Modeling for PLAYBOY? I never in a million years thought it would happen for me. I love what the brand is doing now: The vision is much more inclusive and progressive, and my experience on set was the best in all my 16 years of modeling. If you struggle with self-love or body dysmorphia, posing nude can be a vulnerable experience, but at the same time it can be empowering. I felt strong. I felt beautiful. I’d never really done a nude shoot before, and I didn’t realize I could feel so much love for myself in doing one.
I’m a hardworking, goofy, adventurous firecracker—a little free spirit creating the life I’ve always envisioned. I want people to find love, and I want people to love themselves. I grew up in Seattle, a middle child with two brothers raised by a single mother and grandmother.
One day when I was 13, I was working at the front desk of my mom’s beauty salon and a model came in to prep for a show. She asked my mom, “Who’s the girl at the desk?” From there, I went to an open call, and a couple of months later I was in Milan for my first job abroad. I graduated from high school at 16 and was offered a four-year scholarship to college, but I gave it up to travel the world. I had to grow up pretty quickly, but I learned more abroad than I ever could have in school.
I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had as a model, but the industry definitely took its toll. I went through a 10-year eating disorder and suffered bouts of depression and anxiety. Discovering holistic healing and nutrition helped me love myself and my body. Just last year I earned my certification in nutrition and personal training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and I plan to use my credentials to help adolescents and women in the industry attain their fitness and health goals naturally.
Modeling for PLAYBOY? I never in a million years thought it would happen for me. I love what the brand is doing now: The vision is much more inclusive and progressive, and my experience on set was the best in all my 16 years of modeling. If you struggle with self-love or body dysmorphia, posing nude can be a vulnerable experience, but at the same time it can be empowering. I felt strong. I felt beautiful. I’d never really done a nude shoot before, and I didn’t realize I could feel so much love for myself in doing one.
Right now my passion lies in helping others. I use my social-media platform to promote female empowerment, authenticity and strength. Girls as young as 12 ask me questions about anxiety, eating disorders and struggling to understand their sexuality. I’ve been a part of the LGBTQ community my entire adult life, and I was predominantly with women until I met my boyfriend. (Ironically, I’ve received a lot of blowback for no longer being in a homosexual relationship from the same people I’ve always sided with and fought for.) So when I receive messages from girls who ask about coming out, wondering if they’re gay, bi or fluid, I feel it’s my duty to tell them, “It’s okay, whatever you are, as long as you’re happy.”
I’ve always fought for equality, tolerance and acceptance. For a long time I felt pressured to label myself, but the older I’ve become, the more I’ve realized that love is about a soul-to-soul connection. We all want to experience love. It’s not about gender, and it’s not about labels. At the end of the day, I just want people to be happy. Love is love: I will always believe that to be true.
