Interview with Scarlet Cassidy
**Personal & Career Journey**
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your modeling career?
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My name is Scarlet Cassidy, I am a model, actress, dancer, powerlifter, and house cleaner. I have had many endeavors throughout my 17, almost 18, years of life. I grew up without any thought of being a model or actress, just happy living my life crabbing with my parents. But once I found how much I loved modeling and acting, I jumped in, with full support from my family. I started this journey four years ago as a freshman in high school, at Lafayette High’s theater class, with our teacher being a fill in coach. He taught me how a production can bring a group of incredibly different people together. He also taught me how to
have fun with my passion for acting, and encouraged me to pursue this with the help of John Casablancas. There is where I found the love for modeling. The intensity of learning how to pose and feel confident in myself pushed me, and left me feeling thrilled.
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What inspired you to become a model?
My inspiration started with my dance teachers telling me that I had a great model face. They told me I looked like one of those famous models from when they were younger. After that, I learned everything I could about modeling. I started watching model vlogs, downloading runway apps, studying hard during my modeling classes, and finding my amazing photographer Leslie Harrington. From then on I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and put myself out there without any hesitation.
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Was there a defining moment that made you realize modeling was your true passion?
The defining moment that I knew I wanted to go farther with modeling, was at my first creative photoshoot with Leslie Harrington. We worked together on it and though it was not a typical professional photoshoot, it showed me how much fun it is to be able to put all my hard work into a shoot. It also showed me how to be confident doing a photoshoot with lots of other people watching, definitely boosting my confidence.
**Industry Experience & Challenges**
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What has been the most exciting or memorable shoot you’ve worked on?
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I have done six photoshoots during my career, of all six I have loved the diner photoshoot with Leslie Harrington. I ensured that my creative inspiration was heard and he definitely delivered. I have gone to New Orleans for photoshoots three times and loved the feel of the old timey houses mixed into the shoot, but none of them will top the pictures I got during the diner photoshoot. We both worked hard to find different areas of the diner that would add a different look in each photo, and though I am biased, they all look exactly like I imagined.
Have you faced any challenges in the modeling industry? If so, how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge that I have had to overcome in modeling was the amount of waiting and rejection, that alters your confidence. There have been months where I feel like my career isn’t going anywhere, and when I feel like that I apply for more and more auditions and casting calls. The industry is always high, then low, and learning how to manage this and balance it out has taken some time, but I feel as though I am finally getting the hang of it. Anyone can do this job if they try hard enough, this industry needs more and more people of all different looks. Don’t get discouraged over no responses or full on rejection, because it will turn around extremely quickly.
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How do you prepare for a big shoot or runway show?
My process to prepare myself for a photoshoot or runway are very similar, but quite different. For a runway, I practice walking in heels, EVERYWHERE. To the grocery store in my pajamas, in outfits that should not be worn with heels, even around the block before a run. A photoshoot, however, I like to try and relax the night before, getting plenty of rest helps both the mood and your complexion. But mostly I like to look my best, so I do a workout the day of, in order to ensure my muscles look toned. The packing process is always the worst part. Me and my parents joke that I need to bring my whole bathroom on wheels. My grandmother has gifted me a large duffel bag that I now use for all my modeling needs, which is a lot.
**Creative Process & Style**
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How would you describe your modeling style?
My modeling style is very diverse, I love to try new things and all parts of modeling are intriguing to me. My look to be exact is very diverse as well, I think.
Do you prefer editorial, commercial, or runway modeling, and why?
I do not have a preference between editorial, commercial, or runway modeling because all that I have done is commercial modeling so far. Runway is incredibly fun, and very rewarding with how much exposure you might get. But I don’t see myself going far in that field due to my height. Commercial modeling is what I feel most
comfortable and confident with. I love seeing models in crazy intricate designs and would love to be able to get the chance to do editorial some day.
What role do you think storytelling plays in modeling?
Storytelling in modeling is the most important talent a model has to have. With every outfit or background, you have to become the person who goes out in these designs, no matter if they are simple, sleek, and elegant, or loud, in-your-face designs. You have to put yourself out there in ways other people will never understand.
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**Influences & Inspirations**
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Are there any models, photographers, or designers who have inspired you?
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Madeline Argy has been my biggest inspiration for pushing through the lulls of modeling. She talks about the real parts of being a model, like breakouts and intensive skin care routines, while keeping her progress present. She is where I want to be.
How do you stay motivated and continue growing as a model?
I stay motivated through watching famous models be real and relate to me. Before, being a model felt unreachable because I always thought of them having no personality. But now all you see is models with huge personalities. This keeps me motivated. My parents are the ones who keep me focused on the auditions, helping me with learning lines when I get stuck, helping set up my equipment, recording my runway walk at least two hundred times.
**Future Goals & Advice**
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What are your biggest career goals for the future?
I would love to travel to Milan , Paris, and New York to watch, if not be in, Fashion Week. I always see the designs on the modeling apps, and watch the videos from other influencers, but I would love to be able to just be there. It would be a combination of some of my two favorite things; traveling and fashion.
Do you have any dream collaborations or brands you'd love to work with?
My dream collaboration would be with Miu Miu or Burberry. Their designs have an edge to them that I absolutely love, while also
being elegant, girly, and feminine. Brands like these will always have me watching the runway.
What advice would you give to aspiring models looking to break into the industry?
To the other models wondering when they should start, start now! I wish I would have started looking for training four years ago when I got the idea. There are always auditions for new faces and the younger the better! Look up, right now, modeling and acting training, then search reviews on each of them, then go for it. Take every opportunity available to you, make mistakes and learn from them. You will always be exactly where you need to be!
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Brought to you by Bold & Beyond—where curiosity meets clarity.