Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunshine.
Sunshine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started modeling and acting when I was very young. As a child, I did a few small roles in commercials and radio. Entertainment was and still is a huge part of my life. My father is a musician, producer, audio engineer, and voiceover artist. I was exposed to many talented local artists and musicians as far back as I can remember. The majority of my life has involved cameras. As a teenager, I always had at least one camera. I was constantly taking photos and videos. At one point, my personal collection of home videos were copied onto DVDs. Mock celebrity interviews, news anchor, shows, even the weather channel. I was born to entertain. My parents tried to get me into modeling multiple times, but each time they were disappointed. I remember being a big deal in middle school when I was interviewed on TV for being one of the kids ripped off by one of the more ruthless modeling agents. It wasn’t until I left home that I pursued modeling once again. I joined ModelMayhem.com to see what it was all about. After starting college, I let it go and wanted to start a family. I only visited the site a few times more before deleting the account altogether. Since then, I’m pretty sure I’m on my third account.
Flash forward three years. I was 22 years old. I decided Business Administration wasn’t for me, so I enrolled in Emergency Medicine. After years of studying and preparing for a career, I soon realized my not-so-great driving record and credit score would prevent me from getting the job I really wanted. Absurd right? Apparently, you aren’t qualified to execute saving anyone’s life if your credit isn’t perfect and you’ve had a few moving violations. I got to a point where I had to help support my family immediately, and I couldn’t afford more loans or time in school. I got back on the site and decided to try again. It really all started when I met a girl from Chicago who had moved to Florida. She was wild, had a passion for Cosmetology, and was pursuing her career as a hairstylist. We spent time together often near the beach in Clearwater. One night, I mentioned being particularly frustrated with school; she mentioned modeling. Her type of modeling was a little different than I expected.
Nevertheless, it snowballed into something way bigger. I began booking small modeling gigs and broadened the spectrum of genres, eventually becoming self-employed. I relocated several times with family, continued working in the industry while raising two young children, then through my second pregnancy. The work was bountiful. It continued to grow and still provides opportunities for me in my now early thirties. As a whole, it has really matured me as a woman, in both positive and negative ways. I’ve developed an incredible sense of self-worth, determination, and a reputation I’m proud of. I’ve faced an enormous amount of personal struggles, as every human being experiences on and off in a lifetime. I think being true to one’s self and taking the time to really understand your own goals and dreams is essential to being successful in any occupation. No single person can say mistakes were never made. But through my endeavors, even currently in my life, I embrace this verse from the song “Blessings” [Big Sean], “No mistakes in life ever, it’s only lessons.” This perspective has given me an outlook on life that will forever change the way I react to things unexpectedly. Modeling and Acting have given me a purpose, an outlet for my personality, endless opportunities to express myself, a wide variety of friends and coworkers, some of the most powerful advice I never expected to receive, connections to the unexplored areas of both industries, the chance to travel all over the world, even learning a new language. The blessings are endless. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason. There are some reasons I have yet to discover, but it hasn’t made me regret any decisions I’ve made. If I could give one single piece of advice, it would be to know yourself. No one can determine anyone else’s future but their own. Evaluate what you want, lay it down on paper, and do it. Take every opportunity to research, learn, and grow from all of your experiences and fortuities. Someone very close to me once said, “The cemetery is the wealthiest place. It’s the biggest collection of dreams, wishes, and ideas buried, but never executed.” My brain has been on fire ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Despite the positives, like any occupation, there are also negatives. Some of my work is in Adult Entertainment. It’s still taboo in this country, frowned upon by family, friends, most religions, but most importantly, not respected by financial institutions or many other career fields. I’ve experienced what I consider blatant discrimination in a variety of ways; I’ve had lenders giggle and say things like, “Do you have a “real” job?”, or even one of my favorites when I attempted to lease an apartment, “When do you plan to be employed?”. The landlord of my last rental home introduced me to the owner for the first time, addressing me as, “The hot fetish model who’s now dominating the premises.” It definitely became awkward to explain to anyone not familiar with the terminology. After the first five years, I decided to start replying with “International Consumer Relations,” just to save having to explain anything in detail. It isn’t for everyone. Some people closest to me I’ve lost due to the fact that it isn’t something they are willing to accept or understand. I’ve regularly attended therapy and counseling to learn how to overcome these challenges. I’m now in a place mentally where I embrace all of those around me, willing to accept me for who I am and let go of those who can’t. From time to time, it isn’t easy, but overall I’ve accepted the fact that I can’t make everyone happy. This IS my job, and according to the good old IRS, I’m self-employed. There are an astronomical amount of details and requirements to have in order for anyone to give any respect or consideration that this is your legitimate career. I’ve learned the hard way over the years it’s very challenging to do it all on your own. Can it be done? Absolutely. Is it easy and effortless? Absolutely not. I will say it has made me demand respect for myself. I used to be nervous about the topic entirely until I met a financial advisor who said to me one day, “There’s nothing wrong with how you make money. It isn’t up to anyone to judge you as a person or claim that it isn’t real income. Your objective is to show it, prove it, and not tolerate disrespect from anyone. Consider it their own loss not doing business with you. They probably weren’t worth the trouble anyway.” Even though I don’t consider or label myself as an “adult actress,” I have been given certain labels implying activities outside of my limitations, such as “Porn Star,” “Adult Entertainer,” “Sex Worker,” and even “Escort.” Although I have nothing short of respect for anyone in these career fields, it’s unfortunate people label others in such a negative way. The manner in which these terms are placed on people in this business is demeaning and judgemental. I’ve always told other models in adult work, struggling with relationships or family issues, “You’re paying your bills. You’re working and paying taxes and consuming goods and services like everyone else. You have a JOB, and that is more than what other adults can even accomplish. Own it. I remember applying to a local modeling website that was advertising physically fit women modeling with expensive cars when my mom commented, “Do you think you’ll be proud of yourself when your kids grow up and find out their mom took her clothes off for money?”. The answer is yes. I am proud of myself. I know I’m beautiful, and I enjoy being a model. I don’t take my clothes off for money. Photography is art, and if they want to judge me for doing something I love and still raising them to be amazing people, then that will be up to them. I have no doubt I’m an incredible mother. To this day, I’ve never done anything I was uncomfortable doing, paid or unpaid.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Modeling is a huge network with endless categories: Non-Commercial, Commercial, Print, Fashion, Runway, Promotional, Fitness, Lingerie, Parts, Swimsuit, and the list goes on. I’ve chosen to explore almost all areas offered to me over the years, with my own personal set of limitations and expectations. I enjoy working with artists from all over the world. I embrace ideas and even supply ideas for some of the photoshoots I’m a part of. They can last anywhere from an hour to several hours. Acting can range from Hollywood to small roles in community theatre. Like modeling, it brings a pool of opportunities. In Highschool, Theatre was my favorite class. When I was forced to have an additional physical requirement for a diploma, I chose the marching band.
In-band, I could play music, be myself, and still get to constantly perform in front of people. I’ve done a handful of TV commercials, even tiny jobs like being an extra on a TIVO ad. I’ve also worked as a Voiceover Artist, taking small jobs online for radio ads, audiobooks, podcasts, and other various voiceover opportunities. For someone like me who has mastered many voices, accents, and characters, voiceover work is addicting like a drug, and you can never get enough of it. I continue to indulge in mixed wrestling, fitness, Acroyoga, and underwater shots, both photography and videography. To date, I still have refused to become exclusive to any one entity or be represented by an agent. I think it’s important for people to know, if Modeling and Acting is true interest and desire, it doesn’t require an insane amount of money, expensive schooling or strict contracts to find paid work or opportunities to gain experience. I once worked for a model and talent agency, as a recruiter and administrative assistant, which gave me important insights into the other side of the business. Being on both sides of the fence has given me confidence, knowledge, and experience to continue. One takeaway from the agency I’ll never forget: Your size in heels!
One afternoon I wandered away from my office to listen in on a class that was focusing on “the walk.” On the runway, your ability to focus, balance, and deliver whatever you’re modeling is crucial. I observed young teenage girls nervously walking down the mock runway with a look I’ll never forget. The look of, “Please shoes, PLEASE don’t fail me!”. One of the instructors made a comment about shoes and heels and why selecting the proper size is how you own the runway, or the runway owns YOU. From that day on, I always purchased heels a size smaller so that the heels fit snug around my foot, and I never tripped or walked funny in heels ever again! Free advice that’s probably saved me a few trips to the ER and built me some serious leg muscles. The pay, the work itself, the locations, and the frequency are all variables. The amount of time, marketing, and exposure really dictate the amount of work at any given point. Everything depends on your work ethic. What you do, when, where, how much you’re paid, and with whom you work all comes down to you. Being my own boss and controlling my own destiny has given me so much self-satisfaction. Having what we call a “Vanilla” job, working for something or someone else, is no longer of interest to me.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
In September of 2019, I traveled to Barcelona for Jan Tana’s Bodypainting Revolution at the Arnold Classic. I was transformed into three incredible pieces of art by my friend and Bodypainting artist Lars Peterson, from Seattle, Washington. In October, I did my first prosthetic mold casting for local Tampa Artist Chase Parker. I was transformed into a beautiful sculpture titled, “And then she let go.” The sculpture will be displayed at the Gasparilla Art Festival and Winter Park’s Art Festival. In January 2021, I will be featured as a cover model for Exprimere Magazine. Saint Petersburg Photographer Luke Arnold captured me with one of the incredible art Murals by the local Artist Megan Kelly.
Contact Info:
- Email: SaltyTampaSavage@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.modelmayhem.com/Sunshine813
Image Credits
Mural Art by Megan Kelly
