Blog Archives

Oct 23 2014

Interview with Anndrea — Multiracial California Babe

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

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Anndrea, but you can call me Dre. I was raised in Mountain View, CA in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. My parents are my greatest role models; they are the most hard-working, supportive and loving parents a girl could have. I also have two amazing sisters and two handsome nephews. My family is my world and my motivation to succeed in life.

Attending UC Santa Barbara is where I fell in love with Southern California and I moved down to LA almost 2 years ago. I love to play soccer, go to yoga classes, and take my rescue dog, Daltry, out for walks on the strand with my boyfriend. I like to be crafty and paint or sew costume clothes. I also love to read, I’m currently studying for the GMAT to earn my MBA and pursue a career in public service, either in the nonprofit or political sector!

Anndrea face closeupWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

When I was a teenager flipping through Teen Vogue, overwhelmingly the models featured where Caucasian, with the occasionally light-skinned African American girl. Being a racially mixed girl, I always wanted to see more “flavor.” After graduating from UCSB, I moved back to the bay area and found an incredible job working for a furniture designer in her art studio. But I always longed to move down to LA and give modeling a real try. I knew I didn’t want to look back and regret not trying it. So I packed all my stuff into my lil Honda Civic and drove to LA. I started shooting with photographers and then booking jobs with e-commerce sites.

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

While I would love to still be a part of the modeling industry in five to ten years, a greater goal of mine is to be making a difference in the community. Day by day I try to be a kind and positive energy in this world. While all the small things count, over the next few years I want to develop my impact of compassion and service to our communities and to the greater good, for a better and brighter future together on this beautiful earth!

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

I mainly do fashion, ecommerce and runway modeling. Generally I shoot about 3 to 4 times a month for fashion companies, and pick up 2 to 3 gigs a month for promotional modeling. I was shooting 3 to 4 times a week DTLA for a wholesale site, but I let it go to focus on applying to business school.

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

You can meet some great people and you can meet some terrible, fake people. But I’d rather focus on the positive. It’s great to meet people that are passionate about their art- their clothes, style, photos, and more. And to be a part of creating that beauty and vision is very special!

Anndrea wearing heels on a staircaseDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I love to go running, I play soccer, practice yoga, and do lots of at home workouts in my backyard, lifting weights and doing other exercise routines. I love Women’s Health 5 minute workouts to add great new moves to mix up my routines.

I can eat a lot without putting on weight, but I still choose to eat healthy! Lots of fruit, salads, smoothies, and sandwiches. I prefer to get my protein from eggs, nuts, beans, and others, instead of eating meat; I try to restrict my meat-eating to 2 or 3 times a week, animal farming is terrible for the environment. I also choose not to buy and cook fish, because industrial farming is hazardous and depleting our ocean’s populations of fish; Although, I do like to go out for sushi on special occasions. While I don’t eat organic everything and I love my bacon, I try to be environmentally conscious of my food choices.

Nutrition and exercise is everything. If I don’t exercise I get depressed. If I don’t eat well I have less energy and motivation. Neither of those things are acceptable to me; it’s a necessity to make time to eat properly and exercise daily. It’s simple as walking the dog or taking the stairs; it’s as simple as drinking water instead of a soda. It doesn’t have to be complex. The small things count and add up before you know it.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I used to have dreadlocks! I did my dreadlocks myself and had them for five and a half years. After I moved down to LA I decided to cut off my dreads to have a more versatile look for modeling. I still miss them from time to time, but I’m glad I’m no longer stereotyped for having them.

Also, people always ask me what my nationality is, so here it goes: Spanish, Mexican, African American, Native American and Irish.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I would be one of those people that had endless energy and only needed to sleep a few hours each night so I could be ultra productive.

Are you currently in a relationship? How would you describe your partner?

He’s my best friend. Tall, handsome, adventurous, fun and kind. My favorite person.

Visit Anndrea’s website for more photos and information

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Sep 20 2014

Interview with Ashley Tabitha

Ashley Tabitha is a 25-year old model residing in Fullerton, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Ashley Tabitha. I am 25 years old, born and raised in Southern California, and am predominately Mexican and Irish with a little European blend mixed in. I have experience in print, runway, acting, and promotional modeling with companies such as Links and Laces, Playboy, Vidal Sassoon, Red Gum Studios, and Hotboarder.

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

I began dancing in 6th grade and by the time I was in high school I was not only competing on several teams, but had the honor of being a principle dancer. Later in high school, I joined musical theatre and two competitive show choirs, which is not as nerdy as it sounds. I actually started modeling because headshots were mandatory for teams and constantly taking pictures with my friends felt completely natural. I knew how to control my body, work my angles, and be creative so modeling became another outlet for me to explore.

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

As a licensed esthetician, my goal is to continually further my education and work at either a medical spa or for a Dermatologist. When it comes to modeling, I love promotional modeling and networking mostly because it allows me the opportunity to interact with such fascinating people. I see myself continuing to be a hair model, print model, and promotional model for at least ten years or until I’m so old and wrinkled that they turn me away!

Ashley Tabitha sitting on a benchPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

I have been blessed with so many amazing opportunities in my life, but overall, any time I am working with Links and Laces, formerly Playboy Golf, I am the happiest. They have truly accepted me as their family, I have made lifelong friends, I gain confidence, and I get to experience a completely different world. I especially love reuniting with the regulars at our Golf Tour events and seeing the glow on newcomers’ faces. I could go on and on about how incredible everything is from the celebrities to the DJs to the locations, and more, but I will spare you the endless details. You will just have to come at an event and see for yourself!

Thankfully, I have not had many bad experiences because I do thorough research prior to the shoot, I always insist on having an escort, someone who is willing to assist and not be a hindrance, and if the photographer is not willing to answer my questions up front as to details of the shoot then I am not comfortable working with them. There was one instance where I had worked with the photographer before so I did not have an escort…big mistake. We were halfway through the shoot and the photographer said “take off your underwear so you can be more free. I want you to experience freedom”. I politely but firmly said no. A few frames later he brought it up again. I calmly told him that the shoot was over, I packed up my belongings, I thanked him for his time, and left. Surprisingly, I received all the pictures in a timely manner, but safe to say I will never work with him again…or attend any shoot without an escort.

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

There should be a website similar to Yelp where models can rate, comment, and research photographers. This would make it easier to know which photographers to avoid, who made the models feel comfortable, returned photos in a timely manner, edited photos well, and more. I think in doing so it would not only create a safer environment for models, but it would give praise to the photographers who deserve it thus generating more business for such photographers.

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

I must admit I am a victim of laziness, however, I do enjoy yoga, pilates, and climbing trees. I honestly believe my main form of exercise is dancing with friends; any time music is on some part of me is dancing or I’m singing my heart out!. I recently started a minimal-gluten free diet simply because I seem to function better without it. I believe in a well rounded diet, six smaller meals through the day verse three big ones, and tons of water. Most importantly, if you are craving something sweet then have dark chocolate, frozen grapes, or frozen yogurt…don’t deprive yourself!

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I snort when I laugh, but I can’t snort on purpose even when I try really hard. I’m overly obsessed with ice cream in every form! I also love volunteering for various organizations and do so regularly.

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

Overall I believe personality, intelligence, dignity, happiness, and love mark true beauty. The rest is just pretty packaging. Of course we are our own worst critics. Some days I’m like dang my boobs look good today, and then other days I’m like darn it why aren’t my eyebrows perfect?! In the end it is all superficial and we just have to accept being human comes with flaws that give us character. I would rather learn to be more accepting of my body’s flaws than the entire human race walking around looking like carbon copy Barbies… creepy!!

Visit Ashley Tabitha’s website for more photos and information

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Aug 10 2014

Interview with Nici

Nici is a 24-year old model residing in Hollister, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I am an Event Coordinator living on the coast side just south of San Francisco. I was born at Stanford and grew up in the bay area. Specifically in Hollister. Dirtbikes, Heavy Metal, Big Dogs, and family are a big part of my life. Along with my career as an Event Coordinator. You can definitely call me one of a kind.

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

When I was 4 years old, my Mom got me into a modeling agency where I did a couple of photo shoots. Nothing came of them, but I remember they were fun doing. Growing up, I had people always tell me, “you could be a model.” By the time I was 18, I decided I wanted to turn that could into a can. I hired a photographer to do a dirtbike and a beach shoot. Then after that, all of my photoshoots have been a trade.

Nici sitting on a bench with hatWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

Currently, it is my goal to run a successful venue and special event planning business. I am currently gaining experience at a private executive retreat center and obtaining as many connections that can help me in the future. I am hoping to start this business and settle down with my future husband and kids in the Sacramento area.

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

I do a few photo shoots a year and they are only photo shoots. I do it for fun and more as a hobby. I have been on a reality tv show before, but I stick with photo shoots. I have done themes anywhere from casual to dirtbike-themed to beach shoots and more.

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

I have worked with quite a few wonderful and outgoing photographers that have been so fun to work with. For me, a good photographer is someone who can collaborate on ideas for good pictures; has a good sense of humor and takes funny pictures, too; takes good quality pictures and is always improving. It is very hard to pick out the best experience shooting.

I have worked with some less great photographers, but I would just rather provide advice rather than talking about bad experiences. I suggest meeting the photographer in a public place before the shoot, even if it’s right before, to talk about the shoot and your guys’ ideas. Make sure to talk as much as possible before the shoot to determine if you two will work well together. The goal is to produce wonderful pictures and it will be more attainable when you can work together.

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

There was one instance where I was shooting in a public park garden. I was laying down on a a tree and these young highschoolers nearby were making farting noises. Usually, I am easily susceptible to laugh at a lot of things, however I maintained my modeling facial expression and didn’t even chuckle. Although, it was pretty funny for bystanders.

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

The Modeling industry has a wide variety of concepts and I think that is great. There is nothing I would change, but I would ask for even more variety. That is another reason why I model.

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

I grew up riding dirtbikes, so that would be my sport. However, I just took up archery, so I am very excited to be getting into that. I have always had extremely fast metabolism, but now that is slowing down. So, now I need to watch what I eat a little bit more. The first step I am doing is just cutting back on sugars because I’m a sugar addict.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Upon many people’s first impression of me, they would have no idea that I am a metal head. I was raised to be a headbanger and I love the music of metal, classic rock, rock, and the rest of the metal family tree. Another fact that people could never guess is that I am half hispanic. My Mom’s side contains an ethnic background of Mexican, Spaniard, and Aztec. Whereas, my Dad’s side contains an ethnic background of Irish and Scottish.

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

There is one physical thing I would change about myself, but I will not share that at this time. If it happens, anyone will be able to notice right away.

Do you have any ghost stories?

One night while I was in Highschool, I was in my room about to go to bed. I sat on bed, getting ready to turn the light off when all of a sudden, I see this bright, white orb appear in the middle of my room.

Let me back up a few years. In 2012, one of my cousins was murdered and I have experienced some paranormal activity after that. One distinct activity would be when I could smell my cousin. I just knew it was here. Just like the same night I saw that orb. I just knew it was her. I haven’t experienced anything from her in a while, but I know she and my other family members are watching over me.

 

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