Featured image credit: Tif Cohen
Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Petrie.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nicole. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Lake Geneva, WI. I was always doing plays, singing for my family, setting up little photoshoots and choreographed routines with my friends, and I loved playing sports. You could say I loved being in the spotlight but being from a small town in Wisconsin, my little girl dreams of being an actress or model seemed pretty unreachable. So, instead I focused on volleyball and other sports. I was pretty good at volleyball (good enough to get a scholarship to play in college) but a year into my college career I realized I wasn’t passionate about playing anymore. I decided I wasn’t going to play the following year and I was going to find something I truly enjoyed doing. A friend of mine suggested to try doing a photoshoot and then reach out to an agency. My first modeling photoshoot was with Steffanie Tulk for a hair competition she was entering and it opened up a whole new world to me. Soon after I did a shoot with Emily Gualdoni (another amazing Chicago creative) and sent the pictures in to a modeling agency. They signed me right away and the rest is kind of history! I have had so many amazing opportunities these last 4 years because of modeling and I am so grateful that I found something that I am truly passionate about. Modeling has taught me so much…to be resilient, passionate, creative, driven. It has given me the chance to connect with people from all over the world and all walks of life. It has allowed me to spread awareness for issues that are important to me, like veganism and mental health. But most of all, I think my story shows that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, if you stay true to yourself and your dreams, you will find your way and you will find your people and your purpose. Truly, anything is possible if you set your heart on it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! As most people can imagine the modeling industry isn’t always the easiest or the most supportive industry to be in but I truly believe that every struggle along the way has been worth it. For example, about two years ago I went to New York City on a modeling contract with an agency there. At the time, I was a size 6 dress and although that is very thin for a 5’11 woman, it wasn’t skinny enough to be a “straight sized” model. So, for two months I was sent to casting after casting for plus sized work but of course I was never booked because I wasn’t curvy enough for the clients. So, basically for two months no matter where I went or who I asked my body wasn’t *blank* enough. I was too skinny, too curvy, too tall, too something. So, instead of changing who I was for the agency or the client, I left. I could look back on this and only see a negative experience but it taught me that I can live in a big city on my own, it taught me to deal with rejection in a healthy way, and it helped me make the decision to always stay true to myself. I will never let this industry or anyone in this industry compromise who I am or who I want to be. I think this is an important lesson for anyone, in any industry. Especially if you’re a creative because it is so easy to let others determine your arts worth but you are your art and the only person who can give it worth is yourself!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about @nicolepetrie on Instagram – what should we know?
Well, I’m a model and although there are literally millions of other models out there, I feel like what sets me apart is how I use modeling as a platform and how I express myself through modeling. I mainly focus on Instagram to connect with my followers and spread awareness for the issues that matter most to me. I post stories about veganism, mental health, how to be as green/eco-friendly as possible, etc. I think my followers really enjoy that they feel they can talk to me and ask me for advice about anything going on in their life. I want to be more than just a model to them, I want to be a role model and a friend. I am also very proud of the fact that I keep it real on my Instagram. I never edit my body or filter my content for other people. If you scroll through my Instagram, you can see the many phases and chapters of my life play out and I think this is another reason why my followers feel like they can trust me and feel connected to me!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Self-confidence for sure! Although this is one of the hardest qualities to keep consistent in our lives, it is so so important. You hear no a lot in this industry and rejection can seriously damage our self-confidence but we should not let it. My grandmother recently told me “Everyone else is going to doubt you and tell you can’t, so there’s no need for you to do that to yourself.” When we believe in ourselves and never give-up on ourselves, we can accomplish things we never even dreamed of!
Contact Info:
- Email: npetrie01@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nicolepetrie
- Facebook: facebook.com/NicolePetrieModel
Image Credit:
Main image: Tif Cohen
First two images: Baldwin Cunningham
3: Evan Brightfield
4: Robert Guzman
5: Alex Weyer
6: Max Layn
7: Terrance Blount
8: John Ng
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago 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.
