My name is Rachel Heilala Niu and I am a public relations junior here at ASU. Outside of being a student, I model. I have been modeling for about two and a half years now. The story on how I began my modeling career is not necessarily exciting, but is the downright truth. My 6’3”super skinny blonde-bombshell of a sister-in-law had been modeling with a local agency for about two years and she suggested that I submit some photos because they had always been searching for fresh faces. Truth be told, modeling had always been an enticing dream but I never really thought it was in reach.
It was the summer I had graduated from high school when I submitted some snap shots to S.I.M. Agency, a local agency run by Aimee Sugar, one of the most driven individuals. She liked what she saw in my submission photos, had me come into her office, then signed me right on the spot. This day I felt different. I felt a new sense of beauty. I never felt ugly, but I never felt comfortable in my own skin because I was in this “ugly-duckling” kind of shadow. Red hair, fair skin, boney body…Would this ever be beautiful?
It’s true, modeling has its glitz and glam just as I imagined, but it has given me so much more than that. It has given me the confidence to walk into a room, walk down the street, walk into public places and feel beautiful in my own skin. That is important for anyone struggling with image issues.
Modeling has allowed me to network with great individuals from photographers to TV producers to celebrities and even public relation professionals — a career path I hope to follow. The experiences, the people, the different environments that I have been able to see have diversified my sense of the fashion industry.
The first couple gigs I had were unpaid runway shows and a photo shoot, because all new models have to pay their dues. The dues were well paid when I booked my first REAL job when my agent sent me to L.A. for a casting. I thought to myself, “Wow, you’re sending me to L.A. ,where I have to pay for my own flight, for a CHANCE to book the job?” I was skeptical about this, but because I felt strongly about modeling, I booked a flight, missed school, and headed to L.A. for the casting. Two weeks later, they flew me back because they chose me out of the 50 girls they saw. Maybe this modeling thing would work out after all.
After this job, my eyes were opened to the fashion industry and the possibilities it offered. I have done a number of jobs like: print work for magazines, Web sites, informal modeling, TV segments, promos, and my personal favorite, runway shows. I have worked in LA, San Francisco, and Arizona. And for the second year in a row, I participated in Scottsdale Fashion Week.
Modeling, it’s my side job.
-- rachel.niu@asu.edu
