We were lucky to catch up with Viper Cameron-Lovell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Viper , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I know that growth often begins when you step outside of your comfort zone. That’s when you really see how people react—sometimes with jealousy, confusion, or even anger. You start to see their true intentions. You realize where they wanted you to stay in their lives, and it becomes clear they didn’t want you to grow beyond that. But it’s part of life to outgrow people.
It’s hard for some to accept what they don’t understand.
For example, if you’re an expert in rocket science, you can’t expect a child to grasp what you know at your level. And you can’t be mad if they don’t understand—or if they have no desire to. They’re not ready.
Once you realize your life is fully in your hands, everything shifts. That doesn’t mean your story or your pain doesn’t deserve to be heard or defended—but it does mean that you’re the only one responsible for how it continues. If you want life to change, you have to change it.
One of the hardest parts of being a mentor and teacher is knowing that while I want to help everyone, I can’t do the work for them. If I hand someone everything on a silver platter, they might take it and use it, abuse it, or ignore it completely. If they choose not to accept help, that’s where my support ends. I can wish them well and move forward, but everyone has free will.
Another challenging, but necessary, part of guiding others to success is allowing them to fail—and to be rejected. I can’t hold their hand through every obstacle. I have to be honest. I have to help them discover their own niche, their own goals—otherwise I’m setting them up to fail. That’s why my lessons are built to help people create long-term goals without wasting anyone’s time—mine or theirs.
Once you stop making excuses and accept that not every casting, audition, or sale will go your way, you gain power. You reflect, learn, refocus, and try again.
Rejection, negativity, and setbacks are part of this industry—even if you don’t see them right away. But how you respond makes all the difference. Learning to turn the negative into growth is everything.
Most of my journey was built on rejection, being unpaid, unsupported, and even humiliated—often by those I expected to be in my corner. But I kept going. I did it for myself.
If you’re passionate and consistent, you will get there.
But it won’t happen overnight.
Dreams can become reality—
—but reality isn’t a dream.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My mission in the industry is to build real, sustainable careers for all kinds of creatives and talents—especially those who have been told they couldn’t succeed. I’m passionate about breaking down toxic industry standards and creating inclusive opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds, including students, families, low-income individuals, and those who have been overlooked or underestimated. I strive to help talents escape scams and unsafe environments, while building a community rooted in empowerment, safety, education, and career growth.
Confidence is everything in this industry, and I’m here to help people develop it from the inside out. Beyond the talent world, I also have a deep love for special needs birds. In the future, I hope to collaborate with bird rescues and raise awareness through creative projects. My logo is inspired by my late parrot Hiccup, who couldn’t fly—but whose spirit reminded me to help others find their wings. His journey motivates everything I do.
Professionally, I’m excited about my upcoming “Rebellion Runway Show,” which will now become an annual experience, along with a second exclusive image-based runway project that hasn’t been announced yet. These events are not only visually impactful—they’re designed to train and pay the models involved. Models gain experience, media and marketing knowledge, safety tools, and tangible compensation—whether it’s financial, creative, or personal fulfillment.
Through my platform, I offer customizable and affordable classes, castings, content creation, music videos, and more—for models, actors, social media creators, photographers, performers, and creatives. I take pride in helping talents achieve their specific goals—and I make sure no one is left behind.
For example, on Mother’s Day (May 11, 2025), several of my talents—including myself—attended a paid casting opportunity. Out of ten who came in person, six had done private coaching with me beforehand—and all six were booked. Four more were selected online. The remaining talents? I connected them with paid brand ambassador roles that same night. Within 24 hours, every single participant had landed a paid opportunity—and many are still booking work today.
At the end of the day, my brand is about lifting others up, creating lasting impact, and making sure every talent has the tools and opportunities to soar.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things truly shaped my journey in the industry.
First, finding my niche—and realizing I had more than one—was a game-changer. I discovered I wasn’t just a model; I had the ability to model direct, to guide others and bring visions to life from behind the scenes. That expanded my purpose and potential in ways I never expected.
Second, learning to accept rejection as a form of reflection and growth. I started saying yes to events, opportunities, and people that felt uncomfortable or unfamiliar. That discomfort became my greatest teacher. Every “no” helped guide me closer to the right “yes.”
Third, prioritizing my mental, emotional, and physical health. I gave myself permission to rest. I nourished my body, cared for my feet and back (especially for poses and heels), protected my skin, and embraced a private life outside of the spotlight. That balance is what keeps me grounded and allows me to show up fully.
I also made it a point to educate myself on model and talent safety—something I believe every aspiring model should take seriously.
My advice: don’t let anything stop you. Obstacles are not roadblocks—they’re tests. They ask: Are you ready? Are you aligned? Start now, with what you have. Grow from there.
And remember—success isn’t simple. It’s built through consistency, evolution, setbacks, rejections, and persistence. Keep your vision strong, and your spirit stronger.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes! I’m open to collaborating with all kinds of businesses—big or small. Whether you’re a food sponsor, boutique, cosmetology school, college, high school, or youth program, I’d love to connect. I’m also open to working with families, pet lovers, musicians, artists, performers—you name it, tag me!
Let’s create something impactful together. If you’re reading this and feel aligned, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m just a message or tag away!
Contact Info:
- Website: Darkziperox Coaching https://g.co/kgs/Z5jo8oG
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkziperox?igsh=cHg5ZmxobTNtcnE4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/185ykh12TP/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkziperoxcoaching?_t=ZT-8wO0DSuqJ59&_r=1
Image Credits
@ophidianlens
Adam Marquis
@voidstudiosusa
@frameyourmind
@christianwilliams.co
@jjconstantinephoto
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.