Interview with Hailee Alexis Hussion
Hailee Alexis Hussion is a 19-year old model residing in San Diego, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Other than modeling, I have always had a huge personality a loud unique voice. Originally I’m from Plano, Texas but my family moved to California when I was 3 so I am San Diego raised. I was a theater nerd til high school and I also danced 20+ hours a week. I was on my high school’s dance team and we won first place at USA Nationals in the Lyrical and Contemporary Category for 2011 and 2012. Last year was my first year of college where I danced on the side lines of the Mountain West Champions, the Fresno State Bulldogs.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I have been modeling off and on since 5th grade. My little brother acted and modeled all the time, got tons of attention and as a 5th grader, I wanted that same attention. My mom took me to meet with some agents but I was too tall to model for little kid stuff and too young looking to model for teens. But I still signed with a San Diego agent and did a few things here and there. It wasn’t til my freshman year of high school, when I had matured that scouts started stopping me everywhere. I had signed with the first management company that wanted me. Big mistake, they wanted all kinds of money for shoots and fees. I didn’t know any better. After getting out of my contract with them, I signed with a SD agency, OC agency and LA agency and they are the real deals. All though it’s not the big leagues yet, I have booked many big time jobs. I know with time, experience and relationships under my belt, my time will come to be bigger than I am today.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I plan on finishing college in LA, where the industry and work is. My personal goals, are to marry my high school sweetheart. He is leaving for the Marines soon and I know it will be hard but he’s worth it. I also want to be successful, the American Dream. Everyone’s definition is different, but I want to make my family happy, and prove to all the people that thought I wasn’t good enough, that I am. I want to be financially successful and I want a beautiful family, that travels at least once a year for vacations.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I model at least once a week. With work, dance, school, my boyfriend and my family. I haven’t had the opportunity or the balls to jump into modeling full force. I like to do it all, although I’ve never done nudes. I have walked in LA Fashion Week and many other fashion shows, I have a few editorial spreads published. I have also done plenty of catalogue shoots. Stock photographers love me because I have a very commercial look. I have done some commercials and sports shoots too and like I’ve said before I used to be a huge theater nerd and dancer.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I always think nip slips are so embarrassing!! Like we are trying to be high fashion and risqué but then you’re posing and 30 seconds later you realize you are showing more than you thought and at that point the photographer has stopped taking pictures to let you realize that you’re giving everyone around the shoot a bigger show than they signed up for! Normally I brush it off but every once in a while I turn bright red in the face and can’t help but be embarrassed!
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I would change how big and unprofessional it’s become. With technology today everyone thinks they can be a photographer, and with a website like model mayhem everyone thinks they have what it takes to model. But modeling and fashion is a lot more than the small world of model mayhem nudes and skimpy car photo shoots. To put it harshly, If the only jobs you book are through model mayhem, even if it’s a lot, I don’t consider that professional modeling. Because of technology nowadays, photographers don’t pay for the professional models, they pay for the ones who will work for cheap.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I eat everything I see, but I also was blessed with a very fast metabolism and I dance way too many hours a week. In my first year of college I have definitely come to realize that eating healthy is more important and eating all the junk will in fact catch up to you.
Would you change anything about yourself?
As many times as someone may say “I would never change anything about me”. I know first-hand that you can’t please everyone with your looks, there’s always going to be someone with tanner skin, skinnier legs, bluer eyes, more defined cheek bones and better eyebrows, but me? I’m all natural. Some things you can change and some things aren’t worth changing.The blonde isn’t bleached, the skin isn’t tanned and the eyes are light green. I have pale skin and I freckle like a red head does, and clients often tell me I would be a better red head than a California blonde but in this industry being different helps you stand out. Some people will love that and some will hate it. Just be the you that makes you the happiest!
If you had only 24 hours left to live, what would you do?
I would call everyone who’s had an impact on my life, to tell them I loved them. I would donate my money to my favorite program for kids with autism, I would kiss my boyfriend for hours and have a picnic on the beach with my family. I would write down my favorite memories with my favorite people so they all had something to remember me by. I would laugh, love, probably cry a little and thank god for the life he let me live.
Visit Hailee Alexis Hussion’s website for more photos and information