I started modeling from a Facebook picture my mom posted of me when I was six years old. From that photo, I was scouted by Wilhelmina in New York, which at the time had a child division. I did slightly know about modeling since i was chronically on disney channel at the time watching hannah montana and such, and so when my mom asked me if i wanted to model i of course jumped at the opportunity. That facebook picture ended up starting everything for me.
Since then, I’ve done commercial, editorial, beauty, and fashion work. I’ve modeled in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. Being born and raised in New York, I grew up fast — I was used to the pace and the people. The rush, the noise, the constant sense that something important was always happening. Modeling fit right into that rhythm. I also grew up loving the spotlight even before modeling started, it was just one of my personality traits. Modeling became a normal part of my life really early on. Looking back, it’s funny how natural it felt to me even as a kid.
One of the funniest and most uncomfortable shoots I’ve ever done was on a freezing farm. I had to wear shorts, go barefoot in wet mud and grass, and pose next to a horse. The client asked if I knew how to ride, and I said yes just to get the job — I had never been on a horse before in my life. I somehow pulled it off and even started feeling comfortable with the horse, but the cold was unbelievable. I was shivering between every shot and trying to look calm and pretty at the same time.
Another time, during a shoot, they put so much fake hair in my head that it literally weighed a few pounds. It was so heavy I couldn’t walk straight without leaning over. Someone had to help me walk from one spot to another so I wouldn’t fall. It’s one of those things that sounds funny now but was kind of ridiculous in the moment — modeling can make you look beautiful while you’re secretly just trying to stay balanced. The pictures came out incredible though, it was maybe one of my favorite shoots I’ve done.
Since I started modeling at six and I’m now twenty, I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs in this industry. Over time, I’ve become almost immune to rejection. That’s probably the biggest thing modeling has taught me — strength and emotional balance. When someone tells you “no” repeatedly for reasons that have nothing to do with your worth as a person, you eventually learn to detach your self-esteem from external approval. It’s a strange kind of freedom. That mindset has helped me not just in modeling, but in life in general.
When I was seventeen, I decided — five days before the university deadline — to move to Paris for school. My dad is French, so I have a French passport and speak French, but the last time I had been to Paris before that was when I was four years old. Growing up, we were more of a beach person, so although my dad was born and raised in Paris we never really went for vacation. I left my family and everything I knew behind to live alone in a city I didn’t really know but have only heard stories about.
Once I got there, I had to find a new agency on my own. Finding an agency there took almost a year — which felt endless at the time — because at five feet eight, I’m considered short by Paris standards. But I refused to give up, and when I finally found the agency that truly understood my image and energy, it felt like everything had fallen into place again. Since then, I have continued to work on amazing sets with amazing people.
Being a child model was so fun. I met amazing, influential people and worked for big brands that, at the time, I was too young to even recognize. Looking back, I’d love to model for some of those same brands again as an adult — now that I actually know who they are and what an opportunity that was!
Through all these years, I’ve learned a lot of practical things too. First, trust your instincts. Agents, clients, and casting directors will always have opinions about what you should do or what suits you, but you know yourself best. Sometimes their advice will help, and sometimes your gut will be more accurate. Listening to others definitely can be the best option sometimes, but other times listening to your gut is even a better option. It depends on you to make the decision on which path to take.
The second would be: don’t take rejection personally. Ever. Every “no” is a redirection, and the people who book you aren’t just picking a face — they’re picking a mood, a story, a puzzle piece that fits their vision. It’s never just about you. Once you understand that, the whole experience becomes lighter.
And third, a practical one: pack smart. Bring your own essentials to shoots — even things you think they’ll have. Snacks, moisturizer, a lint roller, nude underwear, and something warm for outdoor jobs. If I’ve learned anything from pretending to be comfortable in freezing mud, it’s that you can’t control the weather — but you can control whether your feet are warm between takes.
I love fashion, but when I’m off set, I live in black clothes, jeans, and sneakers. My style is simple, a little boyish, and always comfortable. After so many years in fashion, I appreciate simplicity more than ever.
What I love most about modeling is the people, the travel, and the funny, unpredictable moments that happen along the way! The places I’ve been, the friends I’ve made, and the experiences I’ve had are the things I truly cherish. I feel lucky to be able to do this and to keep growing with every job, every “no,” and every weird story that ends up becoming a good memory later on!
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