It’s hard out here, even for a second-generation model!
Aoki Lee Simmons announced that it’s a wrap for her modeling career after constantly hearing that she’s “not pretty enough” amid comparisons to her iconic mom, Kimora Lee Simmons.
Source: David Crotty / Getty
Like many other 22-year-olds, Aoki is going through it! After overwhelming rejection and cold-blooded criticism, she’s getting out of the game. Despite years of elite experience and growing up in a fashion empire, it sounds like she doesn’t have much motion. TMZ reports Aoki vented about the professional pivot in a recent video posted online.
The Baby Phat heiress is preparing her exit strategy while she still has a few more bookings in the pipeline. The industry was already cutthroat, but how can she compete against her own mother?
“I think I’m probably wrapping up modeling soon,” she declared. “It just feels like one big fat comparison all the time. Like ok, I get that. My mom is always going to be a way better model than me. It’s just annoying to have that comparison sometimes.”
This isn’t the first time Aoki was ready to tap out. In July, she announced a break from modeling this summer because of an experience that was “dark AF.”
She swore off “any kind of fashion week unless I’m mentally prepared for it and feel loved and supported. The last one ruined my mental health.” Aoki clarified that she could handle basic rejection because “that’s life,” but she took the “genuine cruelty” personally.
What will she do instead? Don’t hold your breath on her becoming a full-time influencer or reality TV star yet like a lot of celebrity seeds. The Harvard alum decided to put her Ivy League degree to work. The political science major has both beauty and brains. She graduated last year at the age of 20, making her one of the youngest Black women to graduate from Harvard.
“I think I’m going to end up switching back to working in government, which is what my degree is in,” she continued.
(L-R) Kimora Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons attend Teen Vogue Summit 2023 on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Source: Vivien Killilea / Getty
It says a lot about how rough things are that Aoki could look at this political landscape and still decide it’s easier than the modeling industry. And the toll it takes on self-esteem.
“It’s hard to go somewhere and get told over and over and over, ‘No, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not pretty enough,” she continued with her voice cracking.
“That’s not a fun time,” she said. “I worked really hard at it, but it’s a hard industry. Like there’s a lot of beautiful great girls who are great models that don’t have a job.”
If Aoki isn’t pretty enough, then who is?
The BCBG baddie referenced advice from her mother about walking away before revealing how much thought she put into it. The next steps include “taking the foreign service test so I can get back into international relations, which is what my degree is in.” Until then, she’s determined to “finish strong” and make mama proud.
Kimora previously revealed initial concerns about her baby girl following in her high fashion footsteps. After all, the OG has endured the severe criticism since she was only about 10 years old. Still, she taught Aoki that rejection is part of life, whether she modeled or not.
Even if she gets dragged for it, Aoki keeps it real about what’s on her mind. Hopefully, she can put it at ease with a career away from the catwalk.
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