Peyton Richard: The Long Way There
The Industry Chooses You
INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA
JUNE 11th, 2026
There are a lot of people who want to be models, but wanting it and actually making it are two completely different things. Social media has made the industry look more accessible than ever, yet somehow it’s become even harder to break into. Everyone is trying to stand out, but in the process, a lot of people end up looking exactly the same.
So, while talking to Peyton Richard, he reminded me that modeling isn’t nearly as glamorous as people imagine. Yes, there are the runway shows and campaigns, but there are also years of rejection, castings that lead nowhere, and the pressure of constantly being evaluated by other people.
What stuck with me most wasn’t his résumé, but it was solely his mindset. He kept coming back to the same idea: comparison is the thief of joy, and the only real way to separate yourself is to be yourself. In an industry built around appearances, that might be the hardest thing to do.
Peyton Richard: “So my name is Peyton Richard, and I’m 19 years old. I’m born and raised in Houston, Texas, and I guess you could say I’m a model. I’m currently in college pursuing a business degree and a master plumbing license when I’m not modeling. I never really thought much of modeling at first, and it kind of just happened on its own. I was 14 when I signed my first contract here in Houston for a local agency, and I walked for Givenchy before I turned 17. I recently had my debut in Paris Fashion Week for Glass Cypress, which ended up being another turning point for me. Not many people know this about me, but my father owns a plumbing company here in Houston, which is why I am getting my master’s license to eventually run things for him.”
Emily Arauza: “Wow, I love hearing that you walked for Givenchy before 17, that’s a huge accomplishment. I also think it’s really cool that, despite everything you’ve done in modeling, you’re still focused on your education and planning for your future. You don’t hear that very often. I’m curious, though: was there a specific moment when you realized modeling could become something bigger than just a hobby or side opportunity for you? Also how has your perspective on the industry changed since you first signed that contract at 14?”
PR: “Honestly, yes and no. I feel like there have been many instances when I realized that modeling could become a full-time career, yet still, you have to understand that you can’t necessarily choose to model. You can call yourself a model on Instagram, but getting booked consistently is a completely different thing that I even see very talented people struggle with. The industry chooses you, if that makes sense. It’s not your choice, and there are no guarantees in this industry unless it is in fine print. I mean, there have been days where I’ve made unreasonable amounts of money for the least amount of work, but it all comes with a cost. It took me three years before I booked my first big gig with Givenchy, and then after that, I did commercial work with Pizza Hut over the summer. It’s not necessarily what I chose to do, but it kind of chose me at the time. My perspective is always changing on this industry. It’s hard to say for Houston exactly, but when it comes to Europe and New York, it’s constantly evolving.”
EA: “That’s a really interesting way of looking at it. I think a lot of people only see the highlights like the runway shows, campaigns, and travel, but not the years of waiting, rejection, and uncertainty that happen behind the scenes. You mentioned it took three years before you booked your first major gig with Givenchy. During that period, was there ever a moment where you questioned whether modeling was worth pursuing, or did you always trust that your opportunity would eventually come?”
PR: “It goes both ways. I think I will always question if modeling is worth pursuing for my own sake and mental health because it can take a toll on you. Even recently, with everything I have accomplished, I find myself questioning if it is worth pursuing because many people don’t know the struggles that come with it. I’ve learned how to face rejection and things like that, but when it comes to constantly holding yourself to someone else’s standards, it can shape the way you perceive yourself and this industry. I didn’t get signed in New York until last year. I didn’t make it to Europe until this year. All of that came from years of work and consistency, which no one seems to notice. I think it’s always best to stay humble in this industry especially. As a model, you aren’t just supposed to look good. Your job is to sell the clothes a brand gives you, and if you can’t do that, you are not a model. I feel like that’s another thing that a lot of people get confused about when it comes to modeling.”
EA: “Exactly, and I think social media has created this idea that modeling is just about being attractive, when in reality it’s a profession with a purpose behind it. You mentioned that a model’s job is to sell the clothes, not just look good. For someone who doesn’t know much about the industry, what do you think separates a professional model from someone who simply has a large following or takes good photos?”
PR: “There are plenty of differences, like the professionalism, extensive self-maintenance, and ability to sell the product or vision for a brand. But some of the main differences really boil down to the standards that a model holds themselves to and the experience they have. I feel like there are multiple sides to it. It can be really tough for a new model to break through the industry with no background. Even if they have everything you want in a model, it is still hard to find someone who can constantly produce the same value that is needed to sell said product. But on the other side of this industry, they are constantly looking for the next new face and who can replace the old and outdated, so it’s hard to really say. This industry is ever-changing, like you stated in the beginning, so you have to change with it or get left behind. The “modeling” industry has become so oversaturated in some places that it’s hard to even tell who is a real model at times. I can remember being in New York in January for NYFW castings, and there being over 300 guys for one show, yet only 4 of us got picked. Thankfully, I was one of them. But that just goes to show how many people want a spot in this industry, how many people want to be seen.”
EA: “I think what stands out to me is that you’re describing an industry where people are constantly being evaluated, compared, and replaced. Most people would struggle with that. So, I am curious, after everything you’ve experienced in modeling, what do you think it’s taught you about self-worth? How do you separate who Peyton is as a person from how the industry sees Peyton as a model?”
PR: “Yeah, I think it’s given me a lot of resilience when it comes to knowing self-worth, but I also think that just being humble about it is the best thing you can do. I feel like a lot of people think that when they become a model, they are automatically better than other people in some way, or it gets to their ego too much and destroys their potential, so really knowing your place is the best thing. I think the best way to set yourself apart is to just be yourself. I feel like too many models struggle with being themselves in this industry and even outside of the industry. I feel like I see a lot of people ditch their lives behind to pursue a career that isn’t even guaranteed. No one wants the same copy-and-paste model. Everyone is following the next trend, and everyone comes out the same. The best way to set yourself apart is to be yourself because there is no one else like it. Honestly, I’m partially a victim of it too. I left high school sophomore year to do online school so I could model in New York, even though that wasn’t guaranteed. I just got lucky, you could say.”
EA: “I really like that. I think a lot of people assume standing out means becoming more like everyone else who’s successful, but what you’re saying is almost the opposite. The people who leave a lasting impression are usually the ones who stay true to themselves instead of chasing every trend or trying to fit into a mold. It’s like that for many if not all instances. I want to ask you, has anyone ever given you a piece of advice that’s stuck with you throughout your journey? Something you’ve carried with you through the highs, the setbacks, and everything in between?”
PR: “The best advice probably comes from my hairstylist, funny enough. Xzavier was actually who got me into modeling when I was younger and is the person who introduced me to my first agency. The best advice from him would probably be what I just told you: to be yourself. But he has also given me a lot of industry insight that I needed to be able to get to where I am today. I’m still learning from each and every client and even from the people who I look towards for direction in this industry, so I’m constantly working on my craft. Besides that, the best advice would be, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I think that if you constantly compare yourself to other models or other people, you will never truly be happy. Like I said, no two people are the same, so you can’t compare yourself to another model if you aren’t booking jobs and they are, which is something I feel like goes unheard of in this industry.”
EA: “I really love that. “Comparison is the thief of joy” feels especially relevant in an industry where people are constantly being judged, ranked, and compared to one another. I think what stands out from everything you’ve shared is that your success hasn’t come from trying to be someone else, it’s come from staying true to who you are. To wrap things up, if you could leave aspiring models, creatives, or anyone chasing a dream with one piece of advice, what would it be?”
PR: “My best personal advice would be to stay true to your roots and who you are. A lot of people want to be perceived as something else and not as who they really are, I think that if you stay true to yourself while working towards a bigger picture you will always have something to show for it.”
