Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimmy Kalani.
Kimmy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey to where I have gotten today as a model has been filled with so much heartache, tears, and blood. However, in the past two years, I feel I have finally started to find my footing on that upward slope of success and happiness.
It started when I was about 13 years old; I could dream of nothing more than to become a model walking down the runway. I had signed up for a modeling convention that summer; the package I had paid for included training on how to walk the runway, how to read a monologue, and a professional photoshoot with prints. After the convention, I approached several agents in the hopes of being signed. However, they all replied similarly, “You’re not tall enough. You’re not thin enough.” Defeated, I buried my dreams.
Years and years went on as I focused on schooling; it was what society expected of me. I signed up for many AP/Honors classes, volunteered hundreds of hours, participated in numerous clubs, and received the highest grades. I was the perfect student, but my life was far from perfect. Senior year, I started to feel a change inside me. Little did I know, a dark storm was about to turn my life upside down. As days and weeks went on, I started to feel emptier inside; it was as though I was stuck in an internal dark night. I felt hopeless that the sun would never shine again.
This went on for years: years filled with emotional and physical wounds. I had graduated with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology and went on to pursue personal training. Going to the gym was the only time I felt strong, that I could conquer anything. Working out helped to keep me going. However, it wasn’t enough. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I quit my job and walked away from the known. Was I scared that I had no source of income? Yes. Was I scared that I didn’t know what I would do next? Yes. But none of that compared to the fear and pain of not knowing if I would live to see another day.
Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I scoured the internet on how to pursue my dream that I abandoned long ago. After some time, I found a photographer seeking a model for her book cover. Since then, I have never looked back. I feel strong, sexy, and empowered every time I leave a photoshoot. Though the journey has been a long one, pursuing my passion over what society expects of me has helped to fill that emptiness inside. I was no longer in that internal dark night; I could finally see the sun and feel the brightness. I was no longer just surviving, but I was finally living.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think that anything worth having and fighting for will never be a smooth road. However, the challenges and obstacles are what makes it even more worth it in the end.
Being a model or anything else entrepreneur-like seems glamorous to those looking inward. In actuality, it is a very scary concept that there is no structure, no guarantee, no stability. I don’t automatically get $15/hour etc. just for working. Any money and success I make depend on a plethora of factors, even ones that can’t be controlled. I can market myself as much as possible, but December can still be a slow month due to holidays. It’s easy to work into the weekends and into nighttime hours to try to reach my base goals, let alone get ahead in my success.
Another big struggle is comparing myself to other beautiful women. As a model, I am my own brand and therefore, I want to continuously improve my brand. I am always looking for way to make myself look the best that I can be without compromising who I feel I am. Getting my nails, hair, makeup done can help to improve the final look. However, it’s easy to start contemplating physical changes on my body: bigger breasts, smaller waist, bigger hips, etc. There are things that can be done with exercise and food, but that can only go so far. When is it necessary and when is it compromising my mental health? It’s hard to know where to draw the line.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As a model, I’m hired by photographers who might want to shoot with me purely out of my look, or they want someone professional to help them work on a concept/idea. Because I specialize in glamour, implied, and artistic nude shots, some photographers hire me to practice lighting and angles with implied black and white shots, etc.
I think what makes me stand out at first glance is my Asian ethnicity. This can bring a very different look that some photographers have never worked with before. Once someone works with me, I usually get the comment that I was such a natural and showed so much emotions. With some acting experience, I can bring a character to the shoot and not just look pretty. If I’m modeling lingerie, am I alone daydreaming, am I flirting with the camera, or am I showing off to my husband? Each scenario will bring a different vibe/feel to the image.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
To be financially independent and successful, I am working on establishing multiple sources of income. I want to be able to work smarter and bring in more passive income. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas and goals I want to reach.
At the moment, I’m looking into bringing more of my brand online in forms of social media and online work. At the moment, I am working on my presence on YouTube. Some other forms of online work I was possibly looking into were teaching other girls on how to model or market themselves.
Contact Info:
- Email: KimmyKalani@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmykalani/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimmyKalani/
Image Credit:
2nd image- Amir Curry
3rd- ACV Media
4th- ACV Media
5th- Richard Martinez
6th- Richard Martinez
7th- Matt Lusk
9th- Teo Salinas
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