BY AMANDA RESEBURG

In an industry that has a storied history of narrow definitions of beauty and a stark lack of diverse voices, modeling scout Lisa Phillips is looking to flip the script. As a former Ford model turned scout and a woman of color, Phillips has made it her mission to revolutionize the modeling world from within. “I want people to live their dreams successfully and safely,” she says.

Through her time in the modeling and entertainment industry, Phillips has seen and experienced enough to know that some changes are warranted. “I like opening people’s minds to the idea that anything is possible with intentional thinking and preparation,” she explains. “I know I’m going to change this young person’s life, and that empowers me.” 

Today’s models have to be more than just a pretty face. But that’s exactly the kind of unique talent that Phillips is after.

A guiding light for the future of the industry

Through scouting, Phillips has been able to guide aspiring models to build their personal brands and land better jobs with some of the biggest names in the industry. Building a personal brand, while not entirely new to modeling, is a consideration for models and aspiring models at all levels of the industry. While models such as Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford had massive personal brands, it was never seen as a necessity for models just beginning to get their feet wet. 

“Many young models are just figuring out who they are and what they want out of life,” says Phillips. It’s one reason why she helps guide them on that journey while teaching them how to appeal to brands and book more jobs through her digital course #GetSignedModelMastery. 

Today’s social media-driven environment demands that aspiring models think outside of the box more so than models of the past. “You have to be smart and think outside the box, and you have to be an innovator,” says Phillips. “It’s just too competitive out there.” 
By building individual personal brands that highlight what sets them apart, Phillips is helping create the next generation of models. It’s a focus that she herself used when she was walking European runways. As a woman and model of color, Phillips knows that progress in the modeling world with regard to diversity and inclusion has been slow to come.

“It was only after the riots and the Black Lives Matter movement gained international attention that the industry shifted,” Phillips says. “All of a sudden, you saw Black and brown people getting signed to agencies left and right, sometimes making up more than half of the agencies’ boards. Clients started featuring models of color in magazines, billboards, and beauty advertisements. I have noticed a huge difference from when I was a model, but I’m still unsure if it’s a fad or if it’s here to stay.”

By focusing on what made her unique — her personal brand — Phillips was able to get herself noticed and booked by brands that sent her globetrotting throughout her late teens and twenties. 

The different look of modern modeling 

Historically, the modeling world was defined by homogeneity. Scouts and agencies looked for the same small sample sizes, the same hair and facial features, and the same body types — typically white and thin. 

Today, however, a push for diversity and equity in all areas and industries has led to a much-needed increased variety in modeling circles. “Many types of models are represented now, including different body types, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and self-expression,” says Phillips.

Yet while this wider acceptance of diversity is welcomed, it also poses an issue for aspiring models who hope to be discovered. “You can’t stand out without knowing who you are,” explains Phillips. “That’s where your authenticity lies.” 

Phillips lives by this credo in her own life as well. “I don’t burn bridges, and I won’t compromise my integrity,” she explains. 

In addition to her scouting work, Phillips has been vocal in the advocacy world as well. She is currently planning to release a podcast in August of 2024 called “From Now On,” which will serve as a platform for abuse survivors from the entertainment industry to tell their stories, focusing on resilience and the courage it takes to come forward. Her ultimate goal is to foster a safer, more supportive environment for women seeking a career in the business. 

Having worked in the entertainment world since the early 2000s, Phillips knows what it takes to stand out and to advocate for oneself in what is often a cutthroat business. “A model’s career is ever-changing and always growing,” she says. “These days, models of all colors and sizes really can have it all!” 

For Phillips, whose career has come full circle, having it all means being able to mentor, advocate for, and support everyone who walks through her door.

What makes me a Royal Woman is my deep desire to transform my pain into purpose. And that purpose ignites a powerful drive to not only heal myself but also to uplift others who are suffering,” says Phillips.

“Firstly, we need to face our fears and rebuild life piece by piece. This resilience fuels my determination to overcome obstacles and setbacks. Secondly, the sense of purpose that arises from helping others can be profoundly healing. Many women find that by extending compassion and support to others who are struggling, they gain a sense of fulfillment and empowerment. This act of giving often becomes a source of strength, reinforcing their own recovery.”

She continued, ”I created my podcast because the support of a community can be invaluable. Having a network of understanding individuals can provide the encouragement and validation needed to move forward.”

Ultimately, a woman who has experienced traumatic experiences and becomes triumphant does so by finding meaning in her experiences and using them as a catalyst for growth and positive change.

Our journey is then marked by courage, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to make a difference, proving that from the depths of adversity, extraordinary strength and success can emerge.”