Always Holding on to the Stars✨

People are always telling me you that you can’t do something… When I was younger, all I wanted to do was perform - whether it was dancing on beds at my grandparent’s house, pretending to be a rock star, strutting up and down the hallway, pretending to be a model, putting on dance concerts for my family or acting out scenes from movies in front of mirrors at home. You name it, I dreamed it: I just wanted to perform.

When I was 10, I started taking drama lessons and when I turned 13, I joined a modelling agency in Sydney. Now this is the point where I must tell you that I’m actually from a country town called Wagga Wagga in regional NSW, where there are no acting or modelling opportunities. I had to drive 5 and a half hours for a casting, that lasted a whole 10 minutes - if I was lucky. But I was so excited that my dream was becoming a reality, it didn't matter to me. Unfortunately, it did for my parents. It was just too hard for them to be able to take work off at a drop of a hat and drive all the way to Sydney and back, when with most casting calls you only find out the day before. So my fledgling career came to a halt - I was sad, but I understood.

By the time I turned 18, acting and modelling was still very much something I wanted to do, but I was told that it wasn't possible for me and that I should go to university and “get a real career.”

I was accepted into university, but I knew deep down that it wasn't what I wanted to do, so I took a job as a Receptionist until I finally realised that all I still wanted to do was perform and at least give my dream a go. So I set out to save really hard, working several jobs, so I could make the move to Sydney, leaving a job, friends, and family and moving to Australia’s largest city, where I didn't know a single soul.

In Sydney I started a full-time acting course and managed to land myself a regular modelling gig for an e-commerce boutique. I still remember reading the e-mail to say I had been successful, I couldn't believe it! I was early to my casting and I saw the other model and thought for sure she had it in the bag! I was over the moon.

I started to record my journey through Instagram and out of the blue was contacted to see if I would be interested in doing some social media shoots, which had a snowball effect, leading to further shoots and then being contacted by an agency wanting to sign me.

I was bewildered, I’m not a “real” model - I thought. I’m too short. How can I possibly earn any money with “modelling,” but I went with the flow of excitement and signed. I was completely amazed about the fact that I was actually getting booked. I still struggle with these thoughts, however, I’m very grateful for doing something I had always wanted to do.

I have also now finished my acting course, and signed with an agency, and have been fortunate enough to land a role in an independent feature, some short films, student films and a music video since.

I know, I still have a long way to go to reach my goals – but every day is a day closer.

So people are always going to tell you, that you can’t do something, but it’s not up to them. It’s up to you. I am proud of myself – I am still that kid with the stars in her eyes. So I say that…

“You need to hold onto your stars, give yourself the pep talks, because you CAN reach your dreams no matter how unrealistic they may seem.”

Love, Kaily