Interview with Reagan Savoie — From Introvert to Extrovert Model
Reagan Savoie is a 21-year old model residing in Redding, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana, went to school in Texas, and have lived in Utah and California as well. My family are very religious, conservative-Republicans. I have a very European-based lineage which I use to fondly refer to myself as a European Mutt when anyone asks. I am usually quite creative with my spare time. Filling it with reading new Sci-Fi series, painting and drawing, baking and cooking all sorts of new recipes, creating music on any of the three instruments I can play, out exploring parks, or playing at home with my pets.
Back when I lived in Texas we had a ranch where I would ride horses during the summer and on different breaks from school. I currently hold an Associates of Science degree and I love aviation! It was actually one of my degrees for a year but the school I was at messed up my transcripts so I went for a Bachelor’s in Tech Management and an Applied Associates of Science degree instead. I’m still flying however and plan to get my necessary licenses and certifications on my own time.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I was a child model from the time I was about a year and a half old with Kim Dawson and then switched to The Campbell Agency a few years later. Once I hit about 12 that died off due to the fact that I looked too old to do child modeling but was still too young to do adult modeling. I started doing some freelance work and got into photography in high school. Now I am a hobby photographer, and freelance model. I also dabble in hair, make-up, and fashion due to my first roommate in college.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
Personally, I want to have every license and certification to become a Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings -CFI/II/MEI-. I want to become a well-respected model that is known for being smart as well as pretty. Professionally, I want to be doing something I love and am accomplished at. I want to be able to wake up every day being excited about what I’m going to be doing.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
Mostly my early work consisted of fashion print work. I did have a few commercials but mainly I did posters and catalogs. In later years when I first began freelance work I was mostly helping people with their degree portfolios. They consisted of some artwork and fashion as well as glamour shots. Nowadays I’m focusing on broadening my spectrum from just photo shoots. I still consider myself mainly an art, fashion and glamour model but I also work in acting and sports work as well.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I remember one time I was helping one of my mom’s friends expand her portfolio for her photography degree. She had me all dolled up in this amazing vintage wedding dress that I thought was the coolest thing ever. My hair was done up in this messy-bun look, I had some pretty heavy makeup on, and the best part? This lady got a friend of hers who bred Irish wolfhounds to bring three of them out to our ranch to make this shot absolutely fantastic! The whole thing had this old-timey deep South feel to it and I had a blast.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
One time when I was younger, I did a photo shoot for someone who wanted to show a cut family scene of a grandmother and her granddaughter eating some ice cream. I was like 7 at the time. Well the producer had mentioned ice cream and set this bowl in front of me and handed me a spoon. No one told me it wasn’t really ice cream in the bowl, so naturally I had to try it. It was actually just a mixture of butter and sugar. Not terrible, but you can imagine how disappointed I was that it wasn’t actually ice cream.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Hundreds of things, but one that I feel like is really prevalent this day and age is people -from agencies to photographers and others- taking advantage of young models who don’t have any experience or don’t know any better but will do just about anything they’re told in order to become famous. I realize that there are places that take great care to be fair with their models, but more and more I get people requesting to work with me that will tell me a shoot is for something that I’m perfectly fine with and then after I’ve spent my time getting ready, they want to change it to something erotic, unprofessional, or additional aspects that were not part of the original agreement they want for no extra charge. I have nothing against being sexy on camera or adding to a shoot, but be honest and straight with what you want to do beforehand so that the models can make informed decisions on what they are actually getting into.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I’ll admit I’m not the best role model when it comes to healthy eating habits -being from the South means that I love to eat good food-. However, I do try to maintain a healthy diet as much as possible. I love sports though. Throughout school I did soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cross country, and track. I still get out on occasion to play a game or to go for a run. Every now and then I’ll get in a fitness craze when I feel like I’m letting myself go or eating too much and I’ll do a couple weeks of Insanity or some other type of workout routine that includes daily cardio and stretches.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I am a total introvert. I have always been the shyest person in the room and even now I tend to stay in and read before going out to meet new people. But I try something new every day and I try to meet at least one new person every week. I keep on a constant smile when I’m out and about because you never know whose day you’ll brighten because of a simple smile.
Would you change anything about yourself?
The one and only thing I would change about myself is my scoliosis. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s when a person’s spine is curved or twisted for various reasons. Mine is because my spine is for a person much taller than I am. If my spine were completely straight I would be somewhere around 5’9″-5’10” -according to doctors- instead of the 5’6″ I’m at right now. Because of the lack of space for my spine, I have an S curve in it which makes stretching and staying flexible difficult but not impossible.
What is the one talent you wish you possessed?
I really want to learn falconry, also known as hawking. It’s where you hunt game with a trained hawk or other bird of prey of your choosing. The best way to do it is raise the bird yourself from a very young age. I think this would be the coolest thing ever because 1) It’s different, and 2) I would have my own personal bird of prey! I would probably go with an Aplomado Falcon personally. I actually have a picture with one on my Facebook page.
Visit Reagan Savoie’s website for more photos and information