Samantha Espinal, Model
Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Orlando Florida but moved up to Long Island, New York, when I was about two years old. I can say for certain that there really is nothing like living in New York. Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to do the next best thing; something that was always going to entertain me and I would never want to stop. I am a “people person” to this day, so I try to put myself out there as much as possible.
I remember being in middle school when Instagram started up; I wanted nothing more than to have constant photoshoots with my friends and post my favorite “super model” photos. We would hold photoshoots in the woods of my neighborhood, in front of my bedroom walls, and, once, even in the kitchen, where we just picked up random utensils and made a shoot out of it.
My parents would also tell you that I always loved to be in front of the camera. After years and years of self-expression through fashion - doing my makeup differently every time for a different shoot, and posing like no one was watching - I finally broke into freelance modeling. Eventually, I started my own business in event planning at just 23 years old. My love for fashion shows, entertaining, and bringing people together is what inspired me to launch Simply Together Events this past year. However, none of that would have happened if I hadn’t walked Couture Fashion Week in February 2018, right in the heart of Times Square. I remember being so nervous; my first look - at nineteen years old- was a thong bikini. I was extremely nervous to showcase myself in front of hundreds of people... but I did it, and my modeling career took off.
How has modeling impacted my life? What has been your favorite moment thus far? Most difficult moment?
I internally battle with the positives and negatives of modeling. Anyone can tell you, “you’re beautiful,” “you look just like a model,” “you’re tall enough for this,” but what they don’t is see the reality. You have to go through 100’s of no’s to finally get that 1 yes. Once you get it, it feels like the world is yours. There have been several times in which modeling has boosted my confidence as a woman. Those times, I felt comfortable in my skin, I knew how to have fun with the camera, and I gave it all I had. However, seeing your competition can change your mindset quickly. Sometimes I would question myself, asking, "Am I good enough for this industry,” "Do I still look as youthful as the upcoming generation who are now getting booked,” etc. I have learned to embrace everything that I have and to accept the things that I do get. It can be tough, but the ‘little victories’ make everything worth it. The feeling - whether of succeeding in a fashion show or finishing an eight-hour day of shooting seeing the results - it has made the whole experience very rewarding in my life.
My favorite moment, however, has to be when I walked for The New York Student Fashion Show 2021 at the famous Spring Studio with One Management and designer Xiaowu Zheng. Even knowing that I was walking the same floor as Bella Hadid and Joan Smalls once did was a dream of its own, as getting the opportunity to walk in Spring Studios. I got my hair and makeup done in the same room as several famous models, I made some amazing friends that I still talk to today, and I got to walk that runway.
My most difficult moment was actually my first modeling gig ever; my first fashion show ever at Couture Fashion Week 2018 in Manhattan. I remember just as I was getting ready to walk, I became extremely bloated. Now mind you, I hadn’t eaten anything the entire day, thinking that it would keep my stomach flat. This was wrong; I ended up bloated just as I was lining up. I was trying so hard to suck it in, but it hurt. One of the women - whose job was to line the models up - came over to me and said, “How are you going to go out there like that? We can’t have you walking out there looking fat, suck your stomach in.” I actually laughed to myself because I had been told before that this was how the industry is, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. I still went out, tried my best to suck it in, gave up, and rocked the walk anyways. The great part of that was that the designer I walked for was so kind, loving, and understanding. She was just happy that her show went smoothly; and, at the end of the day, that is all that matters.
What is a goal you hope to achieve in modeling?
As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, my work slowed down. I was extremely upset because I felt like I was losing so much experience and opportunities (as did many others). I remember that I was booked and ready to shoot with Nike, which was going to be one of my biggest shoots yet… and the pandemic hit New York just two days after I signed my contract. As things are slowly getting back to normal, work is also slowly starting to come back, which I am so grateful for. My biggest goal - which I know that I will achieve one day- would be to be featured on a billboard in Times Square, modeling for a big name clothing brand.
How do you want to impact people?
I know that I am neither the thinnest model nor the curviest. I definitely have hips and a little stomach; one way in which I want to impact people is to show them that even an “average” girl can model. I hope that realization makes people feel beautiful and comfortable in themselves and their body. There is no worse feeling than feeling uncomfortable in your own skin or hating the way you look and feel. I hope that the more I can showcase my “real self” through social media, as well as my “fun self” through photoshoots and shows, others will see that they are beautiful in every way.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Stop comparing yourself to others. Someone is always going to have something better than you. What matters is what you have, what can you bring to the table. Your own uniqueness is what makes the world itself unique; showcase that, be proud of it, and never for one moment think twice about yourself. □
Article Credits
Instagram: @sammespinal
Model Portfolio: www.smespinal.wix.com/sespinal
Pinterest: Samantha Espinal
