From California to Athens and Istanbul, my modeling journey has been quite an adventure. It all started when I was just five years old. Little did I know that this early experience would set the stage for a career that would take me around the world by the time I turned 20.
Growing up, my parents were my biggest supporters. They instilled in me the belief that I could achieve anything I set my mind to, and this unwavering support fueled my early dreams of modeling. With my mom as my constant companion, we made countless trips from our home in Northern California to San Francisco for photoshoots and jobs. Those long drives were filled with good conversation and laughs, a bonding experience that I’ll always cherish.
Last summer I had the incredible opportunity to work in Athens, Greece. This vibrant city was such a fun market to work at, as well as after castings we often went to the beach which is not a bad job, huh?! This summer my traveling continued, and the modeling journey brought me to Istanbul, Turkey. The culture, the friendly people, the connections and opportunities have made this an unforgettable chapter in my life. And for anyone who loves cats, this is the city to be in! Sometimes agencies can be cliquey, but here I’ve noticed that all the agents, drivers, and models are friends regardless of agency. This makes the castings go smoothly and everyone is happy for each other’s successes. Here in Istanbul the castings are quick and straightforward. You stand in a line with the girls from your agency and hold your comp card for the clients to see. Some castings take 5 minutes and others just an hour.
There was a holiday week here in Istanbul and I decided to go to Greece to visit my friends from last summer. While I was sitting in a taxi on my way to the beach, I suddenly saw a billboard with me on it! I pointed out the window and the taxi driver realized that was me on the billboard. He got as much excited as I did, and even made a pit stop there, so I could get off and take some photos of me standing next to it. It was such a full circle moment!
I guess one of my favorite parts in modeling internationally is the incredible people I met from all over the world. My roommates at the model apartment have been from almost every different continent that you can imagine. Talking for hours about our home countries and the differences in our cultures was truly a special privilege that I would remember forever. These deep conversations have been a highlight of almost all of my travels.
One day in Istanbul I went out for coffee with my model friend after our castings. We were there for 4-5 hours just talking about everything. She mentioned that she wondered where life would take her. She has a long term boyfriend that she missed very much. The next weekend she told me he was surprising her and visiting Istanbul. I didn’t hear from her much that weekend so I decided to text her and ask how their time had been together. Her reply text was a photo of a beautiful ring!! I was in such a state of shock when I heard the news she got engaged. I was so happy for her that I ran straight to her apartment and squeezed her so tight!
I have really lucked out with the amazing girls I live with in the model apartments in Istanbul. After castings, we spent our time going to cat parks, trying new food and exploring the city. Sometimes we organized movie nights, so it was always like fun.
Of course, modeling comes with its own set of challenges. With multiple castings each day, it’s crucial to always look and feel your best. Thankfully, the people of Istanbul make this easier with their warmth and hospitality. My agency used to provide us with a driver to take us to castings and jobs, which was a huge stress reliever in a city where I didn’t speak the local language at all. Thanks to my modeling experiences abroad, I now have friends from all over the world—London, Denmark, China, Brazil, Lithuania, South Africa, and beyond. These connections have enriched my life in a way I never imagined it to be.
My modeling journey so far has been an exciting and life changing experience. Here’s to pursuing dreams, embracing new experiences, and living life to the fullest—one city at a time!
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