Interview with Lydia Mae — Curve Full-Figure Model
Lydia Mae is a 25-year old model residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, my name is Lydia Mae, I am a curve model in Minneapolis, Minnesota, born and raised here, then moved to Chicago and Los Angeles to work in larger modeling scenes. After time, my sister’s wedding brought me back to Minneapolis when I was in my early twenties, were I reside currently.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I first got into the modeling industry because a friend of mine wanted to try his hand at photography, when he asked me to model for him as a test. He then showed those photos to his agent, and his agent asked me to sign with his agency when I was seventeen years old. I highly enjoyed meeting new people and being creative through modeling, and as a result I stayed in Minneapolis until I was 19, then started working in Chicago and Los Angeles.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
My personal and professional goals are the same: I want to help make a change for the standard of beauty in the modeling industry to bring back full figured and confident women. Beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes and it’s time to be accepting of all beauty.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
Currently, I have just begun to start modeling again, as a few years back, I was fighting with myself to stay ‘thin’ to the sizes I was expected to be in order to book work. My body naturally wanted to hold more weight then I would allow it too. I was constantly forcing myself to work out and stay thin, that it stressed my body out, and I became since and was constantly nervous to gain weight to the point that I counted every calorie I ate. After I moved back home to Minneapolis, I had to accept my body was changing, that I could not force it to be a size it did not want to be. I took a break from modeling and now a few years later, the industry is more accepting of full figured women, and thankfully, I currently have agencies interested and have started to update my portfolio.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Every opportunity I have experienced with modeling has been one to form and mold me into the person I am today. Whether that’s landing the cover of a magazine or living paycheck to paycheck in LA, everything I have experienced has been one of personal growth.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I would have to say the most embarrassing moment in my career was when I tried out for America’s Next Top Model, and I was so nervous that while filming my audition tape, I spoke in a British accent the whole time! You’re probably wondering why I had an accent, and it’s because my mom is British. I do not have an accent in my everyday life, but evidently when I am extremely nervous, it will pop out!
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I would help push the change of acceptance of all shapes, sizes, and colors. We live in such a beautiful world, it’s time to show how individually is beautiful.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I come from a family who loves their daily wheatgrass shots, fish oil pills, kale smoothies, and free range chicken. I like to say that I eat healthy when I cook at home and eat on the run, but every now and then I am tempted by a carb loaded juicy burger! My daily exercise of choice is Orange Theory Fitness, and love high intensity workouts. If I’m not constantly moving, I will loose my interest.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I am a dual citizen, since my mother was born in England, she was able to pass on the opportunity to be a citizen. I have been a dual citizen for two years and absolutely love it.
Would you change anything about yourself?
To be in the modeling industry, it can be a harsh reality check that not everyone is going to find you beautiful. It’s very easy to start judging yourself, loosing self confidence and questioning yourself. The reality is you are not going to be every client’s ‘dream girl.’ With making yourself are the ‘product’ you are selling, I believe you must first and foremost must be confident in yourself. Once you love who and what you are, you will be more successful in your work as a model. The beautiful thing is there is only one you in this world, so show that world how beautiful you are.
If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?
Tell every girl I saw that they are beautiful. It’s rare that strangers compliment strangers, as we have become a society that is afraid to speak to other people. I love chatting it up with people I don’t know, but many people are hesitant to even make eye contact with you. Random acts of kindness, such as a quick ‘you have a beautiful smile’ can brighten anyone’s day. We only have one life, so make it a good one.
Visit Lydia Mae’s website for more photos and information