Ron Young III: ORDAINED

Unconventional Paths

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

MARCH 16th, 2026

Ron Young III, also known as Cutheartz, is a 21-year-old photographer, model, and creative director whose life revolves around creativity. 

What started during the pandemic as a photography class he ended up in by chance slowly turned into something bigger. Since then, Young has been building his own path through photography, modeling, and creative direction, using each as a way to express ideas and connect with other creatives. 

For him, the goal isn’t just to create but rather to build a space where people who feel different or out of place can come together and feel understood.

Ron Young: “My name is Ron Young III Aka Cutheartz. I am a photographer, model & creative director. I like to work mostly behind the scenes & out of the way but somehow find myself in the mix. I use my God given gifts to create a safe space for all creatives big or small to express themselves fully and authentically. My goal is to create a home where the isolated & chosen can find community in a world where they don’t necessarily fit in, a place for them to be accepted as they are.”

Emily Arauza: “I love the idea of creating a space where creatives can feel accepted and fully express themselves. Right now, what would you say your primary focus is within your work? Also how did you first get involved in photography, modeling, and creative direction?”

RY: “Thank you. I believe my primary focus right now is evolution & rewiring the way I create from a place that felt forced to letting things flow from the divine through me, keeping my foot on the gas & not letting up but also knowing when to switch routes & rest. Until my mission is complete I’ll mainly be focusing on signing with a talent/modeling agency and inspiring those around me through my actions, essentially leading by example. I fell in love with photography during the pandemic in 2020. I wanted to take fashion design in school but spots were filled so I ended up in photography 101. I guess it kind of just fell in my lap. I would keep up with @nikeboyfilm and his photographs inspired me to get my first film camera, leading me to where I am now. As far as modeling that was a dream of mine from a young age. I’d always be compared to Corbin Blue & in my own way felt like a star who was meant for it, so when the opportunity finally arose I took advantage of it & haven’t really been able to let it go since. Sometimes I believe God just uses me in that space to show my peers what’s possible. Lastly creative direction. My mom is 100% the reason for that. From as little as 5 years of age she had me creating everything from shoes to clothes to drawing, painting, crocheting. Anything you could think of my mother herself has taught me. She’s very creative so I like to think that all comes from her. I see beauty slightly differently because of this and I think that really just adds a touch to what I can do for brands, the studio, and companies. My father was in the industry as well so growing up & spending nights in the studio as a kid, being around artists like Rizzo Rizzo & director Cash Macintosh definitely play a defining role. My whole life has revolved around creativity.”

EA: “I really like that, hearing about your journey and how everything kind of came together for you creatively. I also love how you mention God. It’s cool how photography found you during the pandemic and how much your parents influenced that side of you. How would you describe your style when it comes to the work you’re creating right now? Or is there a project or shoot you’re working on that you’re especially excited about?”

RY: “Without God I am nothing. I’d describe my style as unconventional, unorthodox and outside of the box. I’ve always tried my best to be a leader and to do that sometimes you’ll have to be looked at as a little crazy, to not follow the crowd and to do your own thing, so I’d say buoyant. Right now I’m working on so so many projects so all I can say is stay tuned.”

EA: “I love that and I’d love to learn a little more about your background too. How old are you now, and around what age did you start taking photography, modeling, and creative direction seriously?”

RY: “I am 21 now. I always took photos and did some form of CD but I didn’t take myself seriously until I was 20. When I turned 20 that switch just flipped and I knew this was for me. Same for modeling. I didn’t even begin until I was 19 but I feel closer to my goals now than I ever have before.”

EA: “It’s amazing how everything started to click for you around 20 and how focused you’ve been since then. Who would you say inspires you the most creatively, whether that’s photographers, models, artists, or even people in your personal life?”

RY: “My biggest inspirations, while chasing all of these dreams have been Frank Ocean, Young Thug, lif3files, Davin Brunson & as of lately Rick James heavy. My brother wxlf777, he was the first person to truly believe in me. Then from my personal life my mother & father they showed me how to overcome anything at all & for this I feel very grateful.”

EA: “It’s cool hearing the mix of people who inspire you, especially artists and the people close to you who believed in you early on. I’m familiar with some of the creatives you mentioned, so it’s interesting to see how those influences connect. Although, beyond those inspirations, what inspires you in your day-to-day life? Like what keeps your creative flow going when you’re working or coming up with new ideas?”

RY: “Day to day, I believe waking up is a blessing. Having another opportunity to reach my goals keeps that fire lit for me. Fitness and health are a big motivator for me. I feel as long as I’m confident I can create, that discipline all transfers over to my craft. I try to take what I may see in the world and amplify it to the fullest. I’m just the vessel. I feel the ideas are just channeled through me.”

EA: “That mindset of treating every day as another opportunity to move closer to your goals is really powerful. For people who are just starting out creatively or might feel like they don’t fit in, what advice would you give them?”

RY: “Stay the course and trust the journey and don’t wait until you’re ready to start. Live life or create. You weren’t put here to fit in you were put here to bring change. Lead by example. My advice is to always keep it real and be authentic in everything you do, it’s the highest frequency you can operate on.”

EA: “Thank you for sharing that. I like what you said about staying authentic and not waiting until you feel ‘ready’ to start. That’s something a lot of people need to hear, especially creatives who might doubt themselves. Looking ahead, what do you want your future to look like? What’s the overall end goal for you with everything you’re building?”

RY: “To inspire the next generation. For me when I was first starting out I was lost. I knew I had talent but didn’t know where to start. Nick Illusions gave me so much game and the inspiration to get started & I hope I can be a light in the darkness for others the way he was for me.”

EA: “That is extremely kind of you, and I’d like to ask any final piece of advice?”

RY: “If you feel in your heart something is meant for you it’s not there for no reason. It’s been ordained. You don’t have to chase it, it’s already yours. Thank you Emily.”