Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Paul.
Angela, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Yorkshire England and came from a working-class loving family. My parents both worked hard and while my family lived paycheck to pay to check my siblings and I never lacked for love and care. Going to university was not an option as we couldn’t afford it and yet my parents wanted more for me than they’d had growing up. And so at age 15, my mum started to enter me into local beauty contests that I luckily won.
At 16 I won Miss Teen Great Britain and as a result of that, I headed to Tokyo to represent my country in Miss Teen International. It was an amazing experience to share with 36 girls from around the world from countries I’d never even heard of. All of this led me to being a contracted model in Tokyo at the age of 17. I had a very successful career both as an editorial, commercial and runway model. Runway highlights were walking for Fendi, Valentino, Armani, Yohji Yamamoto to name just a few. More importantly, I fell in love with Japan, the culture, the aesthetics, the food and of course the people. I lived in Japan for nine years and then moved to Los Angeles where I have lived for the past 3 decades.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think anyone’s journey is smooth and that would probably be quite boring if it were. I have never however been a person who had a life plan like some do. All the best things in my life occurred organically without me chasing either people or things. I always had a sense that I would have a full, rich and interesting life filled with lots of travel. I just didn’t know how it would unfold. And yet from a very early age, I trusted in the process and have always been inherently open to risk, uncertainty and change. I didn’t know how things would work out I just trusted they would. That said I’ve always been working on myself and when opportunities came I’ve been prepared.
It was a culture shock moving to Tokyo from England and in some ways an even bigger adjustment moving to L.A. from Tokyo. I had become so used to the Japanese way of life that L.A. life and the people felt so over the top and in your face. The first restaurant I ate in in L.A. was the Cheesecake Factory and I’d never seen portions of food so big and never heard of doggie bags. It was also a rough time because I stopped modeling and didn’t really know what I wanted to do next. I was newly married and really didn’t know anyone besides my husband’s friends and family.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a writer, wellness coach, occasional photographer, passionate political activist and still modeling in my 60’s. I got back into modeling at age 50 after winning a contract with Wilhelmina Agency through the now-defunct More Magazine. I have written and published 2 books- the first was entitled It’s Hard Being Human and featured an intro by Michael Beckwith. My most recent one is called The Beauty of Aging and I’m at work on a 3rd one. I’m active on social media- FB for politics and Instagram for my modeling and writing on wellness, self-care and aging naturally.
I have a strong following on IG and proud to be an example of aging gracefully without cosmetic surgery especially in a town where so many go under the knife. I believe we should all do what we feel is right for us and I do not stand in judgement of what any woman or man chooses to do to feel good about themselves. I just try in my own small way to show a different way-a natural way where self-care starts from the inside first through meditation and self-love. I’m no fan of the word Influencer, but if I can support and encourage women to feel less invisible as they age and to love and embrace their aging process at every stage then I’m proud of that.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
This year and on into 2020 I’m actively involved in politics and a proud Bernie Sanders supporter which takes up a lot of my time. I’m working on my next book which will be a compilation of short essays, poetry and photography, some of me and some by me. I’m collaborating with several companies that represent products that reflect my views on aging and self-care and I’m looking to create a YouTube channel and series of short guided meditations. Apart from that, I will continue to travel and hopefully to some new places for some new adventures. Meanwhile, I love living in L.A. and spend as much as I can in Malibu or hiking in the hills.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.angelapaul.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Angela Paul
- Facebook: Angela Paul
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