Interview with Izzy Diep
Izzy Diep (short for Isabelle) is a 23-year old model from Ontario, California. She is an Alt/Print Model looking to expand her portfolio. She has experience in Fit, Bridal, Promotional, Lifestyle, Fashion, Hair, and Bikini modeling.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Isabelle but everyone calls me Izzy. I’m an old soul in an oddly proportioned body and I’m much too ambitious for my own good.
A bit about my background, I’m a first-generation American and parents are immigrant refugees. Being the oldest out of 6 children I’ve always been had the “I can and will do everything and nothing can stop me” attitude. I’ve been told sometimes I’m a bit instance but usually I’m the girl who is laughing at everything.
I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm. I double-majored in Media and Global studies at University, and earned two bachelors degrees in 4 years while studying the German language and working part-time in the university library. I can’t stand having nothing to do. It drives me crazy!
I enjoy random adventures, turbulence on airplanes, delicious foods and drinks, and a good comedy show. I’m not much of a team player but I enjoy individual endeavors like rock-climbing and Pilates.
At the moment I am in Germany working on my language skills and attempting to network because my dream is to pursue academic research in Western Europe.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I had a friend growing up who liked to dress me up and put a bunch of makeup on me and take photos. He later came out to us as being gay and started dating a Canadian photographer who also wanted to photograph me. I was 15 at the time and I dyed my hair every week a different color of the rainbow and everyone in town knew me as “the rainbow-haired chick” so I lived the notoriety and signed up on model mayhem and started booking photoshoots. And now I’m here.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I would love to be on a magazine cover one day, but who doesn’t? The number 1 thing on my bucket list is to have a part in a Quentin Tarantino movie, no matter how small! Haha! I would like to think that in 10 years people can refer to me as “Doctor” and I’ll would have seen most of the world already with the love of my life.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
Having a full-time school and workload almost my entire life I haven’t done much modeling work compared to my peers but I’ve done a few fashion and lifestyle shoots, usually helping out my artistic friends with their concepts. I’ve done a lot of hair and makeup modeling because well-my hair dyes really well and I have more exotic features. I would love to model full-time though now that I have the time.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I am lucky enough to have never had any terrible experiences. The best though was when I shot for a men’s magazine launch issue in a gorgeous mansion.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
One of my first shoots was a guerrilla photoshoot in what is now the Los Angeles cultural center building when it was still under construction. We ran around in an unfinished building shooting illegally and I would change behind unfinished walls. Very fun!
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Be more accepting and promoting of men and women of color.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
The only sport I do is indoor rock-climbing about once a week. Tones your body and strengthens everything. I like to call it my stealth-ninja training.
I love food. I love carbs and cheese. But I also love not gaining weight so I let myself eat my carbs and cheeses in the morning and I drink an insane amount of juice and water. Usually I’ll just have heavy dinner foods for breakfast and just snack for the rest of the day on fruits and vegetables and nuts.
I also hate sugar, so I take my coffee black and my tea plain and strong. Also, eat plenty of eggs! Keeps you fuller longer.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I get sleep paralyzation almost weekly. It’s not even scary anymore, just annoying.
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
I wish I was a more consistent person who enjoyed socializing more. I swear, if people never invited me out I would just stay in bed all day watching movies.
Visit Izzy Diep’s website for more photos and information