We’re looking forward to introducing you to Aleena Axel. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Aleena, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Honestly, modeling, acting, and dancing. I love all the prep work that goes into finding a concept, preparing all the necessary aesthetics and accessories to pull off the look. And once I finally get in that moment, in front of of the camera, the rest of my life just melts away. I’m sure you’ve heard of “flow state” when you’re so deeply immersed into something that it just comes naturally. That’s where I go when I’m modeling, I slip into the most confident version of myself. Creating, connected with my photographer, feeling alive. Nothing beats it-
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello there everyone! My name is Aleena Axel ! I grew up in Southern California just north of LA. I started acting & dancing at a very young age. Ballet & tap dancing first. Followed by acting classes and live plays! I began modeling for my friends in highschool and shortly after turning 18 my first very boudoir shoot was featured on the cover of Babe Watch Magazine. That gave me a huge boost in confidence and set me off on my career. At 20 I left California to travel in a ‘03 Toyota Highlander that had been build out to live in. I used social media to book shoots for myself across all the towns and states I travelled through for that year. Eventually I was hit by a drunk driver in Colorado Springs, which led to me meeting a girl who taught we how to pole dance. She was from Florida and living in a school bus, and we were both stuck next to a railroad track in a rough part of town due to vehicle troubles. She had an X-pole with her and I helped her set it up right next to the tracks so she could teach me. Learning to pole dance had been on my bucket list since I was about 15, and somehow here it was coming true. I started dancing and fell it love with it. I stayed in Colorado Springs instead of continuing to travel so I could keep dancing consistently. From Colorado I traveled to Florida, Atlanta, NYC, Vegas, and to Los Angeles many times to continue working on jobs. I have been featured on an Amazon prime TV show! I have modeled for runways across the US! I am the face of TUK footwear’s newest collection and am featured on their website as well! At 19 I opened my first business, a media and entertainment company that encompasses all I do in media! I am so grateful for my lifestyle and what I have created for myself.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my grandma was the biggest and brightest influence in my life growing up. My mom was a young mom and left me with my grandma most of my childhood. She was an amazing woman, resourceful and smart. She taught me to avoid the mistakes she had made in her life (including relying on a man completely!) she is a huge reason why I am who I am today. Why I have the confidence I do, and why I work so hard to be independent & self sufficient.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
One kind thing I could say to my younger self: it will be okay, never stop trying. I believe in you, and you’re good enough. I’ve been through so much pain and adversity in my life time. From losing my mom to domestic violence and grandma to health issues only 3 years apart (I was a teenager for both losses). To being homeless at a young age to get away from my abusive family. To struggling with the mental health issues I had inherited from both genes and living situations. My mother didn’t love her self, and she took that hate out on me my entire life. I never had much supper other than my grandma and I lost her at a young age. I have forged through fires and learned to become my own savior, my own support network, and my own guidance. While it has been so difficult I feel like this had lead to my personal development, and who I am today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
From the time I was in highschool I realized media was shallow. Models and actresses all fighting to be the skinniest and the prettiest. I thought I had no place in media, no chance at a career because of my looks. I was extremely insecure and the media industry I grew up watching only exasperated those feelings. BUT- needing to be perfect or “the skinniest” to be a model, actress or dancer simply isn’t true. Designers and magazines NEED models to bring their dreams to life. Producers and writers NEED actresses to bring their dreams to life. And I’ve witnessed for myself that dancers come in all shapes and sizes, dance is an art form, a connection with your body, an expression of self. My place in media is to help bring others dreams to life. Aesthetics in a photo, bringing a character to life on a big screen, bringing the feeling of awe and wonder to someone’s heart as they watch me dance. Media is creation. And it’s a shared dance, I am needed to fulfill so many parts of media, regardless of my size.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I have used my media career income to put myself through school for real estate, and I am also using the money to launch my own plastic free- eco friendly ecom store. These things are still just beginning but I see a future for them, building blocks of my financial stability. My freedom to travel when I please. And to change the world for the better as much as I can. Media is great and is my main passion, however I am already building the staircase of my future, no matter how long it takes to get there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.aleenaaxel.com
- Instagram: @aleena.axel
- Facebook: Aleena Axel
Image Credits
Lucille Dunlap, Sways Creepy Life, Kristen, a Story Of time,
