Check Out Elijah Van Zanten’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Van Zanten.

Hi Elijah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Still evolving my story everyday! I stumbled into the industry and went with it. While studying at university for animation and film, a lady found me online and told me about a runway show. I had never modeled in my life, I must’ve looked terrified when she mentioned it to me, but she convinced me enough to show up and do the show. From there I experimented with photoshoots with her as well as some photographers I met at the runway show. She encouraged me to contact agencies and seek representation. After all, I knew nothing about the industry, had only done acting classes in school. I signed with a Los Angeles based talent agency during peak COVID pandemic, May 2020, and was so excited because I imagined that meant they would call me up everyday and book me the biggest jobs around while all I had to do was kick back and watch the offers role in! I was so naive back then, COVID meant everything was shut down, and I did not book a job until November 2020, 6 months after signing with my agent. My focus was still studying full time so I did not pursue this as a job until a year later. January 2022 I made a New Years resolution to dabble in modeling a bit more, I was still studying acting and thought of modeling as a way to segway me over into booking acting gigs. I learned the industry as I went and took every opportunity I received, saying yes to almost everything just to sink my teeth in and learn, make connections, grow my experience, and work. I’ve come a long way since then and it’s all because I said yes to that runway show.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a journey of ups and downs. I struggled a lot with the inconsistency and pressures of this job at first, and still do, but I’m able to navigate obstacles better now. Something that I always reflect and remind myself to do is be myself. It took me a long time to feel comfortable and confident enough to bring my honest self to my job. My aim isn’t to say the right answer or do the “right” thing at work, that’s fake and it’s not what I look up to in people. It’s to bring my true, honest self to my work and hopefully entertain and inspire. Take note of peoples opinions if they are constructive, and use it to aim for improvement if it is a weak spot for me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actor and model, works include magazines, book covers, billboards, runway shows, and everything else in that mix. Recently I’ve been deep diving into micro-dramas and filming those the past 2 years. I’m most proud of my magazine covers if I’m being honest. Being on a magazine cover was one of my first goals I set when I started modeling and as corny and simple as it is when looking back now, it makes me smile and acts as a reminder that I can achieve my goals when I establish and work towards them.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Advice I wish I knew earlier for finding a mentor/networking is that your work speaks volumes. Experience and confidence in what you do speaks louder than running your mouth about how “good” you can be. Fake it till you make it only gets you so far, so making sure your work ethic is stronger than your word; doing as much as I can, whether it’s photoshoots, auditions, cold calls to casting directors or agents, it all leads experiences and connections.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elijahvanzanten

Image Credits
Arun Nevader. Studio Joris.