Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Rose.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was probably 3 or 4 when I’d already known I was destined for the life of modeling. Drawing designer fashion in my Kindergarten years and always posing for pictures, there was something inside me leading me to this destiny. My family would see me dress up and strut like it was a runway, binging A.N.T.M. at the age of 6. That’s when they realized I was destined for this life, too. But it wouldn’t be an easy path.
My parent’s divorce was a nearly decade-long legal battle with me in the middle of the chaos, poverty, and essentially raising myself, although my dad had main custody. He was a pretty tough parent and just wanted the best for me. Knowing how the modeling and Hollywood industries are, he didn’t want me involved in the slightest. Even though he worked 24/7 and was hardly home, I respected his wishes as he did his best to provide a decent life for me as a single dad.
So, I waited until I was about 15-16 and started tapping into the industry slowly. I shot with some local photographers, started building my portfolio and establishing connections, and researched the ins and outs of everything industry-related. I wanted to be my own agent, not relying on someone else and then taking a 20-30% cut of pay when professional models and actresses struggle to make living wages as it is. It’s now been nearly a decade, and I’ve been fully independent my entire career, successfully working with many top brands and designers! They may tell you it’s not possible, but it certainly is. If you want something — GO GET IT! Anything is possible with faith and determination.
Oh, and you’re probably wondering what my dad thought when he realized his daughter started modeling behind his back… Well, once I started to show him photos from shoots, he was surprised. It wasn’t a bad surprise, though; he was proud. From that moment on, I could see he understood why I wanted to reach these goals… There was a fire inside me that was screaming to get out and take the industry by storm. He was a proud model dad after that, always speaking highly.
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?
This road has been like going through the roughest 4×4 off-roading terrain on 4 flats, a broken axle and no steering wheel. There’s been much adversity that’s led to where and who I am now. Always facing obstacles, making it in the industry has been no easy feat.
During my career, I’ve been in 2 separate dangerous domestic violence situations. When I initially started getting into modeling, I was still with my junior high/high school sweetheart. Things weren’t so sweet, though, and I never truly knew the man I thought I did. Secret addictions, drug dealing, and trafficking were nothing compared to the mental, physical, psychological, emotional, and financial toll taken on me. This relationship left me more insecure than ever, crippling with anxiety and feeling lost. After years of struggling to get out, it finally happened. I was free for what felt like the first time in 5 years. Then became the challenge of building myself back up and finding who I am now as a person. With time, pushing my comfort limits, and a lot of support from loved ones, I slowly gained different confidence, perspective, and wisdom.
I decided to go full-time modeling after my newfound confidence. With crippling mental health from being a full-time retail manager and part-time model, struggling to find time and energy to do what I truly love, I knew I had to do something different. This was a month or two before the pandemic officially hit the U.S., and safe to say things were going so well. I was booked 6-7 days a week, often double-booked, going from one shoot right to the next. Once the pandemic hit, the industry nearly shut down. It was such a bizarre time to see full productions scale down to zoom photoshoots and UGC (user-generated content). It’s safe to say that myself and fellow models & actors were struggling to make ends meet. In the midst of the pandemic, my dad ended up in the hospital and passing away unexpectedly 15 minutes before the New Year, after 3 weeks of fighting covid and pneumonia. Simply put — I was devastated and lost. Not being able to afford a 2-bedroom apt on my own, I had to clear it out and find somewhere new to call home. I moved to Orange County after realizing I was tired of being in my hometown, seeing the same people from school working dead-end jobs, having 3 kids already, and setting absolutely no goals for themselves. I wanted to be around more elevated mindsets, with people who truly want the best for themselves.
Once the pandemic started slowing down, things began to open again, and life seemed to start going back to a semi-normal; I found myself in another abusive relationship. Blinded by what I thought was love at first sight, I moved in with this man, only for him to turn into a different person within a month. The sweet, supportive guy I met was now terrorizing my life and holding my finances hostage. With the violence and abuse escalating daily, it got to a point where there was no way out without outside help. I couldn’t even have a phone call with my mom living in Utah without him standing next to me, trying to hear the conversation. She finally got Mom’s intuition that something was wrong and came to save the day. She flew out to SoCal, got my sister and uncle to help with packing a Penske rental truck, and figured out where I was going to hide out. I had to convince him not to force me to go with him to bid a job for his company. I had to disconnect all the ring cameras and pretend our Wi-Fi went out since we lived in the middle of the desert, hoping he wouldn’t see me packing my entire life away in the box truck. Once packed, I took the dog I recently rescued and drove straight to Salt Lake City, UT.
With no plan and limited finances, I was now homeless, plus a mess mentally and emotionally. Because covid was still a big factor during this time and many moving states, there was a housing crisis. I couldn’t find a decently affordable, let alone available, place to move into, so I spent a few months hotel & Airbnb hopping, plus sleeping in my car when I didn’t want to shell out more money for a bed to sleep on. Finally, after a few months, I got lucky with a nice 1 bed apt, perfect for me and my pup, Bubba the Potato.
Now was the task of re-building my name in a new state, knowing absolutely nobody besides family and one childhood friend and having no industry connections. After a year of being in Utah, I’d managed to establish my name and face to a new market, work with multiple large brands, and get published now 22x internationally.
I must admit, even after 2 years of my dad being gone, the days don’t get any easier. I often felt like his passing made my soul leave my body. I felt empty, weak, mentally blocked from creativity and pursuing my goals. I still have those days sometimes. But it’s getting better. It’s been 1.5 years now. I’m in my first happy, healthy relationship ever. I’m still modeling successfully, as well as building my reputation as a photographer and creative director.
Nobody prepares you for life’s unexpected moments. The ones that may break you or shift and shape who you are as a person…
But what truly matters is how you react. Think of it as Newton’s 3rd Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Are you going to be the equal or the opposite reaction to the testimonials you face? I chose to be the opposite, and you should be, too. Never give up, and always keep faith, no matter how hard it may be. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Rest in Paradise, Dad ♥
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an independent professional model, commercial actress, video vixen, creative director, and photographer.
I specialize in bridal, editorial, high fashion, commercial, lifestyle, e-comm, swimwear, parts, showroom, and beauty modeling. I’m known for a lot of my bridal and editorial work, plus featuring in music videos!
I’m most proud of all the editorial and bridal work, as they’re my favorite genres to shoot. I really enjoy getting creative with editorial concepts, posing, and creative directing on set.
What sets me apart from the rest of the industry is my spirit and professionalism. When you walk into a room or on set with others, there’s always an aura that leads the energy shift of everyone in it. I’ve walked on sets where there was such a negative or rivalrous energy that shut everyone down mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, in turn suppressing the creativity and positivity of the shoot. There’s also a way to present yourself, which will be a foundation for how people view and remember you. I always bring a positive attitude and intentions, openness, and willingness to adapt to any situation. Photographers and clients often rebook or refer me to others simply for these two reasons — my spirit and my professionalism. Talent and creativity are two lesser but also important factors. Experience isn’t something that can truly be faked. Sure, I thought I was faking it till I made it in the beginning, but that’s amateur thinking. A true professional can spot another professional, so don’t just fake it — MAKE IT.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the industry going toward a lot more UGC, putting a focus on content made to feel personal and non-commercial. We’ve already seen a big shift in UGC since the pandemic changed the industry as we know it forever.
I also see the industry utilizing a lot more AI-generated content, as there’s already a been a big spike.
Long gone are the days of physical magazines and elaborate set designs. It’s in with AI generation, digital goods, and being your own boss!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/amberrosemodels
- Facebook: Facebook.com/modelamberrose
- Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/amber-rose-model
- Twitter: Twitter.com/amberrosebb
- Other: TikTok.com/@amberrosemodel
Image Credits
Scott Gianchetta
Casey Amaral
Bev Robinson
Scott Gianchetta
Abdul Zalil
James Rosenberg
Coley Cook
