Inspires Me: Heather Riley

Photo: TMD Photography

Fallon Studios

You would never know that this beautiful young model was once a tomboy- playing every sport you could imagine. 22-year-old Heather Riley never grew up dreaming to be famous. Her life goals were to work with the Disney Channel stars for something- maybe a film or television show. She actually wanted to be a professional Softball Player. This may still happen for her- but I suspect life may have other- but just as exciting plans.

Heather Riley went through some major setbacks in her young life. When she was in 5th grade her parents were taking a separation and she had been living in her grandmother's old home. About 10 minutes before the alarms went off for them to get up and go to school- the house erupted into smoke flames. Her family got out but her two sisters were in the hospital for a while with smoke inhalation. They are very asthmatic so it made the healing process much longer.

Dealing with the stress of arguing parents and the passing of her grandmother (who was her idol and go-to person) made it tough for her- but also made her strong. She says she has lost quite a few family members in her life- and it never gets any easier.

Photo: Jonavennci Divad

Heather is bi-racial. Her mom is white- fair skin and short and her father is tall, extremely skinny and very dark. She tells me this made for even more challenges in her life.

 "When growing up we would get looks EVERYWHERE we went, even in Florida when younger the servers at a Denny’s didn’t want to serve us. I wrote my college essay based on
this elder white woman who called me a “nigger” in front of the whole store where I was working because she said she didn’t want help from me. I wouldn’t trade my upbringing for anything. My parents were at an all time low with financials when I was younger and still made sure all of their children were taken care of, and made sure we did what we wanted in life to succeed. They have always been the backbone of my family and career, and never let any stupid racial moment, or discouraging issue stop us from being successful and hard working."

It took quite a bit of encouragement for Heather to realize that she had a face worth photographing. She finally took the encouragement and set out to auditions. She got professional pictures taken and she fell in love with something other than athletics. She realized that modeling is a 24/7 job and did as much as she could while in school but her career really began to speed up when she turned 18.
While she was in college in Albany New York she would spend her time she wasn't studying- applying for jobs. The hard work is paying off:

Photo: JeffFoley.com

"I am now working with different clothing lines, worked in a national/international campaign for ROOS-Shane and Shawn shoe/apparel company, as well as working with AKOO (a king of oneself ) Grammy award winning artist TI’s clothing line. I have been able to work with celebrity photographers, stylists, and marketing reps. As well as I am doing background work on numerous films including a Martin Scorsese film which included Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as on a Vince Vaughn film which I am featured in. I was also able to go to Los Angeles and work on a Selena Gomez film then came back to NY and worked with Chris Pines and Kevin Costner."

Working in an industry like this opens you up to people criticizing your every move, look and body part. Heather said at first it would hurt. Understandably she would cry- until until she realized that each "No" is a learning opportunity and a growing experience.  She now sees any "No" as a "Yes" for a future opportunity. They still have her head shot- and if she walks out with a positive attitude- maybe they will remember her for something in the future.

She credits her support system. Her parents and boyfriend are her backbone. Her close friends are also considered family in her book. She says without them it would be real difficult, financially and  intellectually.

Think she sounds way beyond her years? Yes she is in many ways and yet I love her youthful and  yet wise perspective on "Life goals"

Photo: Artiise Photography

My life goals change all the time. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a realistic bucket list. Yes I get made fun of all the time but it’s true. I have a bucket list of things that are realistic. For example, I do not have any desire to jump out of a plane, because I just learned to start flying and I am afraid of heights so that isn’t even on my bucket list. However going tanning in a tanning booth is, Haha. I make realistic goals that I can set and then continue from there. I always wanted to be on the Disney channel or work with Disney channel stars and after going to LA, I was able to work with a bunch of different Disney channel celebs and I felt that it was a huge accomplishment and I completed my goal. During college I realized Ive always wanted to be the person to interview celebrities on the red carpet, however now that I am starting
to do more films, I realized now that I want to be the person being interviewed on the red carpet. My goals change all the time, because once I have completed one goal I move on and keep setting goals that I want to achieve. I do not have a 10 year plan or in 20 years what do you see yourself doing. Life is real short, and after seeing so many of my loved ones pass in the past 5 years, I realize you must take one day at a time, live in the present and do all that I can now.