Who said blondes are stupid? If you ever met our good friend Michelle Mason, you would rethink that statement. When we first met Michelle over a year ago, her looks floored us and her wisdom from that blonde head made us want more. She has modeled for Stella McCartney, Chloe, Anna Molonari, Greg Gorman, Andrew Southam. Michelle is in LA pursuing acting and we caught up with her during a rehearsal for a short film she's acting in...
When did you start Modeling?
When I was sixteen I was ridiculously petite and went to one of those modeling expos where there are a bunch of agents. I got some agents, and it kept going from there. I didn't really get out there to work until I was 18. School was always the priority, I never took time off. I wanted to make sure to graduate college on time and get that done before getting too distracted by the industry.
Sacramento is your home town, right? Do you miss living up north?
It is. I'm from Gold River, which is on the river (shockingly) nearer to Folsom than Sacramento. I miss the peace of Northern Cal, how close it is to the snow, the wakeboarding, kayaking, etc. Now when I go home I really appreciate how beautiful and peaceful it is, as well as the abundance outdoor activities.
Tell us something amazing that has happened through modeling and something awful you experienced or never expected about modeling.
I have been bitten by a horse, attacked by (literally) hundreds of jellyfish, been creeped on by numerous clients, learned that some girls are most definitely prostitutes, and survived it all. I have seen alot of the world and met amazing people. I wouldn't change any of it, except I would have spent a year at NYU instead of a few months so I could have worked more in NY at that time in my life.
Tell us about acting in LA? How are the Fashion Industry and Hollywood different?
Fashion and Hollywood have alot of parallels, but at the end of the day are completely different animals. To me, modeling can be fun, but I look at it as a means to an end. I thought I would be done with it when I finished college, but the work keeps on coming. It's one of the only jobs that's flexible enough to allow me to travel for work and make it to all of my auditions. Fashion is about the clothes and not the person in them (unless it's kate moss or a celebrity endorsement). The entertainment industry is based on who you are and how you come across. I much prefer being valued for my personality and skill than for how well some garments hang off of me. I do admire those who work in fashion, the designers and everyone involved. It's a very difficult business and it takes a certain chutzpah (like acting does), to be able to succeed. I love clothes, love seeing collections early, and have learned alot from people I've worked with on how to style and mix up my own wardrobe.
Tell us some books you refer too as a guide to what you live by.
The tao te ching, and all of Sylvia Boorstien's books on buddhist philosophy. They really help keep things in the right perspective.
Have you been with LA Models the whole time? Who are your bookers, runway and print?
I've had many agents over the years. In LA I was with LA for a few years, went to Next, then came back and have been back for two years. I am with Pam for print and Crista/Sara/Francis for runway.
SOMW loves Michelle and wish her success in her acting... and more in modeling. :)
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