Meet Lola Angelina | Content Creator & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lola Angelina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lola, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
During the 20 years I have been on this Earth, I have noticed a lot of things that might make others happy is not what dictates my happiness. Getting back into a warm car and feeling like a blanket just wrapped around me, having a day to be alone, or waking up to hear the owls in my neighborhood are just some small things I have noticed that make me happy.

Growing up in a less fortunate home, materialistic items USED to make me happy as that is how they were portrayed to me. “If you have the newest Lululemon or shop at Aritzia, you should be happy,” until you waste hundreds of dollars and only have 2 new shirts. Where is the happiness in that? Some may find their happiness in this, but it wasn’t the way I could.

Happiness has not always been one of my close friends though. Since being diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety at 15 years old, happiness was something I STRUGGLED with (and still do, occasionally). After a very serious few years battling mental illnesses, I couldn’t figure out why the things that “should” make me happy, weren’t. After being hospitalized for mental health, I realized that there was more to life than the demons I was facing in my mind.

Happiness to me is the peace in my home, the quiet in the hallways, and the beach sunset from my bed. My city makes me happy, solitude makes me happy, even boredom makes me happy. To be alive and healthy is the biggest happiness I could ask for.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is not one consisting of an easel and paint brushes. My art is myself, my poses, who I am in front of the camera. My art is modeling. I am most proud of this because I am not your “typical model.” I am 5’2, covered in tattoos and piercings, and would definitely not be able to walk runway, but that is what sets me apart. Always being told that I could never model, this pushed me to want this THAT much more.

My mom was my biggest supporter, even from a very young age (middle school) in anything I wanted to do. I always had a passion to be in front of the camera, whether that was filming myself doing makeup tutorials or clothing hauls after she would work extra to buy new things for me. This was definitely not an easy journey, but the people in my life made is smooth sailing.

Some lessons I have learned along the way is that there will ALWAYS be those who are unsupportive, discouraging, and everything negative, but you need to let those only push you farther and harder to your goals. All those people want is to see you fail, and to let them watch you succeed is the best feeling ever. I want the world to know that if you want something bad enough, you’ll make it happen. Whether that is sacrificing something you never thought you could or leave a situation you never imagined leaving. If I had told my high school-self where I would be today, she would probably laugh and walk away. And if you find yourself having no one, I can promise you that you’ll always have yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
San Diego will always have a very beautiful and special place in my heart and I would love to share it with anyone that asked. I would first take them to Sunset Cliffs, in Point Loma. The Cliffs has always been my serenity and I found myself there almost every single day, before attending university along them as well, at Point Loma Nazarene University (which sits on the private area of the Cliffs). To eat, I would take the to Tacos el Gordo, a local iconic Mexican food spot. Seriously, the best you might ever try. Personally, I do not drink alcohol, but there are so many fun bars that people love and enjoy, especially in places such as Pacific Beach, Gaslamp, and North Park. I would take them to La Jolla Shores to see the Sea Lions and even the zoo (which is HUGE). Some of the most interesting places to see in San Diego are all the beaches and shops. From local stores to high end designer, San Diego can always promise you a very successful shopping trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To everyone who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.
To everyone who wanted me to stay, even when I didn’t want to stay myself.
To myself, for staying.

Instagram: @lola_aangel

Image Credits
Johanna Pake
Jeffrey Dransfeldt