Liv Mathis is a 20 year old actress/model from Atlanta, Georgia now based in Los Angeles, California.  She started modeling in Atlanta but is now signed with Next LA and Osbrink Agency in LA.  Few months ago she has transitioned into acting and we will be on the look out for more of her acting work coming out!

Photography and words by Lauren Engel

Tell us about your upbringing and how did it shape the person you are now
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised there until I was about 8 which is when my family relocated to Mauldin, South Carolina. I grew up in South Carolina. My parents are both from the South and raised me to have southern morals and respect that fortunately for me, has not faded no matter where I am. I grew up with very little money, my family has struggled a lot and been through some tough things. And I think that’s what mainly helped to shape the person I am because although we didn’t have money, we had unconditional love for each other and our loyalty to each other was strong. So I never really got caught up in the materialistic things when I moved out and started traveling at 17. I was raised to work very very hard for everything that I have or want.

What do you wish you had known before getting into the modeling industry?
Getting into the modeling industry wasn’t ever even really a plan for me, I just got scouted and it all happened from there so I actually knew nothing at all. That being said, I wish I had known how hard it is. Although it’s like a dream come true seeing all these beautiful photos of yourself and making money.. Traveling gets lonely and tiring. Dieting and working out can be hard to balance when you have to reach certain extremes. And there’s a lot of shady things that happen that no one warns you about. You just kind of have to fend for yourself and stick to what you believe in. I wish I would have known it’s not completely glamorous.

Does height matter in the modeling industry?
To a certain extent. You’re never going to see someone who is 5’4” on a runway but then again the girls with amazing faces in beauty campaigns usually aren’t 5’11”. It’s all about body proportion and the name you make for yourself. If you brand yourself enough and you’re unique it doesn’t exactly matter if you are 5’8” or 5’11” these days.

 “I grew up with very little money, my family has struggled a lot and been through some tough things. And I think that’s what mainly helped to shape the person I am because although we didn’t have money, we had unconditional love for each other and our loyalty to each other was strong.”

How was it transitioning from modeling to acting?
Modeling to acting has been fun and easy for me because I’ve always known I wanted to act, even when I first started modeling. Modeling is a job based on your physical appearance and I have a lot more to offer than that. I remember photographers would say that I needed to get into acting just because of the way I was in front of the camera with constant movement and emotion. I remember my first time acting in front of the camera we got what we needed on the first take. Now things are getting more serious with it because I’ve been so focused on it and I still find it to be exhilarating.

What did you learn the most while filming Sugarland for RHUDE with Van Alpert and Milk Studios?
I learned so much and connected with everyone on set so well. We all put in so much hard work and I think this was my first serious kinda surreal acting movement. I had to just pull emotions from myself that I didn’t know I was capable of on the spot. I learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of. Van Alpert is really great and such an amazing director, so I learned a lot from him as well. I learned different things from everyone on set really. The film is Released at the end of the month and I’m so excited for it.

You used to dream of being a makeup artist, did you dream of being an actress as well?
HAHA! I loved make-up so much growing up. I used to take all of my moms make-up and put it on at school. My mom had to tell my 5th grade teacher that I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up and she would make me go wash it off in class. Now that I know what a make-up artist really is, I don’t find it to be something I would ever want to do. That’s so funny how dreams change throughout life! I didn’t actually dream of being an actress until I started modeling and got a closer look into that industry. I dreamed of being a skin care specialist or a psychologist after my make-up artist phase.

What is your perception on true love?
My perception on true love is to not look for it. I think true love should be chaotic and abrupt.. You just meet someone and you have no idea what to expect but suddenly you’re losing the leverage of protecting yourself and your heart. You’re handing someone the power to crush you and trusting them not to. That’s really beautiful to me, just standing close and watching all of someones walls come down. I think you should take your time getting to know people and not rush, I still believe in that.