Interview with Hali Slone — By Day, Mother. By Night, Model!
Hali Slone is a 21-year old model residing in Georgetown, Kentucky.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello!
My name is Hali Slone, I am a 21 year old model that was born and raised in a small town in Kentucky, where I overcame the odds of teen pregnancy, and continued on to work hard and be able to do the careers that I love. I am currently the head manager for an entire gym named Snap Fitness, and I also have achieved my goals of becoming a model! My son is 4 years old, and is the absolute light of my life; my interests are unique for someone like me, since I am obsessed with Video Games, Reading, Cooking, and Fitness. I also do cosplay and guest appear at Comic Cons, as well as Horror Cons! No matter the odds, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I first got involved by getting asked to attend a group photo shoot in Lexington, Kentucky, and once I started my modeling, my career took off. I have heard multiple times that I have a very dramatic and unique look about me, and have also met a lot of amazing people and celebrities, including Larry Elmore, who is the illustrator for Dungeons and Dragons -I am one of his famous fantasy characters now-, as well as the first Jason Voorhees. I started modeling about 2 years ago, and have stayed steady with my work since then, and has always been a passion for me, even though at first it was just a dream. When I found out that people were interested in my work once I started, I didn’t waste a moment and started working on my portfolio.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
My personal goals would be buying a house, getting more sponsorships for my modeling career, being the best mother I can always be for my son, and continuing on with my college, to get my degree in Psychology.
My professional goals include having my modeling career take off, and be able to become a super model, even if my height makes it challenging, since I am a very short 5’0 tall even!; gain high enough experience to own my own gym one day, to let people know that they don’t have to look like a model to feel good about themselves. Getting up and coming to the gym is a huge step in itself, and is the path to a healthy lifestyle; become a famous cosplayer, and meet more of my idols in the industry.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I was modeling a lot for a while, probably a photo shoot at least every week. Once my portfolio was pretty much done, I cut it down unless the shoots were paid, or benefited myself in some way, since it is a very expensive career, and you must be able to know your worth. I usually do photo shoots, or cosplay at Cons, and I am a freelance model, but love my boudoir, cosplay, and fashion shoots the most.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
My best experiences include becoming a fantasy character by world famous fantasy artist Larry Elmore; getting invited to a VIP party at Scarefest, which is the world’s largest horror con, by the original Jason Voorhees; coming in the top 10 out of 100 girls in the Miss Jetset 2015 cover model contest; and appearing as a Guest at Cons.
My worst experiences would include a photographer who got mad because I would not do nude photography, which I have no problem with, but it’s just a personal moral of mine; and the other one would be my first photo shoot, when I was so nervous that I was stiff, and had to learn the ins and outs of poses, facial expressions, and more.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I tripped at a photo shoot one time and fell on my face. I wear heels that are taller than my legs to my shoots… ok, maybe I exaggerated a little bit, but still!. I twisted my ankle, being very lucky I didn’t break it, and the shoot still went on!
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
In all honesty, I hate the fact that you can get offers for really great opportunities, and then be asked to do immoral things to get ahead of the competition, and I am not a believer in that. If I am to win, I will do it with dignity and the right way, not sleep my way to the top. I was very naive to this when I first started, and some people who have money to spend on you will try and bribe you.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
Let me get one thing straight, I have a terrible diet: I am obsessed with cheese, and other unhealthy foods, although I do slim down before shoots by eating salads, and dinners that will not bloat my stomach. Nutrition should be a more important part of my life, but I make up for the slack in my exercise, since my routine consists of running 3 miles a day, doing 150 crunches, 45 lifts on the leg machine, 75 side crunches, 30 minutes on the elliptical, and then sometimes I will lift light weights. Exercise is extremely important, not only for modeling but for anyone; it makes you feel better in your day to day life, as well as toning your muscles, building muscles, or just cutting your weight. It helps your mental state of mind, to make you more energized and happy. What is there to lose?
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I mentioned before that one of my favorite hobbies is video games, and when I say I am the epitome of a nerd, I mean it; I collect video game memorabilia, especially Legend of Zelda -I actually have a real Mastersword-, I have a Pokemon tattoo on my side, and a whole wall of my apartment is decorated in posters, and trinkets from different video games. I also play a lot of Xbox, Nintendo, and Table Tops as well, as well as cosplaying as Link From Legend of Zelda, or Kitana from Mortal Kombat the majority of times I go to Cons.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I would not, because I am happy with how I am, and physically speaking, I have achieved so many of my goals already, and the fact that I can say that I am happy with my body is amazing, since it helps my mental state for my self esteem to be high. I suffer from Endometriosis, which is the leading cause in infertility in women, for which there is no cure, and it causes extreme pain all the time, as well as being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder, it is an accomplishment that I can say I am happy with where my life is. I am in careers that I have always wanted to be in, and I have fun doing them; I am a mother of the most loving 4 year old in the world. What else could I ask for?
Do you have any fears or phobias?
I have an intense fear of Clowns, not dolls or anything like that, but people in costume, despite the fact that I know they are just regular people and I know it is not rational, but it will send me into a complete freak out if one acts like it is going to scare me. Funny Story, I had a panic attack form one a few years ago, and actually saw the guy again at Scarefest, where I was also appearing, and he remembered me! He said he thought he had killed me, and so we talked and now the clown and I are friends!
Visit Hali Slone’s website for more photos and information