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Meet The Next Supermodel: McKenna Hellam

Photo credit: Drew Jarett
Photo credit: Drew Jarett

From ELLE

PHOTOS by DREW JARRETT, STYLING by PAUL CAVACO

‘Hi, my name’s Gigi. You’re so beautiful!’ said Gigi Hadid.

Most of us can expect to hear these words only in our most far-reaching of dreams (or in an alternate universe), but for 20-year-old model McKenna Hellam, it was exactly what happened during her first run-in with the supermodel.

Photo credit: Drew Jarrett
Photo credit: Drew Jarrett

‘I was so shocked,’ says McKenna humbly of the pinch-me moment that took place during her first show season in Paris, aged just 16. But she shouldn’t have been. McKenna’s beauty is no secret and neither is her meteoric rise in the fashion industry over the past four years.

Photo credit: Drew Jarrett
Photo credit: Drew Jarrett

Considered the next Gigi Hadid by fashion insiders, McKenna has shot campaigns for Fendi and Stella McCartney, is a runway regular for Dior, Valentino and Missoni, and has an estimated net worth of $1million. She’s got 35.4k followers on Instagram, and as she rises in popularity she’s sure to creep closer to top-earner Kendall Jenner (estimated $40million).

But what was the moment that put her on the map?

After graduating from high school two years early, McKenna was signed to IMG Models at 15 (that’s three years before Gigi). But her big break came from the America's Next Top Model-style hair makeover she received for her first runway show, Alexander Wang SS17.

Photo credit: Drew Jarrett
Photo credit: Drew Jarrett

‘Alexander Wang was actually my first ever casting in New York City,’ McKenna reminisces proudly over the phone from Atlanta, Georgia, where she’s taking time to be with her family during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

‘He asked me to cut all my hair off, which I did, and the next thing I knew I had made it into the show,’ she continues. Though not as drastic as the bleach blonde crops most of the other models got, McKenna’s long waves were chopped into a curly bob.

She assures us there were no ANTM-style tears.

‘I mean, a girl gets a Guido Palau haircut and it puts you on the radar.’

Her career snowballed from there, leading to 24 more shows that season, including Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Missoni and Burberry.

‘Honestly, I just thought that I was going to do New York Fashion Week and then come home to Georgia. But I ended up travelling to Europe and doing the whole circuit. You don’t know how grateful I am for that haircut.’

Photo credit: Drew Jarrett
Photo credit: Drew Jarrett

Back in Georgia, McKenna grew up on fifteen acres of land, surrounded by animals from horses to cats, and even a goat.

‘I spent my days out in the barn, or making bonfires, riding horses, just getting down and dirty in the outdoors,’ she says

This couldn’t be more different to the jet-setting life she leads now, right? McKenna is not so convinced. She believes modelling can be just as low-key as mucking out the horses.

‘Trust me, after fashion month, the not-so-sexy side of modelling surfaces. Our feet are bleeding and blistered like dancer’s feet,’ she says, referring to the shows and casting days which regularly see her walk around 7 miles per day.

Photo credit: Drew Jarrett
Photo credit: Drew Jarrett

Until she was 16, her uniform was jeans, riding boots and a t-shirt – bar the classic Abercrombie checkered shirt phase – and now for castings, McKenna keeps it equally simple.

‘My rule is black skinny jeans with a white or black plain t-shirt and heels,’ she explains. Off-duty style sees her sticking to neutral colours, but robust black boots have remained a staple.

‘It’s a weird feeling for me not to be in my Doc Martens,’ she says. ‘It could be me not letting go of my outdoorsy childhood, but they also just go with everything.’

Her beauty routine is also decidedly down to earth.

‘I use Lanolin nipple cream as lip balm,’ she admits. ‘It’s made for mothers who are nursing, so it’s extremely thick and moisturising. I have it in my bag at all times.’

McKenna Hellam features in ELLE UK's April edition Colour Splash shoot. Subscribe here to make sure you never miss an issue.

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