We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deví Deauville a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Deví, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am extremely happy as an artist/creative. When I was about 18, I did have a corporate job just to feel out what it was like to have a bit more of a “normal lifestyle“. After about six months, I came to the conclusion that a an office job was not for me even if I was a manager or assistant manager. In a corporate environment, I was never given the flexibility to live out my destiny or anything close to it. I do still appreciate the corporate side of working, just not the juvenile politics and depressive environments that often come with investing in that side of life. I did turn to becoming an executive assistant for a few years in by late teens until I was 20 years old. It was a great job where my modeling life was highly respected, and I had the opportunity to choose my own hours. But modeling took over my life to a significant degree that I had no more room for any other job that required travel as well. I believe I will always have room for my career as an artist/creative, and I may have room for more serious business as well as long as I own it in the future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was originally a pageant girl from the age of 12 until about 15. I did some acting and modeling during those years and took about one year break. At around 16, I jumpstarted modeling again and would post my work on social media. Within no time, I started getting contacted and recognized by many brands and photographers that worked with other models of significant reputations. I always loved modeling and fashion and anything creative that can be captured with camera. With that passion and motivation for the art of modeling, things definitely weren’t going to slow down for me anytime soon. As I got older and more involved with the industry, the hours working became longer, and the distances traveled also became longer. But I was doing what I always loved, and I was living out a life I always wanted to have since I was five years old. What sets me apart from other models is definitely my character, professionalism, ideas, versatility, and the way I communicate with the opposite parties or whoever I’m working with. Many models can only do bikini concepts or lingerie concepts or tattoo girl concepts. I have never been a model who was just slammed into one or two categories. There’s a lot of potential in my appearance, just a great range.
I’m proud of all of the work I have done including all of the work that is yet to be released to the public. I’m really excited about the projects. I am currently working on regarding modeling and acting. I can’t wait for everyone to see!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I would say the biggest lesson I had to unlearn is 99% of what my parents taught me. I grew up in a very strict asian and religious household where being yourself is simply not something that’s accepted. You are taught how to walk, how to stand, how to talk, what to be, how to think, etc. Quite often, strict Asian/religious households are a bit tyrannical in nature. When I finally moved out at the age of 16, my mind was opened to the fact that I can actually be whoever I want to be and who ever I am truly meant to be. It was a beautiful experience breaking out of the shell and restrictive standards glued to me throughout my young life. The smartest thing you can do growing up is to question everything that is being handed to you. Ask yourself the important questions like “why?” and “for what purpose?” Even if you grow up in a peaceful and healthy household. Always strive to innovate your mentality – open your mind and cling to advanced wisdom.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have 1 million stories that can illustrate my resilience as it has somehow always been a part of my character. I guess one story that would have to be a bit summarized, is the story of how I continue to pursue freedom since childhood.
When I was about 8/9 years old, I started my first business in the farming industry. I continued to work in that industry for seven long years. The farming industry is extremely difficult, but quite rewarding in my experience. I was juggling school, gymnastics, Jiu-Jitsu competitions, public speaking competitions, club leadership positions, pageants, modeling, and much more – all with my farming work. Things became very difficult where I would end up working for five days straight with exactly zero sleep. I never had any time to sleep, but I felt I always had time to keep working. I always wanted to know what was out there in the world, and what it would be like to break free from my origins. I kept working and kept trying harder – I would attempt to motivate myself psychologically so I may find the hardships of life easier to deal with. I was doing all of these things and battling against my nuclear family, who definitely did not support my way of life at a young age. They wanted me to only do school, to not work, and to simply sit in the house until I was married off. That is the price you pay when you grow up in a strict ethnic household. Things obviously did not work out in my families favor, and I basically escaped at the age of 16. Nothing held me back from that point onwards. And it was all hard work for years on end, but it was all very much worth it..

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @devideauville
• Facebook: @devideauville
• Twitter: @devideauville