Asian-American supermodel, actress, and advocate, Julia Lee, has walked numerous international catwalks, graced covers such as Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel. As the face of some of the top fashion and beauty brands around the world like Shiseido; Make-up Forever; Moroccan Oil; Kate Spade; Isabel Marant; Bulgari; Clinique; Maybelline; Express; Levi’s; Nike; Oribe and more, she has become one of the most in-demand models of her generation.

Born just outside of Philadelphia, Lee is of Chinese and Vietnamese descent and is an advocate for better representation of Asian Americans in the media and the modeling world which is notorious for their limited casting of Asians in the industry. She is working tirelessly to end stigma and stereotyping and for a more inclusive industry. She is additionally finetuning her acting skills and transitioning to working in television and film, following in the footsteps of some of her modeling contemporaries such as Cara Delevingne and Emily Ratajkowski. In addition to being an advocate for the AAPI community, she is also a supporter of sustainable fashion brands and clean beauty.

BELLA caught up with Lee to learn more about her career in the modeling industry, her advocacy work, and more…

Julia, tell our readers how you broke into the modeling industry.           

I was scouted when I was working at my local mall. Someone came up to me and asked if I was interested in joining a model search for Philly Fashion Week. They were selecting 10 girls to walk in the show, and one lucky winner would receive a modeling contract in NYC.

I didn’t know much about modeling at the time, but I became curious. When I got home and told my mom, she immediately said NO. When she was my age, she had been asked to model, and it wasn’t really a career path or lifestyle she was familiar with. She came to America to study, and she was sticking with that path.

At the time I didn’t really know what career I would pursue, and the “what ifs” and thought of trying out again was always in the back of my mind. The following Summer I tried out again and was picked but this time, didn’t tell my parents. I was in college and skipped Friday classes to take the bus to Philly and stay with a friend. Walking in the show was so exhilarating that I knew this was something I wanted to do more of.

Unfortunately, months later my mom found out about everything, and I was caught! My neighbor told her that she saw me walking in Philly Fashion Week. Talking it over with my parents, I begged them to let me give it a try. They were hesitant but said ok as long as I kept school and my grades a priority.

What has been your favorite/most memorable experience in the modeling industry to date?

That definitely had to be modeling for Bulgari in Rome. I spent a season in Milan and my booker told me I booked Bulgari and had to take a train down to Rome with two other models from the agency.

The show was set at a historic location among the Roman ruins. I got to wear the Bulgari Serpenti collection and a Valentino dress that Eva Mendes once wore. The craziest part was that I had a bodyguard next to me the whole time because the collection was worth €300,000. I remember looking over the edge to see the view from the balcony and the security guard saying not to get too close. The reason being that the jewelry was too precious to be that close to the edge.

The whole experience was surreal and regal. After the show, the other two models and I roamed the streets of Rome and got ice cream. For an American girl like me to be working for a major European luxury brand like Bulgari, it felt like a dream come true and a scene right out of a romanticized movie.

In addition to modeling, you are also an actor. Do you prefer one to the other?

I’ve been studying acting at studios in Los Angeles and have been focusing more on that. Modeling and acting are very different although they are both ways of expressing yourself. When I started modeling, what I loved about it was that I met and could relate to a lot of people in the industry who might have not fully fit in where they came from. Having grown up in a predominantly white community outside Philadelphia as an Asian American, I always felt a bit different. And creating the clothes, hair, makeup, and ultimately the photo was a way for us to express ourselves.

Although I love modeling, I’m ready to give more as a creative through acting. I feel like it’s a way to go deeper with your work because you are speaking and living through video rather than photos. And you have more time to create a life and story with your character.

As an advocate for the AAPI community, share with us what you’re doing to help gain better representation of Asian Americans in film and modeling.

I’m definitely supporting my friends in the industry! Some have comedy shows and events that I’ll be going to this month. I’ve also been attending virtual roundtables and workshops as both a speaker and listener. It’s been inspiring to connect with others in the community and hear their perspectives. I’ve learned more about the history of Asian Americans in this country too, and it has been eye-opening for me since I didn't receive much education about this topic in school.

I also shared some of my family customs on social media as a way to celebrate my heritage and culture. One in particular was making dumplings, a special family tradition of mine. And I’ve been eating out at quite a few AAPI owned restaurants in NY and LA.

You also support sustainable fashion and clean beauty – two very big topics right now. Why are they each so important to you?

As someone who works in the industry, I’ve witnessed the inner workings of companies and brands, which has given me a unique perspective on the importance of supporting sustainable fashion and clean beauty. By supporting sustainable brands with clean practices, we can contribute to a brighter future for both the industry and the planet.

Climate change has also impacted me personally at a time when I was going through a lot. In 2019, while I was at my parents' house in Pennsylvania, a tornado struck our neighborhood. The power went out for four days, and the trail of shattered trees indicated that the tornado was on a direct course toward my street. At the time, I was helping my mom care for my father who became paralyzed from a stroke. The combination of the tornado's devastation and my father's health added an extra layer of challenges for us to overcome.

The tornado left holes in trees and the entrance of my neighborhood was destroyed. I’ll never forget the sound of it too - it was like a train approaching a station. Tornadoes hitting PA were unheard of growing up so it was a wake-up call that climate change isn't some distant future problem – it's happening right here, right now.

 My visits to Taiwan during my teenage years also serve as a constant reminder of the attention people paid to recycling. Given the limited space in the country, people seemed to be really mindful of their environmental footprint and recycling. I think everybody can do their part to do better. After all, this Earth is home for all. And with me, that includes supporting brands who prioritize awareness to the issue and responsibility in their operations.

Where can our readers follow along with you and learn more about everything you are working on?

You can follow me @itsjulialee on social media, where I share updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses into my work, and moments in my personal life. Join me there to stay connected and learn more about the exciting projects and initiatives I'm involved in!

Feature image by: Najah Mansur @Munglassy