Interview with Marie-Michelle Rousseau — Cosmetologist French model
Marie-Michelle Rousseau – aka Irame soul– is a 23-year old model residing in Honolulu, Hawaii.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Marie-Michelle Rousseau, and I was born in Quebec, Canada in May of 1992, although I moved to Hawaii, Honolulu in December of 2005. I am engaged to my fiancé who is a woman, whom I have been with for 4 years.
I am a fully trained cosmetologist and am now working for Sephora as a fragrances expert and hair care expert. Modeling was always a passion for me, and that’s why I also help out models in need with their look, poses and portfolio photos.
I worked as a hair dresser in a professional salon line called Regis salons in Hawaii kai Honolulu before working at Sephora, and have always been connected to the beauty industry through modeling, beautician, hairdressing or as a makeup artist. Beauty is something for me more than a hobby, more than my job; it’s just what I love to do, not only on myself but for others too. Everyone is beautiful, you just have to highlight the best features.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I started modeling when I turned 18 years old; at that time a family friend was a beautiful model and she told me about Model Mayhem. Her name is Julie Leblond, and she encouraged me to do my first shoot with Kaveh Kardan back in 2010. This is how I had my first shoot, which had turned out beautiful; Kaveh was extremely talented and then I made my account on Model Mayhem.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I wish to be working in a salon once more, as well as to be a talented hair dresser but also I wish to model on the side and help my fellow models friends who need the plus and encouragement that I’ve received once.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I mostly do Hawaii shoots, including beach, forest, ocean, under water. I have done some BDSM shoot to experiment with my comfort zone, as well as some urban fashion; the latest work that I have done was this commercial for this new skincare brand called Lavo a few months back.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Let me start with the worst; I had done this shoot for a Thai photographer when I started, during which he had made me drive from Hawaii kai, located on the east side of the Oahu island, to Kapaha, located on the west side of the island. To someone who doesn’t live on Oahu this would seem simple, it’s a 3 hour drive.
I finally arrived to the location which turned out to be an extremely underdeveloped area of the island, and not a too friendly neighborhood for a person of my color unfortunately. I was promised specific pictures from the photographer that he would photoshop my body into a feline-like figure, he even made me sign a contract to secure the arrangement. So the location was this enormous empty field on a very hot day, and after we shot everything we needed, he told me he was gonna work on the pictures that he promised me with.
It’s been almost 5 years and he still hasn’t given me any pictures we had agreed on, despite the fact that I have contacted him many times and he’d replied that he was working on it or that it was on his to do list. That is one of my bad experiences, so guys don’t worry, it happens to everyone; you just keep asking until they give you what they’ve promised
Another bad experience was with a other guy who wanted to shoot with me: the pictures turned out nice but it was in a Forest set up and far away from changing rooms. I was changing and the first time he was polite enough to walk away, but after a few outfits, he stayed around and behind me and I was getting very irritated for his lack of common sense.
So guys, specially ladies, be extremely careful who you work with, do your homework: I do that to help out my model friends who are starting, and let them know who they shouldn’t work with. There’s a lot of dangerous photographers out there, so it’s important to be safe and bring a friend to your shoots for the first few times working with a new person.
Best shoot ever? Easy, I did this nude ocean underwater shoot with a photographer called Musashi Flores. We went to a secret location early in the morning, and to be honest I was very nervous, although I had worked with him before but this was the first time to be completely nude. So we got there and I was wearing a bikini at first to warm up.
We started shooting with it on to get used to it and then I told him that I was comfortable enough to start: once I was ready, it was a beautiful experience. Musashi is an extremely professional photographer, I truly trusted him and still do today; the pictures came out so beautiful, I couldn’t even recognized myself.
This experience was the best of my life because this man who is now a close friend of mine was a true gentleman and it felt like a safe environment.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I did this waterfall shoot once and it was a nude shoot; we had to hike up to the location so no makeup or anything was possible, it’s was a very natural shoot. We get there and I get into the water where the fall was, the water was so clear but freezing! Sitting in that water was quite difficult for me but I did it and the picture turned out so beautiful.
Then when we where finishing up the last poses, we heard voices coming from the trail leading up to the water fall and I panicked, trying to dress up as fast as possible. They turned out to be two ladies which was less embarrassing than some dudes showing up; it’s was very funny then. At the end, pictures turned out amazing: I had a good workout and a cold bath, but no cold, was such a great time.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I would make untrustworthy photographers banned from ever shooting again, and to create more opportunities for growing models out there.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I don’t, and I eat what I want and spend up to 9 hours on my feet everyday for work; girls who wants to be skinny out there, you should get a job that you have to move around and drink plenty of water, for food try to eat organic like milk, butter, bread and veggies. It makes a difference in your skin and figure. On the other hand, I’m a Chocolate freak, I’d eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could…
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I’m an Otaku, I love the Japanese culture and I am trying to learn Japanese, in fact, going to Japan is on my bucket list. For those who do not know it, Otaku is someone who adores Japanese anime and manga, which is a type of comics.
I also am a huge dork, I love Disney movies, Ninja turtles, Avengers and Dreamworks movies.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I would like to tone my body a bit more, straighten and whiten my teeth, mainly because I’m a smoker, and have long hair. Things that are easily achievable just take time and money.
And I would like to have more money… Who wouldn’t?
Are you currently in a relationship? How would you describe your partner?
I am in a relationship and will be getting married next month August 15 on her birthday. Yes I am going to marry a woman in the state of Hawaii. I have been with her for 4 years and love her dearly, she is my greatest support. She’s an extraordinary woman and I am proud to have her as my life partner, so if I win this I would take her to that trip as a honey moon gift.
Visit Marie-Michelle Rousseau – aka Irame soul’s website for more photos and information