Interview with Meg Vega — The California Girl
Meg Vega is a 20-year old model residing in Santa Rosa, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Meg Vega. I am a 20 year old model in Santa Rosa, CA. I was born in Pleasanton, CA. I have always been a Cali girl and always will. I am the eldest of two. I have a younger brother, Mike. I was raised in a loving family with a firm grip. My dad was born in Japan, my mom in Germany, both on United States Airforce bases. So they came from a very militant background. My dad definitely wanted a boy so I did every sport known to man. I thrived in Field Hockey and Pole Vaulting in High School. Since then I have just been keeping up workouts at the gym. My family is very close knit. When you come from a German background on one side and a Russian side on the other you definitely stick with each other like glue. As my grandpa used to say, “We stick to each other like glue, we are gonna be ok.” In a Russian and Bronx accent of course. Now I work as an Assistant in an office here in Santa Rosa, however I hope to fulfill my dream one day of becoming a famous model.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
When I was 16 I lived with my mom, and we were struggling with money. My brother just moved in with us from our dad’s in Oregon and I needed to make sure he was eating decent whole meals. My whole life people would comment on how pretty I am. I thought if I could make money off of that, I could help my family! No one in a college town would hire a 16 year old with our labor laws so I looked at agencies.
I found an agency in San Jose called John Casablanca’s Model, Talent Management. For a little background John Casablanca’s is the creator of Ford models. One of the most prestigious Model Agencies in the world. This division was more for everyday people. I was accepted that day but I had to pay 3,000 dollars for training. I did, sadly, and my first job was a Hair Show for Aquage a year after I signed. They dyed my hair, for the first time ever, and cut it in three shows on stage. I didn’t know that this was the best thing that could have happened to my career. It was going nowhere. When my hair changed I became different, more fashionable. People started to see me. I joined MM and One Model Place to get noticed when I went free-lance. Over the last year I have done close to 40 photo shoots. Developing relationships with photographers and other models in the greater Bay area, I hope to sign to a bigger agency and take some time to actually pursue modeling.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I want to be the first successful petite model. The industry has been changing a lot over the last few years. If I work hard enough and get the right opportunities then I can be the first successful petite model. For now I am working on the back side. Working the fashion angle. Styling myself to get noticed and get out there. Look like a model and soon you will become a model. Know the designers, know the trends and who is up and coming. Though, thanks to my height I will never walk a runway, I photograph tall.
Hopefully in a couple years I will be signed and five to ten be behind the scenes but still involved in the fashion world.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I model at least twice a month right now. Thanks to my two jobs it is hard to actually get out there and go to the agencies I need to and get my face out there.
The modeling I do ranges from Glamour to Boudoir to editorial. I have done quite a few styles. The one thing I do is I like to leave my viewers curious. I don’t show everything, I show just enough to keep them coming back. It is no surprise that I am a voluptuous model. I am not plus sized but I have some curves. So photographers tend to put me in lingerie or swim wear.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
My best experience was with a photographer named Paul Mango Chon of Bittersweet mango productions. He was a class act. His photos were spot on and he was an all over good guy. He was so creative and stylized. He really launched my career. I got the most feedback from his images. Sadly he moved down to LA to actually work in the industry. But we still keep in touch. He is onto bigger and better things.
My worst experience was with a photographer that will remain unnamed. We had met and talked about shoot ideas. We wanted it to be a Grunge fashion shoot. When I got to the shoot, he wanted more and more articles of clothing off. It was leaning more towards porn than fashion so I had to walk off set and go home. That was the only shoot I have done that on.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Haha, yes, a few things but this is the funniest. I was doing a Swim wear shoot with Jim Parks, who is another amazing photographer. This was in San Francisco, CA and it was super overcast, which is not abnormal for SF but still, it was cold. Anyways I was taking pictures in some Beautiful Disaster stuff and he wanted some water shots, so I of course said why not! So I went to lay on the beach and a couple people were gathering around, watching us shoot and a giant freezing cold wave crashes down right on top of me. I started laughing and rolling up the beach, Jim collapsed in laughter and the people that were watching started laughing too. It was definitely embarrassing but I didn’t really care; it was fun and I was in a swimsuit which is supposed to get wet. haha.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I do have something I would change. The modeling industry makes every flaw a huge deal. “You’re too short. You’re not a 10 % BMI. You’re not a size 7 shoe. I feel like they would sell so much more if they gave people a more realistic hope that they can be fashionable. Let the woman with a C cup and a bodacious bum wear Louis Vuitton more people will want to wear Louis. If you let a 5’3” woman on the cover of Vogue I guarantee you people will have healthier goals. This prestige in the fashion industry is becoming a bit of an unattainable goal. Why would anyone want to strive for something they can never get to?
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I love food so I have to exercise a lot. I eat three meals a day and snacks in between. I eat a lot of chicken and my favorite thing in the world is Zucchini sauteed in olive oil with Garlic salt. Taste just like french fries. I work out about five days a week. I start with running for about a mile before my workout. Then I do lots of squats and leg workouts, move onto abs, then last some arms. I have to be careful because my arms get very bulky if I work them out too much. Then I drink tons and tons of water. It’s my magic potion to a great body and great skin.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I am a car fanatic. I am currently tricking out my 1997 Mazda Miata. I am a muscle car kinda girl but I will die of excitement if I see anyone or any car from any of the fast and furious movies. I learned how to drift from my ex and I love racing on the back roads of Napa valley. Back roads = Less Cops = More speed.
Would you change anything about yourself?
Only one thing and that’s my height. If you could tell by my article already, height is a huge thing in this industry and that is the one thing I want. Maybe one day the industry will change and the time of short beautiful woman will rise.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Taco Bell. Crunch Wrap Supreme’s. I know not a model food…but it is so good!