Check out our interview with stunning Los Angeles model, host, dancer and fashion blogger Paige Lorentzen.
Follow Paige @paigelorentzen
Hi Paige, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! My name is Paige Lorentzen and I am a model, host, and fashion blogger from Los Angeles. I grew up in Southern California and was a ballet dancer for 19 years. I ended up having to give it up due to injuries which opened the door to modeling for me. I have now attended New York Fashion Week, had 2 spreads in Vogue Magazine, and have traveled to 13 different countries. I have such a love for fashion and travel that it has been a dream to combine my two worlds.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Driven, Caring, and Optimistic
Who is your role model?
My Nonna (Grandmother) & Babbo (Grandfather). They both have inspired me in so many ways. My grandmother inspired my love of the arts, Europe, & fashion. My grandfather inspired my drive and entrepreneurial spirit. If anyone in my life could meet someone from my past it would be them.
What is the best and worst part of being a model?
The best part is getting to meet new people. Everytime I’m on set I feel like I learn something new from the people I meet. Getting to be surrounded by so many talented people, from all different backgrounds, that are equally as passionate about their work is unlike anything else.
The worst part about being a model is that it is very hard to be taken seriously. Outside of the modeling world there is a stereotype I have run into frequently. Society likes to put us in boxes. For whatever reason we look at someone and think they couldn’t look a certain way and have intelligence; it’s either/or. I grew up in a very academic family and even at holidays/family events it’s hard for me to be taken seriously due to my job title. With social media I have tried to speak out on global issues that I feel strongly about and majority of the time I receive messages telling me to go back to what I do best; which is just being pretty/keeping my mouth shut. I just think it’s important that no matter how somebody looks or what their job title is, we all value each other for more than physical appearance.
How and when did you start into modeling?
I ended up starting modeling almost by accident. I was a ballet dancer my whole life and the dream was always to join a company. I attended college for dance but after many injuries it just became too hard on my body. My roommate in the dorms was a photography major and asked to use me as a model for some of her projects. I had never thought of modeling as being a career path for me partially because of my height and partially because I went to high school with a couple girls that had been doing it from the time they were young. This was right around the time Instagram was starting to become popular so I would post the images she took of me on my page. My following slowly started to grow from there and girls would ask me where I got specific clothing items so I started to tag the brands in my images. One day a photographer that worked for a smaller lifestyle brand reached out and asked if I would be interested in modeling for their line. Then it became a snowball effect and I had brands reaching out to me more consistently. As soon as I started taking it more seriously I wrote down a list of goals which included having my image on a store website, model for a specific brand, be in a magazine, do a studio shoot, and so forth. Looking back on it, those seem like such small goals now but back then they felt so out of reach to me. I am incredibly grateful for every single brand, photographer, and creative that has ever taken a chance on me. I am still an unrepresented model and book all of my work through Instagram so I mainly use my platform as a portfolio to get work. I promise that if you put your mind to it you can achieve so much more than you could ever imagine.
Do you ever get nervous?
I get more of the nervous excitement feeling however; I have absolutely been nervous before. This tends to happen when I put a lot of pressure on myself.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Lessons. I have had many “failures” in my life and I’m sure I will experience many more. I think this is the best way to learn and grow. It’s incredibly humbling and really grounds you. Sometimes we need that wake up call though. I don’t know that I entirely believe in failure because without being at your lowest a couple times you can’t appreciate the highs. I think the only way you can truly fail is if you don’t take away even one lesson from a mistake.
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
Feeling comfortable in your own skin!!! Internal confidence exudes through imagery. I know if I don’t feel confident in myself or am feeling self conscious it will read on camera. I love when there is music on set (maybe because I was a dancer my whole life) because it just puts me in a great mentality.
What’s your advice for the newer models?
1. Everyone will have opinions. Don’t take it to heart. More people will see your value and
worth than those that don’t.
2. Safety Tip: Always tell a friend or family member where you are going when you are
going to a shoot. Following up on that if a photographer or brand wants you to wear clothing that isn’t authentic/comfortable to you feel ok saying no. At the end of the day your face if your brand and images last a lifetime on the internet. This won’t be the last job you book so feel comfortable walking away from the situation.
3. Do test shoots with reputable photographers. This will help you gain experience, learn your angles, and expand your portfolio.
Now tell us about your work as an influencer and what kind of brands you normally work with?
I love working with beauty, hair, fashion, and skincare brands. I try to only take brand deals with companies I’m a genuine consumer of. I am pretty picky with doing ads so that my audience knows if I’m promoting something it’s 100% authentic.
How often do you post content?
Daily!
Any bucket list of brands or other influencers that you want to work with?
Dior! When I was 8 years old my grandmother took me to Paris for the first time and bought me a pink Dior dress my mom kept to this day. From that moment on I have always had a love for the brand because it has such sentimental value to me.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful site/social media channels?
Being authentically yourself/providing value/building a community. Go through all of the accounts you are following (that you have never personally met) and ask yourself “why do I follow this account”? 9 times out of 10 your answer will be, because the account brings me inspiration, motivation, value, or authenticity. If you implement one or more of these into your own personal content you will see success.
You are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encouraging people to follow their dreams?
I like to think of my social media as one big family instead of me having the pressure to be a role model across multiple platforms. I want to be the best friend or big sister that’s there for those that are following along my journey. I think sometimes I forget how many eyes there are on me. I had a moment when I went to a concert at the Rose Bowl and the announcer said “the stadium is sold out! We have 90,988 people in attendance”. Looking around at how many people that actually was was an eye opener for me. I do think twice about everything I post online but I also like to be real and authentic without everything seeming 100% perfect all the time.
How do you manage all the social success you have and the part that everyone is looking to you all the time?
I think because I have been doing it for so long now it doesn’t feel like my life has changed in any way. I can still walk down the street and nobody recognizes me. I share bits and pieces of my life online but it is mostly work related. I try to keep my personal and family life very separate. I think there is value in some privacy and makes those moments that aren’t shared with the world feel more special.
Tell us about your Travel IG account and can you share some tips or places to visit?
My travel IG account is actually the account I have a lot more fun with. I feel like I have the liberty to post about anything I want to without any pressure. I have traveled to 13 countries but my heart belongs to Paris. I would absolutely love to live abroad in Europe for a couple months just for fun. If you haven’t been to Europe I highly recommend it!
What places/countries are in your bucket list to visit and why?
I would love to visit Greece, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Peru, Japan….the list goes on. A part of me just loves experiencing new places and new cultures. There is something fun about being in a new country you’ve never been to before and experiencing a whole different world.
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friend would probably describe me as being bubbly, loyal, outgoing, and the mom of the friend group. There is an ongoing joke where my friends tell me I remind them of a golden retriever or a bunny. Take from that what you want but that is probably how they would describe me haha.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
7 Habits for Highly Effective People.
Any advice to other influencers/entrepreneurs?
I think it’s important to remember that nobody is ever an overnight success. We see so many people at their high point and think, wow they achieved so much in such a short amount of time. What we didn’t see were the years of persistence, mistakes, and little wins along the way. Don’t doubt yourself if something doesn’t take off in the time frame that you expect it to. Great things take time and just because it’s happening for somebody else now doesn’t mean it won’t happen for you later.
What’s next for Paige Lorentzen in 2021?
In 2021 I would love to just travel again. I think after 2020 that was one of the things I missed most. I also worked on a show called Staycation that just won its first Emmy so that was incredible to be a part of. Hoping for a second next season. Finally, just to start doing shoots more consistently again. Due to covid everything shut down so it feels really good to be back on set doing what I love to do.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Green smoothies & anything with avocado! The avocado quinoa superfood salad at Mendocino Farms is a favorite of mine!
And your favorite cheat food?
Any baked good or pizza! Can never go wrong with pizza and a chocolate dessert.
How would you explain your fashion style?
I would say my fashion style is always evolving. The best way I could describe my personal style is Californian fashion with European influence. I am most inspired by elegant Parisian style but grew up in Southern California so there is a hint of both places in my wardrobe.
Who is your biggest style inspiration?
Princess Diana! She is someone I would have loved to have dinner with if I could. She was a royal princess and would wear jeans with a crew neck one day, then look elegant in British couture the next. Diana had a style that I look to all the time for inspiration. It was that mix of classic casual meets polished European fashion. I also just think she was someone that was undeniably herself and that read through her wardrobe.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Getting to wake up every day doing what you love to do for a living, being surrounded by people you love, and making a difference on this planet in some way shape or form.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Princess Diana for the reasons above 🙂
She cared about people, this planet, led with grace/humility, and still was undeniably her fun adventurous self.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
A month long Europe trip with all of the people I love!
Best advice ever given?
When nothing is certain anything is possible.
Do you support any charity?
I do! I’m actually the Chief Marketing Officer for a new non profit called Relief Pal. We recently sent oxygen to India to help out with the covid crisis and will be having many give-back events across the country to help support different causes.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Wake up, Alfreds Coffee, Hike, and Farmers Market!
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
I’m pretty easy going so there aren’t many absolute deal breakers for me on the first date but if he brings up his ex a lot that’s definitely a red flag. Honestly just a guy that has recently gotten out of a relationship in general. Just because they probably aren’t emotionally ready for a new commitment. I think another one would be if he likes to party a lot. I don’t personally drink so if they are very into nightlife then I just don’t see our lifestyles as being compatible. I never leave things on bad terms though and even if I don’t click with someone on a first or second date I usually get a friend out of it.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
5 years from now I would love to have my own clothing line, have won an Emmy personally, had a couple more editorial campaigns, see Relief Pal expand significantly on a global level, and have bought a house of my own. I will have to check back on this interview in 5 years to see how many of those goals I can check off.
Favorite song? Why?
I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite so I just have to say any song that brings up a memory from a significant time or place.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is a blessing and a curse. It has helped me to build a career so I can be nothing but grateful for it. However; I do think it has contributed to this pressure to be perfect. I have even fallen into the trap of comparison and thinking I’m not doing enough. It is so easy to compare your life to somebody else’s but it’s so important to remember social media is a highlight reel. We share our proudest moments and rarely share our lows. It’s important to have social media detoxes from time to time to just reset.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
This question made me laugh!!
The best was this guy that put together a whole video talking about the pros and cons of dating him and why we would make a great couple. It was actually really well done and super hilarious. I have to give him credit!
The worst is probably just overused pickup lines such as “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven” or weird compliments about my feet.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram Modeling Account: @paigelorentzen
Travel/Lifestyle Account: @mypassportstyle
Tik Tok: @paigelorentzen
Book: You are a Badass
Quote: Dream without fear & love without limits Movie: The Notebook
Tv Series: Friends or Gossip Girl Favorite Food: Italian
Travel Destination: Paris
Sports Team: LA Dodgers & USC Football (My parents always took my brother and I to games from the time we were young so I have to stay loyal to my LA teams)
