Brooks Nader spent her 21st birthday this past February on set here in the Bare Necessities studio. The Southern belle also known as Brooksie is as nice as pie, going so far as to bring in her own five-layer lemon birthday cake from a sought-after New York City bakery and introducing her mother to the entire crew over FaceTime.
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and based now in New York City, Brooks has modeled for Elle, Laura Mercier, Covergirl, Miami Swim Week and many more and has been featured as a Sports Illustrated Lovely Lady of the Day.
Get to know Brooks better in the latest installment of Confessions.
Confession #1: I grew up with strong women.
I have three younger sisters, and we’re all within five years of each other, so we grew up and remain best friends. Let’s just say my dad is not afraid to talk about self-tanner. I’m pretty bold: I was raised in a small town riding horses and ATVs and doing lots of sports, which is why getting my hair and makeup done every day for work is so ironic and funny to me.
Confession #2: Modeling wasn’t always the plan.
Before modeling, I was in college studying finance—ha! I was scouted via Instagram and started modeling a year ago. If I wasn’t a model, I would love to be an interior designer. I’m passionate about my friends and family, boxing, my career and helping others.
Bare Necessities was my first job of 2018, so I would say the year is off to a fantastic start. I genuinely love working with this crew and actually look forward to waking up early and getting to spend the day with them.
Acting in my first movie ever, Backtrace, was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. I’m starting to do more acting, so it’s all very new and challenging in the best way.
Confession #3: Modeling can be a healthy gig….
The best parts are being pampered and all of the fun health and fitness perks. Boxing is my workout of choice. I’m surrounded by extremely supportive, grounding people, and I don’t let any of the frilly stuff get in the way or go to my head.
Confession #4: …but it’s far from easy.
The hardest part is pleasing everyone on set involved in the shoot. People think I’m sitting pretty all day being pampered—as if!
Confession #5: Every awesome shoot has the same ingredients.
It takes a great team, positivity, hard work and no attitude.
Confession #6: Social media and modeling go hand-in-hand.
A lot of models are booking themselves on jobs via Instagram and social media now. In a way, they are becoming their own agents.
Confession #7: A magazine cover is still the gold standard.
I think any big editorial cover—Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle—says you’ve made it.
Confession #8: Models eat.
My favorite comfort food is my mom’s gumbo, and my guilty pleasure is a hot plate of French fries.
Confession #9: Beauty is a state of mind.
Empowerment is feeling confident and able to do whatever your heart desires. I think beauty is a feeling rather than some external thing. There’s beauty is everything. I feel my most beautiful when I’m naked.
Confession #10: Confidence can come from anywhere.
A push-up bra is instant confidence, especially under a blazer—that’s my signature look. The song that always makes me feel good is “Happy” by Pharrell.
Keep up with Brooks’ glamorous life and work over on Instagram.
