Kirsten Gackowski, model and charity influencer: “My mission is to bring awareness to important social issues”

An inspiring interview with Kirsten Gackowski on being a model, influencer, and the most beautiful woman in the Philippines. And how to use your popularity to broadcast important messages, such as the problem of sexual violence, domestic violence, mental health, and prison reform.

 Hi Kirsten, welcome to Marie Claire Ukraine. You are a fashion model. Tell us about how you got your start in the modeling business.

I got started in the modeling business shortly after I was discovered online on social media by a celebrity photographer. You could say that I was discovered in a stereotypical way like you see on the modeling tv shows where someone from the industry sees you and approaches you to scout you and tells you that you should be a model. At the time, he sent me a message on social media and asked me what my measurements were and told me that he thought I had a great unique look. He referred me to several modeling agencies and told me that he knew the directors. I then went to those agencies where I met with their agents and directors, and the rest is history.

Tell us how you managed to sign your first big modeling contract.

For one of my current agencies, I had actually submitted some no-makeup photos to them online for the heck of it, and much to my surprise, they responded back and wanted to set up a time to meet in person. I met with them in person and they offered me an exclusive contract. This is actually the same agency who discovered and signed supermodel Cindy Crawford. I actually have a side by side collage showing Cindy’s old comp card from the agency next to one of my new comp cards from the agency. It’s really awesome to be able to see that, almost surreal. I also had photos of me taken by the same photographer who first photographed her and discovered her too, which is another surreal experience for me.

Your career as a professional fashion model led you to participate in international beauty contests. Tell us how you felt when you held your first title.

When I held my first official title it was so shocking to me because it was something that I had never done before. Much like when I first was signed as a model. My first title I held was as a State Titleholder here in the United States as Mrs Hawaii USA Earth 2023 which is part of the Mrs USA Earth organization. I felt that this was so special because I have an ethnic tie to the state of Hawaii through my heritage and bloodline on my Mother’s side of the family. As for being a National Titleholder as International Ms Philippines 2024, that was even more surreal for me because now I’m representing an entire country. I also have an ethnic tie to the Philippines through my heritage and bloodline on my Mother’s side of the family as well. My Mother is actually first-generation in the United States from the Philippines.

And you now hold the title of International Ms Philippines 2024. How does it feel to be the most beautiful girl in the Philippines?

Being a National Titleholder as International Ms Philippines 2024 is so surreal. Having the ability and opportunity to represent an entire country is a huge honor and especially the Philippines for me because of my ethnic tie to the country through my heritage and bloodline on my Mother’s side of the family. I feel that true beauty is something that radiates from within, not just something that exists on the superficial level. However, I am also very honored to know that people feel that way about me and view me that way. I greatly appreciate all of the support.

Tell us about the competition. How have you prepared for the competition? 

The competition is coming up and I feel that I have prepared for it in a few ways. I’ve prepared things like my wardrobe, but I have also prepared physically and mentally as well. Whether that’s taking some days to relax and decompress or whether that’s going to the gym and relieving stress, these are all things that help me to physically and mentally prepare. The competition is made up of several categories such as opening number, national costume, interview, and evening gown. All of these things I have had prepared for months, which has also helped me with feeling more relaxed and prepared.
I feel like by taking each day one day at a time this has helped me in not feeling as overwhelmed with the competition.

Tell us about your outfits for the competition.

The competition is coming up so I don’t want to give away too much, but I have a white outfit, a red outfit, a floral patterned gown, my national costume which is inspired by part of the culture of the Philippines, and of course my evening gown.

With you being a fashion model, a former state titleholder, and now currently a national titleholder, you have amassed quite a large following on social media. How does it feel to be considered and viewed as an Influencer with global reach?

This is something that I never anticipated or expected and so because of it, it feels very surreal. I think that’s the recurring theme of my life right now. Everything just feels so surreal. I am so grateful for the amount of support that I have received from everyone. It truly means the world to me. Being an Influencer comes with a lot of responsibility. I feel that because I have been blessed to have such a large following and global platform on social media that I have the social responsibility to continue to speak on and bring awareness towards important social issues and causes in the world. Earlier this year in May, I was fortunate enough to have met with the Consulate General of the Philippines where I also discussed my advocacies.

What has it been like to be an Influencer?

It all feels so unusual and strange for me, but it in all good ways. Like I said, I never thought that any of this would’ve ever happened and I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and who continues to support me. I find that overall it has been an incredible experience and opportunity because of the global impact and reach that I have.

You actively help your audience, tell us about your charitable mission?

My mission is to bring awareness to important social issues and causes such as domestic violence, including sexual violence, women empowerment, mental health, and prison reform. My mission is also to use my platform and following to help inspire young women to become the women leaders that they aspire to be. In pageants, sometimes girls will come up with something they want to focus on but only for the pageant. Once the pageant is over, they no longer do any of the things that they tried to do during their reign because it was only done to try and win the crown. For me, I have been on this mission since I have been in my professional career, which is in public safety. I will continue my mission because it’s what I have chosen to dedicate myself to.

Your story of being a fashion model, a former state titleholder, a current national titleholder, and working in public safety, transcends the societal barriers for women. How do you feel about being someone that people look up to?

I feel like this has been part of my mission in women empowerment for so long. To show the world that our potential is limitless and there is nothing that women can’t accomplish or overcome. It is also important to me to be able to show the world that women can do both. Women can be both tough and resilient through their professional careers, and also be glamorous. It doesn’t mean they can’t do the job or that it’s a sign of weakness. I feel that being able to be this person that people look up to is a huge honor and something that I will hold close and safeguard. I also feel that it is the duty of those who have been chosen as the example to shine the light and lead the way for future generations.

What creative projects are you planning to implement next year?

I would like to try and host a makeup workshop where I speak to domestic violence and sexual violence survivors. Oftentimes, women who go through these tragic incidents lose their sense of self. They no longer feel like the women they once were. They don’t do their hair and makeup anymore, and sometimes, they just forget. They try to forget the person that they were when the incident happened.
Over the years of being a model, I have learned a lot of tips and tricks with hair and makeup from professional hair and makeup artists in the industry, something that most people don’t have access to. I would want to use this knowledge for good and use it as a vehicle for change in someone’s life by equipping them with the skills to help them regain their identity and feel like the best version of themselves again.

As an up and coming Social Media Sensation and Influencer, is there anything that you would like the readers to know?

I would like the readers to know that their support means the world to me. I feel that I have the responsibility to speak on and bring awareness to these important issues and causes because of the platform and following that I have been blessed to have and I will continue to do so. I wish everyone all the best and thank you so much again.