Tell Her She Can't by Kelly Lewis

Author:Kelly Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Go Girl Publishing
Published: 2021-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

SHE QUIT BUZZFEED TO MODEL, AND IS TOTALLY SLAYING

JARRY LEE

“What I learned was to focus on standing out, rather than on trying to fit in.”

Jarry Lee had been working as a deputy editor for BuzzFeed for four years when she realized she just wasn’t happy in what she had thought was her dream job.

Growing up in Wales, her goal had always been to work with books and publishing, and here she was, just a couple of years out of college, working as the books and culture editor for one of the largest and most well-known companies in the world. But something just didn’t feel right.

So, she let herself dream. If she could do anything, what would she do? She remembered how in school she had always had so much fun in acting classes.

“I figured, why not see what that looks like?” Jarry said. “I made some profiles and headshots for acting, and it was really fun.”

But acting is competitive, and she also wanted to explore modeling. In meeting with different modeling agencies, several directors told her that she wouldn’t be able to book jobs with her blonde hair, and that she should dye it black for more of a “traditional Asian” look. But Jarry uses her hair as a form of expression, so she said, “No, thanks” to these directors and stayed true to herself. That was when doors started opening.

“Whenever someone tells me I can’t do something, it makes me want to do that thing ten times more, and I usually succeed,” she said. “Even silly things like a former coworker telling me I wouldn’t be able to get abs, so I got abs in two weeks, or a friend telling me I shouldn’t try baking, so I started a cooking blog that’s been well-received. I definitely attribute some of my success to this stubborn attitude.”

When she started booking modeling gigs, while still holding down her full-time job, it became clear she was going to have to choose which path she wanted to pursue.

“It was really time-consuming to juggle everything at the same time,” Jarry said. “I was so burned-out at my job, and at the same time I was cast in a music video that went on to have 300 million views. So, it just seemed like why not try to make this full time?”

Her family initially doubted the decision, telling her it was risky to give up a perfectly good job with health insurance and benefits to pursue a dream that might not be attainable. But Jarry knew she was ready for the next step-she just had to take it.

Despite the fact that she was only 5’5”, far shorter than traditional models (a fact she was constantly reminded of by other models and casting directors). Despite the fact that few Asian models make it into high fashion or ever star in leading roles. Despite her own limiting beliefs that would pop up from time to time.

“I think I was worried at the very beginning,” she said. “I

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