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Feb 05 2016

Interview with Liya — Singer and Model

Liya is a 20-year old model residing in Boston, Massachusetts.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi! My name is Liya, I’m 20 years old and I was born in Sofia – the capital of a small Easter European country called Bulgaria. I have only one sibling, a brother, and both of us grew up in a very loving and supportive environment. Almost two years ago I came to live and study in Boston, MA, where I live with my boyfriend and am a full-time student, majoring in music. Music is my biggest passion in life, I love singing and composing, but even so, I am generally an artistic person. Except expressing myself through music, I love expressing myself through photos and that is why modeling has been a big part of my life in the last six years.

Liya swimming in a poolWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I got into modeling in 2009 when I was thirteen years old, and I did it because I was amazed at what people can create in photography and also wanted to be a part of that. It all started with improvised shoots with friends who also liked photography. After that I slowly began getting into the industry and making a lot of contacts, which led me to be involved in many projects.

When I came to the States I had to start from the bottom, since I didn’t know anybody in the industry here. But I am slowly meeting new people and having more shoots, which does, however, lead to some problems. For example for my latest project me and the photographer are looking for local Boston designers and fashion stylists but it’s hard to find any, since both of us are not from the area.

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

In five to ten years I see myself married and even having a family of my own. I don’t know if Boston is the place I want to spend my life in, but I definitely want to stay in the States. Professionally, my goals revolve mainly around music: I want to be performing on a big stage, but I would also want to do shoots in my spare time, when I’m not creating music.

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

Now that I am a student in Boston I am not allowed to work, and that is why I choose the photo sessions I do very carefully. When I spend my free time doing shoots, I want them to be interesting and I want them to involve the right people. I love having good chemistry with the people I am working with, since that way we are able to create beautiful images in a short period of time. I’ve created some of my favorite shoots in about two hours -hair and makeup included!- Speaking of makeup, I love it and I love experimenting with it, which is why for a lot of my shoots I do my own makeup.

Liya surrounded by hair all aroundPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

During the years I’ve had mainly good experiences. I’ve met a lot of amazing people and have worked with a lot of extremely creative and talented people, and some of my favorite photoshoots are ones in which I am among friends. Last summer I had an awesome shoot with friends, it lasted until 3 o’clock in the morning: We were eating, drinking and taking photos, it was a lot of fun. On the other hand, the worst experience I’ve had was during a shoot in which nothing seemed to go right and most of all I felt extremely exploited because I spent more time than I should have and was necessary and at the end I didn’t even get good photos. But I try to look at the bright side; after that experience I now know what to ask for and what to put up with.

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

One summer I was having a pool shoot with the talented Bulgarian designers from Prototype23 -which you need to check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fashioncreativecrew/?fref=ts-. During that shoot I somehow ended up in the deeper end of the pool and almost drowned, trying to protect my full face of makeup. The worst part was that the situation made me laugh, which only worsened the problem.

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

I think the biggest problem in the modeling industry is that it creates in many models a feeling that they are never good enough and need to starve themselves. I think that models should be fit and healthy: there is nothing more attractive than a healthy person in good shape. Some Victoria’s Secret models are a good example of that; they still follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise but it’s more like an athlete preparing for a competition rather than simply denying yourself food.

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

I’m a very active person and I’ve been that way ever since I was a child. To me exercise has always been important not just to look better, but to be healthier; I go to the gym a lot, love doing cardio, fat burning or regular yoga and I recently started boxing, and although I also like swimming, I don’t do that a lot anymore. I love eating clean and healthy food, and I’ve been a pescatarian for a year now and I love it. I also eat a lot of fruits and veggies, rice, seafood and pasta once a week, but if there’s one thing I can live on it’s definitely sushi.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I really like the water from canned corn. Don’t judge, it’s delicious!

Would you change anything about yourself?

I love change. I love changing how I look and my body is something I’m working on every day, but I don’t do it because I don’t like the way I look, but because I love my body and I want to be healthy. I try to be a better person with each day and that’s a change I think all of us should strive for.

Do you have any tattoos? What are they?

I have one tattoo so far, on the wrist of my right arm. It is the writing “Freedom” in Bulgarian and has the Treble clef woven into the letters. Shortly, it is there to remind me to always be free when I create and perform music; I had the drawing in my purse for a couple of years before I got it. I always knew that I wanted it and I got it done when I was eighteen, a couple of days before I came to the States to follow my dreams of becoming a musician.

Visit Liya ‘swebsite for more photos and information

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Mar 20 2015

Interview with Zuzana Star — Competitive swimmer wins in modeling

Zuzana Star is a 16-year old model residing in Tampa, Florida.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born and raised in Slovakia, but moved to Florida when I was 7. My twin brother and I were adopted by my step father and started a new happier chapter of our lives.

When I moved to Florida, I joined a local competitive swim team – the best decision I made as a kid. Now, I swim for one of the top teams in Florida and train to get national cuts. We practice 3+ hours daily and compete every month. I’m also a high school student attending Tampa Preparatory School trying to keep my GPA high. I’m a member of the National Honors Society, I volunteer at a local college and keep myself busy with modeling.

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

To be honest, I started modeling after I read the autobiography written by Amanda Beard titled “In Water They Don’t See You Cry”. Amanda is a US Olympic Swimmer, who also became a top model. She succeeded in both swimming and modeling and she inspired me immensely.

Swimming is an intense sport and training or competing can be quite stressful. Modeling gives me confidence. In swimming, if you don’t win or don’t get the time cut – you are devastated. In modeling, I feel great every time, because I get to create something amazing and I get to explore a more feminine, creative side of me. Modeling is a great outlet.

Zuzana Star lying on the grassWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

I recently read an article by Wayne Goldsmith titled “1 Thing In Goal Setting That Separates The Best From The Rest”. The article talks about how important is to set long-term goals, but does it work? Not really. Not if you do it the way most people do. The one thing in goal setting that separates the best from the rest are ‘moment goals’. People set admirable goals like becoming an an Olympic athlete or the next Victoria Secret Angel, but they forget that what is really important is to focus on the immediate goals now. Focus on what is in front of us. For me, it is to have the best practice, to win my next race or do the best photoshoot yet or impress a local agent. I am focused on the present.

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

I try to balance my busy life as a student, athlete and model. On those weekends when I don’t have a swim meet, I usually schedule a photoshoot or an event. I’ve done numerous shoots, ranging from lifestyle, fitness, to glamour and others, and enjoyed them immensely. I also did a few events such as a bridal show – it was a lot of fun. Now, I’m looking for an agency representation to be able to apply myself and take modeling to a new level. I’d love to do runway or fashion shows soon.

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

I guess the worst experience in modeling for me is when you go to a casting or meet an agent and get rejected in 2.5 seconds. Other than that, modeling is a lot of fun and I love it every single time… except on a bad hair day…

I love working with photographers who are patient and who make me feel… beautiful. Who guide me, but let me express myself, too.

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

One lovely afternoon, we did a shoot at a small lake in Sarasota, FL. The photographer’s face got really intense and he just kept snapping pics as fast as he could and then he just yelled “run”. We both ran… because apparently behind me was this nasty ginormous alligator who decided to get out of the lake and look for his dinner – me.

Zuzana Star face closeupIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

I’m still trying to understand the industry, so I’m not so sure at this time. Just like any other industry, it is very competitive. On a personal level, I wish I could block all the creepers from contacting me online. There are some predators, worse than the alligator in the lake, who are dangerous. I’m only 16, but I received a few really scary messages through my online profile. I wish I could somehow avoid that. I have to be very careful.

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

Being a high performance competitive swimmer requires to be on a special diet plan. I actually went to a holistic nutritionist to get guidance how to maximize my performance. Currently, I am 5′ 7” and only 106 pounds. I am still growing and I need to make sure I do not lose weight. Swimmers actually often struggle with weigh loss, because of the level of training that is involved. I have to have a balanced diet consisting of large amounts of protein and carbs with a lot of fluids. I cannot skip breakfast, I have to eat 5 to 6 times a day. Cannot eat light lunch and overeat at night. There are strict guidelines. Good nutrition is key to success in both modeling and swimming.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I have a twin brother, who is also a model and swimmer. We often compete in everything we do, but support each other, too.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I am very critical about myself and have a list of things I wish I could change or improve. At the same time, I’m conformable about my body. I work very had every day in the pool and I’m satisfied with the way I look. I count my blessings and try not to be…. greedy. I try focusing on things I have control of instead of physical shortcomings I cannot change, like my chin, cheeks, and others.

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

I’ll be honest – I’ve never been in a relationship. Never had a steady boyfriend. This area is all unexplored and I am looking forward to exploring it one day…. soon. My dream man would look like Theo James from the Divergent movies. He would have the biggest heart and lots of patience, and money… haha, love me unconditionally and forever. I’m a dreamer!

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