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Sep 14 2014

Interview with Natalie-Monique — Aussie Actress and Model

Natalie-Monique is a 22-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m from the Gold Coast in Australia, I came over to Los Angeles three and a half years ago to further my acting career and by chance fell into a bit of modeling. It’s always been fun and I love being creative with anything! So it was cool to explore a different side of the industry and play around a bit. I love music and love being around friends and family!

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I first got involved through a director friend of mine who was looking to do work, actually before that I had modeled in a few of my girlfriends’ catwalk shows and catalogue shoots for their own design labels, but just for fun. In the states it’s been more about promotion to aid in my acting career and awesome for networking, especially with so many shoots doing video montages it actually goes hand in hand modeling and acting, plus it’s fun.

Natalie-Monique wearing high heelsWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

Great question! Because it’s so bloody hard to answer! Haha, personally I just want to be happy, living life to the fullest, doing what I love around people I love, experiencing new things, traveling, adventuring, acting, modeling, writing, singing, being creative I suppose would just sum it up! And hopefully gaining a lot of industry success to allow me to continue to do what I love!

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I usually will be on a few shoots every month, and it’s always changing, which I love. The entertainer loves to be entertained! I love doing creative shoots and I’m pretty fortunate to always be changing it up, even if it’s the same style it may be a different contrasting location which gives it a new dynamic! I do few catwalks as I’m only just 5’8″ which is tall in human life, midget in model life…for catwalk anyway!

Because of my acting, the photographer and I can really bring out different personalities, for example I wore a floor-length ball gown on top of a cage in a zoo and played with different emotions so it was like glamour mixed with total grunge which made it egdy and a little more unexpected.

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

The best experience would be every experience because as it’s been something I’ve fallen into, it’s all been a learning curve for me! I’ve gotten to do some pretty cool shoots and meet some cool people which I would consider a best! The worst as I have learned which I’m sure all models learn, is to not be taken advantage of, whether it be with poses, pay or realistically anything that you may not be comfortable with, which is a very easy thing to happen when you are first starting out, I don’t think it’s something that’s talked about as much as it needs to be especially for young girls, it’s great once you’ve learnt from your mistakes, but I definitely think these young women starting out need a stronger voice about all the do’s and don’t’s of modeling.

Natalie-Monique wearing a black dressHave you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

I once got asked day of to do a road trip shoot from L.A. to Vegas in an hour as his original model had flaked, I said yes, had wet hair which I didn’t really do anything with, minimal make-up and grabbed a handful of clothes, we found this broken down water park and it turned out to be some of the best images I’ve ever had. I feel like when you’re spontaneous in a shoot, that’s when the best pictures come out. As for funny, I’m always laughing on a shoot or being silly so there’s always something funny going on!!

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

The modeling industry itself? No. I mean there are certain expectations because it’s needed to keep things or people in demand. I would love to change certain people’s opinion haha, but that’s life. It’s a business. Same as acting, they don’t call it show business for nothing. It’s probably 80% business and 20% talent, so you really can’t take anything personally, for example, if I was modeling in Japan they would want me to have no tan, whereas a beach shoot in L.A. would be like, someone get this girl into a tanning salon stat! Some things you’re gonna be right for and somethings just won’t work, it’s all about the client and more importantly the clientel they are catering for. It’s a tough industry but I’m in it more for the creativity – I feel like when you’re having fun and enjoying what you are doing that’s the most important thing.

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 Shaun T! Preach! He does all the insanity, T25, Hip Hop Abs! He’s awesome! I love to chuck on one of his dvds so I can do it at home and there’s no excuses of “not having time” and then after that try and experiment with a bit of Yoga to stretch it out and improve my flexibility and flush away any tensions or stresses, I’m fairly new to yoga, but I love what it incorporates about balance in all areas of your life, body, mind and soul. Eating healthy is the most important thing, you could look healthy and super-trim but it’s what’s on the inside! I love my fruit and veg, my lean meats, nuts and fruit are my idea of a snack!

Of course my sweet tooth is always in my ear but it’s about everything in moderation, I believe if you cut something out completely and then later introduce it again, your body just freaks out. But usually I find when I’m eating healthy and getting all the nutrients I need with herbal protein shakes, juices and vitamin supplements, the cravings for any junk food just disappear because your body already has what it wants…the good stuff! I will admit though, pasta is my weakness…I can literally be full and still see pasta and start drooling…why!

Natalie-Monique topless wearing blue pantiesPlease share something people don’t know about you.

Hi, my name is Natalie, and I’m an instagram addict! @nat_monique #shamelessplugin

Haha no but seriously something you wouldn’t know is I have skydived at 5am with a drunk instructor on my back, been a magician’s assistant, lifeguarded at a theme park, ate McDonald’s with Shaggy in Japan and made up my own voicemail rap until it was petitioned by my closest friends to be taken down… did I mention I was spontaneous?

Would you change anything about yourself?

I love myself for who and what I am, but am a firm believer in self-improvement, I’m always striving to better myself in a healthy and positive way and I’m always still learning, aren’t we all..

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

All the time! It’s very freeing. However the first time I did it was because I accidentally ripped my undies so I made my best friend take hers off too and we chucked them over the fence of a construction site, then still met our other mates out haha memories!

Visit Natalie-Monique’s website for more photos and information.

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Aug 17 2014

Interview with Leokadia Hope

Leokadia Hope is a 25-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

As a down to earth, sunshine loving Australian comedian, actress and host. I was born and raised in the small city of Adelaide, Australia by my Polish parents who migrated to Oz in the 80’s. My family is everything to me and I am super close with my parents and younger sister. Over the years, I have been incredibly blessed with plentiful opportunities, fun experiences and beautiful friends. I have traveled, lived and modeled all over the world. Some of my favorite things in life are relaxing in the beach, planning my next vacation, charity work, dancing, singing, handsome latin men and buying cute new shoes.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I began modeling at age 18 when my boyfriend at the time suggested I give it a try. I submitted a few pictures to a FHM Magazine’s  ‘Girl Next Door Competition’ and soon after, I began collaborating with various photographers around town to build my portfolio. Modeling was something I had always wanted to pursue and I am extremely proud of my modeling achievements over the years. These days however, my focus is now on performing stand up comedy and producing my own sketches.

Leokadia Hope showing her hairWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

My ultimate goal is to be the executive producer of my own sitcom that I write, direct, star in and hire all my friends and family to work on it. That way, everyday feels like a fun day with all the people I love whilst producing something creative.

I have a lot of smaller goals too, but we’d be here all day listing them all! Most importantly, fulfilling my personal goals and making money is always lovely, but my parents taught me it is always important to give back and help others who aren’t as fortunate with the same opportunities. Therefore, I’d love to start my own charity or charities aimed at helping teenagers and one that empowers women.

In 5 to 10 years, I’d love to have my ultimate goal accomplished, I’d love to own my first house, have my first charity open, traveled to all the countries on my bucketlist and to be in a sturdy financial position to spoil all my loved ones! Life has been kind to me so far so I am excited to see what happens next!

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I work in the entertainment industry full time and every day is different because this industry can be very last minute, so each day is a surprise. I am also very open minded to opportunities, so one day I may be dancing with a band on set of a music video, the next day I am on a runway modeling wedding dresses and then that evening I am on stage delivering dirty jokes at a comedy club, I don’t always know and I love that spontaneity. I am happy as long as I am working and being creative in whichever way possible. When it comes to modeling, my specialties are editorial, beauty, glamour and commercial.

Leokadia Hope wearing a swimsuitPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

One of the best modeling experiences I’ve had was my very first fashion catalog shoot 4 years ago. I had just moved to LA, I was very new to the modeling scene and I was booked to model clothes for 2 fashion labels. I had to model 100+ outfits in 4 hours so it was a huge learning experience for me. It was fairly hectic on set with stylists, makeup artists, photographers and other models running around, and as a team we all had to work quickly and efficiently. I brought my sister to set as well, and she ended up booking her own catalog shoot with the team the following weekend. That day I learned so much about posing for catalogs and I had such an enjoyable time on set. Eventually the catalogs were printed and I sent a copy to my mum who is my biggest cheerleader.

Another great modeling experience was working with Clear Haircare as the new spokesmodel for the brand was Heidi Klum. They were conducting a huge launch and press release in the middle of the Grove in LA. It was an exciting set up with photographers and camera crew everywhere, a hairdressing salon where people could have their hair washed and styled with the product and then of course Heidi Klum was on stage promoting the line. She is absolutely beautiful and has always been one of my modeling inspirations so it was wonderful meeting her and working alongside her. She is by far one of the sweetest, down to earth and funniest celebrities I have met so far.

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

So many things just popped into my head. Things always happen to me! I am known to be a little clumsy so that’s when things go wrong, but it provides entertainment for other people and I am a person who can laugh at herself in any situation.

The most recent though, well I won’t go into too much detail, so the readers aren’t too grossed out, but I had a very important test shoot with one of the biggest, well known brands in the world, which unfortunately fell on the same day as my time of month. I had to model lingerie and let’s just say something leaked…..all over the lingerie…. After making a joke about it, I excused myself, cleaned up, changed, got back to set and began posing in front of the camera. The show must always go on!

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

I live a super healthy lifestyle and thankfully LA is very accommodating of all things healthy. I don’t smoke, drink too often and lift weights at the gym 5 days a week. I also love hiking, and LA has some beautiful and intense hiking trails, as well as boxing and running on the beach. As far as eating, I don’t do crazy diets like I used to, I am just conscious of eating unprocessed foods, I love making smoothies, fruit salads and love cooking at home. Occasionally though, I’ll treat myself to ice cream!

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I was a little rebellious between the ages of 12 and 14 and when I was 12, I went and got my belly button pierced behind my mum’s back. Back then this was a bigger deal, piercings were only just becoming ‘a thing’ and you were supposed to be 15 to get pierced without an adult present. Needless to say she was not happy when she initially discovered my new body jewelry, but she thinks it’s cute now. For me, my belly ring signifies that rules are meant to be broken and we should always be fearless in life.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

I am actually really happy and grateful with the way I am, imperfections and all. I am finally at a stage where I am comfortable, confident and at my happiest so I’ll have to say no to that question.

How do you think you are most likely to die?

I am hoping for something quick, pain free and makes for a cool story, such as getting hit by a bus in a city I love or a heart attack during crazy sex, because I’d like to go out with a bang!

Visit Leokadia Hope’s website for more photos and information

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