Full interview below:
International teen model superstar, Samantha Beining @samanthabeining is the youngest ever model to be signed by NEXT Model Management. Model for top brands such as Ralph Lauren and Guess Marciano, actress, singer, and martial artist, she reveals to Teenlionaire.com @teenlionaire her beginnings, her plans and aspirations in this exclusive interview.
From becoming Miss Blumarine at 8 to modeling for international brands (like Bebe Girls, Ralph Lauren Kids, O’Neill, Bon Prix, Otto, Original Marines, Next Directory, Terranova, and Guess Marciano) and adorning the covers of reputable publications (like Babiekins Magazine, Mini Maven, and Vogue Niños), let’s welcome the beautiful Samantha Beining to Teenlionaire… Born in the United States, Samantha has enriched her exceptional career with projects and affiliations with far too many names from all over the world… Needless to say, she’s pretty much of a big deal at just 14 years of age; for one, she is the youngest person to have ever signed with NEXT Model Management… So tell me, Samantha, how did this modeling thing begin at the tender age of 6?
My mom heard a commercial on the radio about Disney Auditions and my older brother was 16 a great speaker and funny guy and always wanted to act and model. My mom and dad set up an appointment to meet with their talent scout and the whole time we were in the audience while the talent scout was speaking, he could not take his eyes off me and my brother.
After personally meeting with the scout he suggested to put us both in the event called THE at Disney World, so they did just that. Out of 4000 people I ended up winning a trophy for the most callbacks. My mom, dad and brother were sitting in the audience not expecting anyone to really win anything. Then they announced my name and my brother heard it and so did I and I took off running up to the stage. All my mom saw was my dress flying like the wind up to the stage. That was a very exciting moment. I was on stage with all the Disney kids actors & actresses.
Before we signed with the manager I asked my dad if I could make money modeling and give part of it to help handicapped kids like my niece Maliah. He said yes of course. So when I make more money as an adult model I want to start a foundation for a school for severely handicapped kids on the oceanfront.
I then signed with Global Management 101 and they set me up with several agencies. My first gig was a formal fashion show in Buffalo New York for GAP KIDS and my brother walked for Oakley. The show benefitted “Make A Wish” and we gave a check to a little girl and her dad on stage. Then I participated in an anti-bully campaign in New York City. All of my bookings began from there… Ford wanted me in NYC but I lived in Florida and they did not have a kids division there, so I was set up with Karen Greer Models who formerly worked with Ford.
Would you say you prefer a different profession or you’re truly rocking this one right here?… If the former, what and why?… If the latter, well, we can all agree that both runway and print modeling are your heaven-sent gifts, yet what are the things—maybe personal or public goals—that motivate you to continue modeling?
This profession can be a lot of fun! I believe as long as I am working with NEXT Model Management I will keep rocking this profession. I love the crew in the NYC office, LA office and Miami office. What a great group to work with. Working with people that believe in you is all about you being successful. I would like to be a top model. I like the idea of traveling and all of the new people I will meet. I do like runway and print modeling.
I plan to attend college but really have no idea what I would want to study as of now.
When I begin adult modeling and making more money then I will start my foundation for the school for the severely handicapped kids on the oceanfront and that’s my plans for now.
So far in 2018, what are your biggest accomplishments that you believe will blow my mind and your fans’?
I have been cast in a love horror movie to be filmed in Asia more specifically the Philippines. My role is an exchange student who falls in love with a teenage Filipino boy. I will talk and sing in Filipino which is not familiar for me. That is how I will be concluding 2018.
According to you, describe the best moments you’ve had in the modeling industry?… I mean, we can continue counting the number of projects and fashion shows you’ve done all day, but what are those that incredibly standout—those you call your favourite?
Shooting for the German magazine Gala, they were so kind and so much fun! When the issue came out “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were on the cover” and my story was longer and had more full page photos than theirs and I even had a photo on the title page… I thought that was funny because they were famous…not me.
When I was doing the VOGUE shoot with Ruben Vega the boy I was shooting the series with was cool!! His name was Bradley and he and his twin brother played the baby boy on Marley and Me.
I loved launching the Guess Marciano Girls site! The clothing was amazing and suited me so perfect. My mom says I always have the most expensive taste. The photographer Matthew was fun to work with.
The Ralph Lauren Fashion Show in the Central Park Zoo was the best fashion show ever!! It was so much fun. I enjoyed sitting by Ralph Lauren because I never had a Grandpa and he was so kind to me. He reminded me of what it would be like to have a Grandpa. I enjoyed working with Levi Miller, from Pan he was a nice considerate person. I would like to be in a movie with him someday.
When I shot with Kymberly Marciano for Mini Maven I actually got to ride a race horse. The owner of the horse said he was usually skittish around people and she could not believe how he took to me and my dad and mom. I loved that horse, he was so sweet.
On that note, what is the big picture for Samantha Beining?… You probably have brands you want to model for, things you want to do, places you want to visit, and people you want to meet or work with.
I would love to model for Armani, Dior, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Roxy and would love to continue with Bebe, Ralph Lauren, Guess Marciano, Habitual, O’Neill, Vintage Havana, Original Marines, Bon Prix, Terranova, Nanette Lepore and the many others I have modeled for.
My favorite shoots are location shoots. I am really an outdoors kind of girl.
I would love to meet Gigi Hadid and do a shoot with her for Tommy Hilfiger. Some people refer to me as Gigi Jr. saying that I resemble her. Maybe we could shoot some basketball together. I heard she liked basketball and so do I.
I would like to do a shoot with Max Angel a well-known teen model in Belgium. My mom tried to set up a shoot with his dad in Miami but flights were so expensive. She is hoping one of the teen magazines like Tiger Beat could set up a shoot. They are always covering teens that act or dance or sing so she thought they could change it up and do a feature on teens that model but Max also sings and has an album that has been released.
I would love to visit Europe and the UK and look forward to being able to do that.
Having heard you’re into martial art, dancing, sports, and many other activities, what should we know about your non-professional life?… And school, what’s up with school?
I practice Tang Soo Do two times a week and I have dance once a week a double class. One class is Tap and the other is Ballet. Dance is done for summer and starts back again in August. I attended basketball camp and hope to hit up surf camp in July. I love California and look forward to surfing Doheny Beach. Last summer I saw the surfing championship in Huntingdon Beach and that was awesome!
I have 2 dogs and a bearded dragon. We used to have horses but we travel so much it’s not fair to the horses, so we sold them to a good home.
I do have a go-kart and minibike and I like to ride my bicycle. I love to go to the beach and boogie board and surf. My mom makes me hunt for sharks teeth. She loves finding sharks teeth.
In my spare time I practice drawing. I like to draw cartoons and pop art.
I am also guilty of binge watching NETFLIX…lol
In school I am entering the 8th grade and I’m really not sure what I like. I have a summer birthday so my mom decided to keep me back a year when I was little.
So no high school for me until next year. I just turned 14 June 19th.and a lot of my friends are going to high school. I will miss them this year.
… And I also heard you’re in for a number of acting and vocal classes… Tell me, what should we expect from these?
I plan on working on my vocals and you may hear me singing in the future. My vocal coach is out of NYC and he is amazing. His name is Clurel Henderson and he always gets me singing my best. If I get famous singing I will have to take him with me!!
Acting has always been fun for me. I plan on focusing a little more on acting this year and I am looking forward to the film I am shooting in Asia this year.
On a concluding note, a beauty tip from Samantha Beining…?
Be yourself and don’t wear too much makeup be natural. Use lotion daily on your skin and natural wipes for cleansing on the go. Use 100 sunblock and protect that beautiful skin!
Credits: Photos by Lee Holt
