Interview w/ Memphian Rachelle Love of TV Land’s “She’s Got The Look”
David Thorn
When you’re young, you believe that high school is your most defining moment. The foundations you set then will be the impression you set for life. You want to dress like everybody else and go to all the “cool” parties. You want to leave your mark and create memories that become legend and are spoken of for years to come. And you worry every day what others you deemed as the “cool kids” are going to think of you.
Then one day, you realize that none of that ever mattered. Nobody remembers that you recovered a fumble that helped your team win in double overtime. Nobody remembers that you wore the latest fashions, because those pictures look really silly now. But most importantly, nobody remembers all the things that you did and felt were stupid, and were so hard on yourself about. (Nobody that is except your best buds who always like to remind you every time you get together.)
Like they say, with age comes wisdom. Not only do you realize that anything you did wasn’t worth worrying over, everybody else, even the “cool kids,” worried about the same things. As you grow and start surrounding yourself with people who want to be around you for you, and not because you’re stuck in the same high school together, you begin to realize your self-worth.
And that brings us to the quiet girl who wanted to go unnoticed and just get through school. How even after she was given a modeling contract at the age of 19, she still didn’t feel worthy. But after a few years she changed and began believeing in herself and grew into a beautiful, vibrant, confident woman.
That woman is Memphian Rachelle Love, who not only shines in her everyday life, but took that confidence and auditioned for and won a Top 10 spot in Season 3 of TV Land’s “She’s Got The Look,” a show that gives models over 35 a second chance at a career.
To put oneself out there to be judged like that, is really impressive to me. And being that yours truly, VexarDave, is people who know people, and just happened to have gone to high school with Rachelle, I decided to ask her to let us know a little bit about herself and her experience with “She’s Got The Look.”
You’ve described yourself in high school as a “wallflower” and wanting to go unnoticed and just get through school. How does this person decide she wants to be a model?
My confidence was the biggest hindrance in my attempt to model. At the age of 19, it was worse than most and I literally tried to blend in with the walls. (laughs) Now, I have confidence and a drive that comes with age and I don’t let people’s opinion of me determine my course in life. It’s what you make of your opportunities and there isn’t anything I can’t do.
You first became a model at the age of 19. What was that like? What were some of the things you got to experience then?
The experience of modeling at 19 was terrifying. I experienced auditioning with 14 year olds, who looked 24 and had gorgeous photos from all over the world, which was not the best confidence booster for someone with low self- esteem. (laughs) The truth of the matter is it was of my own doing. I created the image of insecurity and therefore it showed in everything I did. I lived in a model apartment and have many, many stories (for another time), but suffice it to say, it was dog-eat-dog and I was ready to go home! It’s something that I don’t regret and will always have and use the experience to help me with the second chance that I have today.
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