We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gloria Glow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gloria, appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
First dollar as a songwriter/singer was a live performance at a College Graduation: I remember when I was young I had always wanted to be in a band, several years later I found myself a lead singer of a band, in front of 4000 people for the first time ever, singing a song I wrote in 2021 just after my Father passed away. The song ‘Survivin’ is a reminder to keep pushing forward, even if the only thing we can do is keep ‘survivin’. What an amazing experience to have shared that song with so many people, truly, a great memory I’ll cherish forever.
For modelling, I believe my first paid job was for Toronto Fashion Week in 2017. It started my love of walking Fashion shows, which eventually lead into me walking for my dream designer, Celia Kritharioti, for the biggest Fashion Show in Greece in 2023.
My first paid acting jobs were for music videos, featuring in ‘BoyWithUke’s music video ‘Rockstar’, and in the Splyce record ‘Give It To Me’ featuring LB199X & Santos Silva. I LOVE filming music videos. I get to be surrounded by musicians, film crew, and sometimes other models all day. Energy on set is always so high and fun. Truly a great way to work and network.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Gloria Glow a Song Writer/Singer, Model, and Actress. I got scouted to model in Toronto, Canada in 2017. Peggi LePage has been my agent ever since that day. My modelling career pushed my to expand my comfort zone which ultimately lead into my moving to Los Angeles to studying Acting. Meanwhile my love of music went from playing piano, singing, and writing song everyday after school, to meeting mentors that developed my skills as a topliner. I spent everyday pushing myself to be 1% better everyday. Learn something new and never let pride hurt my growth as a creative. Taking criticism and having unlimited believe in myself, through my strength that comes from God, has lead me travelling all over the world for work including Milan, Athens, LA, Mexico City and more. Most of my days are spent writing lyrics, recording/editing vocals, going to casting for various modelling brands and filming auditions.
Now I’m working on networking to connect with producers and music supervisors that would benefit from a top liner like myself.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Having been a model for over 7 years now, I got a lot of content to post on a regular basis. Filming behind the scenes at photoshoots or in studios are a way to connect your veiwers with what going on back stage in your job. Giving insight and revealing ‘secrets’ about your industry is a good way to connect and draw in people that want to know more, especially about other countries, cultures, or interesting jobs. I believe everyone has something to offer others when we look at it as, “What tips/tricks/shortcuts/secrets could I teach others to increase engagement”.
Another way Ive got engagement is from multitasking, Ill use my modelling photos to show case my work, while using my records in the background. And use hashtags so people can easily find you based on your occupation and city like #SongwriterLA #ModelsinMilan
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being paid for something you would do for free. It’s honestly an amazing feeling! I grew up always having a strong connection to the arts, especially music and acting. My earliest memories are memorizing lyrics, singing and wanting to act. I would sing and play different instruments everyday as an outlet. I joined the competitive improv team in high school, and would watch comedy shows over and over, fascinated how these actors were able to totally become to their character. Now as an adult, I’m getting paid to do the things I love and there isn’t a better feeling.
But I would have to say the MOST rewarding part is fulfilling my vocation. My calling has always been to help people, and if I can do this with my skill sets and opportunity’s by writing positive and encouraging lyrics, connecting to listeners, or working my hardest to give other people any bit of inspiration. This is fulfillment. I feel an overwhelming amount of joy and gratitude to be in the position I’m in, to be able to create art, and to connect with people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriaglow?igsh=ZG5ydmtrd3ZvMXln&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M0zODOFO9_E
Image Credits
1.- 2. BoyWithUke Music Video 3. Image by @by.ikeer 4. Vassilis Zoulis designs for Athens Fashion Week and Beauté Magazine 5. Image by @Evafashionphotography for Vigour Magazine 6. Zakk Hartwig with Anthropology