Journey to Modeling and Fame

Early Aspirations and Family Background

• The speaker expresses a lifelong dream of working for Victoria's Secret, highlighting the significance of the upcoming fashion show.

• Discusses her upbringing, mentioning that she started social media at age 17, which dramatically changed her life.

• Shares her background in water skiing and track & field, revealing an unexpected professional aspect of water skiing.

Transition to Social Media and Modeling

• Describes team practices for water skiing, comparing it to cheerleading but on skis.

• Talks about learning to surf four years ago and finding it more challenging than expected.

• Reflects on family dynamics, mentioning an older sister who was seen as the "golden angel" while she often got into trouble.

Struggles with Identity and Career Decisions

• At 16, felt a strong desire to escape her situation; began pursuing social media as an outlet.

• Recalls being approached about modeling at 16 but initially dismissing it until applying online at 17.

Breakthrough in Modeling

• Shares a humorous anecdote about taking unprofessional photos in a bright bikini for agency submissions.

• An agency in New York (Wilhelmina Models) reached out after seeing her photos; she had no additional pictures to send.

Making Bold Moves

• After creating a PowerPoint presentation convincing her parents to let her visit New York, she signed with Wilhelmina during that trip—a pivotal moment in her career.

Dreaming Big: From Medicine to Fashion

• Initially aspired to be an anesthesiologist but shifted focus after realizing the lengthy education required.

• Watched the Victoria's Secret fashion show at age 14 and decided she wanted to model for them instead.

• Mentions Josephine Skriver as her favorite model growing up; they are now friends.

Dynamic Body Image and Social Media Influence

Struggles with Self-Comparison

• The speaker discusses the ongoing struggle of comparing their body image to others, particularly in the context of social media.

• They reflect on how peers reacted negatively to their social media presence but chose to ignore the criticism due to a short-term mindset about high school.

Recognition and Validation

• A pivotal moment occurs at a track meet where someone recognizes the speaker, leading them to feel validated in their social media efforts.

• The speaker shares plans for moving after graduation, indicating a commitment to pursuing modeling despite challenges.

Transitioning from College to Modeling

Decision-Making Process

• The speaker recalls a significant decision-making moment between attending college or pursuing modeling, emphasizing the weight of this choice.

• They mention consulting with friends and weighing options carefully before making a final decision.

Parental Concerns

• The speaker's parents were initially against moving to New York for modeling, highlighting familial concerns about stability and education.

The Hype House Experience

Rapid Growth on Social Media

• Attracting attention from the Hype House came when they had around 500,000 followers on TikTok; growth was rapid and overwhelming.

Moving Decisions

• After receiving an invitation from Hype House members, the speaker decided to move quickly due to personal circumstances and lack of commitments during that time.

Life in the Hype House

Adjusting to New Living Arrangements

• The transition involved telling parents just two days before moving; this spontaneity reflects youthful impulsiveness.

Unique Living Situation

Life in LA vs. New York

Transitioning from LA to New York

• The speaker describes a repetitive lifestyle in LA, filled with filming, socializing, and partying for four months before feeling the need for change.

• Upon moving to New York, the speaker expresses a love for the beach but notes that NYC lacks this feature; imagines how it would be if NYC had a beach.

Living Abroad and Fame Management

• The speaker shares an openness to living anywhere abroad and reflects on how quickly fame can impact one's life.

• To cope with sudden fame, the speaker engaged a life coach who provided intensive therapy sessions over three weeks.

Coping Mechanisms and Insights

• Discusses common feelings of impostor syndrome among successful individuals, emphasizing that these feelings persist regardless of achievements.

• The life coach helped the speaker visualize their follower count by comparing it to stadium sizes, making the concept of reach more tangible.

Navigating Social Media Challenges

Positive Content Creation

• The speaker emphasizes their intention to share healthy content on social media, starting with workout videos during quarantine aimed at spreading happiness.

• They reflect on creating simple yet engaging 15-second workout videos that resonated well with their audience.

Managing Negativity Online

• Acknowledges the prevalence of negativity on social media and stresses the importance of positive content creators in counteracting this trend.

• Shares advice from Madison Beer about turning off comments as a way to avoid negative feedback online.

Setting Boundaries

• Discusses setting boundaries by ignoring negative comments and focusing on personal well-being rather than external opinions.

What Was the Moment of Discovery?

The Exciting News

• The speaker recalls a significant moment in Los Angeles while shooting a swimsuit campaign, feeling grateful for her life and opportunities.

• A surprising call from her publicist prompts concern; she steps away to take the call, sensing something important is happening.

• The publicist reveals that Sports Illustrated has invited her to be a rookie model, leading to an emotional reaction where she falls to the ground in tears of joy.

• Despite being instructed not to share the news yet, she immediately tells her mom and best friend, who are both thrilled for her.

• The quick transition from receiving the call to preparing for a shoot highlights how Sports Illustrated embraces models' beauty without lengthy preparation.

Experience as a Rookie Model

• Being named a rookie at 18 was described as a lifetime goal; it felt surreal and empowering for the speaker during their first shoot in Montenegro.

• She humorously notes having no prior knowledge of Montenegro before arriving for the shoot, emphasizing excitement despite challenges like cold weather while wearing swimsuits.

What Is It Like on Set with Sports Illustrated?

Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics

• On set, there’s typically around 15 to 20 people involved in production; early mornings start with hair and makeup transformations by skilled artists.

• The speaker discusses body comfort in modeling, noting that it can be invasive but ultimately empowering when working with professionals who respect personal boundaries.

Navigating Privacy and Comfort

• Initially nervous about privacy on set due to past relationships, she learned to advocate for herself regarding changing areas or privacy needs during shoots.

• Over time, she became more assertive about needing private spaces on set rather than feeling like an inconvenience.

The Day of Shooting: What Happens?

Preparing for the Shoot Day

• A typical shoot day involves waking up early after washing off fake tan; breakfast is crucial since posing all day requires energy.

• The atmosphere on set is lively and supportive; music plays while photographers encourage confidence among models.

Capturing Moments

Modeling Experiences and Empowerment

The Importance of Setting Boundaries in Modeling

• Discusses the empowering nature of modeling shoots, emphasizing the importance of setting personal boundaries as one matures in the industry.

• References a podcast with Emily Ratajkowski, highlighting how young models often struggle to advocate for themselves in uncomfortable situations.

• Shares experiences of needing to communicate with agents about inappropriate behavior on set, underscoring the value of having support from a team.

Reflections on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

• Expresses excitement about participating in the Victoria's Secret fashion show promo, feeling a deep connection to the brand due to past campaigns.

• Reminisces about watching the fashion show during high school and its nostalgic impact on her generation.

Backstage Experience and Personal Growth

• Describes initial nervousness but determination to connect with the Victoria's Secret team, which felt like family after multiple collaborations.

• Reflects on self-discovery and healing that led her to believe working for Victoria’s Secret is her purpose in life.

Interviewing Models: A Natural Approach

• Shares surprise at being assigned to interview models backstage instead of just asking questions on The Pink Carpet.

• Highlights how preparation helped ease into interviews, making them feel natural due to familiarity with the models over years.

Future Aspirations and Industry Insights

• Discusses learning that successful interviewing requires flexibility rather than rigid planning; emphasizes relatability as key during conversations.

Modeling and Social Media: A Competitive Landscape

The Shift of Content Creators into Modeling

• Content creators are increasingly entering the modeling industry, which is highly competitive due to numerous opportunities available on social media.

• This year's show featured a diverse array of talent, including returning models and new faces, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in modeling.

Personality in Modeling

• Traditional modeling often discourages personal expression; however, social media allows models to showcase their personalities.

• Emphasizing gratitude and contentment is crucial for personal happiness, as many people overlook these values amidst competition.

The Importance of Self-Acceptance

• There’s a tendency to chase constant achievements driven by social media validation; it's essential to celebrate personal successes instead.

• Confidence plays a vital role in self-perception; many individuals struggle with self-love and acceptance, which can hinder their confidence.

Empowerment Through Confidence