Andria Lea | dystopia SIRENS | The Hot List

Saturday, 01 September 2007 00:00

Stats:
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 120 lbs.
Chest: 34C
Waist: 25"
Hips: 35"

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ANDRIA LEA | AMERICAN ANGEL: dystopia Siren | September 2007

Andria Lea is the epitome of a strong American woman. Totally in control of her career, her image and passions, Andria is definitely a star to keep an eye on!
(Well you will anyway, but you know what we mean.)

Dystopia Magazine: How did you get your start as a model? How long have you been in the industry?
Andria Lea: Although I started competing in pageants as a teenager, I didn't start modeling regularly until 2 years ago. I appeared in several local print ads, and then decided to enter Maxim's 2006 Hometown Hotties. I made the top 100, and things have really taken off from there. I always knew I wanted to model, but for a long time it wasn't a priority for me.

How has your life changed with modeling? What kind of traveling have you done?
Life is definitely much busier and I travel a lot more. There are less cheat days and more workouts! Having fans and selling autographs are still somewhat new to me, but I got used to it quickly and appreciate everyone's support. It's been fun though, and so far all the changes have been positive. I have traveled quite a bit aside from modeling, having been to Germany, Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Cancun, and Grand Turk. Modeling has taken me to Spain and Jamaica as well as throughout the states. I'll soon be shooting in Mexico and headed back to Jamaica to shoot with TeaseUm again.

Any interest in being a future scream queen?
Yes! I think it would be so fun to act in a horror film. I actually made and starred in a couple short home horror movies for fun and for a contest I entered. The final scene is great- fake blood dripping down on me from above as I find my 'dead boyfriend'. I've got a great scream! A picture taken of me right afterwards was featured on FHM's website last fall.

Do you prefer horror or suspense/thrillers?
That's a tough choice. I really enjoy both for different reasons.

What are your Top 3 favorite horror or suspense films?
The first two that come to mind are Poltergeist and The Shining, and I also liked the Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

Do you have a favorite horror/suspense author? If so what is your favorite novel?
I don't have one. It seems like most of my life I've been reading text books. Now that I'm out of school, I prefer nonfiction books and the occasional gossip magazine. I'm usually too busy to read much these days, but I do have a stack of about 20 books just waiting for me!

What do people love about you when they get to know you?
I've been told that my sense of humor and adventurous side is appealing. I love to make people laugh! I think people also appreciate the fact that I am very open minded and down to earth.

One of your biggest drives, and probably your easiest ability, is to bring smiles to the sick, have you obtained your Master's in Nursing yet?
That's actually next on my to-do list. When I decided to be a ICU nurse, it was with the intention of becoming a Nurse Anesthetist, which involves an intense 3 year Masters Degree. I plan on starting that within the next few years once I get more ICU experience under my belt.

Unfortunatley modeling has always been percieved as a very self-serving industry, but you're involved with something as compassionate and philanthropic as healthcare, what made you decide to go into that field?
I've known since 9th grade that I'd work in the medical field. I decided to pursue anesthesiology to have a challenging, highly respected, and well paying career in a relatively short period of time. I didn't realize until after I started working as an ICU nurse how rewarding it was to work with patients.

You've had a lot of work with men's mag titan Maxim, what was your favoruite moment with them?
Appearing in the July 2006 issue of Maxim and also being a call-in guest on Maxim Radio's Covino and Rich Show. I have been invited to appear on the show in person next time I'm in New York, and I'm really looking forward to that.

What are your goals? What is your biggest passion?
Some of my other goals are to live a balanced, healthy life and one day start a family, to do a lot of volunteer work and fundraising for animal rescue organizations and shelters, and I'd love to do television hosting and acting.

My biggest passion in life is my love for animals. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Biology with the plan to become a veterinarian, and I interviewed with a Veterinary Medical School. I've rescued more than 40 stray animals in the last 12 years. I find them homes, get them medical care, and have them spayed/neutered.

What's your next conquest?
I have several magazine features and exciting projects coming up, including a few calendars and possible hosting job. So keep an eye out for me!

If you were starting over, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
The only thing I would change is to have started both careers sooner. I do my research before I commit to a project or make big decisions, so I have avoided many of the pitfalls of the industry. I know my rights and I'm not a pushover, so I have no regrets. I can spot a scam artist or someone unprofessional a mile away.

I understand you're a big snowboarding fan, and an adrenaline junkie in general, what's your favorite rush?
Definitely snowboarding. I love going as fast as I can straight down the mountain, or hitting a new jump or box in the terrain park. Catching my first wave was really exhilarating too.

What's your favorite sport and do you have a favorite team?
Snowboarding is by far my favorite sport. I don't really have a favorite team. When I'm watching a game, I like to cheer for the team that my friends want to lose so there is a fun rivalry.

Is there a celebrity or role model you've looked up to?
I don't have a celebrity role model. But I like when celebrities donate a significant amount of time and money to charities and humanitarian work. I find that inspiring because I think someone in a position of such visibility and influence should find a cause they believe in and support it.

Where has your favorite shoot location been so far?
It's a toss up between Jamaica and Spain. Jamaica for the beautiful beaches and clear blue water, and Spain for the breathtaking architecture and endless possibilities.

Where is your dream location to shoot?
I think it would be amazing to shoot in some European castles, on top of a volcano in Hawaii, the Costa Rican rainforest, and in the mountains of New Zealand.

You seem to also be a very independent woman, do you also manage your own career, or is there a Rotweiler-styled manager in the wings?
Yes, I'm very independent, and I do manage my own modeling career. I've always been very organized so even though all the promotion, networking, and scheduling keeps me busy, it's nothing I can't handle yet. As I become more visible and the job offers increase, I may need to hire one. But think more along the lines of a Shar-Pei, not a Rottweiler!

Is there anything you'd like to take this opportunity to promote?
Absolutely! I want to stress the importance of adopting your pets from shelters rather buying them from pet stores. There are exceptions, but many pet store puppies come from puppy mills with horrible overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. By purchasing them you propagate the problem. Shelter pets make just as good if not better pets. Also spay and neuter your animals! It's irresponsible to let them reproduce if you are not purposely breeding them. A cat and her offspring can produce 400,000 cats in only 7 years! So one person can make a difference.

Which achievement so far do you believe completely personifies that you're great at what you do?
I can't choose just one. With modeling, I think the amount of projects that I have accomplished after being on the scene just over a year says a lot. I will also be featured as a Rising Star in Supermodels Unlimited Magazine in September. With nursing, I'd have to say graduating third in my class and being hired into Cardiac Surgery ICU right out of school.

Do you find that you have to sometimes give up something you want becasue it conflicts with the demands of your career, or do you manage to fit it all in as seamlessly as you can?
Unfortunately, I have to pass on some opportunities because I'm working at the hospital, but one of the benefits of nursing is working just 3 days a week. That leaves me 4 days to focus on family and modeling. If I plan accordingly, I can actually take a week long vacation every other week without having to take any days off! It's really an ideal situation.

What has been the key to your success?
The keys to my success have been a great personality and genetics combined with business sense and organizational skills. Also being unique and not compromising my values for the sake of money and fame. Motivation, discipline, and humility play a large role as well.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 01 February 2009 11:51 )