Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Vlasaty.
Hi Maggie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I remember asking my parents (more like begging) to become a model and an actor. It was a very consistent plea from me, but growing up in a very small town far from any major city, it was unrealistic at the time to attempt to pursue something like that. When I eventually graduated high school and moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota, I was scouted here and there for modeling, but had instilled in my mind that it was unlikely for me to find success in it.
Eventually in 2020, after having been furloughed from my jobs, I decided to act on the idea I had had in my mind since I was four years old. I was first signed with Wehmann in late 2020, then Privileged Model Management in January of 2021, and Liz J Models shortly after that. Since signing with these agencies, my confidence has skyrocketed and I’ve been booking shoots, runway shows, commercials, print jobs, and much more. I am so thankful for my journey and its beginning, and I’m glad I never gave up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. The ‘ideal model body type’ is a consistent visual in my mind, and I am reminding myself often that I am healthy and active and just fine the way I am now. Body image is something I have struggled with my whole life, which is why I was a bit hesitant to really act on my first scouting calls in early college.
My mindset has been ever-shifting from negative to positive. I really train my mind to exit its negative spirals, but from time to time I do feel overpowered by a sense of comparison and envy in this industry. It’s a consistent struggle that I think many of us face; we aren’t taught how to cope with it. Training your mind to love yourself is something you, for the most part, need to do on your own.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My modeling is really all over the place. I find that I specialize in editorial and serious work, which mostly relates to print and runway. Nonetheless, I do find myself in many commercial and lifestyle jobs thanks to the hard work of my agencies.
I was once told my face was too sharp and serious for commercial work and, at the time, that was very painful to hear. It was especially painful as Minneapolis is well-known to be a majority lifestyle and commercial jobs. Over time, I have come to realize that it was not a dig to my features at all, but instead is a recognition that I can use to my advantage to learn my angles and apply myself more knowledgeably towards future roles.
One thing that I think sets me apart from other models of my experience level is that, for my full-time job outside of modeling, I find myself directing and producing quite a bit. This means I have experience on both sides of the camera, and it has proven to be very helpful as a model. I am able to relate closely to my directors and really understand their requests from me on set.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, but a few examples of luck come to mind. I’m lucky to have an employer that is so understanding and supportive of my modeling. I am able to pursue a passion of mine during work, which others don’t often have the privilege of doing. I am lucky to have a supportive fiance, with modeling and any other endeavor I find myself on. I am lucky to have had the motivation to enter the modeling industry when I did – if I would have tried even 10 years ago I’m not sure my body type would have been accepted as openly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggievelocity/
Image Credits:
Spotlight image by Joe Dammel
