Sonesta in Style with Kari Riley

Photography: Tracy Kahn @tracykahn
Model: Kari Riley
Stylist: Ilaria de Plano
Videographer: Ben Shani and Matt Mastrapa
Makeup and Hair: Samantha Chapman
Assistants: David Kenneddy and Kendall the Creator
Production: Call Sheet Productions
Location: Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina

The LEFAIR Magazine team gathered at the stunning Sonesta Hotel in Redondo Beach, California, for a fashion editorial shoot featuring the captivating model Kari Riley. With perfect weather gracing the day, our team collaborated seamlessly to capture Kari’s beauty and vibrant energy. The Sonesta went above and beyond to make our day flow and provided a gorgeous backdrop, making us feel like we were more on a vacation than an editorial shoot!

After the shoot, we had a chance to interview Kari. Originally hailing from Denver, Colorado, Kari took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles seven years ago, drawn by the energy and endless possibilities that the City of Angels offers. Over the years, she has carved out a unique space for herself in the competitive world of models and influencers, all while staying true to her authentic self.

In this conversation, we’ll delve into Kari’s journey, exploring how the dynamic environment of L.A. has shaped her career, the importance of community in navigating the industry’s challenges, and her commitment to authenticity in a world often driven by appearances. We’ll also touch on her experiences as part of the LGBTQ+ community and how that has influenced her work and outreach. We hope her authentic voice will inspire others to follow their true self and strive to be the best version of themselves.

Where are you from originally and why did you move to L.A.?

I am originally from Denver, Colorado. I have always been drawn to big cities far from home. L.A. was just one of those places where everything felt easy. Work and friendships grew quickly and I’ve always felt energetically aligned here. I initially came out for a month of work and ended up staying 7 years.

How has living in Los Angeles influenced your career and opportunities as a model and influencer?

Los Angeles is a city of dreamers, creatives and big fish leaving their small ponds. This city has a collective drive to be more which has made my career what it is today. There are endless opportunities and connections in this city and I just chased them.

How do you stay grounded and authentic in an environment as competitive and fast-paced as LA?

My community. It’s interesting, most people will say their least favorite thing about LA is the people. I feel the opposite. My friends and my partner are what make this place feel like home. It’s so beautiful to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who also have big goals and dreams outside of their hometowns. As long as you are in your highest vibration, you should attract the right people.

Do you feel like you have some kind of responsibility as an influencer?

I feel my biggest responsibility as an influencer is to always be authentic. That doesn’t mean that I will always be relatable, because I’m aware how many parts of my life are not normal. But I will always be real with my followers. This includes only partnering with brands I genuinely align with and expressing myself openly with my followers about my sexuality.

All influencers get “haters”. How do you deal with “haters” mentally, emotionally and logistically?

Before I became an influencer I was a model, and I will tell you that nothing prepared me better for internet haters more than criticism in the modeling world. I was 14 when I started modeling, and this was before the influencer era. This was before body positivity was a thing. I grew an extremely tough skin throughout my career as a model and truthfully It doesn’t phase me anymore. I have learned to love who I am no matter what. As a model you have to rewire your brain to understand rejection has nothing to do with who you are.

Do you think the LA influencer community collaborate and support one another, or is it more competitive?

There’s competition in any career field realistically, but in this case I believe it truly depends on which groups and communities you are involved in. I find that my main community of queer women are extremely supportive and uplifting of one another.

What advice would you give to someone moving to LA to pursue a career in modeling?

I could give endless advice on the job and how to make more money but truthfully the most valuable thing I could tell you if you are a model moving to LA… don’t be afraid of the model apartment! Sure, they’re not glamorous, and you’ll probably share a room with two other girls, but that’s where I met some of my closest friends. 7 years later and I still have 4 best friends that I used to share a bunk bed with. What i’ve carried with me the most was never the perfect photo to post, it was them.

How long have you been modeling?

How did you start and what was your first big break? I have been modeling for 13 years! Crazy to think about. There was never one big break for me. It’s been mostly a long path of determination until you look back and see how far you’ve truly come. Modeling comes in waves, it is not always consistent, and you have to maintain the mental strength to always keep going.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about yourself since you’ve been a professional model and influencer?

I have my own path. Being a model and influencer means you are always looking left and right at your peers and what they are doing. If they booked a gig you wanted, or if they have more followers than you. I battled with comparison for many years. As I have gotten older, I have learned that my peace is found looking inward and knowing that I am on the path that is meant for me.

How has being part of the LGBTQ+ community shaped your career and approach to influencing?

Being apart of the LGBTQ+ community has given me the inspiration, passion and drive to show up for my followers in a very personal way. My whole career as a model was based upon how I look, not who I am or what I have to say. It has been extremely life changing for me to connect with queer girls like me, spread awareness and further normalize being queer!

How do you think the fashion and influencer industry can better support LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusivity?

I think both the fashion and influencer industry could work on LGBTQ+ inclusion year round instead of just during pride month. Many brands will book queer models/creators during June alone, but it is refreshing to see those brands who are allies 365 days a year!

How do you navigate sharing your personal life online, especially your relationship, while maintaining boundaries?

My partner Lara and I have been together for 4 years now. We didn’t post on social media until we were dating for 2 years. I think this was extremely beneficial because it gave us the chance to build a strong foundation before we invited hundreds of thousands of people in for a peak. I only share a very small portion of my life online. I prefer to be off of my phone around loved ones and will only take a clip for a few seconds or minutes before putting my camera away. I think it’s important to remember that social media is my job and there is a time and a place to clock in, and a time to be present and grateful for the moment.