Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla DeLancey.
Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up gaming with my mom since I could hold a controller and it turned into a passion of mine. I also had a huge passion for modeling. I would practice poses in the mirror every day to try and be like the models I saw on sports illustrated and Victoria’s Secret. I’m so happy the modeling is taking a body-positive movement over what I grew up with. I was told I had to lose weight from every agency, but I enjoyed having my bubble butt so I rocked it. I started modeling for surf style and mainstream swimwear brands in Florida. My social media popped off because of my modeling and swimwear images across multiple platforms. While modeling I was still gaming, streaming, and going to college. I was also traveling a lot too. Every opportunity I had I took it. I was streaming on twitch eight years ago and playing call of duty. I was very shy and have grown so much since my beginner streams. It’s funny I used to stream on my MacBook Pro and used bootcamp to stream on there until I tried it and had to stream on my Xbox Kinect.
While traveling in Costa Rica, I fractured my spine from a cliff-diving accident and was out of modeling for a year. This is where I learned how to edit, photoshop, use illustrator, and after effects. I taught myself how to color grade and booked work with my boyfriend in the film industry all from my laptop since I couldn’t move. I moved out to LA with my boyfriend after I was healed. We film a lot together and have fun shooting random passion projects. I’ve been in LA for over five years now. I have become way more comfortable in front of the camera. Taking pictures were one thing, but now I’m talking more for commercial and video work and I didn’t I think I could ever do that. I have always kept modeling for companies while I’m streaming full-time now. I am mainly booking all my own work and partnerships and it is always a grind. I love streaming and the community I’ve built and I also love that I still can shoot and have fun with creative projects. I’ve been working on sharing more of personality and it’s been a big change on my content, but I love being myself and having a community behind me that sees that. I keep it real and keep it weird because I’ve always been a nerd at heart.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve always had struggles with body image and comparing myself to others. I’ve learned to love myself more and be myself it has helped me through a lot. I also love that women are empowering each other these days instead of seeing each other as competition. I always want more women in gaming that I can relate to and support as much as I can. Breaking my back was also a huge setback and it was a tough road getting back into modeling and doing what I love. I thought my career was over, but I’m happy I found streaming again after I moved to LA.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a content creator. I love streaming and gaming, but I also love creating. Be it a passion project of a certain look I like or a fun video. I am always looking for partnerships with brands I love. I recently partnered with a clean energy product called Marquis and I back them 100%. It has been a great feeling sharing clean energy with my community and actually seeing them feel better from it. Anything I can do to help make someone feel better, I’m all for it. It’s why I love streaming to. If I can make people laugh and be relatable, I’m happy too.
What makes you happy?
Making people happy. Engaging with my community. I feel accomplished when I see growth in relationships. Also, I really enjoy taking a break from things on my days off. I set two days of hanging with my boyfriend where we chill or go adventures outside to clear our minds and relax.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayladelancey/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaylaDeLanceyModel?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayladelancey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kayladelancey
Image Credits
@chrisbennettfilms on Instagram
