Meet Jules Simpson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Simpson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jules. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story is pretty short. One of my good friends, Mckaylah, is a model and actress with Ford Robert Black in Scottsdale. She loves it, and she encouraged me to go into a model call. I didn’t have the best self-confidence because I was picked on quite a bit for being so much taller than everyone else. My self-esteem was low because I was different. I’m 5 foot 8 inches and I’m only 11 years old. My friend believed in me, though, and continued to encourage me. Mckaylah had a runway show where Ford was doing a model call that she asked me to attend. I wanted to support her, so I showed up. After her show, I went to the model call and met with Ms. Sheree, the owner.

She was so nice and welcoming. And guess what? She loved my height! She even commented on my big feet, which I’m super embarrassed about (can’t believe I’m telling you this). But, Ms. Sheree saw what was different in me, what I had been ashamed of, and told me that was what made me special and what would make me successful in this industry. That was a little over a year ago, and I’ve been loving it ever since!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, as I mentioned before, I’m pretty young. I’m sure I have a lot to learn and that there will be more struggles along the way. I’ve had two struggles that are worth sharing, though. My first is related to the time commitment and making priorities. I’m a competitive dancer at OnStage Dance Academy, in Glendale, and I love it. I take 17 classes a week, which is a bit crazy, I know. So, fitting in modeling events, runway practice and acting classes have been difficult. I’m often having to make decisions between dancing and modeling, two things I love so much, but there is simply not enough time to do everything. I also attend a gifted academy in Peoria, which comes with quite a bit of homework, and I play the violin in our school orchestra, which takes practice. Plus, of course, I have a family and family time is important to me. After family and school, the limited time I have left is spent either dancing or modeling. I think I’m successful in all that I’ve done so far, but I do not have much free time.

Another issue I’ve had is with my social media. I didn’t have any social media before I signed with FordRBA. After I signed though, we started an Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and then linked them all together and I began posting pictures and sharing what I’m doing. Once I got into fashion, I started serving as a brand rep for local and small brands and labels that were focused on teen and tween fashion. After that, I started to quickly gain followers and receive messages from all types of people. At one point, a person was messaging me every few hours telling me that they loved me and although it sounds nice, it was a bit weird. I’ve also had a few people reach out who were fake agents/scouts for major companies and modeling agencies, trying to get me to send them pictures or meet them somewhere. Thankfully, my mom sends all requests like that to my agency, and my agents review everything. They are always looking out for me and they have discovered every fake account and scam! Now, my social media is also on my mom’s phone so she can see everything that is coming in and can block any weird stuff. I’m still on there so if you want to reach out to me, you can, but you’re going to also get my mom.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
Well, I’m a model, actress, and dancer. I was called a triple threat in another article. That is kind of funny because anyone who knows me knows I’m not threatening at all. I’m nice and a bit reserved. And, to be honest, there are a lot of people who model, dance and act in the world. I think what makes me different is that at this point, because of my height, I’m able to work in roles/fashion both as a child and as a teenager. Having the ability to do that is pretty cool, and makes it so that I can accept more jobs than if I was just able to do one or the other.

I also take a different approach to this industry than what others have in the past. I think there is room for everyone to succeed. Kindness matters and when we uplift those around us, we uplift ourselves. I think it is important to promote local brands and small businesses and I really try to help those with a good cause and anyone who needs it. I’m just starting to dabble in sustainable fashion/upcycling and I love that idea, not just for what it means for the environment but also what it means for fashionistas, that don’t have the money to participate in the industry.

Ultimately, what I’m most proud of is what I stand for. Nobody should ever be ashamed of what they look like or who they are like I was. What made me different (my height) is what launched me into this industry – it is funny to think that it was the one thing about myself that I wish I could have changed. Now, I love my height and I love myself. I hope everyone is able to reach their goals and I’ll help them achieve them if I can, while I’m on the road to achieving mine.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Well, I’m still in my childhood. HAHA But, my favorite memory so far was a trip this past summer that my family took to Rosarito, Mexico. It was the first time I had been out of the country and it was nice because it was simply for vacation, so I had nothing to do but enjoy myself. We stayed at a beach house in Rosarito for a week. Everything was SO beautiful and colorful. The buildings were painted so brightly and the flowers and produce were just beautiful and so different from what I see here in Arizona.

One day we went down to the shopping district and I saw so much beautiful fashion. I was eyeing this gorgeous blue dress for quite a bit and kept coming back to the street vendor to look at it. My dad ended up buying it for me and I went in the back and changed right away and then wore it for the rest of the day, and even on the beach. It is such a beautiful blue! My aunt and uncle found this gorgeous jewelry and this beautiful purple hat. I think everyone in the family found something they loved that was colorful. It was during that trip that I realized I love color so much!

But most of the trip I spent on the beach. I love the beach and would rather be there than anywhere else and I especially love the trips we take to the beach as a family. I spent time building sandcastles with my grandma and lounging on a cabana reading books with my mom. I explored with my aunt and found so many little creatures like crabs and sea urchins. I found this cool cave with my dad and my uncle, and my uncle fell in the water – it was so funny! My little brother and I boogie boarded and swam in the ocean. It was an amazing memory that I will always have.

Contact Info:

• Website: fordrba.com/JuliannaSimpson
• Instagram: @julesmodels
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/julesmodels
• Twitter: @julesmodels

Image Credit:
Photographers: Brad Reed, Natalie Howe, Michelle Herrick, Matt Brown, Tabitha Weaver, and Nando Esparza
Hair and Makeup: James Matthew, Jen Pitt, Holli Chris, Diana Nichole, Kensington Makeup Academy, and Joanna Simpson
Stylist: Ford Robert Black Agency and Berly Beray
Small/Independent Brands: The Life of Rihley Brand Boutique, Purveyor 24, Habitual Girls, Hayden Girls, Sugar Lulu
Major Brands: Levis, Justice, Converse, H&M

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