The other day while at The Trunk Show shopping event, someone complimented me on my avatar. Not knowing what to say I said "Thank you, I went to school for it" and told them about my time with Miss Virtual World and how they helped me put my avatar together. They then asked me if I modeled in Second Life and I said yes and that I modeled for Ghee and PurpleMoon Creations. Their response to that was along the lines of "Wow, it's like I'm talking to a celebrity!" At which point I laughed and said "I'm not".
I have worked for and with people that I consider to be SL celebrities. I even still get a "yay!" moment when I see who I will be working for and with. Anyone in SL that has made any sort of name for themselves has worked hard to be where they are and that is worthy of anyone's respect.
But I think it is important, right at the beginning, to make the decision that you won't let any accolades go to your head. I may joke about being a diva but I know that at any given moment there are at least 15 professional models in Second Life that can do what I do, with more skill, are far more well known, and have been at it far longer. So what sets people apart in this industry where everyone is replaceable?
Like one of my instructors at MVW Modeling Academy taught me: it all comes down to attitude. My favourite Second Life "celebrities" are the ones that have taken the time to speak to me as a person. They have spoken to me with respect and as an equal. They have not been arrogant or rude, acted like I as an annoyance or that I was in some way beneath their notice. For someone relatively new to the SL modeling scene it was (and still is) encouraging to me that most of the models I have met have treated me kindly and that the ones that haven't have been rare.
For me it isn't just about attitude. It's about being a good person. It's about being the type of person that is an encouragement because this industry has a tendency to crush people. It's about being helpful to others because other people helped us along the way to get where we are. It's about choosing to be nice when you can just as easily be nasty (little secret: both take the same amount of effort). It's about not being out for yourself and what this industry can give you but what you can contribute to others.
The success of anything in SL or even in the real world so often depends on the support of the people outside your industry as well as in it. The success of any endeavour in SL comes down to the people buying your product, subscribing to your magazine or blog, viewing your pictures, attending your event, etc. Which leads me to my last point - it's about being just as friendly to people you don't know as it is to people you DO know because those people could be your biggest fans behind the scenes and making you the success you are.
On the Left:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Mesh Hands - Vista Pro Hands
Nails - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2
Knotted Top - Petite Mort - Fchsia - knotted tank S
Leather Skirt - Petite Mort - Black Hand-painted leather skirt (Maitreya v1)
Shoes/Socks - PurpleMoon - Gretel Pumps w/socks - Maitreya
Necklace - Kunglers - Lakshmi necklace - Black
Bracelets - EarthStones - Dragonfly Cuff Bracelets
Hair - Wasabi Pills - Berry
Lipstick - La Boheme - LB Kissable Cream Lips Set 5 Boysenberry
Eyeshadow - R.icielli - Hot Colors Makeup - Smokey Eyes
On the Right:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Nail Color - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2
Blouse - Coco - Off Shoulder Shirt (White) Maitreya
Wrap - !Go! - Gretel Knit Wrap - L
Jeans - Essential Bootcut Jeans (Flats) - Maitreya
Mules - GField - Ashley - Scalloped Mule - Texture change hud
Pose - XXY - School Day 2
Eyeshadow - Elymode makeup - e's mix: pink and blurple w/liner
Lipstick - Amacci - Shiny Lips - Tatoo - Pink 7
Hair - Amacci - Candy Rose
