“I like to support good people, wherever they are.” – Deanna Cahill

 

  There’s a lot more to modeling than meets the eye. We ogle the runways and glance through the glossies, but what about the people behind the poses? Welcome to Face Time. DFW Style Daily’s exclusive series gets up close and personal with top Dallas models. We’ve talked television stardom with dapper double threat Donny Boaz, and tracked industry changes with the stunning Harriet Kelly Gibbe, just to name two. Today, Deanna Cahill dishes on how she was discovered (don’t try it at home, kids), plus a little love advice just in time for Valentine’s Day. Click here for more Face Time model interviews!   Name: Deanna Cahill Hometown: Dallas, Texas Agency: Kim Dawson Agency Notable Clients: Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Stanley Korshak, The Gypsy Wagon  

  DFW Style Daily: At what age did you begin modeling? Tell us about your first job. Deanna Cahill: “I was 13 years old, skipping Sunday school, when a model scout found me in the checkout line of a grocery store. Within weeks, my first job was a national billboard campaign for Isotoner Gloves. It was funny, because no one I knew had seen it, until on a family vacation we took to San Francisco a few months later. There I was, passing by on the side of trolley car.”   What do you think is the biggest misconception about the modeling industry?     “The two misconceptions that stick out in my mind would be, first, that modeling is not a ‘real job,’ and second, that all models are unhealthy and starving themselves. “Modeling, like most jobs when done properly, may sometimes look effortless, but it isn’t. Most models I know, including myself, work diligently on their nutrition and physical fitness. We face strong competition for jobs, and once we book a job, we must be prepared to deliver for our clients. I think that qualifies as a ‘real job.’”   Tell us about a lesson you have learned over the years. “I’ve learned to communicate with people all over the world, even when I don’t speak their language. Some quick advice - sarcasm doesn’t translate. “I have also learned that, on swimsuit or lingerie shoots, if you feel comfortable in a certain pose, it probably doesn’t look great. So, when you see a lot of skin and a striking pose in a photograph, know that it probably didn’t feel as good as it looks!”   Are there any “deal breakers” for you when it comes to job requirements? “I always know when something feels right, and when something feels wrong. If it feels wrong or uncomfortable, I have no problem letting someone know.”  

  You currently appear in photography for Dallas boutique, The Gypsy Wagon. Is supporting local businesses important to you? “I like to support good people, wherever they are. The Gypsy Wagon is owned and operated by the sweetest, kindest, happiest people I know.”   What is your dream assignment, or who would be your dream client? “It sure would be fun to walk down that Victoria’s Secret runway!”  

  Do you have a personal mentor? “My Dad gave me the confidence and courage to go out and face the world on my own. He taught me to always be kind and to always follow my heart. He was my personal hero.”   If you could dine anywhere in world tonight, where would you go? What would you eat? “For me, it’s much more about who I’m eating with, rather than where we are. In an ideal world, I’d be eating sushi with great people in Maui.”  

  When you’re not working, what might we find you doing on a free afternoon or evening? “You would find me cooking, playing with my dog, running, and drinking wine - not all at the same time!”   Finally, how long have you been married?  With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, care to share one of your secrets to a fun and lasting relationship? “I have been married for ten years, but we’ve been a couple for 15 years. You both have to be able to grow freely as individuals, but at the same time, communicate and grow together. It also helps if you are married to your best friend. You have to be able to laugh and have fun with your man – teamwork.”     All images, courtesy of Deanna Cahill.