Episode 43: Cameron Russell

An interview with Cameron Russell about how she handles the pressure as a model, being authentic in today’s superficial world, where her courage comes from, why she decided to be an activist and her best career advice.

Welcome to the 43rd episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions.

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This episodes guest:

My guest today is model, TED speaker and activist, Cameron Russell. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is not far from where I grew up. Cameron lived a very privileged life as the daughter of Robin Chase, the founder of Zipcar, and Roy Russell, the former CEO of GoLoco. She began modeling in 2003 at age 16 walking in several fashion shows sporting various designers including Versace, Prada, Chanel, and Victoria’s Secret. She’s graced the cover of magazines including PORTER Magazine, Vogue Magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar UK. In 2012, she gave a TED Talk entitled “Her Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.” which has gone on to becoming one of the top 10 most viewed TED Talks of all time with over 27 million views to date. In 2017, she reached out to her network to contribute to the #MeToo campaign to bring further awareness to sexual harassment. In 2018, she received the Harpers Bazaar Women of the Year Award and the GCFA’s Changemaker Award. She’s the co-founder of Model Activist, a network of models that are trying to make the fashion industry more equitable and sustainable. In this podcast interview, we learn more about who she is and her motivations for making a positive change in her industry, and in the world.

The 5 questions questions I ask in this episode:

How do you handle the pressure to look and act a certain way as a model?
How do you be authentic in today’s superficial world, especially on social media?
When did you gain the courage to speak your truth?
What sparked your social and political activism? How can others be activists?
What’s your best piece of career advice?

Follow Cameron’s journey: