Poppy Garofalo
Staff Writer
Pepperdine shares its home in Malibu, Calif., with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Just outside of Los Angeles, this coastal community provides the perfect haven for celebrities wishing to escape from city life. Students are accustomed to living among the rich and famous. But when a fellow student reaches this stature, people begin to take notice.
Ashley Steele entered Pepperdine as a typical freshman, declaring a theater and television major with an emphasis in directing for film. For most students, a college education provides the foundation for their future career, but this is notthe case for Steele. With a modeling career already in place, Pepperdine is merely a stepping stone to advanced success in an increasingly competitive industry.
Steele’s career began in an almost movie-like fashion.
“I was actually approached at the mall when I was 15 years old and told that I had an interesting look,” Steele said.
The Woodinville, Wash., native said he was asked to come in for an interview with Hefner Model Management in Seattle, which is 40 minutes away from his small hometown. The next step was a trip to Los Angeles. The following year, the aspiring model was flown to the city to participate in a competition being held by the International Model and Talent Association.
He competed in a variety of categories that involved both modeling and acting, and Steele won the commercial, print and high-fashion categories.
“These were the same three categories that Ashton Kutcher won when he competed in the event,” Steele said.
With his talent now evident, the young model received callbacks from 15 modeling agencies. He signed with Raw Model Management, a Los Angeles agency.
“Raw was a good start,” Steele said.
The agency focused on both modeling and acting, which appealed to Steele who is also an aspiring actor and director. During his time with Raw, he landed several commercials and did extensive runway and print work. Steele showed his versatility modeling in hair shows for American Crew, doing in-store modeling for Abercrombie and Fitch and appearing in magazines such as European Vogue.
Steele’s contract with Raw is only binding until the age of 18. Now, five months after his birthday, the model is faced with the decision of either renewing his contract or signing with another agency.
He said he is planning to audition with Ford and Wilhelmina, two top modeling agencies. Unlike Raw, both of these agencies focus exclusively on modeling, but the Pepperdine freshman still sees them as the next step in advancing his career.
So far, Steele said he has enjoyed all aspects of his modeling career, even though he said some of the photographers have been “creepy.”
If given the choice, the young model said he would choose runway over print work.
“I like being able to interact with the audience,” Steele said. “Being on a runway involves some acting.”
Steele said he also wants to pursue different aspects of the entertainment industry.
“I see modeling as a side job,” Steele said. “It’s not a stable profession.”
While he has a definite interest in acting, the freshman said his true passion lies in directing.
Steele said working in several different fields does not bother him.
“I think that the industry ties all of my interests together,” Steele said.
While he one day hopes to be directing independent films, Steele said he sees modeling, acting and a college education as important foundations for his future.
The freshman took a break during the fall semester to focus on his studies. Classes such as television production, which are tied to his major, have only strengthened Steele’s desire to learn, he said.
“I think Pepperdine is the perfect environment for me to pursue my career while getting an education,” Steele said.
While many people involved in the entertainment industry choose to bypass college in the pursuit of their career, Steele said he recognizes the importance of receiving a higher level of education.
Living in the dorms and attending classes regularly, Steele said he is truly experiencing college life. He may be a professional model, but on Pepperdine’s campus he is a student first, Steele said.
One of Steele’s suitemates, freshman Spencer Vaughn, described their friendship as “unconditional.” Opening up to other students, the young model said he is forming bonds that will last a lifetime.
“You can always count on him in a pinch,” Vaughn said. “He’s just a nice guy.”
The aspiring director said he is especially excited about Pepperdine’s annual film festival. He is already preparing his entries and collaborating with a group of fellow students. Planning to submit two films, a comedy and a drama, Steele said he is excited for the chance to gain hands-on experience.
Steele’s friends said his positive attitude has set him on a path to success. Many students said they enjoy working with him on class projects.
“Ashley is a great worker with a strong work ethic,” freshman Jared Haness said. “He always wants to keep going, to keep coming up with ideas.”
Although Steele said he does not like to publicize his modeling career on campus, his friends said they already consider him a celebrity in his own right.
01-27-2005
