Hello everyone + Happy Monday! I am so excited to be continuing this new series called Monday Muse and to be featuring the stunning Jessica Marie Webber this week!

I actually met Jess the same way I met Lori and Kara... through Instagram when I was searching for models for the Haute on Broadway show back in June. Ironically, I have met most of my models through Instagram. I always love to thank them for sliding into my DMs. ;) Needless to say, Jess killed it on the runway and we have been working together ever since. 

Jess just celebrated her 20th birthday yesterday and I feel honored she chose to spend part of her day walking for Madalyn Joy Designs at the Miracle On The Runway Charity Fashion Show. She looked absolutely stunning and we all made sure to wish her a happy birthday as many times as we possibly could! We celebrated over vegan pizza and cupcakes and made sure to gather all the models backstage and sing happy birthday to Jess. 

I just absolutely adore Jess and her big, kind, and compassionate heart. She cares so deeply for everyone close to her and ferociously protects them like a mama lion does with her cubs. Let's just say I would want Jess on my side during a fight. I mean, she has a black belt after all! haha

Jess touches on this memory a bit later in her interview, but one of my favorite memories of Jess was at the most recent holiday collection photo shoot. Shannon Nord, one of the amazing hair stylists I have the pleasure of working with, brought her adorable 4 year old daughter, Quinn, along to the photo shoot. Quinn was just enamored with Jess. She thought she was the most beautiful princess she had ever seen! (I mean she wasn't wrong!) And instead of acting annoyed or bothered, Jess embraces Quinn with open arms and posed for pictures with her. Quinn even joined in on a group photo with all of the princesses! (See photo above.) 

Jess has so much talent, drive, ambition, and potential that I have no doubt in my mind she will achieve whatever she sets her mind to. I am so incredibly sad to have her jet set off to LA this summer, but I know this will be an amazing opportunity and experience for her. She will achieve so many great things out there! And if for some reason it doesn't work out, we all will be welcoming you back to the Midwest with open arms. 

Love you, Jess! Again, Happy 20th Birthday, beautiful! May this be your best year yet! 

Scroll down to get to know more about Jess and her modeling career! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m 20 years old and currently a student at UW-Madison studying retailing and consumer behavior. If a modeling career is not what my future has in store, I would love to become a merchandise manager/buyer. My family is my first priority, including my dog. I am single and quite happy with it. I have realized that it is toxic to force a relationship and the right one will come my way when it is meant to be. I also enjoy exploring on my own and pushing myself out of my comfort zone whenever the opportunity presents itself. 

How did you get into modeling?

I started thinking about modeling at a young age when I would watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with my mom. In high school, I would buy my dresses for a dance at the Prom Shoppe in Oswego, IL, and one day when I was buying a dress they asked if I wanted to model for them. My first "modeling "opportunity was to dress up as a princess and hand out candy to kids. I then had my senior pictures taken by Mikayla Kosicek. She asked me if I ever thought about modeling, and it was always a thought in my mind but I just never thought about actually pursuing it. Stephanie Panagopoulos took my first test shoot pictures which resulted in a contract with The Rock Agency in Madison, WI. Now, here we are :)

What is your favorite part about modeling?

My favorite part about modeling is easily being in front of a camera. There is something about a shoot that makes me feel alive inside. It gives me a chance to express my feelings and create art that hopefully inspires others to do what they love. 

What is your least favorite thing about modeling? 

My least favorite part about modeling is the judgment. Modeling makes you realize your imperfections, and at first this was extremely hard for me because I started modeling at a difficult point in my life. I was always focused on things like my height and small chest, but then I realized my uniqueness is what makes me beautiful. Life is too short to try and change yourself. Embrace your imperfections and love yourself. Whether it's the way you sing in the shower, they way your eyes look, or even the little dance you do when you eat... love it. Life is too precious to waste time worrying about what others think about you or letting others make you feel bad about yourself. 

What has been your favorite modeling experience (i.e. show, shoot, event)? 

Obviously any experience I've had with Madalyn has been unforgettable and amazing, but I also really enjoyed working with Arsenic when they were in Chicago for their world tour. 

What was your most beautiful and confident moment?  

Recently while shooting Madalyn's holiday collection, one of our hair stylists brought her daughter with to the shoot and she said that I was her favorite princess. Apparently, she continued talking about me and my dress all night even after the shoot was finished. This gave my heart such a warm and beautiful feeling that I will never forget. 

Who is your muse/inspiration? 

I have multiple... Candice Swanepoel, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Marilyn Monroe, Doutzen Kroes, and my mom.

Fun fact? 

I have a black belt in taekwondo.

Looking forward to most in 2018? 

My move to Los Angeles in the summer.

What is your #1 modeling goal? 

The most basic answer I could give is to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Truly I just want to become a successful enough model in order use my platform to spread awareness about sexual assault and harassment around the world, along with saving our endangered animals.

Fast Facts

Favorite food: Dark chocolate but really anything vegan (aka anything without animal products)... I LOVE food :)

Coffee order: Iced latte with soy milk, sugar free vanilla, and cinnamon on top

Cocktail order: Margarita

Favorite movie: My favorite movies to watch are pretty much anything scary or suspenseful, but my favorite movie is definitely Dirty Dancing

Favorite song/artist/band: Impossible for me to answer, but favorite genre is R&B/rap

Favorite hobby: Listening to music/dancing around my room & recently muay thai thanks to my trainer Tyler Peterson from Ripped & Company. 

Follow Jess's modeling career on Instagram HERE.