Alexina Graham is Red Hot
We finally got a redhead emoji in 2018. In 2019, we finally have a redhead Victoria’s Secret angel, and her name is Alexina Graham.
But Alexina Graham is far from your average angel (although, to be fair, none of the VS angels are average). Not only is Alexina from the U.K., but she’s also 29 years old. Oh, and she’s a natural redhead, in case you didn’t catch that.
We already know that Alexina is absolutely gorgeous and looks great in some lingerie, but we wanted to find out more about the woman who recently joined the ranks of some of the most famous super models in the world—so we decided to talk to her ourselves!
If you’re here, chances are you also want to find out more about Alexina. Keep reading to find out all about Alexina’s passion projects, her first time visiting a Victoria’s Secret, and why being older than many of her co-workers can actually be pretty great.
What was your first reaction when you heard the Victoria’s Secret news?
I was actually sat with my best friend, Nika, in a restaurant when I was told. My agent sent me a screenshot of the email and I called her back and I just kept saying, “Shut up, are you joking, for real?” 11 years in this industry and being an angel has always been a dream and it’s coming true. It’s just crazy and so exciting. After getting off the phone with my agent, I cried tears of joy and then Nika and I got a glass of champagne to celebrate.
Most of us remember our first time visiting a Victoria’s Secret, can you tell us about yours?
My first time was when I was around 22. I remember this one girl who was at a casting had this perfect T-shirt bra on. It looked so comfortable that I asked her straight away where to get it.
I remember walking into the store trying to find it and the excitement of the Victoria’s Secret store hits you automatically—the pink interior and all these stunning women from over the years on the wall who have worked with VS. Lingerie makes us feel sexy and empowered and VS know how to make women feel this through their lingerie.
For many models, the “peak” of their career is in their late teens or early 20s. As a 29 year old, you seem to be hitting some major milestones that many models could only dream of, how does it feel to be older than many of the models you work alongside of?
First of all, those girls should never give up on their dreams. I am a prime example of this. I started modelling when I was 18 and thought about giving up [in the early years], but I kept going and I was persistent. To be 29 and hitting these milestones that I have always dreamt of makes me appreciate it much more. I worked hard to get to this point in my career.
Do you ever feel out of place?
No, I don’t feel out of place. Yes, a lot of the models coming in now to the modeling industry are 18 to 22, but I have those wise years and experience under my belt. I wouldn’t change anything in how my career has developed. As my Mum says; everything happens for a reason, everyone has their own unique path, you just need patience to see where your path leads you.
What are some pieces of advice you give to younger models?
Dream big, have patience, never give up, be kind to everyone you meet and work hard.
We saw you mention about how you’d like to go back to school to become a midwife in an old interview—has that long-term plan changed with the way your modeling career has been going?
I would one day like to learn a new craft within the industry. I find art director jobs very interesting. I love Fabien Baron’s work and I would one day love to shadow and learn from him on the commercials he makes. I shot a L’Oreal hair commercial with him around six years ago and it was so artistic and beautifully directed. It made me want to get into the same field as him one day.
You rock the no-makeup look on Instagram, what are some hacks you have for looking your best without makeup?
Good skin is key for the no makeup look. I have pretty dry skin with all the travelling I do, so I just started taking Perfectil supplements and they’ve really helped my skin. I don’t usually believe in this kind of product, but this actually helped my skin become healthier and give it a boost of shine—I really see a massive difference. I then apply a heavy moisturizer twice a day and use a little concealer on the red spots. I brush my eyebrows up with clear gel, and apply a layer of black mascara to my top lashes to give me that fresh, ready to fight the day look.
We heard you’ll be launching your own brand soon, can you tell us anything about that?
Yes, I have some exciting projects in the works. I just partnered with Hello Goodbye Media to start my own brand. My brand is called Red Hot by Alexina Graham. I partnered with my sister [for one of my projects] and we are bringing something exciting to the market in a few months. It’s the first time I am talking about it, but my sister has twins—who I love like crazy—and she’s had enough of always losing their pacifiers down the side of the cot or in random places in the house. We decided to collaborate with Smilo and create a set of pacifiers that are glow in the dark, so at night time we can easily find them when they fall out of the twins’ mouths and they cry for them. We are launching the product in a few months, so stay tuned for that.
Working with Victoria’s Secret and wearing their amazing lingerie, I also decided I wanted to dress the lingerie up with body jewelry. If it’s with your everyday Victoria’s Secret lingerie or on a night out with a sexy bra and a sheer blouse, I just love to see a little jewelry under the clothes. At the moment I’m obsessed with Goldish body jewelry, its super chic and so comfortable on the body. They have actually designed a one-of-a-kind body chain for me to wear on my next press tour with Victoria’s Secret. I cant wait to see how it’s going to look.
With everything you have going on in your career—how do you stay focused and organized?
Family time, amazing agents, friends, and working out is key for me. Whenever I have a good week of downtime, I always fly home to see the family. I am super close with my family, especially my sister who has two adorable twins, so I really want to be an active aunt in the twins’ lives. I also have fab agents who keep my schedule well organized and keep me in check with my day to day meetings and activities.
You mentioned on social media that you force yourself to go to the gym even when you don’t feel like it, because it instantly perks up your mood. What other things do you do for your mental health?
Working out and seeing friends is my biggest perk up. Sometimes I will go to the gym and just feel like total rubbish. I’ll then finish my workout and it’s like a haze has left my head and I can see clearer again, my mood is boosted so much.
Our jobs can also be very lonely, with the travelling back and forth to different countries and not having any company on the trips. So when I’m home in NYC, I really enjoy just catching up with good friends and having a good laugh and eating good food.
Can you tell us what your workout routine is like?
I mix up my workout routine a lot in the week. I try to work out four to five times a week, not just for my body but mainly for positive mental health. I go between three different workouts: boxing, ballet barre, and a CrossFit type workout. My ultimate favorite is boxing, as it really is a full body workout routine and my body always feels sore after.
Of course, modeling comes with lots of exhausting travel, lots of waiting, and lots of stress—but also lots of perks. What’s your favorite part about being a model?
The travel is exhausting and lonely, but it is also amazing. I get to see new countries that I would never go to usually, I get to see new cultures, try new food, and meet new people on a daily basis. You get to make friends all over the world.
What else can we expect to see from you in 2019?
Who knows? But I am excited to see what 2019 brings. I still have a lot of goals that I want to achieve in my career, I am going to silently keep hitting them and working hard towards them. Keep checking in on my Instagram and my personal website to keep updated!
