Meet Fo Porter: "America's Next Top Model" Alumni & the Paul Mitchell® Holiday Campaign Model
If you’re thinking this freckle-faced beauty looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen her on your TV or a few store aisles while you’re shopping. Fo Porter graced screens around the globe as a contestant on Cycle 12 of "America’s Next Top Model" and now, the ANTM alum is gracing pages as one of our stunning holiday models. Once we realized she’d been a contender on one of our favorite cult classic reality shows, we figured as longtime fans, it was our duty to get her to spill some secrets.
PM: When did you first become interested in modeling and made you want to join in on the ANTM phenomenon?
FP: Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I never really envisioned myself becoming a model, well, no more than the next girl. That kind of stuff only happens in the big cities. Cycle 1 of ANTM aired when I was 12 years old; I watched every single episode of every season thereafter. I was freshly 18 years old and my mom was living in Phoenix, she let me know they were holding an open casting call for Cycle 12 and that I should give it a shot. Going out on a limb, and not really knowing what to expect, I packed my bags and headed to Phoenix. To my disbelief, I got an official call back from one of the main directors"and the rest is history!
PM: How did things change for you after the show?
FP: My entire life as I knew it changed completely! I figured I'd go back to Albuquerque, continue working as a preschool teacher and carry on with my simple life. Instead, once the show finished airing, I received a call from my now agency, Nous Model Management, who picked me up and helped me create the career I have today. It's been a crazy, beautiful life to say the least.
PM: ANTM was one of our not-so-guilty pleasures. What’s one of yours?
FP: Comic books, Star Wars and cosplay—I love it all! I attend Comic Con (one of the biggest—if not THE BIGGEST—comic conventions in the world in San Diego almost every year). I love everything about comics: the illusion, the stories and especially the characters. Growing up with four brothers and being the only girl, I had no choice but to love it. I also like to dress up like my favorite characters and attend comic events. Since I was little, that whole world has been a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine—always has been and always will be!
PM: How was working on the Paul Mitchell holiday campaign? Favorite highlight?
FP: OMG—it was phenomenal! I grew up on Paul Mitchell, so being a part of the campaign was such a treat. Not to mention I’m a huge comic book nerd and my campaign was based on pop art, which I adored. Favorite highlight? Too many—everything was amazing, but I think getting the full, royal treatment was to die for. From the cute manicure to the gorgeous wardrobe to the beautiful makeup and my 5 1/2 stacks of eye lashes (yes ladies, FIVE AND A HALF), I could barely keep my eye lids open, but I loved every last minute. Most of all, of course, the big, bold and beautiful hair—incredible!
PM: What’s up next for you and where can fans follow along?
FP: Well, I'm a woman of many different activities and "talents," so to speak! I just finished up my full certification in Pilates back in September, I recently got married in October and now I'm really wanting to get back into TV hosting! I've always had a spark for it—interacting with people, asking all the right questions. It's something I’ve wanted to be a part of for so long, but never really found the time with my hectic print and commercial schedule. So with this new chapter in my life, I would like to kind of reinvent myself and get deeper into the hosting field. I think it's been a long time coming!
Instagram: @fopopps