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

Hi Sky, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
When faced with the question of whether to keep going or give up, my mindset has always been focused on perseverance and finding alternative paths to achieve my goals. I have never considered giving up on my aspirations, even when others may have thought I was taking on too much. I believe that if there’s something I truly desire, I owe it to myself to keep pushing forward.

Take, for instance, my ambition to become a Broadway actor. The ultimate goal is to grace the Broadway stage, and I initially believed that attending a prestigious school like UCI or Chapman University would provide the necessary training to achieve that dream. However, despite facing rejection from UCI three times, I didn’t let it discourage me. Instead, I reevaluated my approach and sought out other avenues to improve my skills.

I began investing in master classes, personal lessons, and even started auditioning remotely. This experience taught me that there’s never just one path to success. It’s about adapting, learning from setbacks, and exploring different opportunities. While I initially believed UCI was the only way, I realized that there are various methods to enhance my dancing, singing, and acting abilities.

Throughout my journey, I have never doubted my potential to achieve all that I desire in life. I embrace the idea that giving up is not an option, and instead, I choose to view challenges as opportunities for growth and finding new approaches. It’s a mindset I encourage others to adopt as well, as it empowers us to persevere, overcome obstacles, and ultimately realize our dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a 5’7″ international runway model, which is quite rare. My favorite aspect of modeling is walking in fashion shows. At 15, I received personal coaching on my runway walk and posing for photoshoots. Despite being young, having a great look, and nailing the walk, I still didn’t have one thing: the height. Being 3 inches below the industry’s height requirement led to rejections from modeling agencies and being turned away at runway auditions. To compensate, I’ve been wearing 6-inch heels since I was 17.

Overcoming this height obstacle has been one of my greatest triumphs. In 2021, I lined up 12th for an open casting at Los Angeles Fashion Week, only to be repeatedly told I was too short and should go home. I fought back, insisting, “I can walk! Just give me a chance! I won’t waste your time!” After a series of exchanges, I was asked to either email a video of my walk or wait at the back of the line. So, I patiently waited for five and a half hours, behind around 250 other models. I ended up in the last group to audition, and I booked six designers that season. I was the shortest model for five out of six of the designers I walked for.

Previously, I used to show up to castings, fittings, rehearsals, and shows in my 6-inch heels, never taking them off so no one would notice that I “didn’t belong.” However, for this particular show, I felt more confident in both myself and my height.

My passion for modeling runs deep, and I refuse to let anyone tell me it’s not meant for me because I’m “too short.” Following my experience at Los Angeles Fashion Week, I founded my own company to train models. I want to encourage and empower other “short” models, teaching them that their unique look and skills can propel them much further than mere height. I hope to create a wave in the measurement requirements within the modeling industry and leave my mark as one of the “shortest runway models in history,” joining the ranks of accomplished models like Sara Sampaio, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kate Moss.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Orange County, but my roots are in Paradise Hills, San Diego. Growing up as a Filipina in Southeast San Diego meant I had the privilege of enjoying incredible Asian, Mexican, and especially Filipino food. When it comes to boba shops, SD Boba Tea (big shoutout to them for their continuous support) and Happy Lemon are my top picks. And let me settle the score on the best ramen—Tajima takes the crown, hands down.

If you’re craving Filipino food, National City is the place to be. For incredible Asian food and desserts, head to Kearny Mesa. And when it comes to Mexican food, Pacific Beach, National City, and the areas south of National City won’t disappoint.

Now, let’s talk about the coolest spots for daytime and nighttime activities. North Park, Gaslamp District, Belmont Park, and Balboa Park are all must-visit destinations. And if you find yourself in San Diego during June, you absolutely have to check out the Del Mar Fair, also known as the San Diego County Fair. I can’t explain why, but the county fair is the best in San Diego compared to other counties! Lastly, the beaches—they’re all amazing, but La Jolla Cove is my absolute favorite.

Despite living there for 19 years, there’s still so much more I want to explore and experience!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shoutout to my amazing parents who have supported me since day one. They’ve gone above and beyond to make my dreams come true, investing their time, effort, and resources in my passions and career since I was a little kid. I owe my titles as a model, actor, and recording artist to them. I also want to thank my fiancé’s family for their incredible support, adventures, and encouragement. My friends and fans have been with me from the beginning, cheering me on without fail. And a special thanks to my fiancé, who’s my biggest fan and believes in me more than I believe in myself. I’m excited to make everyone on this list incredibly proud very soon!

Instagram: instagram.com/imnotsky

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skysaxour

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@skysaxour

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skysaxour

Image Credits
Chris Marriott
LUOOIF STUDIO
Lawson Chew
Daniel Rodriguez
Dion Trinidad
Avel Bacudio
Jay Mahmood
Tati Tate
Toma Kostygina
Trisha Paciente
Jennie Park

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