VODA presents Caylen Johnson. She is a talented model on the runway, and behind the scenes she's working hard towards earning her Masters degree. Outside of modeling and school, she enjoys taking care of her many plants—though she admits keeping them alive isn’t always easy! 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm known for being a debater. My personality type is ENTP and actually I found the personality description relatively accurate to how I am in real life!

What values do you hold most dear in both your personal and professional life?

The core principle I live by is to treat others how you want to be treated. It’s the golden rule for a reason and I feel that living by that rule has made me a better person. Another core value I live by is honesty. I try to be as genuine as possible in everything I do.

How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset in your daily life?

I try to stay motivated and positive in my daily life by not worrying about the little things. I know if I work hard and try my best in everything I do, I will be able to achieve whatever goal I'm working toward. It isn’t always easy, but I know everything will work out in the end.

In what ways do you hope to inspire others through your personal journey?

I hope to show people that you can achieve whatever goals you want to achieve if you work hard for it. I want to show people that you can be yourself and still be a model. I don’t really fit the typical “model stereotype” being a nerd and all, and when I said I was starting to model people never really took me seriously. I want to be a relatable and honest public figure so people can see you can do whatever you want even if you don’t fit the mold.

 How do you handle constructive criticism?

I think my mindset plays a huge role in how I handle criticism from others in the industry. I know there is always room for improvement. I seek out constructive criticism from the people I work with because I know there are always things I can improve. I also know they aren’t coming from a place of malice, but rather also wanting to see you improve.

How important is social media presence to you, and how do you manage it?

Social media presence is relatively important to me. I don’t engage with it as much as I should because I am working or in school most of the time, but I do like to give people an eye into my daily life. I use social media to show people the “real” me outside of my modeling work. It is an effective portfolio and place you can build a community with your audience.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter the modeling industry?

The number one thing I tell people when they mention getting into the modeling industry is to make sure you have thick skin. The product you’re selling is yourself so you tend to receive a lot of criticism. You need to make sure you understand not to take it to heart and that rejection does not mean you failed or are less than. If you don’t maintain a positive mindset, it can be difficult for you to move forward in the industry.

What impact do you want to make on the fashion industry and the world through your work?

I want to inspire more people to join the modeling industry. Through showing my authentic self online, I want to help break some of the stereotypes surrounding the industry.

What’s a movie or TV show that you can watch over and over again?

There are a few movies that I can watch over and over again. When I was young, I would watch either The Croods or Emperors New Groove every single night before bed. I could probably recite every line of those movies. White Chicks is also one of my favorite movies so I could watch that on repeat too.

If you had to live in a fictional universe, which one would you pick and why?

I would choose to live in the universe of the anime "That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime." I would pick this because it is one of my favorite animes due to its lightheartedness. It would be awesome to have special abilities and interact with the interesting characters.

Is it acceptable to put ketchup on a steak?

No. The simple answer is no. Your steak should be seasoned good enough to not have to use any sauce at all. If you put ketchup on a steak I will probably judge you.