break out of my own head and just perform whether I feel good or not.
The best experiences I have had are really just meeting clients, hearing their vision and knowing that I am helping them with it. It is also a great feeling to see the end result and be amazed at my own photo!
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
No.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Like many others I would say I wish the industry wasn’t so strict about size. I feel like models can be very hard on themselves. We compare ourselves to each other and sometimes go to drastic measures to look the way we think we should. I feel like the industry would be much healthier if there wasn’t such an emphasis on specific measurements.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I don’t practice any sports other than dance, but I do enjoy a good gym sesh! I hate cardio so I spend most of my time in the gym lifting weights; any cardio time is typically spent on the stair master!
I eat fairly clean throughout the week,everything in moderation is my motto. I do indulge in sweets here and there, but I like to make smart choices for breakfast lunch and dinner. It’s extremely important to keep my body in tip top condition, my body is my instrument and I need to keep it clean, because I use it all day everyday and I don’t have enough time in my life to be getting sick!
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I’m a kickbutt baker.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I can be very shy when around groups of people or new faces. I sometimes wish I could be more outgoing in that sense.
How do you think you are most likely to die?
Well I have had several dreams of myself or a friend driving on a highway when suddenly we turn too fast on a bridge or end up flying overboard, so I am starting to think that is how I’m going to die!
Visit Chantel Heinen’s website for more photos and information