A model lifestyle
by Bonny Osterhage
It’s hard to imagine, but professional model Frenchellen ‘Frenchie” Gilliam has been told by a few potential clients that she needs to lose weight. Fortunately this 5-foot 9-inch, 135-pound beauty has a brain in her pretty head.
“I just say ‘thank you’ and go on,” she says with a smile.
In a business where young women often starve themselves in order to be considered pretty, Gilliam is a breath of fresh air. A competitive volleyball player, she is athletic, fit and trim without being dangerously skinny. She has a beautiful head of long blond hair and blue-green eyes that light up when she talks about her future plans to be — of all things — an accountant.
“I have an internship this summer that I am hoping will lead to a full-time job after I graduate,” says the 23-year-old, who is in her last year of graduate school at University of the Incarnate Word.
The right place at the right time
In high school, this Hondo resident entered the Medina County Beauty Pageant, not once, not twice, but three years in a row–and she never even placed! Undaunted, she went on to try the National American Miss Pageant in Houston, and although she still didn’t place, she met San Antonio resident Lari Nelson, owner of the Lari Nelson Fashion Group, and her career was launched. “Lari was a judge, and I met her during the interview portion of the pageant,” explains Gilliam. “She got me started in modeling.” It was through Nelson that Gilliam met her current agent, Sue Weber, and Gilliam’s career began to take off with informal modeling and runway work in both San Antonio and Austin.
At the top of her game
As if a successful modeling career weren’t enough, Gilliam is equally successful on the volleyball court. She fell in love with the sport in the eighth grade. With her height and athletic ability, she was a natural. The University of the Incarnate Word recruited her from high school, but Gilliam passed on the offer, choosing instead to take some time off. She attended North West Vista College for two years before deciding to approach the UIW volleyball coach to see if there were still an interest.
“He remembered me as if it were yesterday and offered me a four-year-scholarship,” she says with a smile. With Gilliam playing middle blocker and right side, the team enjoyed many victories before recently winning the conference championship title.
A healthy attitude
To keep herself in top shape for modeling and volleyball, Gilliam strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which doesn’t include crash diets. Instead she follows a sensible approach that includes at least 20 minutes of cardio almost every day combined with a little bit of strength training. She eschews tea and soda in favor of guzzling water, and she eats small meals throughout the day.
“I mainly try to keep things balanced and not overdo anything,” says the self-professed carnivore. “I find that balanced and small works well for me.”
Between taking nine graduate hours, playing at least 20 hours a week during volleyball season and modeling on the side, this active young woman is a refreshing role model. The advice she offers to those who want to break into the modeling business? “Try to find your inner beauty,” she says.
Gilliam also recommends having a healthy and positive body image, even in the face of anyone who insults you. “If someone tells you to lose weight, ask yourself if it is really feasible for your body to weigh that much less. Then ask yourself if you really want to look unhealthy,” she says.”And remember,” she adds,”that is only the opinion of one person in the industry. For every five out of 100 who say that, there are another 95 who might want to hire you.”
