21 Questions with Angela Lin

By Staff Writers Megha Vashist & Fiona Yang

 

SS: Can you give a brief introduction about yourself?

AL: “My name is Angela. I’m 14, and I do modeling.”

 

SS: How did you begin modeling, and who/what were your biggest inspirations?

AL: “I first started modeling when I was eight, and my mom signed me up for classes because I had bad posture. She started pushing me to go every week, and after that, I got into modeling.”

 

SS: What type of modeling do you typically do?

AL: “I do on stage, runway, and photoshoots.”

 

SS: Can you name some achievements that you are most proud of and explain them?

AL: “My top achievement was definitely when I went to Italy for the Milan Fashion Week because that’s a pretty big deal. I’ve also [participated in] a lot of competitions in China where I’ve gotten first place.”

 

SS: What were some of your favorite memories modeling and why?

AL: “Probably going to China because I get to meet a lot of new people. The place I go for modeling, they’re really supportive … My first actual memory of modeling was when I went to the New York Fashion week. I was like maybe 10, and it was a fun experience because I was so young, and when I look back at the pictures, it’s nice.”

 

SS: How do you balance school, especially since MSJ is known for its academic rigor, with your extracurricular activities?

AL: “Sometimes I make to-do lists on my phone … I don’t really take modeling classes here. I do it when I’m in China, so it doesn’t take much time.”

 

SS: How do you prepare, both mentally and physically, to meet with and walk for top designers?

AL: “Well before I was pretty nervous, and then I got used to it, so I’m not nervous anymore.”

 

SS: What were some initial setbacks you had in your modeling journey?

AL: “It was definitely the actual walking part because you have to focus a lot on everything in your body.”

 

SS: How do you navigate the pressure of social media and public image in the modeling industry?

AL: “I don’t really care about that stuff.”

 

SS: How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback, especially as audiences can be really harsh with regards to physical appearances and specific actions?

AL: “Well actually, I got hated on before on this one post, but I just ignore it and take [criticism] as something I can use to be better.”

 

SS: How do you maintain a healthy mental state under pressure of outside perception and high industry standards?

AL: “I ignore it and try to go on [with my] life. Sometimes it’s too harsh, and I take a step back.”

 

SS: What is something people misunderstand about modeling that you wish more people knew?

AL: “How hard it actually is because some people just think ‘Oh it’s just walking on a stage, that’s so easy.’ But you actually have to think a lot about [your posture] and how you position your feet. You also have to take a lot of classes. When I go to China, I take classes nonstop all day.”

 

SS: How do you maintain your personal image/aesthetic/individuality while modeling?

AL: “The makeup definitely does me a lot better. But before I go on, I think about how if people hate on me, I would think they’re jealous. Maybe I don’t really care.”

 

SS: What is the most rewarding part of modeling?

AL: “Definitely finding out you did good in the competition. Maybe I think I did bad, but during the awards, I got a good score.”

 

SS: How do you hope your modeling career helps other people, whether by inspiring others or having another impact?

AL: “To make people feel more confident. It definitely helped me be more confident because before I was super shy.”

 

SS: How do you believe your modeling skills have evolved over time?

AL: “I think I’ve improved a lot ever since I started going to China because the teachers in China, they’re really strict about everything.”

 

SS: What have you learned throughout your modeling career?

AL: “[I’ve learned] confidence.”

 

SS: What is an aspect you want to improve on in your modeling portfolio?

AL: “More confidence. Sometimes people tell me ‘This is so good’ but I’m really harsh on myself, and I think anything I do isn’t good.”

 

SS: You’re also a dancer; do you think this experience helped you in modeling?

AL: “I used to have bad posture, but dance definitely helped me. It also helped me because dance is on stage, and it helped me get rid of stage fright.”

 

SS: If there is one piece of advice you would give to someone interested in modeling, what would it be?

AL: “Don’t be afraid to show who you are.”

 

SS: Where do you see your career going, and what are your long-term goals in the industry?

AL: “At my dance studio, I grew up there, so there’s a lot of kids surrounding me, and all of them really like me. I’ve grown to really like [the] kids. I really want to open a daycare.”