Check out our interview with stunning fashion model, actress, and fashion PR Olivia Allan.
Follow Olivia @olivia.allan
Hi Olivia, please tell us a little about yourself.
Born and raised in a small town in Michigan, I’ve always been one to stick out with my love for the entertainment world, my obsession with the color pink, and being known as the “model” as I began modeling my sophomore year of high school. I grew up dancing for 16 years, with experience in almost all genres of dance… Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, pom, and kickline. I still love dance and incorporate it into my everyday life as I enjoy working out, taking yoga classes, Pilates, Zumba classes, etc. Aside from dancing, I also have experience playing tennis, volleyball, and cheerleading. Growing up, I’ve spent all of my summers in Northern Michigan where I do my favorite things: off-roading, waterskiing, surfing, hiking, four-wheeling, swimming, and just enjoying nature in general (I’m definitely not afraid to get dirty lol)! After graduating high school in Michigan, I moved to Indiana to study media at Indiana University. However, after visiting Los Angeles for the first time as a freshman in college, I knew that one day I wanted to live in LA… And now I currently am! Since moving to LA, I’ve loved being able to immerse myself in the entertainment and media industry with modeling, acting, working in fashion PR, and having the opportunity to meet and work with such talented and amazing people!
Describe yourself in three words.
Determined. Genuine. Pink.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
It’s hard for me to pick one person who has made the biggest impact on my life so far,
because everyone in my family has impacted my life in some way. I’ve learned how to be a hard worker from my dad, how to be a best friend from my mom, how to be strong from my brother, how to be positive from my grandpa, and so many others.
How and when did you start modeling?
I was scouted by Wilhelmina Chicago when I was 15 years old, and my modeling career
began from there! I knew nothing about the modeling world when I was scouted and never thought I would get into modeling, but here I am years later, continuing to learn in this fun and exciting industry! I specifically thank my dance family for giving me the confidence to pursue modeling at the time because they were always the ones hyping me up and still are today.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
What’s most fun about modeling for me is being able to see my face in stores and
online… But also meeting all of the talented and creative people that I get to work with and also learn from while on set. However, what’s not so fun is how much judgment comes with being a model. Ultimately, though, the judgment that comes with being a model has taught me how to have thick skin in this world and to learn from every obstacle.
Can you name a few of the brands you are working with or have worked with?
Kohls, Nike, Claire’s/Icing, Nordstrom, Schwarzkopf, to name a few.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
What I learned from my biggest failure was how to make a failure into a success. I had to
learn how to see a failure with a positive outlook because that’s the only way to keep going in this industry, especially with how many rejections and failures come with every success.
The most important thing when you are shooting is:
To have fun. As Cliche as that sounds, it’s so much easier to have better movement and
fluidity while posing when you’re having fun on set!
What’s your advice for young models and influencers?
Take every opportunity you can and learn from it!
What would you say are the greatest lessons you have learned so far?
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned so far is instead of letting hate tear you down, is
to let that hate motivate your success.
What actor, actress, or model do you admire the most, and why?
To answer this question a little bit differently, an actress’s role that I admire the most in a
film is Reese Witherspoon’s role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. I love the meaning behind the movie Legally Blonde and how Elle Woods proves why you should never judge a book by its cover. I especially love this movie’s message because I’ve always been judged as a dumb blonde, but people underestimate my intelligence and sometimes it’s fun when I happen to prove them wrong 😉
How do you manage your busy schedule with your personal life?
I write down everything I have to do and want to do for most days and use it as a
checklist for managing my work life with my personal life.I try my best to make time to spend my weekends with friends, but I also prioritize taking time for myself! If I have a busy week, sometimes I’ll take a day to literally just sleep and prioritize myself!
Which place that you have visited do you think changed you in a particular way, maybe for motivation or to see a different reality, etc.?
The first time I visited Los Angeles was when my career motivation changed. I experienced a whole new world in LA that I was not used to in the midwest, and learned how many opportunities there are outside of my hometown and college town. After visiting LA for the first time, I was motivated to one day live here to be able to be immersed in so many opportunities LA has to offer… And now I am!
And which countries or cities are still on your bucket list?
I’d love to visit Italy where my grandpa is from, but ultimately I’d love to travel to as many
cities and countries as I can while I’m young!
Which project is still on your bucket list?
Similar to a lot of models, one of my dream projects that’s still on my bucket list is to
work for Victoria Secret!!
What’s next for Olivia Allan in 2024?
New experiences and year #2 of living in Los Angeles! I’m hoping to embrace every new
opportunity I get while being able to meet and work with amazing new people in 2024! Let’s see if Vogue is in store for Olivia Allan in 2024…
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
I would tell my younger self to stop caring so much about what people think and put that
energy towards making your dreams come true. This is definitely something that I still have to remind myself to this day because I’m still working on growing my confidence. However, my younger self would’ve never imagined that I would now be living in LA pursuing my dreams and being able to experience the amazing things I’ve accomplished so far!
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
If I was a book, the whole thing would have to be pink… And the title of my book would
be “Diva101: How to make the haters more mad”. The title ‘Diva’ comes from my Jeep and the rest comes from how I try to live my life in a positive way embracing any hate I experience.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is by experiences. If I’m content with my experiences and the
people within those experiences, then I am happy.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
My favorite song to belt out in the car, specifically while driving down PCH, is California
Gurls by Katy Perry.
Name one of your strengths.
One of my strengths is that I’m very independent.
Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?
Honestly, every day is different! Since the modeling and entertainment industry is always
changing with new projects and roles, I never really have a consistent daily schedule. A lot of bookings are confirmed with a short time notice, so I typically change my daily routine to accommodate my booking schedule. This definitely always keeps me on my feet and excited for what’s to come, but aside from just modeling, I also intern at a fashion PR agency in LA where I get to work almost on the flip-side of the fashion industry! I also am a student studying online through Indiana University and spend most of my weekdays catching up on schoolwork and attending Zoom calls. I also try my best to stay active during my crazy schedule by going to the gym, walking by the beach, going for a hike, etc.!
What is the most challenging thing you deal with about consistently staying in top shape?
I’m a big sweet tooth, so sometimes it’s hard to not want to eat something sweet!
Favorite form of cardio?
Waterskiing! But since I can’t do that everyday, I would say the 12-3-30 incline walk on
the treadmill is my favorite form of daily cardio.
Name three things you can’t live without.
My family. My phone. Donuts.
Best advice ever given?
The best advice I’ve been given is from my grandpa who has said to use every
experience as a learning experience and with that he’s stated, “It’s better to learn a little bit of a lot, than a lot of a little bit”. This reminds me to always stay open-minded and well-rounded.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Olivia Newton John because I am named after her!
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
A beach day followed by a movie night!
What do you think of social media?
I think social media is quite literally the world at our fingertips and is a great resource for
all people, brands, etc. to expand and connect. However, even though I think social media is a great form of opportunity, I also think social media can be misleading and false, which is why it’s important to stay true to yourself.
Where can we follow you?
IG: olivia.allan
TikTok: olivia.allan3
Quote: “Whoever said orange was the new pink, was seriously disturbed.” -Elle Woods
Song: Your Love Is My Drug by Kesha
Movie: Legally Blonde!!
Travel Destination: Italy
Food: Donuts
Sports Team: Detroit Red Wings
