Rising Stars: Meet Kristy Gronseth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Gronseth

Hi Kristy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I became interested in modeling in junior high as my friends were in beauty pageants. I went to an audition and they told me that I would never model because I had a nose “like Ichabod Crane!” Needless to say, this deterred me from the industry.
Fast forward MANY years. and I started to see that the industry had been seeing changes and I thought I would give it a try again. I had been in an abusive marriage for 13 years and had no confidence, but had since remarried, found my mental health, centered my confidence in my faith and it had soared. I noticed that after this reinvention of myself, men and women started to comment on my “look.” I had also allowed my hair to go natural at 47 years old and I had a lot of positive feedback. Women and men alike seemed to positively respond to me embracing my natural self and I thought, “if strangers are seeing my changes, and I’m feeling so much better, maybe I can share this new found rediscovery of myself with others.” I thought, I could show men and women that you can reinvent yourself at any age, after any circumstance. I also wanted to be an example for many young women that you can model, do it tastefully, and that you don’t have to show more than you are comfortable with in order to get started and be successful. Since starting, I have been published, I have been in multiple fashion shows, have done print work and have also been in a commercial for our Gas Company. I am now signed in New Mexico with DME Talent Agency, In Colorado with The Block Agency and in New York City with Seasoned Models NYC. Work is increasing every year.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. I started just as Covid hit our country. I used this time to hone my craft. I watched many videos, went to as many classes as I could, including traveling to New York to attend the Coco Rocha Model Camp, which is world class training. I used this time to research and practice as much as I could so when the jobs would come, I was ready.
I know that they say it takes 10,000 hours to become proficient in your work so that is what I put into it. I do still get passed up because I am a mature model, I’m not 5’10, etc. In this industry you have to have tough skin and know that it is not personal when you are passed up. Every designer, casting agent, etc. knows the “look” that they are after and you just have to know that not every job is your look. I feel that if I show up early to jobs, bring my best to every audition, etc. and show my impeccable work ethic, that people will see that I am the person that they want to hire when my look comes up in their line up. I have also had many people in my “corner” so to speak. They have lifted me up when things are difficult, they refer me to people in the industry, etc. This industry, as in many others, really depends on good networking. You have to learn the art of networking and stay consistent. Know that some of the work that you do may not pay, or may not pay well, but it gets your face and your work ethic in front of people that will take notice and you will get work this way as well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am on occupational therapist that specializes in Neurological Disorders as well as adaptive driving for those with disabilities. I help people recover from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s Disease, etc. I have been practicing for 30 years and I absolutely love it. It is very rewarding working with clients and their families helping them through the most difficult times in their lives and giving them hope that after these types of injuries. It is so hard to think about what I am most proud of in my career. I have so many people that have touched me in so many ways. One of the most proud moments is when I received the Governor’s Award for outstanding practice when I was in Tennessee. I also received an award last year from the University of New Mexico for being an exceptional educator. I don’t do this type of work for recognition, but it is so touching and I feel very honored to have received it. I also remember one time when one of my clients with a quadriplegic injury, had just completed his driver’s training, learning to drive with hand controls. He was so excited and said to me “Thank you so much. I may not be able to care for myself, or clean my own bottom, but I can now drive my kid to soccer and that means more to me than you will ever know.” It was an epic moment for me. We all take so much for granted, but allowing people to do every day things after catastrophic injuries is what I get to do and allow people to participate in life again. I think what sets me apart from others, is that I have had a lot of experience in many practice areas. I have done pediatrics, hands, neurological rehab, inpatient, outpatient and home health. I am a diverse therapist and and I can fit in most settings pretty easily. I sincerely love people and I think that love shines through. I also not only work in the clinical setting, but I get to help educate up and coming OT students at University of New Mexico. I am very blessed.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I found my mentors by watching others in my area who were already in the industry. I reached out through social media, followed them, fostered relationships and then asked for mentorship once the relationship was in place. I only asked for mentorship from people whom I admired because of the work that they were putting out. I did the same for my networking. Modeling is not huge in Albuquerque, but it did not deter me. We have some great local talent, talent in Denver, talent in Texas, and all over the nation. I have followed photographers, models, agencies, producers, etc. and again fostered relationships through my online interaction. People are very happy to help if they feel that you are genuine and not just trying to use them. We all need each other. When you are genuine it shows and people are happy to network in light of this.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristysilver70
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kristygronseth
• Other: DME Talent Agency in Abq, NM. The Block Agency in Denver, CO. Mature Models NYC in NY City

Image Credits
Cheyenne Sitdikova
Shtooka Atelier
Chipeta Trading Company
Randi Rhea
Marley Domech Luxury Media
Bridges Breeze Photography
Patrick Baldanado
Theresa D Varela