20 Questions with Nicolette Gray

Photographed by Kevin Berru
Location Garza Blanca Cancun

NICOLETTE GRAY
@nicolettegray

What’s the first thing you thought of this morning?
The first thing I thought of this morning when I woke up was definitely that I realized I was in Cancun and I’m so grateful to be here.

How would you describe yourself in three words to Modeliste readers?
Ambitious, genuine and spontaneous.

How did you begin your career as an influencer, and what steps did you take to get where you are today?
I began my career as an influencer when I was 11 years old. I was always posting videos online. I was just a big viewer of YouTube. So I eventually just started creating as most people would. And then when I was 15 years old, I was actually on Dr. Phil with my family. And from there, I started to gain traction from the internet and my YouTube channel took off.

I eventually just went from receiving a lot of hate on the internet to just vlogging my life, showing myself and my family and all of our real moments. Even, we started to film every single moment in our family, whether it was good or bad. We just wanted to show we’re a genuine family and we have moments just like every other family does. And people started to fall in love with that. And that’s why I’m here and that’s what turned my career into what it is.

What’s something your followers may not know about you?
One thing the Internet wouldn’t know about me is that I’m actually very different from how the press portrays me. On my YouTube channel, I’m actually myself. I’m very real.

As an influencer, how do you hope to influence people most through your platforms?
I hope to show people through my platforms that they can really be their true selves and they don’t have to hide anything because a lot of influencers are shy to put their best version of themselves out there. Sometimes it makes me feel insecure when I’m watching other people. But whenever I film, I just show everything and I’m not going to act like I have it altogether because I truly don’t, like most of the people out there. I’m sure a lot of other people are figuring it out as we’re just trying to be our best selves. I just want to show that’s normal.

What can people expect to see from you in 2021?
In 2021, I have a lot of projects that I’m looking to release. I just released my jewelry line last year and I’ve loved working on that so much. I have been working on a clothing line and some other things that are going to be out soon. But aside from projects, I really want to focus on my YouTube channel this year, because sometimes I tend to go through a lot of things and I’m just not picking up the camera as much. But this year I really want to focus on uploading a lot and getting back in touch with my audience because they are a part of me. But if I’m not constantly just putting out content and talking to them, I don’t feel complete.

What would you consider to be your uniform?
I don’t have a typical uniform. If you look at me and look at what I wear, I feel like it is predictable and I do have a style. I’m constantly evolving my style and I honestly haven’t figured it out yet. I’m not at the point where I love every single thing that I wear every day. I’m still figuring it out and I’m still building my wardrobe and that’s a journey that I’m very, very excited to keep going on.

Vintage or designer?
I love both vintage and designer. I actually love archive designers, which is vintage and designer all in one. I have a store back in LA where we actually sell a lot of archive designer clothing. It’s called Safe Haven. And I just love both because the designer is really cool. With vintage and archive designers, you can get a piece that is so hard to find and that you’re not going to see everybody walking in them. And that’s why I love it so much. Also, it’s so hard to find those pieces that, once you get them, you value them so much.

Sneakers or heels?
If I had to choose between sneakers or heels, I would 100% choose sneakers. I love how heels look sometimes, but I hate how they feel. And I have heels that feel okay, but they don’t look the best. So definitely sneakers.

What is your go-to beauty look at this very moment?
I actually do the same makeup every single day. I’m looking to expand my makeup skills so I can start to do different looks. Sometimes I would like to glam it up, but right now I pretty much do the same routine every day. It’s pretty natural makeup for my everyday look and I love it.

What is your favorite Pixi product?
My favorite Pixi product is the On-the-Glow Blush. I used it when I was getting ready today and I just love it so much. When I first put it on, I thought it was so pigmented and I was like, wow, this color is so intense, but then you blend it in and you just get the perfect glow.

Who are the women in your life that you find inspiring right now?
I love this question so much. Three women… I’m honestly inspired by every single woman in my life. I just think women are so amazing and every single one I’ve ever met has inspired me in so many ways that they don’t even know yet. But if I had to choose three, it would definitely be my Mom, number one, and I just want to put my mom and sister together. And then after that, my friend, Amanda Diaz. She just inspires me so much with the way she handles life, with the way she approaches business situations, with the way she approaches her social media, everything. I admire her so much! And third, it would be one of my childhood best friends and my business partner, Nicolette. Her name’s also Nicolette, and she inspires me so much just with everything she does. And she always tells me that I inspire her, but she doesn’t even understand that half the reason that I’m able to do anything that I do is because of her.

What was your favorite part of your getaway with Modeliste at Garza Blanca?
My favorite part of my getaway with Modeliste is definitely meeting everybody. There’s nothing I appreciate more than just being in this amazing new beautiful resort and connecting with people – I’ve met so many friends on this trip. When you’re with a group of 10 people and you’re with them the whole time for five days, you really just get close and build a connection with every single person. So that has definitely been my favorite thing. And aside from that, it has been the incredible dinners where we get to chat with everyone and the fantastic pool. I’m definitely looking forward to going in the pool again and enjoying the beach.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
If I could say one thing to my fans, it would be that I love them so, so much. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate you. And even if I’m not uploading every single second on my channel, just know I love you guys so much and I am with you and you guys are with me with every single thing that I do. There’s nothing I value more than the connection that I have with my followers.

What do you love most about Modeliste Magazine?
What I love most about Modeliste magazine is the people that run the company. I love them so much. I love every single person that I’ve gotten to work with on this trip and also I love what the magazine stands for and everything they put out.