LEXIE TAPPER & KIRA ALEXANDER – Interview
by N.G. 2016/09/01
Alexandra (Lexie) Elizabeth Tapper, a 13 year old, 5’8 1/2” tall teenager from Iowa is one in a million. Mature beyond her young age, and with looks that can’t go unnoticed, it’s the matter of time before she becomes the next big thing. Signed with KLA Management (Mother Agency), NEXT Management/ Miami, New York Model Management, Freedom Models/ Los Angeles, and The Peak Agency/ Iowa, she is currently being carefully developed by her mother agent – Kira Alexander. Here, she and Kira talk about her discovery, journey & so much more.
A star is born, so remember her name. It’s Lexie.
THE BEGINNING
LEXIE: I started doing pageants when I was 8 years old, after I was diagnosed with ADHD. Doing pageants helped me boost my confidence that had been lowered when I was diagnosed. At the end of my second pageant, one of the judges, Kelly Brown, spoke to my parents and said that “I had something special”, and that „they should pursue it if I was interested.” She was a scout for a small agency in Iowa. I signed with the agency she was with and started development. I was 9. I continued to do pageants because my parents felt it was continuing to help me grow because I had to give speeches, do interviews, and be up in front of a large crowd. I was fortunate to get to travel the country, and now I have lifelong friends all over the country. At every pageant people talked to my parents about modeling. They were very leery about all the scams that are out there, that are designed for the families of aspiring models. My mom felt that it was time to figure out if my modeling career was really going to be something, or if we were just wasting our time and spending a lot of money. The hardest part was knowing which agencies and agents were reputable and which ones were scam artists. One of the photographers we used for my development and photos for pageants, was from Florida. He was a wealth of knowledge and gave my parents a list of reputable agents. My mom spent a day sending my digitals and information to every agency on the list. We heard back from several, but when my Mom talked to Kira Alexander, she knew she was the one.
KIRA: I received an email submission from Lexie’s mom and I immediately gasped! After staring at her images for quite a while, I gave them a call to introduce myself.
Lexie has a special beauty that you don’t find every day. She is the perfect mix of unique and beautiful at the same time. Her gap along with her eyes and bone structure is unbelievable, but her cool, natural edgy look that comes from within is different as well.
GETTING SIGNED
LEXIE: My mom set up a conference call for that evening so I could talk to her too, and see what I thought. We told her we were “in” before we hung up the phone. We just knew she was the perfect fit. We met her in Miami a few weeks later for Spring Break. I did several test shoots and met with agencies. I signed with NEXT Models Miami that weekend. Kira was adamant that I would not sign with agencies that handled children. She wanted agencies that would work with her development plan. We went to New York a few months later. It was a whirlwind trip meeting with about 18 different agencies and a test shoot. I was grateful for my interview experience that pageants had given me. A few weeks later I signed with New York Models.
KIRA: Everyone was amazed by Lexie and after meeting her fell in love with her personality. There were several agencies that wanted her, but Lexie had a lot to do with the decision. We wanted her to be super comfortable and have a connection with the agents that would start this journey with her.
THE WORK
LEXIE: I have had many great modeling experiences, but one of the best moments was when I was shooting with Carlos Velez. It was my first photo shoot with him. I had no idea what to expect. To be honest I was kind of nervous. I had started to ease up as Brianna Chapman was doing my hair and makeup. When I got in front of the camera and Carlos started talking to me I felt more and more confident. By the time we finished the first look I didn’t want to stop, it was just too fun. It was the first time that I felt like that while modeling and I owe it all to Carlos Velez, Brianna Chapman, and Kira Alexander. I also owe it to my parents as well.
KIRA: Most photographers don’t realize that she is so young. The ones that know are usually blown away at how mature she is and how well she moves in front of the camera. She literally flips a switch and goes into model mode.
BEING A TEENAGER
LEXIE: I don’t really talk about modeling much at school. It is a totally separate part of my life, and people really don’t understand. My parents think it is funny when people ask if I really like modeling and would they let me quit if I wanted to. Most parents don’t get asked if their kids like the sports they are playing or other interests they have and if they would let them quit if they wanted to. Modeling is just not understood by a lot of people, but it is my passion and I love it. My friends that know about it might make a bigger deal out of it than it really is. My teachers don’t really care as long as my grades are good, but if they see a photo of me in a magazine they let me know. My family supports me the most. Personally, I don’t think I could have made it to this point without them. They turn my modeling trips into family vacations. They will make any trip happen if Kira thinks it will be a good investment in my career.
Other than modeling I like to write stories, play volleyball and spend time with my friends and family. What I love about modeling is all the places and people that I get to see and meet. I have met the most incredible people and have not had a bad experience yet.
KIRA: Since Lexie is so young We are very careful to make this a positive experience for her. During school breaks she comes to Florida or New York to shoot with photographers and continue developing her book. She will now add LA to the rounds since signing with Freedom [Models] there.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
LEXIE: There is a lot to be excited about in modeling. One of the things I love most is traveling. Travel is a big part of modeling, so I’m pretty excited about that. I also love the moment that I feel like I am giving the photographer what they are looking for. I love every part of the shoot, but my goal is to always get the shot quick and give the photographer opportunities to get even more than they planned. But for now, I am just going to take it one moment at a time, enjoy the small things, and work on my development.
KIRA: I think Lexie will be a top face because of her unique look and her love for what she does. She honestly loves to model and takes it very seriously. She has an amazing personality as well, and that will serve her well in this industry.
She will continue going to school, being a kid, doing fun kid stuff but also travel during breaks and booking appropiate jobs and photo shoots. LA and Paris are next on the agenda!!
LEXIE: I just want to do the best I can, and I want to be able to look up at a billboard or an advertisement and say “Hey that’s ME!!”
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