Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Lapin.
Kim, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in LA and went to UCLA for college where I played water polo. While there we won 3 NCAA Titles. When I graduated, I did Miss Ca. Pageant randomly as a way to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Through that experience, I got signed as a model with Wilhelmina models which was my mother agent for six years. At the same time, I pursued the world of acting and started doing commercials. I always loved comedy so went to The Groundlings and UCB for improv and loved it so much. I love comedy and expressing myself.
From there, I started a lifestyle blog which turned into my new youtube channel because I felt the traditional blogging style was not me and I wanted to create a more authentic place for me to be open, authentic, and talk about things I care about. My channel gives me the creative outlet I needed to express myself while waiting for others to hire me for commercials and acting. I now post weekly on my channel along with continuing my work in acting and modeling.
This has nothing to do with art, but since getting dogs two years ago, we have gotten involved in supporting dog rescues throughout Los Angeles bc we are passionate about these amazing creatures. We are obsessed and contribute as much as we can to getting dogs out of shelters and off the streets. We also are closely involved with a sex trafficking organization called Willow international and do our best to sponsor as many victims of sex trafficking to get to safe homes where they are rehabilitated, taken care of, protected and taught skills so they can make a life for themselves again. This is deeply important to us.
Lastly, my husband and I also got into real estate a few years ago and started investing in properties and now have four properties, 3 of which we rent out. This also keeps me busy as I manage the renters and properties.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is my youtube channel and the editing and creation of each video. It helps so much to be able to express myself. I blogged for a year and a half, and it just felt so saturated and fake in a way. The whole Instagram/blog world can be super disingenuous, and I was sick of trying to be like “x” blogger and really wanted to just do me. There is a lot of pressure also as a model to have a lot of followers so after a while I just said no more and took a break. Now I post what I like, care about, and enjoy. Not modeling b.s. Photos etc.
I have a video that discusses this entire process on my channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXUM8S6zB3E.
My motto is “living with style and purpose.” I am always transparent bc there is so much “smoke and mirrors” in social media and the entertainment industry, so I wanted to focus on being real while still caring about style but having more of a purpose. I want people to feel related to and realize so much of the stuff that makes them feel insecure is manufactured and that they can feel good about who they are, just as they are.
Not all of my videos revolve around this message but Im hoping that as I post video after video, my brand will become more and more clear to my audience. I am currently filming a series on faith bc that’s a huge part of my life but feel it’s an anomaly in LA, and I want to represent a real, loving, and progressive form of Gods love vs. the very stereotypical message of Christianity that is out there. This all falls under that message for me of” living with style and purpose” bc it’s okay to care about wanting to live in style, look beautiful, and feel good about ourselves and still care about things bigger than ourselves. One does not discount the other.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I think the role of artists, whether or not the form of art is blogging, painting, singing, acting, etc., has changed in a way where their voices are louder and therefore more important because artists have a responsibility to use their platforms wisely. Ive never really considered myself an artist because I have always done so many different things, some in the category of art, some not. My “life’s work” up until this point has been so diverse from doing McDonald’s commercials to shooting campaigns for hotels and big box stores to Brooks running and then teaching Pilates! The life of a creative is so diverse bc we have to find ways to consistently make money so sometimes it feels like I can’t call myself an artist bc I haven’t gotten to fully dive into my purest form of self-expression. HOWEVER, I am thrilled that I started my YouTube channel two months ago bc I am putting out videos weekly that represent me and the things I care about. From being a virgin all throughout college to videos on design, Im getting to express myself and the things I love, big and small.
Current events affect my form of art in the way that audiences look to brands and their favorite online personalities to address what’s going on in the world in some way and find solace, relief, a way to relate, someone thats in their corner or has their ideals too. It puts responsibility in the hands of creators to recognize that they have an audience, big or small, that listens to what they have to say and take it seriously. I mentioned my new series on faith in one of the earlier questions. This is what I am referring to. I want to be a voice of faith in a society that can relate to others with faith, and those without and show them that you can be progressive, loving, accepting of all people, and Christian. Like all things, there are people who represent groups, faiths, types of people in good and bad ways, but a “rotten apple spoils the bunch.” I want to be an example in my generation that you can be different than the stereotypical western Christian who is close-minded, naive, and hates gay people. I don’t even know people like that in my circle bc thats, not the faith that I come from, and I want to be that example of Love and truth, not of judgment and hate.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
www.kimberlyrabbit.com (Lapin means rabbit in french, get it?)
https://www.instagram.com/kim_lapin/
Contact Info:
- Address: 1935 Mayview drive, los angeles ca 90027
- Website: kimberlyrabbit.com
- Phone: 3107135060
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kim_lapin/
- Other: youtube: www.youtube.com/kimlapin
Image Credit:
Kate Moore
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
