Interview with Alannah Diamond
Alannah Diamond is a 23-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Greetings ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, readers of all ages! My name is Alannah Diamond, and I’m a twenty-three year old free lance model from the “heart of it all” in Ohio, USA.
I was born and raised in Toledo, a city near the border of Ohio and Michigan, and moved around throughout the Northwest portion of the state growing up. I’ve also lived in Los Angeles, and the greater surrounding area at various intervals of my life to further my education, career, and for some music experiences that came my way.
Currently, I’m back in Ohio where I freelance as a model, and am a self-established booking agent, manager and tour manager for varying artists both on and off of labels. I spend my days off of tour either on the set at a shoot, on the phone or the computer booking up the next big -small, inbetween!- tour to come through your city, or working on music. I’m also an avid videogamer; I love old school Nintendo and I’m slowly picking up on “Call of Duty”!, and nerd out to World of Warcraft. Also, the whole “crazy cat lady” persona? I totally live it up, it’s even tattooed on my knuckles!. I also am a competitive equestrian when I have the chance. But above all else, I’m a proud mother to my beautiful daughter, and a loving wife to my wonderful husband.
Although I’m fortunate enough to have my hobbies encompass my interests, I have a few other ones hidden between the lines. For instance, I love public speaking and debate, and enjoy helping others learn positive and assertive speaking skills so they can gain confidence, and be confident speakers themselves. I think charisma is a very important trait and can be incredibly life-changing, in terms of helping people find their own self worth and learn to value themselves,. I’m glad to help others discover this, while building upon my own basis of charisma as well. It’s so rewarding for everyone involved! In addition, I love to write. Not necessarily anything I share publicly, but more-so a way to release my inner thoughts, angels, demons, hopes and dreams, and convey them in a way I can remember and reflect upon; better understand, and grow from. However, despite my introvert qualities, you can find me at the grungiest dive bar in your town catching the local talent, thrifting for some neat fashion apparel, or exploring the hidden treasures in whatever city I end up in. I love to get out and meet new people and hear their stories! You never know if the next person you meet can change your life, or vice versa!
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I’ve always had a little bit of a weakness, and more than just in my knees for my heck-of-a-handsome husband. It’s a little weakness most girls go through at sometime in their life, and it’s called a lack of self-confidence and lack of freedom of expression.
Growing up, I was always picked on or bullied for some reason or another, and never quite fit in. This is in turn made it a constant struggle to get ready in the mornings and face the monster in the mirror that was myself. But, girls I’d see on magazine covers, and on billboards…they looked so happy, and so carefree. Almost like no one could un-plaster their smiles and make their eyes lose their sparkle and shine. And that..that is what I wanted to feel for myself. One day, sometime in fall of 2009, I just gave it a whirl. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had enough random pictures of myself to allow ModelMayhem to let me in on, well, the mayhem! I read the rules, the “dos-don’ts-neverevers” and “most definitlies” of the industry, and started my journey. A few messages lead to a few phone calls which lead to a few shoots. A few turned to a few more, and I noticed some progress along the way. Not even just in my modeling skills with posing, and wardrobe, and conceptual design. But, progress within myself. Something about the kind word of a photographer mellowed out the often harsh critcism that preceeded it, and lead me to a balance; a homeostasis, an equillibrium, if you will, of happiness. I was learning to embrace my positive qualities, and build upon my bad – not to turn away from them and belittle myself over them. I finally found peace. I was learning to change the negativity that others saw, and sculpt it into little bits of art.
As I progressed in modeling, I also felt free to let go. I knew I never was and never could be “agency standard”. Not only was it that I wasn’t built or born “right”, but, it wasn’t in me to hide my true colors. In the outlet of alternative modeling, I found a culture to embrace my love of tattoos, piercings, and all things body modification – from hair dye to nail polish choice. I felt accepted, and loved that others embraced my choices of self-expression and that I in turn could embrace theirs as well.
This opened up one of the best and longest ongoing chapters of my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
This is a tough one, as I have short-term goals that seem ever changing as I see and learn new things, and long-term goals that I’m constantly tweaking to make sure they’re exactly what I want to be working towards!
Personally speaking, I’d love to go back to school, and re-focus my time and energy towards really getting to know the music industry, and have a degree to show my credibility, although I don’t firmly believe one needs a degree to dictate knowledge and worth in some work aspects, but the world tends to believe otherwise, and add a focus on voice, so I can learn to strengthen my voice in the off chance I take my music back to the stage at more than just a singer-songwriter night. In fact, I’m a classically trained vocalist, little known fact!. I’d also love to become a motivational speaker, not as a career, but as a way to utilize a hobby of mine that I enjoy, and turn it into something to benefit others. I’d love to speak about self-worth, and learning to value ourselves. I feel if children and young teens are able to learn to value themselves at some of the most difficult times of our lives like middle school and high school, it can change their outlook on their futures, their capabilities, and the decisions they make. I feel as though it can prevent children and teens in compromised situations at home, school, work, or even on the internet from letting their worth deteriorate to the verge of self-harm or suicide, or from forming destructive habits. I’d love to take my life story and hardships and use it allow others to open up and tell those of their own.
Professionally speaking, I aspire to make an easily identifiable name for myself within the music industry, just as my father has done before me. I want to be one of the strongest independent female agents in the game, and make artists on my roster as happy as they make me by allowing me the opportunity to work alongside them to make their dreams come true.
In addition, I’d like to take my modeling more into the published world. Not just for the sake of pictures of me in various magazines and in print, but, for the sake of sharing my story so that it may in turn inspire others to partake in the art of modeling, or at least in art in some form or another. There’s no better way to express ourselves, and safely release and convey emotion of any kind than through a form of art, and I wish it upon everyone to experience this for themselves in some facet. I firmly believe art has the power to change us for the better.
In five to ten years, I’d love to be owning and working out of my own little office space, perhaps with a staff of my own, and raising my daughter, and another little cub by then! I’d love to own a beautiful home with my family, and maybe even own some horses again for my children and I, maybe even my husband, to compete with! I plan on still keeping up my worldly travels, alongside my husband on his tours, and bringing the family along for the ride, to experience the adventures awaiting them, and to see the sights that the world has to offer, and all that is inebetween.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
Recently, I spent some time touring on some tours I booked and was tour managing, and touring with my husband and his former band, so I took time off from formally booking shoots because my schedule was too unpredictable. Typically, I try to book one shoot a day to every other day on my travels on the road, so I can experience new photographers and settings that I may not get to otherwise. At home, I focus mainly on working on tours and on spending time with my family, so my shoots are one to two times a week at most. However, since my rates are hourly, I tend to book lengthier shoots, and I also do some light travel through my state and those surrounding, so the time spent on shoot days can be a whole day sometimes.
A-typically, I focus on modeling, but I do dabble in video and acting, and am seeking to build my portfolio for these. I feel as though encompassing a broad range of diversity in one’s portfolio as a model can help them to reach a broader spectrum of potential clients, and really set them apart. It’s always great to focus on your forte, but don’t hesitate to try new options!
I primarily focus on editorial, alt-glamour, which is a term I coined to some extent, but hey, it works!. I love modeling clothing for designers and companies that send them to me, and showcasing that alternative looks don’t necessarily mean that I can’t have sophistication and class. Faux fur, a floor-length dress and some diamond? Count me in! I love getting dolled up and playing the part of a fanxcy vixen for retro-chic inspired photoshoots. But, nothing beats leather, pleather, studs and spikes; all things sultry and….nice? Hey, catwoman had the right idea! Her entire get-up is incredible, and so sexy, yet empowering. Nothing is better than a lady showing off her every curve while looking completely confident while doing so! I have quite the set of hips for a shorter lady, and latex, leather, and the like, have helped me embrace my body structure in a whole new way. Rather than feel ashamed of what I can not change , I’ve learned to feel not only comfortable – but ,confident – in my own skin.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
In modeling, one of the best experiences I had was my very first publication. It was for a webzine called Inside Shock, and was a breakthrough in helping me reach a target demographic of kids my age and bit older, give or take. It felt amazing to be chosen to represent the modeling aspect of the webzine, and to be able to know that my story was being shared with others, and being heard and seen around the world. I’ll never know just how many people I reached, but even one is good enough for me. That first moment when you realize you’ve been published is incredible. You know you have a chance to inspire others through your art, be it words, photographs, or a combination of both; whatever your choice of passion may be.
As far as my worst experience, I tend to look back on everything as a milestone and a learning experience, and turn every negative event positive. I’ve had some run-ins where I was rejected for various castings, and didn’t quite make the final cut of others. Though it can be devastating, especially if it’s more of a local based event or casting call, or a smaller one with a minimal pool of candidates, I always remember to hold my head up, and that just because I wasn’t what one particular person or panel of people were seeking out, doesn’t mean that I won’t be what someone or some group is seeking out tomorrow. There’s always a niche and calling for me and what I present, and I just have to keep seeking to find those callings! So, essentially, lesson learned: keep positive, and keep up the journey. Never let a roadblock or detour let you stray and begin the trek home. For, for every step backwards we take, we are only setting ourselves farther from our destinations ahead, and only putting us closer to where we began.
I’ve taken my rejections, be them big or small, and turned them into motivation to move forward, and pick up the pace.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Well, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. An embarassing moment, or two? Or three? Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of these…or entire helping of!
Much like with turning rejections into positive motivation, I take my lesser moments with a grain of salt, and turn them into a laugh, and a chance to have a funny memory to reflect on in retrospect when revisiting an old shoot.
One time, at a photo shoot I was singing and dancing between poses, and the photographer kept looking up and noticing! I swear I’m professional as they come, but, when the mood is right, I love to let out little bursts of energy. I feel as though they keep the mood in the room elevated, and really show off the colors of my personality at their most vibrant. I’m always happy to get the job done – and get it done well – while making everything comfortable for all involved, and breaking the ice of new shoots with a little bit of humor and by unleashing my “silly side”. Who knows! Sometimes photographers, make-up artists, hair dressers and stylists alike, will all join in and have a sing along. I’m by no means saying this has happened to me, but I’m also not saying that it hasn’t!
Bottom life: Sure, it’s a little shocking to be caught goofing off guard, but learning to embrace can lead to a super fun time, and a positive memory to be made.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Within the industry, I’d love for more acceptance -even more than as is now- of alternative girls. Be it because of body modification, or not being industry standard.
True, modeling allots for girls to market apparel, fashion items, and essentially portray themselves as the epitome of good-looking, and what society and those looking at them inspire to be. But, how exactly does one define good-looking, and what they wish to be? Don’t we all embrace unique qualities in what appeals to us, and what we in turn would like to like?
Some of us embrace small frames, and others fuller. Some of us embrace shorter gents and gals, and others of us taller. Some of us find colored hair beautiful, while others of us prefer natural.
With no definitive standard of beauty that is universal, I wish the industry was open to embracing more differentiation and variety on a more mainstream scale. Let product placement scouts and agencies pick and choose what they think is best, but, don’t discriminate and make every casting the same. Let beauty be seen in all shapes, sizes, colors, and forms. For what beauty would the world be if it was bland?
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
Asides from the sport of typing and texting, dialing on the phone and emailing for business, I’m not as active as I’d like. My cardiologist has encouraged me to pick up my routine for medical reasons, since I have sinus arrhythmia and supra-ventricular tachycardia, and I’m slowly working on picking up a cardio routine for health and well-being purposes. I’ve learned through him that cardio helps improved the muscles in your heart to help produce slower, steadier, healthier heartbeats – all of which are useful for the conditions I have! I also horseback ride competitively and leisurely from time to time. Despite what people think, it’s a lot of exercise! Controlling a fifteen-hundred pound animal on leg pressure definitely makes you “feel the burn!”
I’ve been vegan and vegetarian, but had to forfeit due to approaching both diets wrong, and hurting my health more than helping it. However, I’m working towards being pescatarian for health reasons, and couldn’t be happier. Red meat, though constantly in debate, is lately found to be not healthy for the heart, so I”m working to avoid it as much as possible. In addition, lean chicken and fish are leaner, and therefore are healthier for the body, and easier to digest. I also do not drink caffeine, except as a very – very – limited treat on a busy day, as it messes with my heart rate, and makes it speedier than it already is. Cutting out caffeine eliminates the crash afterwards, and has taught me to rely on a healthy sleep schedule, healthier eating, and natural methods of energy.
Nutrition and exercise, for me, not only are essential to my lifelong medical conditions, but to my health in general. In addition, I feel tenfold better making choices that benefit my body and image. Though it seems exercise has taken a backseat due to a busy schedule and my fear of my heart condition worsening from being active, I feel as though exercise is crucial to looking and feeling my ultimate best. It’s also a form of keeping up the natural energy that I rely so much on!
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I was active in the FFA, or “Future Farmers of America” in high school and won national recognition in Extemporaneous Speaking, Mock Job Interview, and twice in the Agri-Science Fair. I also was my high school’s first and so far only national speech and debate team competitor, in 2009. Though I wasn’t playing a varsity sport or making headlines for popular activities, I was doing things I loved, and embracing the skills I was building upon.
Also, FFA isn’t just for those interested in agricultural! It was a great way for me to learn new social, professional, and competitive skills that I’ve carried with me my entire life, and that have motivated and inspired me in my career fields – even as far-fetched from agriculture as they may be.
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
As I take a second to look at myself, and analyze myself inside and out, a million and one things cross my mind. Better this, bigger these, smaller those, a brighter this, longer that.
But wait; if we could just up and change things about ourselves, would it really be doing us any good? The best part of changing ourselves is the journey of finding what it is we wish to change, embracing it, and only changing it if we genuinely want to. So many changes I personally aspire to make on my little list are things I think society would embrace better, or someone once told me to, or that I feel would get me farther in modeling or whatnot. But truly, they aren’t things I’m ultimately unhappy with.
That being said, over time, I’ve learned there are things that I personally do want to change. More-so, eradicating poor decisions in my past, to change the outcome, or to cut-out the thoughts that sometimes come back to revisit. Don’t get me wrong, I never killed anyone! I just have things I’ve said and done that I’m not entirely fond of like any human being. But then I realize, changing a bad decision may change the outcome of the chain of events in my life, and I may not be where I am today. Not completely where I want to be, but pretty dang close. I have loving parents, a beautiful daughter, a loving husband, great pets, and a promising career. A roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs.
I’m alive, and changing anything in my past could change any one or all of those things, and I’m ultimately not willing to change a bad decision or two and find out. The bottom line? I have a lot I’d like to change. We all do. But, most things we wish to, we simply cannot. It’s far better to embrace where we stand in life, and focus on changing direction and changing where we are going, than changing our past, or things that make us who we are, or that we want to change because of people and things other than ourselves.
Do you have any fears or phobias?
I have my fears and they are more than few! But, I can’t tell you all my weaknesses, because you could plot my demise in a few easy steps.
I am, however, immensely afraid of, not spiders, but, spider and cobwebs!. I’ll never entirely understand why, asides from associating them directly with the little eight-legged buggers, but, I am petrified of webs. I shriek, I scream in the most stereotypical girly voice ever, and my fight or flight makes me pick the option of “flight” at the mere sight of one. I’m currently trying to cope and learn new methods of overcoming this fear, as it can be embarrassing, especially if it’s in public and I see a random cobweb on something and lose it. Next time you see a girl ducking and running from a big swinging string of dust off a museum ceiling or something of the nature, don’t hesitate to track her down and drop a friendly “hello”. Chances are, that girl is me.
Visit Alannah Diamond’s website for more photos and information
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