Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lillian Parham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lillian, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
As I reflect on how I developed my confidence and self-esteem, I realize that I have my parents to thank the most. They always poured into my siblings and me growing up, always making sure we were aware of our potential and fostering our gifts. They encouraged us in academics as well as athletics. My parents struck the perfect balance between pushing us to be better and also acknowledging our triumphs. I never felt like I wasn’t good enough in the eyes of them and seeing the confidence they had in themselves as well as me helped to build my confidence and self-esteem. Whenever I was in doubt or wasn’t sure if I could do something, they let me know that I could. Believing in yourself and all that you can achieve is easy when you have high self-esteem but even easier when you have others in your corner who believe in you. While I believe my parents have the most do to with my confidence, it also has to do with surrounding myself with positive people who encourage and support me. Their belief in me helped me to believe in myself.
Additionally, I believe self-esteem is also something personal that you need to work on on your own. Learning to embrace yourself, flaws and all is important and allows us to let go of our insecurities. Affirmations are something I like to do in general but are also incredibly useful when you need a boost of confidence and to self-affirm.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Model and Content Creator based in North Carolina, often traveling to different states for photoshoots. I have been modeling since 2017 and have been in several different fashion shows, magazines, brand websites, etc. I am signed in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to the Modeling Agency, Directions USA. As a Content Creator, I have worked with a variety of different brands and currently, I am a Brand Ambassador for Fabletics. I have hopes to one day explore the world of acting and add it to my resume.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I believe that my Authenticity, Confidence, and Willingness to practice and grow in my craft have been the most impactful in my journey. My advice on improving your authenticity is to be firm in your beliefs and get to know who you are. I think that being true to yourself is one of the most important things you can do. People can sense when you aren’t being authentic and often, you will find out people like you more when you are. When it comes to confidence, it’s a constant work in progress and is something you can improve every day. For those interested in a career that puts you in the public eye it is a must-have. In the modeling world, you may get told no many times but you must maintain confidence in your abilities and personality as it will get you far. Even on days you are not feeling the most confident, you gotta fake it till you make it. Finally, I believe that you must always be willing to be a student again in whatever career path you choose. Learning from others can help you improve and become even more capable. I have always welcomed the chance to learn and receive mentorship from others. The willingness to continually practice and hone your craft allows you to get even better and propel you into higher opportunities.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client would have to be Beyoncé with Ivy Park or Rihanna with Fenty Beauty or Savage X Fenty. I am a huge fan of both individuals and would be honored to model for their brands in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalp99/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalp99/
- Tiktok: @lalp99
Image Credits
Photographers: Alex Wiggs @aceshootz Evan Schiappa @throughevanslens Kaci Moran @kacimoranphotography Stylist: Monique Kristian @ohhlala_eventsandco Florist: Jennifer DeRossett @antiquerosefloral Muas: Graham Tyler Jordan @grahamtylermua Taylor Martez @taylormartezartistryllc
