Check out our interview with stunning and very popular Australian supermodel and Influencer Gabby Epstein who has over 2.6M followers on IG and has made her model career her living despite the fact that she used to be a national swimming champion in Australia and also holds a Biomedical Science degree from Bond University in Australia.
Follow Gabby @gabbyepstein
Hi Gabby, please tell us a little about you?
I was born on the Gold Coast, Australia and have two younger sisters. I grew up playing sport, spending time at the beach with my family, camping and most of my childhood was spent outdoors.
I started competitive swimming at a very young age and was state and national champion during my teen years and it was always my dream to compete at the Olympics.
Unfortunately I tore my rotator cuff any 17 which out an end to that dream. After receiving an academic scholarship to study Biomedical Science straight out out high school I began modelling as a way to earn extra money (as I was currently working as a cashier supermarket at 17 and the only reason I started modelling is that I found out I could make much more money that way!)
During that time Instagram and social media started taking off and I think I was just lucky to be one of the first ones to acquire a big following on Instagram. I quickly started getting opportunities to travel for modelling and social media jobs and began living in between Australia and LA for a few years before moving to LA full time in 2019.
I’ve been a full-time model and content creator for the past 6 years and work with some of the biggest fashion and beauty brands in the world. I adopted my dog River in 2020 (he was rescued from the dog meat trade in Korea) and he’s my whole world! I love traveling (which has obviously been more difficult since covid), spending time outdoors, road trips and I would love to have an animal rescue ranch one day.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, determined, adventurous
Name one your strengths?
Discipline.
Best advice ever given?
You’ll always regret what you didn’t do rather than what you did.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My family! We are all incredibly close and it’s very hard living on the opposite side of the world
How and when did you start into modeling?
I started modelling as a way to earn extra money while I was studying at university at 18. I definitely didn’t have a passion for it or have ay dreams of being a full-time model, but I definitely don’t have any regrets.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
It’s amazing getting to travel so many incredible places and I have met so many interesting people from all over the world and made life-long friends. The cons are that you don’t always love how you end up looking and the clothes you’re wearing and those photos are out there forever. I’ve worked with a few rude clients who have made negative comments about my body over the years but fortunately I don’t have any modelling horror stories.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
I learnt how to be accountable and take responsibility for my own mistakes. I also learnt that its incredibly important to be flexible and adaptable and its all a learning experience for the future!
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
Confidence! and if you don’t feel confident just fake it until you make it!
What’s your advice for the newer models and influencers?
Be authentic, don’t change your morals and values for anyone to anything and when it comes to social media be consistent and find your niche!
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Hard work will always outweigh talent and its so important to have a reliable support system around you who truly have your best interests at heart.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful IG account?
Consistency and being authentic!
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
I mean iI’ve probably seen it all but one that stands out is that someone got my face tattooed on their arm and sent me a photo and said that since we’re together 24/7 that I should let him take me to dinner.
Now with the Olympics on TV, tell us about your experience as a national swimming champion in Australia and if being part of the Olympic team crossed your mind at some point in life?
Absolutely! I watching every Olympic Games with my family and wanting nothing more than to represent my country! My mom and uncle (her brother) were incredible swimmers and my uncle on my dads side was a Paralympic Gold medalist for weightlifting so we definitely were a very competitive and sport-orientated family.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
What actor/actress/model do you admire the most, and why?
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She’s turned an incredibly successful modelling career into an amazing beauty brand and is the epitome of elegance, glass and is very family-oriented.
What’s next for Gabby Epstein in 2021?
That depends on COVID honestly, I’m supposed to be acting for the first time in a movie later this year but its going to be filmed in Norway so hopefully travel restrictions don’t change before then.
I’m also working on some designs for a new apparel brand so stay tuned for that!
Which project is still on your bucket list?
I love animals and would love to find a way to use my social following to advocate for animal rescue!
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
Honestly it changes all the time but I would love to be living on a ranch and working as an animal rescue advocate.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Avocados! I could eat avocado toast all day
And your favorite cheat food?
Pad Thai!!
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is living a meaningful life in both my work and personal life. Being proud of the work I do, being able to live comfortably, yet still have enough free-time to enjoy the wonders of the world with my family, friends and pets that I love most.
How would your best friend describe you?
I think she would describe me as a very loyal and honest friend, and someone who would do anything for my friends!
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
Rosie Huntington Whitely
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
My fashion style is very laid back, simple and what makes me feel comfortable. I love basic and staple pieces and pairing them with different accessories. The items I couldn’t live without is my sneaker collection!
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
David Attenborough – I’ve watched all of his documentaries and he has my dream job!
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Renting a huge house on the beaches of Hawaii with all of my family and friends!
What do you like to watch on Tv?
My favorite shows are The Office, FRIENDS, New Girl & Ted Lasso
What music do you like?
Hip hop, country & R&B
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sleeping in, a big breakfast with GREAT coffee, and spending the day at the beach with my friends and dog.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @gabbyepstein
TikTok: @gabbyepstein1
Quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” ⁃ Wayne Gretzky
Holiday Destination: Hawaii & Greece
Drink: Tequila
Celebrity Crush: Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively (yes both of them)
Favorite song? Why?
Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart. I have great memories of my parents playing it when I was a kid and looking incredibly happy
Sports Team: Australian Wallabies!
Movie: Deadpool, Stepbrothers & The Hangover
Photo Credits:
Cover Photo: France Duque and Jesse Rambis @france.and.jesse
Bikini and Red Top: Gabby Epstein
