Teresa Changchien
Teresa Changchien
Who:
Teresa Changchien -- @teresaviolettt_ -- 5'5” -- from Ohio.
Where:
New York City
Agencies:
- Did you always want to be a model? Tell us about how you were discovered.
I think modeling was one of those dreams that I secretly felt a little guilty about. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, I wasn’t conventionally beautiful, and I’m not tall. I thought it could never happen for me. However, I have been obsessed with fashion since I was able to pick out my own clothes, and I always admired content creators and models I saw on TV and online. I got discovered by my first agency in college after posting outfits on Instagram. I didn’t book much work, so I gave up and forgot about it for a while. When I was studying in Boston for my master’s degree, I signed with my mother agency. Taking modeling seriously has changed my life. I now live in NYC and I’ve worked with some really cool brands, such as Fenty Beauty and Bose. I’m so grateful for these opportunities and it’s felt like a dream.
- What are your favorite forms of self care and why?
My favorite forms of self care are any forms of creative movement. Aerial and pole help me feel so grounded and I forget about all my problems when I’m moving through a flow. It feels like meditation. I also love journaling. I also get into a flow state when I’m writing, whether it’s to remind myself everything I am grateful for, or to process my deep emotions.
- What other passions do you have aside from modeling?
When I’m not modeling, I absolutely love all forms of dancing. I love pole dancing and have a pole in my apartment, I also love aerial hoop and used to be an instructor when I was living in Boston. The physical feeling of spinning and listening to my favorite music is so magical to me. I also currently work as a behavioral therapist for children with developmental disabilities, which fulfills my passion for helping children as well as incorporating psychological techniques into fun and play!