Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Victoria.
Danielle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I dove into this industry a little unconventionally. When I was 14 and still living in my hometown of Redding California, I signed to my first modeling agency out of San Francisco. I was doing commercial modeling and taking acting lessons out of the Bay Area and Sacramento until I hit the age of 18. Once my birthday came along, my agency confided in me and told me I would have more opportunities in the commercial world if I made the move to Los Angeles. So, I packed my things and made the 8-hour drive to LA a few months after that conversation and never looked back.
While living in LA and pursuing modeling and acting, my online audience started to grow. Since 2014, the modeling industry has changed drastically. Brands and companies are now using online Influencers and bloggers to market their campaigns, in place of magazine ads or billboards featuring models. I feel very lucky to be on both sides of this spectrum and I’ve been able to turn my online community into a profitable business, while still being able to follow my passion in marketing and creating images/content!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth is definitely not the word I would use for my journey. When I first started modeling, it was very hit or miss. You get some castings, and you don’t get others, you get told you’re too big, too small, you have too much acne, you don’t have long enough hair, etc. Which is very trying for a young teenager trying to find her way in this industry.
Luckily, once the online Influencer world started to boom, that problem ceased. Blogging and Influencing have taken over the marketing world and now brands want RELATABLE. Which is so refreshing. People of every size, color, and gender are able to find others they can look up to, who they relate to. Which is something I did not have growing up. When I looked in magazines and on TV, there were very few women who looked like me, and today’s generation has hundreds of inspiring people they can look up to, just a click away.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Danielle Victoria – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Right now, my titles are: Social Media Influencer/Content Creator, followed by Published Model.
I still do get to model as well as being an Influencer, and luckily they go hand in hand. Some of the campaigns I’ve modeled for include: Hot Topic, Levis, Bettie Page Clothing, and Belaire Bridal. I’ve been in magazines such as Glamour, Martha Stewart Weddings, Alternative Press, and Flutter.
For Influencing, some campaigns I’m proud of are: Gap, Macy’s, Bare Minerals, Disney, Hanes, Herbal Essences, and DSW x Reebok.
I think what I’m most well known for is having red hair. A large percentage of my audience are also redheads! How cool is that? When I started posting online, I had no idea I would accumulate this amazing community of people from around the world that can relate to me, and I can relate to in return. I post a lot about self-love and self-acceptance because when I was growing up I was VERY self-conscious. I was teased for being pale, having freckles, and being a redhead. Kids can be so mean when they see anything as “different.” I want my online audience to know that if they experienced something similar, IT’S OK. We can move past it and learn to love what makes us unique.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I feel very fortunate to be in an industry that is lead by females. There are 70% more female influencers and models than male. Which is INSANE! Unfortunately, I know it is not the same in the rest of the world of business. We are so lucky to live in 2018 where we as women are only getting more and more powerful in society.
The biggest barrier women face today in leadership is that we are outnumbered. Outnumbered by men who think they can do the same job, but better. By men who think we are only good for raising children and being at an entry-level job. By men who for whatever reason, think we are inadequate. I think that living in 2018, we are only going to keep changing the perspective of sexists and keep changing the social norm. This year was an amazing year for women and I can’t wait to see what 2019 is going to have in store for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: daniellevictoria.net
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/xomissdanielle/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/xoMissDanielle/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/thedaniellevictoria
Image Credit:
Arielle Levy, Champagne Victoria, Revecka Jallad, Hattie Watson
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
