Meet Ashten Barnes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashten Barnes.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I was an active kid who aspired to be great. I was always involved in a variety of activities. I was an athletic individual running track and playing football. Off the field, I was outgoing, energetic, and someone with an optimistic mind. It is important to me to always put my best foot forward. I always loved helping people. My goal is to inspire others to become their best selves while living a genuine, happy, and authentic lifestyle.

I started modeling while I was in high school taking photos here and there for fun with some of my friends in prep for senior photos. Everyone knows you gotta have the freshest senior photos! At the time, I did have other interests such as personal training because I was heavily involved in football. At that point, football carried me to landing a scholarship at Marian University in Indiana.

While in college, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing Indianapolis photographer, Al Bracken. He gave me a glimpse of what the photographer/modeling industry was like. He captured fire portraits and reached out to agencies in Los Angeles and New York on my behalf.  This is where modeling took its next step. Not long after, I traveled to New York for a visit and signing to Wilhelmina, Miami for my first booking, and followed with a trip of a lifetime to LA. Meanwhile, I was still in college and athletics and my next challenge coming home was to decide between school and sports or becoming a professional model. My biggest fear was to live an ordinary life that I knew I did not have a calling for. Although my family was dismayed by my ultimate decision, I decided to follow a path to pursue my modeling career.

In preparation of moving here, I was a part-time server in Indianapolis and eventually had enough savings. Once I was ready, I moved here traveling by U-HAUL 36 hours across country. Little did I know, my LA dreams were going to be challenged. For a short period of time, I went through a difficult time trying to find places to live which forced me to rent out AIRBNBS and living in cars. Fortunately, I’ve built a fast supporting community which lead me to crash at my great friend Layla’s hair salon while searching for an apartment.  This was a wakeup call to what the Cali lifestyle really entailed behind its glitz and glamour.  Ultimately, I knew I had to work hard and build an even greater mindset because nothing was going to come easy nor handed to me. A short time later, I finally landed an apartment which was an important foundation. After gaining momentum in the city, I found my current mother agent, William Thomas. He introduced and signed me to one of the biggest agencies in Los Angeles, LAMODELS in July of 2018. I’ve now had an opportunity to work with some of the most established brands in the industry including Crocs, Fabletics, Reebok, Samsung, Descente Korea, Men’s Warehouse, and many more.

Now, I am also working to expand my professional career in acting. I am excited with what the future has to offer. I have grown to love LA and the hustle that is required to be here. It taught me many things and it’s given me opportunity to meet several amazing people along the way.  I’ve now met many long-life friends, one including Francis King, a fellow content creator and many more. This experience has strengthened my core values and given me resilience. Turning what used to be just a dream into reality, I am thrilled to continue this path for myself, the next chapter, and sharing my story with others that anything can happen for them as well!

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a professional model represented by LA Models working with clients such as Fabletics, Crocs, Men’s warehouse, Samsung, etc. I’m most proud of being able to inspire people to be confident with themselves to be happy and grateful with what they have. Everything can be taken from you in a blink of an eye. I feel that my overall personality, attitude, and driven mindset sets me apart from others and I’ve learned that finding those you can trust and lean on can be key to building a healthy and happy foundation.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I absolutely love LA. There are so many opportunities and not just for money but for your overall lifestyle such as hiking, snowboarding, going to the beach, etc. but as a model or someone in the entertainment industry, it is imperative to be either here in LA or NY for your career to fully blossom to its full potential!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ashtenbarnes

Image Credit:
Keenan Reed (@keenanreedarts), Jeremy David (@jeremydavidcreative), James Gardner (@thejamescreative), Arrun Dunworth (@arrundunworth, George (@Desintoniopacheco)

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