There are very few brauds in the alternative industry or altporn that really get me. Ariel X is one of them. Let me define that term “Altporn”. Alt = Alternative: different, strange, and a little kinky…think latex, fetishes, blood (sometimes), chicks with sharp objects, stuff like that…anything NOT too run of the mill…that is usually alternative. If you want more of a concise compendium of altporn…go visit Altporn.net. Anyawy…Ariel X is one interesting chica…so I asked her a few questions about what she does and what got her started…consider this my first installment in the altporn model journals…I’m introducing you guys to some stuff that you may or may NOT be into..but hell, it’s entertainment! (just don’t yawn too much, ok?)

This is a tough industry. Often, models are rejected all the time. Were you ever discouraged? What did you do to overcome it? What happened when you finally ‘made it’, did those that rejected you look at you differently then?
I was discouraged after a few months of modeling. It was from NO ONE contacting me for work or responding to acting/modeling submissions that I had made. I had one shoot with a photographer (my first photo shoot) and I was really expecting a lot more work after i had gotten “professional” pictures done…and nothing came. I got ever frustrated. Then a great photographer named Kelly Lind offered to work with me. He gave me some really great pictures to put up on my online portfolio. After working with him, i started to blow up a little more.

Did you ever think that you would get this far?
I think i still have a lot further to go with my modeling/acting career. I still feel like a nobody maybe I really am

What is your secret to success? Everyone has a formula..what is yours?
You cant give up, even when everyone tells you that you will need a boob job or go blond if you are a brunette or go brunette if you are a blond. Stick with you dream and the masses will love you for you soul

What makes you unique as a model? Is it important for up and coming models to find a niche and to market themselves in that niche, or to just ‘go with the flow’ and find a mentor until they can find out what it is that they want to do?
I have a natural figure, no fake tan, no fake hair, no fake boobs, I haven’t even had braces, what you see is what i was born with….well i do darken my hair with dye. I also love shooting edgy pictures, I have an exotic look so i like shooting with photographers who have exotic ideas.

How do you market/promote yourself? Do you do it on your own or do you utilize an agency? A lot of models think that yahoo groups and reciprocal linking is important..what is your opinion?
yahoo groups are fun, though i don’t think they will drive a lot of traffic to one’s site. They will gain a model more popularity because they are free sites that almost anyone can join. reciprocal links are great for gaining traffic. One line modeling contests are always a good way to gain popularity. Myspace and livejournal are fun online communities where models can network.

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Whats in the future for you? Do you plan on doing this for another 10 years or is this a transition for you? Often, models have a ‘life’ expectancy in this biz (age wise)..how do you feel about that limitation or does it limit you at all?
I don’t think that in 10 years I will be modeling. I’ve been wanting to get into photography because i want to take pictures of naked girls and I love helping people so I would love to help with model promotions. I actually run a computer store right now, so if something were to happen to me tomorrow that would force me to stop modeling I have something I can fall back on. That’s another piece of advice. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, always have a plan B

In your opinion, pay site or portfolio site, or both?
If depends on your reason for modeling. If you want the attention and adoration, a portfolio and fan club will do. If you are in it purely for money then pay sites are what you’d be looking at. Modeling and promoting can be costly to the models themselves so pay sites help a lot with the expenses. I will join pay sites of models i like to support them. So if you really love a model pay the $20 a month or what ever to show your support.

What has been the most influential experience or motivation to you this far?
I have met so many wonderful people while modeling. Kelly Lind and Jeffery Scott are the two photographers i have to thank the most. But the people who really keep me going, honestly are the ones that told me I would never make it. Thanks MOM

Did you have a ‘mentor’ model that you looked up to when you first entered the industry? Who was it and why?
I never had a mentor I started modeling kinda for fun, then i really got force fed who the top models are. I really like Dita vontesse, I’ve never met her but I really think she is classy. I love Darenzia. She is smoking hot and she is a doll in real life as well. I’ve always had a boner for Kate Moss to. I love skinny chicks who pose nude.

What is your advice to models trying to break into the biz? I know that you have a lot of experience and a wealth of information to offer models that are just breaking into the field. If there were three important things that you could tell them, what would they be? What would you warn them about as well?
Always do research on who you are working with. Do a google search on the photographer’s name if he/she doesn’t pop up then ask him/her for references and call the references. learn to do your own makeup or hire a professional makeup artist, it makes all the difference. Have confidence but Don’t be a premadonna

How do you network? And is networking truly important?
Networking is vital. Models need to have character and people need to see it. You may be cute but if you are dull people will forget even meeting you or chatting with you online. There are several online communities and chat rooms in which models can network and promote. If you befriend another model she may refer you to photographers looking to hire models and if you refer other models to photographers, they may be inclined to return the favor. It’s like Karma

This industry can be quite catty…how do you deal with the drama, or how do you overcome it?
I haven’t encountered it and if i have I was unaware. I hear about it though so i know it exists. I have been told that people don’t like to bring drama up around me because I’m to nice and to non bias.

We all have things in life that ‘ground’ us from time to time and remind us what is really important. What are your grounding elements in your life?
I have a large family. I have brothers and sisters who kinda make fun of me for modeling but they are very sweet and understanding about it as well. also my boyfriend will often tell me when me head is getting big and that will stop me in my tracks and I will come back down to earth. Sometimes in life, we have to take shortcuts or the reallllllllyyyyy long way to get where we want to be and go where we want to go. It is no different in the entertainment and modeling biz- did you ever have to experience this and how did you deal with it- were you patient or did youjust bite the bullet? I have been very patient I’m still waiting for a “big break” I’ve been lucky with pretty much all the work I’ve gotten. I got a role in a movie merely because the actress they had picked originally turned out to be flaky. Things happen for a reason, at least that’s what i like to believe. If you get to demanding on “I need fame/fortune NOW NOW NOW” then we loose site of the big picture. Everyone starts somewhere and everyone pays their dues. Even John Travolta ( don’t ask me why i am using him as an example)

You are one edgy babe..that is to be respected in this biz..that you stand out from the other type of glamor models.Have you gotten any flack from this for being so different and unique?
Adult mens magazines don’t think I’m sell able because of my fair complexion/ dark hair and natural breast. I think people are getting tired of cookie cutter models I think we will start seeing more exotic looking girls in the pages of our magazines. There will come the time where my look is the fad and I’m sure you’ll see a lot more of me.

What is your ‘fantasy shoot’ and who would it be with (photographer or model)?
I would love to shoot with Lisa Boyle she is a great photographer. She’s a hot girl as well. I would love to work with Suze Randall as well She’s talented and everyone knows it.

Any parting words?
I have found this interview to be a great honor. I feel a little silly for answering some of the questions, You make me out to be a super star. I’m just a girl doing my thing if you like it, then thank you and i love you and if you don’t, then stop reading and go watch re-runs of 7th heaven.

To check her out… visit ArielX.com

THANKS ARIEL!!!!

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