Beautiful Women on What Makes Them Most Insecure

Hana Nitsche
Courtesy of Hana Nitsche
Courtesy of Hana Nitsche

We live in a world addicted to eye candy. We're bombarded day in and day out with photos of beautiful things -- from Instagram’s #beachporn and #foodporn, to models undulating on the sand in skimpy bikinis, to actual #porn. The world likes pretty things. And the rest of us "normal folk" are left wishing: to be 10lbs lighter, with biceps 5in wider, and $10,000 richer.

But you know what? Being one of those models doesn't spare you a moment of insecurity. To prove it, we found a bunch of women who, by society’s standards, are flawless -- and found out what makes them feel insecure.

Briana Teresi
Courtesy of Briana Teresi

Briana Teresi

Model
@briteresi
"It's a responsibility to keep a good image, especially with social media. I have to try not to say anything controversial to upset someone. Working out is a huge thing, especially with eating the right foods. I work out five days a week. I would love to eat whatever I want but obviously I can't.

"I know that I'm a lot more than just the way I look, but it takes a lot to convince other people of that... Obviously I put a lot of thought into my appearance, but I know that looks only last so long. I'm going to get older. Looks will open up a certain amount of doors. I'm not ignorant about that, but personality and your education will keep you in the door and will allow you to go even further. There are a lot of attractive women out there, but there are only a certain amount who treat each other well, and they will benefit from being humble.

"There are insecurities when comparing yourself to other women, and that's something that I feel is human nature, especially in this industry. You're going to have to compare yourself to other women, but it's the worst thing you can do... You can't compare yourself because you're going to drive yourself nuts."

Fallon Tortolani
Courtesy of Fallon Tortolani

Fallon Tortolani

Star from VH1's Dating Naked
@fallonista
"I think one of the biggest insecurities with women who look good or feel sexy and confident, is comparing themselves to other women. Even if I feel confident, I'm always wondering if I look as good as the other good-looking girls in the room. On a daily basis, I work out every morning. I have the same regimen. I am big into legs and squats, because everyone is going to criticize that ass. I have to maintain it. I am going to be criticized, it's just a fact. If one little thing is wrong, I'm going to hear about it.

"I am most insecure about my nose. I know today's nature is to go plastic surgery to have the best breast, the best lips, the best whatever. I think I'm going to get a nose job because I don't feel confident from certain angles."

Dani Cipolla
Courtesy of Dani Cipolla

Dani Cipolla

Model
@Danicipolla
"At the end of the day, beautiful people do have an upper hand in the world. But that doesn't mean we aren't human or insecure. With my insecurities I am always worried about how I look, and if I am presenting myself the right way. As a model I'm always trying to be in the best shape, and doing everything I can to look the part of the beautiful person. It is very annoying, and tiring, and all I want to do is lay around in my sweats, watch TV, and eat whatever I want. But with society's standards I have to work out two hours a day and eat all the right foods, or else I'm out of a job. I eat a shake in the morning, meal supplement bars, and then pretty much chicken and vegetables.

"People ignore my other talents, or flat-out don't acknowledge them. They don't see me having a talent, they just see a pretty face. I was bartending once, and talking to a few customers about politics and the election, and one man interrupted and said, 'For a pretty girl, you know a lot about politics.' I honestly asked him, 'What the fuck?' Just because I look pretty doesn't mean shit. There are gorgeous women who go to Harvard every day. All you have to do is pick up a newspaper.

"We push women to be more, but at the end of the day men still look at us as females, cooking dinner and making them sandwiches. We have brains, and we're intelligent. We know what's going on. Sure, we can cook your dinner. But we can do your job, as well. Thank you, but fuck you."

Hana Nitsche
Courtesy of Hana Nitsche

Hana Nitsche

Model
@HanaNitsche
"People assume the modeling industry is a glamorous life, full of compliments and free stuff. But what it really is, is a lot of rejection and nasty comments. It's a lot of young, skinny girls getting measured and looked up and down, and then told that they are not good enough, and that they need to lose this, and that, change this, and that. You always are left with the feeling that you are never good enough.

"I deal with people on a daily basis who don't see that I have talents; that I am smart. I work very hard and they always think that everything I have has come easily, and that I get everything for free. I work very hard for this job in this industry, which people don't even consider to be a real job. But what they don't understand is that I'm by myself for months at a time, not seeing my family or friends. Most of these women are very young from other countries, many with degrees in other fields. They are talented. They paint, play music, have been doctors or lawyers. But the public doesn't see that. They think we are stupid and pretty.

"I always have to take care of my skin, hair, go to the gym, eat the right things. When I was younger I had an eating disorder. My body has always been on the curvier side for models, but I am always criticized for my body. When I was younger I wouldn't eat for days or I'd starve myself because the agency would tell me I was fat. I was never fat, but this is what they tell you.

"Once I was sitting at an agency and there was another model there. She was maybe 14 or 15 and was very skinny and beautiful. The agents were telling her that she needed to drop at least 10lbs and get a boob job, and then she would look perfect. She's just a kid, getting to know her body, and at that age you already don't feel good about yourself or comfortable in your own skin. I think many girls have to listen to this every single day."

Kendall Karson
Courtesy of Kendall Karson

Kendall Karson

Model/porn star
@KendallKarsonXo
"People think we have it so easy, [but] it's more difficult because we have the eyes of the world on us at all times. We are criticized daily by people judging us, and they don't always have the nicest things to say. We are human beings, yet we are put on this pedestal and held to a certain standard and we can't win either way. Either we look flawless and we're fake, or we have our human moments and we are picked apart.

"It takes me an hour to get ready in the morning. It's a lot of upkeep. You have to make sure you are always on point, from the hair to the nails, to the tan, to the wardrobe. It's not easy. We did NOT wake up like that."

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Meagan Drillinger is a contributing writer for Thrillist. She almost interviewed herself for this article, but didn't think the world was ready for that level of perfection. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter @drillinjourneys.