Meet Kim Alexis | 80s Supermodel and Clean Living Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Alexis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My answer would be that hard work, focus and weighing each opportunity that came my way, would be the basics for how I went about creating a brand. I had to manage each situation to see if it fit in with what I stood for. So, I also had to have a clear vision as to who I was, what my strengths were and how each decision impacted the rest of my career. I seemed to know this at the young age of 18 when I started to work in the modeling business. I didn’t put myself in bad situations, I set and maintained healthy boundaries that I didn’t allow anyone to cross and I communicated my thoughts and desires to those I worked with, giving them feedback so they could present opportunities that were in line with what I wanted to achieve. I never thought at 18, that I would get to this point in my career as a supermodel. In high school, I had picked pharmacy as a career and thought I would stay on that path. I was willing to step off that path, try modeling for a year to see how it went, knowing I had something else to fall back on. (College of pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island) Studying and bettering myself were always important to me. I never wanted to stop learning and growing and trying new things. Sometimes, stepping out in faith and trying something totally different was beneficial in ways I would never have imagined. I didn’t want to live my life with regret so I always tried new things. Some worked and others didn’t and that was okay. I also enjoyed doing many different things at once, from playing an instrument in the band to competitive swimming to youth group and art classes and piano. Some I excelled in and others I let slide and felt no regret or shame. Life is all about variety and opportunity and getting to the places you want to get to with hard work, communication and determination with a healthy focus!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first landed in New York City at the age of 18, I started to work right away. In between working, I used my time to go and visit photographers and studios, so they would know who I was and what I looked like. I got to know the city pretty well back then as each studio was in a new location. I didn’t get discouraged or want to quit, even though I could have left the modeling business and gone to college like all my friends. I heard about all of their parties and college life but didn’t let it deter me from working hard in NYC. I never dreamed I would rise to the top. The term “supermodel” didn’t exist when I first started. I had some inner drive to be my best in the situation I was put in. I said yes to every booking and sometimes worked into the nights. But, I also learned to protect my brand even before I knew what that term meant and how it would affect me later. I had to learn what made me happy and proud and what turned me off and when to draw the line. I was put into all sorts of situations many other young women don’t face. I walked out of certain situations not caring if it cost me my career as I knew deep inside that certain things are just not worth it. I have developed a brand that is all about health and fitness and healthy boundaries. This is what rose to the top as I was learning who I was in a big city and a fast industry and what I still hold on to today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was in New York City, it would be to the wonderful museums and parks as well as Broadway and the numerous restaurants that are in the city. If it was here in the Phoenix area, it wold be out for hikes in our amazing desert. We would probably hang out in Old Town Scottsdale, touring the restaurants and many small shops that make the area charming.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents. They taught me that I can always try new things that life presents me. I was always supported and encouraged to go out and “do” things. It helped me when I started to transition from modeling (as we all know, a model is “washed up” at the ripe age of 25 or so). I ventured out into broadcasting, as Fashion Editor of Good Morning America for 3 years and then hosting my own TV shows on cable. I then looked around and decided to try speaking and ended up touring around America for years lugging my books and CD’s to sell after I spoke. And yes, I wrote books; some fictional, using my modeling industry insider knowledge as the background for the plot and a book on healthy choices. I also had 6 workout CD’s with music and me speaking to encourage the listeners to keep moving..

Website: www.KimAlexis.com

Instagram: instagram.com/the_kimalexis

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kim-alexis-690ba89

Facebook: facebook.com/@TheKimAlexis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kim.Alexis

Image Credits
Phillis Lane