We recently connected with Marie P. Anderson and have shared our conversation below.

Marie P. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

When I called my father, a retired rocket scientist, to share my plan to write a book on how to become a model, he scoffed, “Who’s going to read what you have to say?” From his perspective, I was still the kid who struggled in school, rarely got A’s, acted out in class, and couldn’t sit still. (Only later did I learn I had dyslexia, ADHD, PTSD, and anxiety from early childhood trauma.)

That phone call changed my life. I was twenty-seven and tired of being dismissed. For the first time, I stood up to my father: “You believe what you believe, and I believe what I believe—and I’m going to get this done!” He fired back, “You’ve got your arms around a comet and stardust on your shoes, and you’re going nowhere, kid!” Undeterred, I dove in headfirst. Three years and thirty thousand dollars later, top-tier publishers published my first and second books worldwide in multiple languages. I even wrote, produced, and distributed a third book in audio form.

Sadly, my father passed away from cancer right before my first book was published. But I’m sure he watched from above—and realized just how wrong he had been. In truth, his doubt propelled me forward; his skepticism was the spark I needed to prove I could—and would—succeed.

Marie P. , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

What agent do you know who openly addresses mental health—both with their roster of models and with the public?

I was shaped by two very different but equally influential forces from an early age. My mother, a former model living with slightly managed schizophrenia, introduced me to the modeling world when I was just six. Meanwhile, my father—a retired NASA rocket scientist from the Apollo Moon Program—instilled the belief that, with the right team, anything is possible. This dual foundation set the stage for my eventual success in the global modeling industry.

Yet, woven into my childhood and early adulthood was the repeated experience of sexual misconduct by older children and adults. My struggles with substance abuse began at six, starting with sugar and evolving into cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs in my teens. In early adulthood – compulsive spending was an additional addiction. For a time, I believed these vices were my only form of survival.

Although I began therapy at age ten, it wasn’t until I achieved sobriety on February 1, 2004, that I fully understood the impact of trauma. This awakening fueled my determination to further advocate for models’ well-being. In those days, few—whether agents or Chicago journalists—paid attention to these issues, which might have been addressed long before the #MeToo movement. Still, I spoke out against industry injustices starting in 1990 and haven’t stopped since. The modeling industry remains largely unregulated, allowing a power imbalance that can lead to abuse—financial, verbal, sexual, or physical—inflicting deep, lasting scars.

I continually dedicate my energy to raising trauma awareness and offering insider guidance on self-advocacy, helping individuals navigate their entertainment careers and personal lives. In many cases, increased awareness and early intervention can help prevent suicides. As of 2025, I’ve lost 40 friends and colleagues—most connected to the industry. I have made two attempts, which gives me an intimate understanding of that desperate choice.

At this stage in my career, I’m working on my memoir (title TBD) to share a message of hope, courage, and perseverance. I also continue to provide one-on-one career coaching through my company, Boss Babe Models, for those who want honest direction and a personalized plan for success in entertainment. Clients pay for their private sessions, supporting my work in helping others succeed.

I’m proud to have survived childhood with my mother’s violent schizophrenia and chronic sexual abuse, endured domestic violence at sixteen—leading to homelessness at seventeen during my final semester of high school—and still graduated from CBHS in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I eventually moved to Chicago, where I became one of the world’s most respected modeling agents and authored three books—one featuring my discovery, Cindy Crawford, on the cover. Over thirteen years, I also built my multi-million-dollar agency, ARia Model and Talent, which I later sold to Ford Models New York. Throughout these turbulent experiences, I channeled every challenge into a passion for advocating for my models and anyone who would listen.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

Yes, and the business outcome was precisely what I had feared.

Over thirteen years, my growing team and I built ARia—an award-winning, multi-million-dollar model and talent agency in Chicago that earned worldwide respect. In 2003, the then-COO of Ford Models New York began courting me and my two partners to sell. I was firmly against it, given my experience with global modeling networks during my seven years at Elite Chicago. But my two business partners and staff pressured me until I reluctantly agreed, hoping my instincts were wrong and my ego could survive the transition.

Sadly, it turned out exactly as I anticipated. I inherited a vindictive group of Ford Chicago employees who became cancer in the newly merged company. Every promise the then COO had made to me was contradicted by actions that followed. Almost immediately, they pushed one of their own out for trivial reasons. Soon after the merger, I was fired from my own company and one of our most beloved and effective previous ARia agents was banished to Miami. The warmth and personalized culture I had fostered at ARia was erased, replaced by people whose egos overshadowed any concern for colleagues, models, or careers.

Although the sale of ARia brought me significant money, the price was far too high, professionally and personally.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Yes, it was one of the best decisions my initial business partner, Mary Boncher, and I made.

Even though ARia Model and Talent Management was already thriving, I saw that two of our divisions needed more nurturing and focused attention. I’d watched another agency, Suzanne’s A+, for some time. They had a stellar TV and film department and dominated the runway scene in Chicago. Throughout several social events, I chatted with the agency’s spirited owner, Suzanne Johnson, who eventually revealed she was ready to retire and was willing to sell. She believed her small staff and talented roster would transition smoothly under our guidance.

Suzanne, Mary, and I signed the papers within a few months, and everyone moved into our gorgeous 5,000-square-foot loft. As a result, ARia gained one of the market’s most substantial TV and film divisions and secured the most prestigious runway department in the Midwest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mariepanderson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/mariepandersonofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariepandersonagent
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariepanderson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marie+p.+anderson

Image Credits

Marie P. Anderson – Jennee Johnson