Female Model of the Month for June 2013!

It might be difficult to truly believe Cassidy Anderson’s (StarCentral Magazine’s Female Model of the Month for June 2013) Caucasian descent when one sees her as her modeling persona, ‘Cassidy La Crème.’ So successful is her transformation that she is also an impressive Marilyn Monroe impersonator!  Inspired by the look of the 1920’s to 1950’s, the 25-year old Australian specializes in this style of female glamour.  Currently studying Music Performance, Cassidy is also quite a talented singer!

Photo by: Felicia Quah

How were you actually ‘discovered’ ?  Chance encounter on the street?  Audition?

I have always been in awe of the women of the 1920s to 1950s and wanted to pay homage to their style and grace through my own vintage glamour photo shoots. For the last couple of years I have been producing my own shoots using both my real name Cassidy Anderson and my vintage glamour modelling name ‘Cassidy La Creme’, engaging talented photographers, and occasionally make-up artists, to join me in creating my visions. I will often produce, conceptualise and style my own shoots taking care of all aspects from hair, make up, costuming, prop making and styling to concept design, set design, and sometimes editing. Since I began doing this, the response from the public and my peers has been so humbling and it has been so beautiful to see people enjoying the work I am creating. Since I started, my work has been featured on websites and in online and printed pinup/vintage glamour magazines and I was fortunate enough to score the Cover Image for the 2013 Annual PinUp Kittens Magazine that will be released in the coming months.

What do you like most about modelling?

I love all aspects of modeling. It is definitely not a job, it’s a passion of mine and I am constantly hungry to create more, and to push my own limits and the boundaries of photography. I love every minute of behind the scenes preparation for the shoot, sewing costumes, designing hairstyles and hunting down props and then when it comes to shoot day, although sometimes a little stressful, to me it is heavenly! I am always surprised by how quickly time passes during shoots. One day when I did an amazing photo shoot with the very talented Felicia Quah, we slammed out 6 themes in one 10-hour marathon shoot, barely stopping to drink or eat as we were just so engaged in what we were doing!

Photo by: Valerie Pym

Downside to being a model?

The main downside to modeling can definitely be the damage it can do to a female’s self-esteem and their perception of their body image. For years I was far too self-conscious to go to castings or to put myself out there because I am ‘curvy’ and I was always criticised for not having a model’s body which often left me depressed, but once I started doing things my own way and not conforming to the ‘norm’, I found a whole new love and respect for myself and my body. My curves are one of my most complimented features from my shoots and people always say they like to see someone with a womanly figure modeling for a change. It has become my mission to continue promoting a healthy body image through my shoots and to make the most of the body I have been given!

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?

The most memorable experience of my career so far as a model would have to be the first time I was contacted by someone in America for an autographed photo. I was so excited to know that my work had reached the other side of the globe and had touched someone enough to have them request an autographed copy of my work. I have been blessed to have this happen many times since, from various countries, but definitely that first time will always hold a special place in my heart. My most memorable experience of my entire career so far would have to be being nominated for a music award in Singapore for the Malay industry for my Malay YouTube covers 😀

Photo by: Qashrul Hidafi

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

As a singer, entertainer, photographic model and promotional model, the job goes hand in hand with meeting interesting people on an almost daily basis. Every single one of them has something that you can learn from them and the potential to inspire you. One of the most interesting people would definitely be one of my favourite photographers to work with, Qashrul Hidafi. We worked together on numerous shoots in Singapore and his work is just captivating. He has the ability to make a photo shoot look like a scene from a feature film and is so passionate about what he does. On top of his photography work he is also studying to be a scientist at university and comes from a family of many cultures. He has set the bar high for me for photographer’s standards in professionalism as he is always a dream to work with.

I have also had the opportunity to meet many celebrities, radio and television presenters and other personalities in previous years and it’s always surreal when occasionally one will mention they have seen my work.

I’m guessing you’ve been in the modelling industry for a few years now, what has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned. This can be about the industry or about yourself.  Or both!

The top things modelling have taught me are the following;

– If you don’t feel a little silly or dramatic, then you aren’t doing it right. Hesitation and reservation always shows in photographs. Play a character! Escape into your own world in front of the camera!

– Be reliable and go the extra mile. All too often I hear photographers telling tales of girls not showing up, or coming unprepared. I always arrive to a shoot with a suitcase full of wardrobe and prop options with poses pre-planned in my head and I try to pre-plan any issues that could arise and bring solutions for them. 95% of the things I bring won’t get used, but it’s better to have options than to be limited.

Photo by: Felicia Quah

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

My family and life experience keep me humble. There is always someone out there better than you, prettier than you, skinnier than you or more talented than you. I think staying grounded is about staying true to yourself and learning the lessons that both success and failure present you with if you are willing to pay attention to them. We are in a fickle industry where one minute you are up, the next minute it comes crashing down, so really, for me, it’s all about gratitude for the opportunities I do receive and savouring each moment as it comes. Not everyone is going to like the way you look, as human beings we all find different qualities attractive, and so I try to create images that I am happy with and enjoy looking at and then hope others will enjoy them too.

Is your family supportive of your career?

My family are so incredibly supportive of my career. I owe the wonderful life I have lead thus far to them. My family is so inspirational to me, my father is a stuntman, my mother is a singer/sculptor and my brother is a bass player. My family understand the ins and outs of the entertainment industry and are always encouraging me to do what I love and pushing me to pick myself up and keep pushing forward whenever I get knocked down. I am so truly blessed to have them in my life.

What are your future plans?  Inside your career or out of it.

My future plans are to continue doing what I love to do… entertain and create. My singing and modelling career tend to go hand in hand with each other and I hope to continue trying to create works that I am proud of and will hopefully allow me to further broaden both my following and in the process open up new work opportunities which will allow me to take my work to the next level and be widely recognised for it.

‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

What is the one beauty product you can’t live without?

False Eyelashes! I feel naked without them!

What is the most dramatic thing you’ve ever done to change your looks?

Turning myself into a zombie for my ‘The Zombie Cafe’ shoot w/ Qashrul Hidafi! Contacts, black contouring, toilet paper mache on my skin to create the wounds. So much fun!

What is in your makeup bag when you travel?

Bags!? 😛 I am great at travelling light except for my hair & makeup tools! My brush roll, foundation, primer, concealer, endless options of lipstick, eyeshadows and nice a big fat supply of false lashes!

What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself?

I always used to see my pale skin as a flaw and was often teased for it during my school years, but with age I have grown to love my skin tone and wouldn’t change it for the world!

Your best guilty pleasure… Creamy Brie Cheese with Cabernet Paste on sesame crackers…. (drools!)

Official website: www.cassidyandersonofficial.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CassidyAndersonMusic

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/cassidyeanderson