Los Angeles is a city of extremes. Whether it is extreme talent, extreme beauty, or just extreme kale consumption, LA is the place people flock to for a chance at extreme fame. But who are the, like, raddest new kids keeping the California dream alive? Get to know the major babes holding it down for the West Coast.
Josie Canseco
Where are you from?
I was born in Broward County, FL. I’ve been raised in LA since I was 5
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I think my personality is very “Cali”. I’m a really friendly and kind of lazy carefree person
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Something I say a lot as a response to people is “I feel you” like if someone tells me they love chocolate ice cream I’m like “I feel you”
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
The energy, everyone is laid back in some sense. Also the land/nature is so beautiful, I love the space and being able to drive for hours and hours listening to music.
What is your side hustle?
I love dancing; I was a dancer for 11 years. I also love fashion and am doing collaboration with this dope athletic wear company
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
A Pilates or Soul Cycle class, followed by a huge SUGARFISH dinner and snugs with my man before bed.
Kat McCreadie
Where are you from?
Phoenix, Arizona
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Clothing style and performing.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Lights, camera, action.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Movies, music, theater productions.
What is your side hustle?
Traveling the world.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
School, eat, and chill.
Jessica Stewart
Where are you from?
Chicago/Rockford, IL
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Bleach blonde, love coffee and small dogs. I’m always smiling and playing music as I walk down the sidewalk.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Like and totally and maybe OMG
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
I love coffee where ever I go! But the people are amazing; everyone is so nice and friendly.
What is your side hustle?
When I go home I work for my family’s organic dog/cat food store and no kill animal shelter. I am also an advocate for epilepsy awareness. I have had it since I was 16 and find it very important for people with disabilities to know and see that here is more in life than your diagnosis.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
It is usually Netflix, coffee, people watching and just being an introvert having me time or talking to my family or dog on Skype.
Torian Ellison
Where are you from?
Los Angeles, CA (Inglewood area)
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I wear black everyday.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
That’s what’s up.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Food trucks/Good food
What is your side hustle?
Fashion/skateboarding.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Local Bar on Melrose (Umbrella co.) or sports bars
Maria Chernyshova
Where are you from?
I am from Russia, Omsk
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I love walking by the shore at Malibu Beach and hiking on Runyon Canyon.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Stay chill.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Los Angeles provides amazing places to visit and outstanding weather to do so. Favorite thing made is the food and clothing.
What is your side hustle?
I train in boxing and also practice ballroom dancing.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Going out to shop, eat and have fun with my friends. As well as relaxing and having some alone time.
Saida Ducasse
Where are you from?
Anchorage, Alaska
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I love hanging out at the beach.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
I think LA has the best style of course.
What is your side hustle?
I am in the process of finding a side hustle.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
You can most likely catch me at the beach.
Morgan White
Where are you from?
Santa Clarita, CA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
My vocabulary
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Like.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
It really does have a very nice movie-like feel here.
What is your side hustle?
Honestly shopping and putting pieces together. Would eventually like to design my own clothes so I feel like I’m always working towards that.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Going out to dinner with friends or staying home and ordering in.
Dakota Lee
Where are you from?
Born in Glendale, raised in Pasadena
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I play in a band.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
I wish they all could be California girls.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Entertainment.
What is your side hustle?
I’m a full time musician; my band is “The Buttertones”
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Playing pool at Little Joy in Echo Park.
Jorji Zimmatore
Where are you from?
Westlake Village
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I love going to the beach.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Rad.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
I think people in LA have really good style and know how to have fun.
What is your side hustle?
I ride horses and I’m in school.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Watching Netflix and eating snacks because I’m lame.
Emory Ault
Where are you from?
Denver, CO
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
My beach hair and tan skin.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Rad or I die.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Art, fashion, comedy. Nothing like LA culture.
What is your side hustle?
I own a recycled material only t-shirt brand called “BBy tee” — partial profit proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Probably eating or reading near Echo Park Lake, my hood.
Kwaku Kufuor IV
Where are you from?
Las Vegas, NV
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I enjoy cruising PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) blasting music with all windows down.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Hit me up.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Entertainment (art, music, clubs, etc).
What is your side hustle?
Financial consulting for friends.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Tacos and beer @ Cinco.
Zarina Nares
Where are you from?
Tribeca, NYC
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Sick.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Great music, great green juice.
What is your side hustle?
Modeling is my side hustle, I’m a jazz and blues singer.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
In the studio singing songs.
Scarlett Leithold
Where are you from?
Brentwood, LA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
My job.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
I feel or I feel you (I’m guilty of saying that all the time)
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
LA turns everyone into an artist.
What is your side hustle?
I make my own skin care products.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Sitting in rush hour traffic.
Vanessa Mendez
Where are you from?
Santa Monica, California
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Going to the beach, downtown.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Like.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
The modern art and beautiful weather.
What is your side hustle?
Trying to go back to school for film.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Horrible traffic.
Lilliya Scarlett
Where are you from?
I grew up in New York and Montana
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I feel like my blonde hair, and addiction to salads make me “typical LA”.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Oh, you’re a creative director too?
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
The Kardashians were made in LA, haha. That was a joke, but I also think LA has really good restaurants and kale.
What is your side hustle?
I’m an artist; I mainly do visual art. Additional to painting jackets, graffiti and teeth, I also cook at restaurants.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
I don’t do a lot of happy hour except wait in traffic. I can’t get somewhere in less than two hours so I usually am home painting.
Dallas Haupt
Where are you from?
San Diego, CA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I drive like someone from LA and when I go home I get dirty looks from everyone.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Vibes. (Still don’t have a solid definition for it.)
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
LA throws the best parties!! But I also like all the different showrooms from clothing to jewelry, I like seeing the product made.
What is your side hustle?
Currently I’m in college and playing basketball for my school, but for work I also work at a recreation center helping kids learn sports.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Gym time; that’s time to lift, run, and train for basketball.
Zoi Mantzakanis
Where are you from?
From Sweden, city Karlskrona
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
That I always wear yoga pants, even if I’m going out for dinner
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
See you in ten minutes. (means at least 1 hour always)
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Green juice, LOL
What is your side hustle?
So far full time modeling.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Probably hiking with my dogs, like the rest of LA, haha.
Benji Staker
Where are you from?
Poulsbo, WA. A small town west of Seattle
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Going to the Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Park, Silverlake bars, getting smoothies at Whole Foods.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Traffic was crazy, sorry I’m late.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
The movies!!!
What is your side hustle?
I’m a painter/artist.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
At a bar for happy hour/getting early dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant.
Asianna Scott
Where are you from?
Anaheim, CA/Orange County
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I like to party.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Wavy, everything is wavy.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Up to style with fashion, it’s good to be around people who are doing similar things as you work wise. Food! I like the food warehouses.
What is your side hustle?
Sometimes I work normal jobs, retail jobs, I sell old stuff. I like to do extra work. I have other big plans but it’s a secret, stay tuned.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Hang out with my loved ones and it’s a wavy time, always. It could get a little blurry in the best way.
Dean Michael
Where are you from?
Birmingham, Alabama
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I am a skater kid who makes music.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Hella.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Capitol Records.
What is your side hustle?
Music/Odd jobs.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Traffic.
Delilah Parillo
Where are you from?
Idyllwild, CA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Complaining that everything is “too far away” to drive.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Tight, chill, dude.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Dreamscapes.
What is your side hustle?
Doodling.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Sitting by the pool watching the sunset.
Dagsen Love
Where are you from?
Phoenix, AZ
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I’m in a band and I like Whole Foods.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Suh, dude.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Satanism.
What is your side hustle?
A band called The Help.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
I do nothing.
Mackenzie McDonald
Where are you from?
San Diego, CA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Love to shop (duh?) and beach.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Totally.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Besides me?
What is your side hustle?
School.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Chilling at the beach.
Chloe Brill
Where are you from?
Westlake Village
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
Taste in food.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
Aight.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
The murals.
What is your side hustle?
School…
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Studying.
Thurston Day
Where are you from?
Long Beach, CA
What’s the most typically LA thing about you?
I was born and raised.
Your favourite LA/Californian word or phrase?
I’m in a band.
What do you think Los Angeles does best?
Weird slang.
What is your side hustle?
LA has a good music scene sometimes.
What does your Happy Hour (4:30-7:30pm) look like?
Going to the Colorado Lagoon .
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Photography – Benjo Arwas for models.com
Photographer’s Assistant – Brandon Wholihan
Models – Zarina Nares, Thurston Day, Kwaku Kufuor IV, Vanessa Mendez, Benji Staker & Saida Ducasse @ VISION Los Angeles (Culver City), Josie Canseco, Scarlett Leithold, Dean Michael, Zoi Mantzakanis, Dallas Haupt, Asianna Scott & Delilah Parillo @ Next LA (Los Angeles), Chloe Brill, Dakota Lee, Torian Ellison, Morgan White, Jessica Stewart & Jorji Zimmatore @ Photogenics LA (Los Angeles), Emory Ault @ Two Management (Los Angeles), Kat McCreadie, Lilliya Scarlett, Maria Chernyshova & Dagsen Love @ Freedom Models (Los Angeles), Mackenzie McDonald @ LA Models (Los Angeles)