Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madeline Adams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Madeline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve been modeling professionally for 6 years and lived in Boston for 5 of those years. Boston became home for me through college (attended Boston College) and most of best friends stayed in Boston after college to start their careers. I never planned to leave Boston, but I’m always looking to make the most out of every day and this life I’m given.

During the pandemic, I really narrowed my niche as a model down to swimwear and lingerie based on what best suited my body and assets.

Boston’s modeling market is tiny compared to New York, Miami and LA. It’s also the most conservative modeling market given the companies that are headquartered in Boston. For example, LL Bean frequently shoots jackets and boots campaigns.

This last year, I couldn’t help but feel I had outgrown Boston. I had completed all the goals I set for myself and didn’t feel like the agencies or work suited my potential. On the personal side of things, my best friends and mom were there and the Northeast/New England area had always been home. So, I wasn’t dying to leave the city and there was nothing I didn’t like about it. I was simply hoping that a change would be worth it for my modeling career. But there were no guarantees. I was torn.

I started planning to take the biggest risk yet. I sold everything I had and moved across the country alone. I had a few friends in LA but no best friends and no family. I took months to mentally and financially prepare but it still felt overwhelming, rapid and risky. I’m incredibly thankful that I do have a full time job and that was my one safety net because I could keep my same role while moving to LA.

I moved into a fully furnished studio and slowly built my network of friends and connections in modeling industry. There were plenty of nights that felt super lonely and with the 3 hour time difference, I couldn’t even call my mom or best friends when I needed them most. LA is expensive and the city is so large, it automatically makes you feel small.

I stayed true to my values and kept faith that everything would fall into place if I just remained laser focused. I’ve now booked several paid shoots, paid runway shows and just got signed by a new mother agency through my networking skills and hustle.

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

I’ve been a professional fashion model for the last 6 years. I previously modeled in Boston and now I live in LA. I’ve been represented by different agencies but I’m currently signed with Les Fleurs Management for my mother agency and Neil Jou for my booking agency.

I frequently walk in runway shows such as Miami Swim Week, LA Swim Week, London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and more. I’ve been featured in major campaigns, magazines and on e-commerce websites.

My niche is swimwear and lingerie but I do all things high fashion.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding part of modeling is helping other females navigate the ever confusing and cutthroat industry that is modeling. I’ve largely figured things out by myself. Despite being signed with different agencies, most (up until this point) haven’t booked me many jobs and weren’t hands on. This is all too common in the modeling world and there are few good agencies left.

So, I consider it my responsibility to bring other models along with me and guide them through their career. I also ask if I can bring another model with me or introduce my model friends to key connections I have. I think we have to help each instead seeing each other as competition.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had a mentor in my modeling career. As I mentioned, modeling agencies are largely in it for the money and they aren’t as active as they should be. I wish I had sought out another model and formerly asked her to be my mentor because I think that would’ve accelerated my modeling career quicker.

I don’t think models do this enough because we are intimated and modeling is competitive. There’s so much to learn and you can’t do it alone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindovermadeline
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindovermadeline

Image Credits

Ronnie Kibler
Ian Temple
John Grigsby
Josh Fogel
Ethan Ingram