Conversations with Leslie Ann Lopez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Ann Lopez.

Hi Leslie Ann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The concept of Explicit Confidence was actually something I had since early high school. It was literally my private Snapchat story. But I remember I thought so hard about the name and why it was what it was. Explicit Confidence at the time was simply just a title that meant: if you watch this story, this is the real me.

Throughout my years at UCLA, I struggled to be secure with my 16-year plan to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. It’s funny to look back at it now. After finally accepting that my future wouldn’t be in the operation room, I found myself drawn to the entertainment industry and creativity. Despite this identity crisis occurring at the brink of COVID-19, I became an Anthropology major with a Film, TV, & Digital Media studies minor. While being stuck at home and losing interest in all forms of remote education, I rekindled the idea of Explicit Confidence into a podcast.

Throughout the first season of my podcast, I share significant moments in my life that have helped me elevate and grow into the person I am today and am becoming. I wanted my platform to do the same for others. So in other seasons, I have brought on guests and interviews. In the midst of my inconsistencies and trials & errors, I was establishing myself as a creative. Through modeling, styling, social media, and even producing, my local Los Angeles network began to grow.

Now, Explicit Confidence is more than just a concept. It’s a creative agency that consists of talent production, my own personal creative projects, and my podcast. The past 2 years have been a wild ride. But I trust myself and my process to know that I’m leading my vision and influence in the right direction. With Explicit Confidence, I want to be able to touch the lives of other creatives and push them into their full potential.

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?
My biggest challenge has always been time management. As somebody who has the capacity to do various things, I find myself struggling with prioritization and sticking to the big idea. There’s just always so much I want to do all at once. But it’s fun! I love being booked and busy.

It’s definitely been a struggle to get to where I am today. As a creative entrepreneur, many opportunities I’ve been luckily able to have, I’ve simply made myself. From expanding my network within the Hollywood nightlife scene to being vetted and reliable by my close creative community, I’m enjoying the journey.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to do creative production. Right now, my most proud work I’ve done was my recent modeling campaign with @vintage.inspired. During this project, I was responsible for casting, styling, photographing, & more! I am truly grateful to have people who trust in me and my vision. I like to believe that I can truly set myself apart from others because of Explicit Confidence. Through this, I continue to influence those around me to be their authentic selves while challenging them to take the necessary risks to reach their fullest potential.

Right now, I’ve been working on building my portfolio. Luckily, I was able to have a close friend, Antawn Eagan, let me borrow his Canon Rebel t7i, where I’ve been practicing photography with my friends. On top of being a model in this year’s Los Angeles Fashion Week, I’m excited to see how I expand myself and my brand.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to always keep going and always be your #1 fan. There have been multiple times where I’ve lost hope and direction, but being able to power through that negativity and discipline yourself, trust in your own process and truly work towards the goal is all part of the bigger picture.

Take things slow. Everything can’t happen all at once. A new day is a new chance to take one step further.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslie.vlopez/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHM7vCGmS-arbmpCjmbcdlw
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/explicitconfidence/