Mei
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): WILD MGMT
CHINA: GFI
Answers to Q&A
Why did you want to become a model?
Modelling was never something I had in mind. I said no to agents for five years before a photographer finally convinced me to at least give it a try. Now it’s been over a decade! Once I started, I realized how much I love the people in the industry: artists of all kinds coming together to create something.
Since I was a kid, I’ve loved drawing, painting, singing, movement, and making things with my hands. When I got to high school I joined the theatre club, acting in plays. In that time, I also discovered how much I love connecting with people and learning about their perspectives and experiences.
I enjoy modeling because it facilitates my love of art and creativity as well as connecting with people.
What makes you special?
I’m half Chinese, a quarter Dutch and a quarter English. As a model, being mixed has given me a unique appearance. Coming from a mixed background, I experienced a lot of variety and polarization in perspectives. I think this led to my siblings and I being generally open minded and I’ve always felt pretty “both/and,” seeing things with multiple truths existing simultaneously, even if they contradict each other. I think this is why it’s easy for me to fall in love with most people. I think everyone is just so interesting, tend to skip small talk, and connect deeply quick.
I spend little time on social media and feel pretty out of touch with the mainstream because of that. I’ve never enjoyed scrolling on any platform. But I love the connection, sharing and learning available online, and I like catching up on my community’s lives through what they share. I don’t watch a lot of TV. I tend more toward listening to podcasts, especially on health and wellness (physical, mental, emotional), neuroscience, history and philosophical debates. I think because I’m not plugged into the internet much beyond that, I’ve ended up being a bit different. I’m not completely unplugged – but I’m moderate-severely out of touch.
What are you passionate about?
Collective individualism. I believe everyone has their unique skills and talents, which can be offerings to the community. When we generously share ourselves with others, are encouraging of each others’ talents, and compassionate and understanding of our differences – I feel like this is the key to a thriving community.
Bringing presence, excellence, integrity, unconditional love, health, creativity, beauty, value, phronesis, agility, and generosity to anything I do, especially in my communities, work, and passions.
My 4 pillars:
Health & Wellbeing
Connection & Community
Creativity & Beauty
Expansion & Growth
When you are not modeling, what do you do on your day off?
I just began another career! I recently graduated from massage therapy school and am soon to be a RMT (registered massage therapist). So I spent the majority of the last 20 months learning about anatomy, physiology, systemic and orthopedic conditions and how to treat or support them. I am passionate about holding space for people and facilitating others feeling well in their body and mind.
On the side of modelling, I’ve been selling art and taking commissions for the last eight years. I love painting and drawing trees and mushrooms (and lately, human anatomy related things too).
Recently, I started singing in my best friend’s band called Dweebo. I also love hiking, yoga, pilates, hacky sack, gardening, baking, and learning new things.
What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My partner likes to tell the story of when we were driving from Vancouver to Montreal for Osheaga Festival, and I drove 18 hours straight (with quick gas and pee breaks) from Vancouver to Regina, SK. I had meetings with a couple of agencies the day we planned to arrive. It was our first time driving across the country, and I really didn’t want to be late. That trip turned into moving to Montreal for eight years!