Move over Brooklyn Decker, there’s a new girl in town and her name is Kim Nelson, JENESEQUA Style Magazine’s Issue Nine cover girl. This So-Cal beauty has a penchant for ice tea, the beach, fitness, and her Olympic Water Polo playing boyfriend, Chay. Don’t let this bombshell fool you, she is as sweet as sugar and in her spare time she works with teenagers as a Youth Group leader. Could she be anymore beautiful, inside and out? PS…doesn’t she remind you of Kim Alexis?
Model/Actress: Kim Nelson
Agency: Wilhelmina Models, LA
Hometown: Palos Verdes, California
JNSQ: Anything fun up your sleeve for summer?
KN: I am going to London for 3 weeks for the Olympics and hopefully travel a little in between games while I am there. We’re trying to squeeze in a day trip to Paris, but we will see how much time we have. Lots of exciting events to go to when you are with an athlete that I had no idea about, so there is the possibility we will be at some fun parties.
JNSQ: Some fun facts….things that people might not know about you?
KN: 1. My longtime boyfriend is officially going to be an Olympian so that is sooo fun! I am so proud of him! We met at UCLA where he and I both played water polo and started dating our junior year. We were best friends before that. 2. I’ve modeled for about a year and a half now for Wilhelmina and started right when I graduated college from UCLA. A few clients include Lucy Activewear, Sheraton, Luxor, Speedo, Not your Daughters Jeans, Levis, Lotta Stensson, Kardashian for QVC, & Prevention Magazine. 3. I’m a member of the SAG and a signed actress with Mavrick Artists Agency. I was fortunate to be “Taft- Hartley’d” into SAG, making me SAG eligible which is a huge blessing because it is not always that easy to earn your SAG card. My theatrical credits from the last year include a few commercials, Lifetime’s “William and Kate”- role of Emily, “The Reception,” and “Dead Daylight.”
JNSQ: Any beauty secrets for our readers?
KN: Eat clean, drink water, workout when you can, and get some sleep! I never feel better than when I know I did my part in staying healthy, which makes me happy. And that makes me feel confident, which is the most attractive look on anyone! For skincare, there’s nothing better than Dermaplane and Oxygen Treatments to make your skin soft and makeup ready. The makeup sits so much better and looks smooth and flawless. Oh, and exfoliate! Always exfoliate!
JNSQ: You are around clothes all day long and must have a few style tips for us?
KN: Don’t try too hard. If you try too hard with fashion, it’s obvious and you end up looking less comfortable because it’s not what you’re naturally drawn to. If ever in doubt, be comfortable, wear black, and use your accessories people! I love dresses because loose or fitted, they look feminine and pulled together. I also think investing in leather pieces and great denim are key.
JNSQ: It’s hard sticking to a fitness regime (well.. speaking for myself!) Any wisdom on sticking with a workout plan?
KN: You have do something you love and enjoy. If you dread it, you will never stick to a workout regime. I hate the pressure of feeling like I have to workout when I don’t want to or won’t enjoy it, so I do something I look forward to that rejuvenates me. I open water swim in the ocean 5-6 days a week and run back to where I start. It’s beautiful, calm, and therapeutic to be in such a serene environment at the start of your day. The sand patterns, fish, and pull of the ocean truly remind me how blessed I am and how God’s creation is beyond contemplation. It’s a true reality check and its good for the soul! I also love Pilates and Tracy Anderson videos for the more toned and trigger areas!
JNSQ: Ok, so the big question is – who is your DREAM client to be a cover girl for?
KN: My absolute dream client is Ralph Lauren. I love the classic beauties he uses. They remind me of the true 90s supermodels that had it right. They were gorgeous, vivacious, healthy looking, and their beauty was stunning and timeless. Ralph lauren also makes dream garments and the Navajo, American, cowboy, rough-and-tough feel to all his clothes makes every line he comes out with a hit. RRL is my fav and if I could draw up my ideal look it would look just like his ads.
JNSQ: I personally LOVE the 90s model era (Claudia Schiffer is my fav!) Who is your favorite 90s UBER model?
KN: I don’t really have one favorite model, but an obvious but gorgeous one I love is Cindy Crawford. She is a true woman and has that classic beauty.
I also love, love Caroline Murphy and Angela Lindvall. From the little I know of them, they are down to earth and beautiful women! I find them breathtaking and sexy.
JNSQ: What’s your favorite “model off duty” look?
KN: Bohemian-Americana. I love printed tunics, dresses, blouses mixed with great jeans or shorts and leather sandals or booties. I could wear that type of thing everyday. Very relaxed and pretty… It looks best with a tan.
JNSQ: You are such a busy girl being a model, actress and partner to a full time athlete. When you have free time, how do you spend it?
KN: I love to catch up on reading and try and do marathons of shows I have heard a lot about. I just got into “Girls” on HBO and love the writing and humor. I love straight forward, gritty, and the more embarrassing humor because that’s the real stuff that everyone relates to. I also really enjoy the show “Strangers with Candy. ” I always watch the DVDs… It’s weird but hilarious. But what I love to do most when not working is spend time with my boyfriend, Chay. He is the best and I could be with him all the time and never get sick of his humor! I am a foodie so I try and get him to go to new places with me but we love making dinner together and gelling on the couch for fun. Scandalous, I know!
You can follow Kim and her adventures on her blog, Sandy Ragabond.
Interview by: Melissa Middleton
PHOTO CREDITS: MICHELLE MOORE/Melissa Korn Makeup/Melissa Middleton for JNSQ Styling
