Interview with Melissa Ann — Model, full-time student, & young mother
Melissa Ann is a 21-year old model residing in Palm Springs, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born in Palm Springs, CA and I grew up in the beautiful high desert, basically in the middle of nowhere. My childhood home has a huge backyard which was ideal for my thriving imagination growing up. I had to travel to the next town just for groceries. It was an interesting place to live. I really feel like living in that atmosphere helped to ground me as a person. I try to imagine who I would have been had I grown up in a large city or something… and I just don’t think I would be the same. I’m currently enrolled in school, and attend full time while taking care of my beautiful two year old son. Hard? Yes! Impossible? Obviously not.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I remember seeing some of my friends getting involved in the industry and I had always wanted to try it. One day I told myself that if I didn’t just do it, I never would. It’s easy to let your dreams and desires sit in the backseat, while other things take priority. So I seriously just sat on Facebook, searching all the local photographers that my friends had done “test” shoots with and messaged them. I really put myself out there and found that very many people were interested in taking photographs of me. That’s how I began networking. Because I had lived in the middle of nowhere -and quite honestly, didn’t have the self confidence to go to an open call for an agency at the time- for about a year I shot mostly local. Eventually It got to the point where I no longer had to search for jobs, or people to photograph me. People were emailing and calling me, and it felt great. I was shooting multiple times a week. However, I didn’t start making money, or decent money for my gigs until recently. Now that I am living by the beach, near LA county, I decided to give it a shot and make a meeting at an agency for the first time. Luckily, they loved me and wanted to sign immediately!
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I really have no idea where modeling will take me. That’s the beauty in life, we never know. In terms of my future, I am enrolled in school for a reason. I want to become a Communication studies teacher at a Community College. I want to mentor my students and give them an outlet they may not have at any other place. Mostly, I want to bring passion back into the classroom and I feel like I am fully capable of doing that.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
As of right now, I am in school and raising my son on my own. That will always consume a lot of my time. But when I have the opportunity to go to a casting call, or work for a company that I met through connections, hell ya! I love to model. It’s such a fun “job.” I mostly shoot print. However, I am all about opportunity and growth. If a cool casting comes up for an acting gig, I’ll totally try it out. I try not to bound myself to anything in particular.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Modeling has helped me develop as a person in so many ways. I have acquired an immense amount of confidence and comfortability within myself by pushing my boundaries in ways I never would have. I have met so many cool people, and experienced so many rad things. I think my favorite experience yet has been the Grand Theft Auto short films I was involved in for a youtube series. For the second episode, I had the opportunity to fly in a stunt plane, just the pilot and I. The funniest thing about it was I had absolutely no idea that was in the script until I was on set. I get claustrophobic easily so it was hard to breathe with all the equipment and small, enclosed space. The pilot’s job was to fly the plane in directions where it realistically looked like we had been shot in air, and then free fell. Scariest, but most exhilarating thing I have ever done, hands down! The worst experiences I have had are probably just people trying to tell me to do things I didn’t want to. Like “take this off,” or “get involved in this,” when it’s really not me. You just have to know who you are and what you want and stick to it.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I have become an expert at changing my clothes anywhere! haha
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
First, honesty. People are always trying to be the best, or seem the best, and often lie about themselves to look better. Authenticity is key. And secondly, I wish people had more empathy for others. If someone isn’t adequate for a job, tell them respectfully.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I’m all about nutrition! I love to eat well, and I have found that it helps me maintain my body more than anything else. It’s all about cooking whole foods! I can work out all I want, but if my diet is off, I can’t expect the results I want. Outside of my diet and going to the gym, I love anything outdoors! I enjoy some natural vitamin D.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I saw Kristen Wiig naked. Is that a fact about me? I don’t know. But I like to brag about it.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I am constantly growing as a person and I am completely aware of my faults. Would I change them? No. All I can do is project the type of love and energy to others that I would expect to receive.
What is your favorite thing to do alone?
When I’m alone I enjoy anything relaxing. A bath, some comfy pjs, a glass of wine, TED talks, a good read, and maybe a peaceful nap.
Visit Melissa Ann’s website for more photos and information