There is nothing more appealing to a man than a woman who possesses both a striking body and a strong sense of independence.
Arielle Ray has both.
Since her early modelling days as a fashionista in Kansas, to her blooming career as an actress and Instagram celebrity in West Hollywood, Arielle has proven herself to be capable of raising the stakes while having the time of her life. In between getting parts in series pilots and shooting covers for Maxim, Playboy, Duende, Aurora and Tenebrous, this talented young woman can still sneak in a little fun and explore her creative side.
Did we mention that she writes and pitches her own scripts too?
It’s not that hard to figure out why she has such a big social media following (10k likes on Facebook and 182k followers on Instagram) because she can basically do anything and everything there is to accomplish in the entertainment industry. She also has good business sense and knows how to make the best decisions for her career path, which is a skill that not all Hollywood hopefuls possess.
In this feature, Arielle will share more about her day-to-day gigs, her interests, and inspirations, and other aspects of her life that not all of her fans know much about. From her humble beginnings as an aspiring model in Instagram to the fabulous life and career she has now, she has shared with us her journey to be where she is now. Swagger Magazine has put the spotlight on this amazing dreamer — and with good reason.
Read on.
Arielle Ray
Measurements: 34DD-27-34
Profession: Actress
IG: thearielleray / Twitter: arielleraycene
Followers: 184,000
Current Career Project: Maxim spreads
Upcoming Career Project: The swimsuit confessionals
Next Media Appearance: Maxim
Where are you right now?
I am sitting on Hollywood Blvd. It’s not like any other night since I’ve been living on the strip. Tonight, is a special night. The roads are blocked off and they redid two blocks worth of store fronts to make it look like the 50’s or 60’s. Old cars fill the streets with actors and in the blue car about 50 feet away from me sits Brad Pitt. I am watching the making of a Quentin Tarantino movie. Crowds line the other side of the street to watch. This is one for the books. I can’t imagine how much this one little night scene costs. I’m also wondering why is it that everything looks cuter in this time period. Did they know they were living in such a pretty time back then? I don’t want to see the store fronts change back. They took these little 2 blocks I stomp around on and improved them immensely. Please Hollywood keep it! I wonder sometime if I’m in the right time period…
Tell us a bit about yourself, dreams aspirations before you started on your journey to fame.
I HAVE SO MANY DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS! Where do I begin? I’m very motivated and career driven. I get off track sometimes, but I think that’s okay… those little detours usually teach me more than I can ever predict in the long run. It’s those failures in life you learn from that make you better for the next round of events. I don’t know how many times I have to hear how hard my career choice is and blah blah blah but I choose to ignore the negative talk and then I try to shut up the negative self-talk that then follows. If you believe it then so it will be. I have definitely had my moments that maybe I don’t want to be doing this and it might last for a few days at tops and then I get a great wave of clarity that Acting is absolutely what I want to be doing. There is nothing else that brings me greater joy, so this is what I must do. I always tell me roommate who is a writer, that one day when we have everything we want we will look back on those times we were confused and a little lost and be like “wow those were the funniest days of our lives!” Because it’s all about the journey, not the destination right?
You’ve got over 200,000 followers. Do you remember when you had just 1 follower? How did you get from here to there? What were some of the daily secrets that helped you grow such a following?
So, I had IG before it was ever even cool. I had it so early that I deleted it because nobody was on it! And I would think I was such a cool hipster artist. I would post strange things like I was in a hip band or something. Anyways it started catching on eventually and I completely abandoned Facebook and took completely to IG. I’ve tried a lot of things. At one point my gf and I had an IG together for a YouTube page and that helped some. Also getting spreads in magazines and teaming up with other people or brands to get your face out there. I was in a movie a few years ago with some girls that have a big following and definitely helped because nobody knows your there until you make yourself present!
How do you manage your feed? Do you have people who help you keep it fresh and updated?
Good question. I honestly am not the greatest at managing. I should be posting every day and sometimes I do and then other times I just try to focus on being present in my life and wont post for a week. It’s kind of like exercising. Sometimes you’re really hooked and into it and then another week you don’t even pick up a weight…. oh, maybe that’s just me. Did I mention I’m working on the balance thing? Anyways…. I did have a girl helping me with the feed for a bit. She was like a life coach for IG. Telling me to post at these peak times and how to style the photos and such. What was more popular among my followers etc. It’s kind of funny looking back on it but it was definitely helpful. I’m thinking about hiring someone, so I know I will get a photo out a day. I’m definitely not lacking content but perhaps a little bit of confidence, self-promotion is a bitch lol. But being consistent is key. Also looking at it as sort of a portfolio is helpful for me.
What do you charge now for a sponsor to get you to post something for them? What’s the best way to get in touch with you for something like that?
Honestly its different every time. When working with other people and companies you really have to look at the big picture and if it fits your brand, will it be ongoing or a onetime thing, what type of following do they have etc. I try to only work with products and people I really believe in. My manager usually negotiates or helps out if I need it. For enquiries you can email contactarielleray@gmail.com
We get submissions for models daily wanting to be in a magazine or just find work. Do you have any tips they likely wouldn’t find anywhere else?
Honestly, I have tried so many things. My acting coach finds it funny. Every few months I have my “next big thing.” Obviously not everything works but that’s ok… I think everything you do leads to the next thing and eventually that “next thing” will get you exactly where you want to be. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I do know once you get there you better be ready for your next goal, so you keep growing and don’t hit a wall. I do know momentum is important! It’s hard to get going but once you start putting the wheels in motion it just keeps going and going and things start to come because your energy put into it! Don’t would, should or could, just do! I’m a big believer in where your energy goes, energy flows. Also focus is so important. My friend just gave me this bracelet that I never take off and on it, it says “focus.” It’s a pleasant reminder. I also have my moments of self-help weekends. Whether it be a Tony Robbins course, an NLP training, a TM retreat or anything that focuses on your body, mind and soul. One day I plan on going to a yoga getaway. I hate yoga, but I know it’s good for me and I like the challenge.
Are you currently single? And looking?
I am currently single but I’m not really looking. Putting energy into dating is like a full-time job, and you know that feeling when you like someone new and you brain lets them take up all your time, come on ladies you know what I mean… well I don’t have time for that right now nor do I want it. I also always felt like I would be cheating the other person in the relationship if I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my life. It’s like I half way showed up.
You are beautiful and a Comedian. Not common in the industry. How are you using that differentiator day to day?
Oh stop… your making me blush. I feel like for my current project I’m really utilizing all that I have in every sense of the word! My body and my brains in some quirky fun way. You all will see soon enough!
Where do you get your inspiration for your work?
Hmmm this may sound a bit dark, but I think my inspiration comes from my darker days. Not that I am a “sad, enjoy the struggle” type of artist. I think it’s actually very unhealthy to stay in those dark places. But when I do have one of these “darker” days where I don’t understand whats really going on with me and I feel lonely or what have you, sometime after is when I usually find the light. It’s kind of like that expression “what goes up, must come down” but in this case “what goes down, must come up” even though that makes no sense scientifically unless if it’s a bouncy ball and it shoots back up on impact… anyways… I guess it’s those days where I am a bit off, I slow down and reflect. I also rely on tuition and I hope it only gets louder with time. If you only even have a little tiny spark towards an idea but it makes you excited- GO FOR IT! NOW! But remember the excitement will fade and the successful people power through it to the finish line. You or the work will never be perfect, but you can come pretty damn close!
Do you dress up or down to offset your beauty?
I hate to admit it but yes. I’ve had so many opinions being in this industry. Like change your hair color to brown or cut your hair or do this or do that. I’m not skinny enough or I’m not big enough to be the right kind of model right now. I got told “pretty girls” aren’t a thing anymore, you have to have edge to be casted. Another person wouldn’t sign me unless if I cut my hair. I try to stay true to myself but it’s hard. I’m at the weight d I feel healthy and strong and I get to eat! And I have always been blonde all my life, going brown would make me feel a bit odd. Like who am I? I did grow out my roots for a bit trying to appease to other people but then the other day I said “F**** it” I’m going to do what I want to do and what makes me feel good. I also decided to cut it. I wanted a change. A new me. But I did it for me and not for anyone else which I think is important.
What are some of your guilty pleasures?
Guilty pleasures… shopping online, shopping in general, Acai bowls, almond milk matchas from Alfreds, sweating at shape house, traveling first class, stay-cations, private coaches in basically everything, expensive lingerie, binge watching shows…chocolate.
What got you into this line of work?
I started with LA models when I was a baby but then my mom and I moved back to her home town in Kansas which meant I was out of this industry for the time being. I did school plays and directed movies with the neighborhood kids and did performances for the family after dinner. I knew I would be back into the game eventually because it’s the only thing I have a burning desire to do and so the moment I could get back to LA that’s what I did. And here I am.
What is something you’ve learned since becoming famous that you wish someone had told you?
Live for yourself, let things go, don’t listen to the negative talk or the opinions of others, take constructive criticism from the people you respect and look up to and keep your wits about you. Also, don’t compare yourself to other people, be grateful for where you are and who you are!
Where haven’t you been that you would like to go?
I want to go to Tokyo and Cuba! When I visit different countries, I try to experience the culture of the city rather than staying in the typical resorts that are everywhere around the world.
What’s the most insane thing you’ve done on a shoot?
Hmmm…. let’s see. The most insane thing Ive done on a shoot…. It must have been swimming in the ocean and a pool in the winter. For some reason production decided to shoot a dream sequence that contained an outside tub, a pool and an ocean… I definitely got sick after that shoot.
What do people not know about you that they probably should and wouldn’t find online?
I’m extremely driven. If acting were easy, I wouldn’t be doing it. I like things that I have to go after because once I achieve it, the award will be like nothing else.
How does it feel to be influential to other people?
It feels great! But I want to continue to grow and be the voice for more. I will get there eventually.
If Steven Spielberg were to film a biography film on your life, who would you want to play you in the movie?
Is it ok if I want to play me in the movie?! I would love to work with Steven. But I’m assuming playing myself in a movie a is a little too close to home, so I would want… Ireland Baldwin. I think she’s such a bad@$$. So…. I guess that makes me think I’m a badass? 😉
Where can fans/followers expect to see you next?
I’m working on a project of my own right now. Literally about to start shooting it in like 26 hours and 4 minutes. I’m not positive where it will be distributed when it’s all said and done, perhaps just the gram but I’m not that far ahead yet. I can’t really say what it is but I would say… If Andy Warhol wanted to be an actor and Lady gaga didn’t have a voice to sing… maybe this is what they would do to get there art out there. Its juxtaposed performance art I guess you could say… haha.
