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Nutrition, Modeling and Sports

Interview with Jenny Austin — Actress and Model

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Born and raised a southern girl in North Carolina, I am the oldest of three children. My family and I are very close and they have always been my biggest support system. Growing up, I was very involved in competitive swimming and dance. In school, I was passionate about English and Language Arts.

In early elementary school, I dreamed of becoming a writer and competed in many writing competitions. At home there is a closet full of “books” I wrote as a child. When I was still very young, I forced my younger siblings to perform in “plays” for our family and made my parents videotape our performances. I realized that performing in front of an audience is a form of storytelling, like writing. Movies and books were a way for me to escape and with acting, I loved that I could be someone other than myself and could explore living as different characters. I felt so inspired after watching actors in movies and I wanted to be that “escape” for other people. It wasn’t until after college that I moved to Hollywood to pursue a serious acting career.

At Elon University, I majored in Communications/Broadcast/Film. In Hollywood, my main source of income has been through entertainment and production jobs. I have been very lucky to be able to work in those areas and act on the side. I have some exciting projects coming up in the fall and I am so excited! Also, I love traveling.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I have always been a little interested because of my height, but it was something I never really thought about pursuing until I was older. When I was a toddler and young child, I modeled in a few shoots. I was about 21 or 22 when I really started modeling.

Jenny Austin wearing a pink dressWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

I hope to be very happy with whatever I am doing. Hopefully I will be married with children and living in Beverly Hills and working as a series regular on a sitcom.

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I feel my look is commercial. That is a lot of the work I get. Also glamour and editorial.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

Any Cosmo girl would love being fitted in awesome clothes and getting hair and makeup done by the best! It’s like playing dress up, and playing different roles in front of the camera is very similar to acting! I’ve had a few awkward times with sketchy male photographers; it’s really important to be careful.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I was a finalist to be Miss Cheerwine. I brought the judges Cheerwine-filled donuts. Enough said.

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

I would change the way people perceive the modeling industry. Models can be looked at as vapid and self-absorbed… but it is a serious job. I look at modeling as an artistic outlet for creative expression.

Jenny Austin wearing a black dressDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I love hiking Runyon Canyon and try to practice ab, arm and glute exercises every day. I don’t swim or dance competitively anymore, but still participate in both. I try to not eat carbs or breads, but definitely treat myself to pizza once or twice a week. I eat a lot of egg whites, chicken, salad, nuts, berries, fruits, veggies, Greek yogurt, nutrition bars, and other foods. I grew up eating junk because I had a very “YOLO” attitude, but I never realized how eating healthier and exercising would truly make me feel so happy and energized all the time!

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I can lick my elbow which is supposed to be impossible.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I would love to be fluent in Spanish. I hardcore studied it in school and then placed out of it in college, and since I haven’t been practicing it, I forgot so much of it! I would also love to be a better cook, but I’ve never had the patience.

If you could trade closets with any celebrity, who would it be?

Dua Lipa!

Visit Jenny Austin’s website for more photos and information