Christie Perez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Christie, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
That modeling is easy. That as long as you’re pretty and or different, that’s all it takes.
People only see the end product on social media.
There’s a lot of hard work involved to succeed and even then it’s continued hard work to maintain and thrive. Investing in yourself monetarily and of your time. Networking, practicing, traveling, being responsible, being early, having a great attitude no matter what. Applying/auditioning for everything that you are a fit for and continuing to mentally push on every time you hear a no.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
First thank you for another opportunity to connect with your readers and other artists.
My name is Christie Perez. I am a model, artist, ambassador, Veteran, mom, grandmother and influencer.
Like any young girl I saw being a model as being glamorous. A life of photoshoots, traveling and parties. As a teenager I wanted to be one, but was very shy and had very little self esteem.
So I put it out of my mind and never saw it as a real option.
It wasn’t until I was almost 40, when I stumbled upon the opportunity by helping a friend. I had never thought I would find so much joy and fulfillment. I always describe it like being a kid on Christmas morning.
The first few years involved a lot of learning, practicing and doing a lot of work for free because I did decide to go the route of being a freelance model.
When I first started I had a fulltime job so I spent every weekend and every chance I got to work on this new found passion.
I learned how to change my way of thinking because my feelings were very easily hurt. I’m an incredibly sensitive person.I mean who like rejection?
But I think that being so sensitive is also where I pull from when creating art.
I think we are all special and there’s something unique about each of us.
When it pertains to myself I believe that it’s the passion and love for what I do that puts me in the same group with others that have found their passion and purpose.
I just couldn’t imagine my life without creating anymore.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Trust is what breaks bonds between people It’s crucial because you are sharing every hope, every dream and every fear with someone. You are giving away power. Power to allow someone to see you and to be able to hurt you.
Once that trust is broken it is nearly impossible to fix. Nothing can ever be the same again.
Restoring that takes time, hard work and faith. Not faith in the other person, but faith and strength in yourself to be able to make the difficult choice and stand your ground if that trust is ever broken again because you know your worth and that someone will give you the happiness you deserve.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the biggest thing that’s held me back the most in my life has been fear. The fear of failing and what other people will think of me.
It’s been a HUGE obstacle to overcome, but it’s something that’s become easier and easier with age.
I believe my fear of missing out on opportunities and missing out on things that could be the greatest moments of my life is now bigger than the fear of failure and what others think of me is no longer more important than what I think of myself.. I’m living this one life for me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I don’t know what it is about getting older, but not caring if I’m liked or cool anymore has helped me to just be me. Silly, quirky, nerdy, goofy and sometimes awkward. It really depends on who’s in the room with me and if they are welcoming and easy to be around.
The confidence I portray is not always how I feel on the inside.
I’ve learned to talk myself into going up to people to talk to them or tell myself that I have to do something that makes me feel uncomfortable so long as it’s something positive.
So to be fair I would say that I’m always the real me, but I only share the best parts of myself with people who are kind to me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I think we all want to leave a legacy behind for our family. Something that they can be proud of.
To think that we made some kind of impact in this world and that we will always be remembered.
I hope that during my lifetime someone was able to relate to me.
That someone I spoke with, worked with or reached in some kind of way felt inspired and that I gave them hope, strength and that push to stop hesitating, stop doubting themselves, to push that fear out of their minds and to go after all that they want in life.
That’s I made a difference in someone’s life and that my family is proud of me and will always remember me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christieperez0412
Image Credits
Cover photo:
Photographer:Samuel Sam @iamkvngsam_photo
Makeup: Scooter Ray @scooterr.designs
1. Photographer: Keith Miles Body Paint: Skyler Sommors
2. Photographer: Mike Marco
3. Photographer: Kyle Gordon Makeup: Scooter Ray
Set Assists & Set Build: @_amandalankford & @lz_beth
4. Photographer: Kyle Gordon Makeup: Scooter Ray Set Assists & Set Build: @_amandalankford & @lz_beth
5. Photographer & Props: Brad Campbell Hair & Makeup Artist, stylist & designer: @scooterr.designs
6. Photographer: @iamkvngsam_photo Makeup: @scooterray @scooterr.designs
7. Photographer: @iamkvngsam_photo Makeup: @scooterray @scooterr.designs
8. Photographer: Keith Miles
