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Interview with Sabrina-Cole — Ordinary girl turned plus size model

Sabrina-Cole is a 26-year old model residing in Florence, Kentucky.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in Los Angeles, California but moved to Kentucky when I was very little, although I feel like I belong both to the West Coast and the East Coast. I grew up in a small town but never felt like I belonged; I love living in the country but that came with people all around me having this very narrow minded way of thinking and I always felt the opposite. There was very limited resources to do anything other than the stereotypical southern hobbies like riding four-wheelers, camping, drinking, and others and that was never my forte.

I ended up having a child in High School and ever since then I’ve always felt like I was fighting back against the odds that are against me to just be another statistic in society. I have a wonderful family support which helped me graduate High School, and eventually I finished College and became a Certified Surgical Technologist and have a very talented son. I’m married with another one on the way. I never would have thought that I would enjoy my mother’s small farm but she has the small breed of goats and it has been such a great experience for me and my son, since I’ve actually always loved animals and wish I could have more of my own.

Sabrina-Cole modeling a tiger-colored blouse black and whiteWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I never thought modeling could be a reality for me, specially because I grew up as that awkward fat girl in school that had a different sense of style than everyone else, and my mother was always very supportive of letting me express myself with my wardrobe. When High School hit I flourished into a very pretty young woman who knew how to handle all her curves, and as a result I’ve always been so called “plus size” but I didn’t gain confidence in myself until High School.

Back when Myspace was that biggest craze I would post lots of pictures of myself, and lots of people in turn would say how pretty I was and I got lots of comments about how I should model, which at that point was just a faint thought: how could someone big like me ever be able to model, I wasn’t a size 0 and 5’10. Then in 2012, after my fiancé, who is now my husband, set up a surprise photo shoot for me because he knew how much I wanted to model but didn’t know where to start, but the photographer who did my first shoot mentioned the website Model Mayhem for me to use to get started. From there it opened a door for me to get into the modeling industry.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

Moving forward in modeling I would like to get more involved in doing promotional work and establish my own business in modeling somehow, since I want to do and explore more diverse areas in modeling. I’ve always wanted my own studio where I can have more control over how creative and expressive my pictures can be; acting is something that would also be another creative outlet for me, and ultimately raising my children is a number one priority but if I can provide for my family by being a pretty face then that’s fantastic and if not then I always have my career as a Surgical Technologist.

Sabrina-Cole modeling a black corset with an umbrellaHow often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

For me my modeling comes in spurts and depends a lot on the seasons, as some photographers that I’ve worked with didn’t have their own studio and as a result having good weather is a must when working in those situations, while promotional modeling is usually seasonal too, plus in the area I live in promotional jobs don’t usually happen in the winter months. Most of my modeling styles are glamour and slightly provocative, and I’d like to do more areas but I have to feel comfortable with the photographer and be confident that they could represent my personality.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

I don’t think my worst experience is that awful but to me it was a let down because I actually paid the photographer money and I barely liked any of my pictures. Instead of doing my own makeup I let the photographer do my makeup and I thought I was okay because she had claimed to do other people’s makeup and her pictures where stunning, but when she did my makeup and I felt like a clown. From then on I decided I’ll do my own makeup and stay safe.

I’ve had some mild ups and downs with personalities but I think that’s just learning the industry and who you become compatible with work wise; a model and a photographer have a special working bond because you’re both trying to capture art.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I’ve been in some uncomfortable posture poses thinking the photographer is nuts and I look like a fool then you see the picture and it’s great. Other times you do things that the photographer wants you to do and it’s definitely an epic fail.

Sabrina-Cole modeling a pink-white mini skirt and high heelsIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

I think the modeling industry needs to be more diverse. I’ve had great feedback on my modeling but I know the size I am I’m not walking into a modeling agency and being picked up right there. We do see plus size models in advertisements but to me it’s not enough, and I’d rather choose my own destiny in modeling than let agency after agency put me down because I’m not what they classify as model material.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

My son loves to play basketball at home and always gets me to join in, and I’m also a believer that you can eat whatever you want but in moderation, although I’m sure there are skeptics out there that think because I’m big that I don’t watch what I eat but I don’t over indulge myself. I had my gallbladder removed when I was 18 and it completely changes your outlook on food and what you eat. I have to monitor my sodium content and I know what certain foods make me sick if I eat them.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Something people don’t know about me is that I love decorating for holidays: I would completely deck out the house every holiday if I could. I’ve always imagined having a home that my children would remember from their childhoods like, “oh yeah remember how every year mom would bring out those crazy Christmas pillows.”

Would you change anything about yourself?

The funny thing about me is that I would change everything from my thighs to my chest, which seems extreme to say but I wouldn’t mind plastic surgery. I think plastic surgery is an option that is okay for anyone as long as it doesn’t become too extreme; being in the operating room I’ve seen some great results and it makes you happy to see how someone’s confidence is going to change for the best.

Have you ever gone without wearing underwear all day? Why & what did you do?

One day at work I wore a pair of undies that just wouldn’t stay up. They kept rolling down in my scrubs and it was killing me. You’re in surgery for a few hours and can’t touch anything that is unsterile. I tried pulling them up a few times while taking short breaks but finally I just couldn’t take it anymore, I took them off, stuck them in my locker and went commando the rest of the day in my scrubs until it was time to go home. Needless to say that pair of undies were never wore again to work.

Visit Sabrina-Cole’s website for more photos and information