Allana Maunai is a beautiful actress and model from Maryland. I hope you’ll enjoy the interview;
How did you fall in love with modeling?
When I was a kid my mom would send me to daycare at my aunt’s house. In her house she had this huge China cabinet with a mirror in the back of it. I’d spend hours staring at it, learning every angle of my face and watching America’s next top model to practice in it later. I don’t really think I ever fell in love with modeling even though I do love it with all my heart. More or less it’s part of what raised me. I’ve been modeling since I was 5. (That’s when I did my first Crayola Campign.) From that moment on I just never stopped because I could feel in my soul that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I guess that’s where the love comes from. When I learned to love myself and the way I looked at a young age… I loved modeling too.
How were you discovered?
I technically haven’t been yet. I book all of my own work and do everything myself. I think this year I discovered myself in a way and started creating the work rather than waiting on someone else to find me. While I still want to be “Discovered” I’m not going to let someone else decide when I can be a star. I decided that’s right now so that’s what I’m doing. (Honestly, I think I’ll probably be disgorged this year because now I’m putting out the vibrations to be found.)
What’s one of the most interesting shoots that you’ve done?
There’s sooooooo many to choose from but I think my most recent one is a pretty high roller on the list. I recently did my first underwater shoot. When I think of water I think of floating and elegant body work but I actually needed to sink. That was terrifying, it was like drowning myself on purpose. Sometimes I wouldn’t be able to find the light but once I got used to it I could feel when the magic shots were happening. When I finally let myself sink and wasn’t worried about being perfect everything felt right which is the exact opposite of being above water.
How would you define your personal style?
My personal style is Allana 1900-2010. I feel like I have no style because I wear whatever makes me happy in that moment. One day I may be dress as a cat, the next day a chocolate drop version of Foxy Cleopatra and then I’m in sweatpants and a Victoria secret bra like 80% of the time. It’s a me thing, my style is undefined but people say I have one just no one can ever put a name on it.
Where did you grow up? How have your roots influenced your sense of style?
I grew up in Pokomoke, Maryland and Silver Spring, Maryland mostly. I moved around a lot as a kid, I even lived in Alaska at one point. Contrary to popular belief Maryland is a Southern State. I’m from there and people still try to argue with me but it’s a fact. A lot of what people think about when they think about Maryland is Baltimore which is a major city but Maryland is mostly fields, farms, cows, chickens, Perdue and beaches. So yes, this has definitely influenced my style a lot. I think that’s part of what makes my style so hard to pinpoint it is like a City Southern girl which is a whole thing in it’s self because I lived in both types of places that Maryland has to offer.
Who is your style icon and why?
I guess ultimately my style icon is like 2000s Miley Cyrus it’s the balance of city, southern and where whatever the heck you want. Her style had/has no rules. She wears what makes her happy.
Who is your favorite photographer and why?
I sat here and thought for like 20 minutes. This question is too hard I’ve worked with so many talented and amazing people I can’t buckle it down to one. For all I know my favorite photographer hasn’t even been discovered yet. Maybe my favorite photographer is me. I secretly love being behind the camera. Ha! That’s my answer so that way I don’t have to choose between anyone. I choose me.
What advice would you give to aspiring models out there?
Be your own stigma. Yeah, the modeling world tells us to be a certain size and shape, have the right type of skin etc. but you are who you are and that is what is beautiful and amazing. At the end of the day it’s about the energy you can put into the photo/ video. You set the Precedent of what beauty is to you and no one else. There’s an audience for everyone create your own.
Do you edit your own photos? If yes, which programs do you use?
Yes, sometimes if the photographers says it’s okay. 9/10 I just use the Facetune 1 app on my phone because I don’t really like highly edited photos I prefer beauty to be natural. However, if I’m feeling like I need to get rid of a pimple or some really bad bags under my eyes I’ll adjust it.
We would like to express our gratitude to Allana Maunai for this great interview.
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