Tastethedram talks with Model Christine Tran of @Catrannn.
Christine please tell us who you are?
CT: Hello everyone! Thank you for interviewing me for Taste the Dram! It is such an honor to be featured. I model for fun working with photographers from Northern and Southern California to those who are from out of state! If I’m not modeling, you can find me in working in scrubs at a hospital or I’ll be with friends shopping and finding the next place to find good food!
How did you develop an interest in fashion, modeling and traveling respectively?
CT: I started traveling ever since I was young. I’ve been to Vietnam, Haiti, Rwanda, New York, Boston, Paris, England, Hawaii, Canada… the list goes on! I love traveling and meeting new people and learning about different cultures/cities. Modeling has recently become an outlet for me. My day job can be pretty stressful physically, mentally, and emotionally…so I really value my days off to invest it in something I enjoy. With modeling, I get to express my own sense of fashion and a different type of confidence I express through photos.
For brands that want to reach out and work with you, what do you wish they knew about you and your ethics?
CT: I wish they knew how much I care about women empowerment and empowering other women to embrace who they are. I love brands that are body positive, and support all shapes, ethnicity, and backgrounds. I think lately, I’ve been focusing on myself and owning my confidence and that’s something I hope for others as well.
Where do you get your sense of style from?
CT: When it comes to style, I am a twist between casual wear, femininity, and confidence. I love clothes that you can dress up for going out depending on how you style the pieces or dress down for a more casual night in. I think it’s important to wear whatever makes you feel confident and unique.
How important are ethical standards for influencers? Also, how important is it for influencers to be authentic and transparent when working with collaborations?
CT: I think it’s important to be authentic and transparent when collaborating. For example, I wouldn’t want to advertise a product I don’t actually use, or I don’t believe in. Even if a brand offers to pay me a certain amount of money, I won’t advertise it if it goes against what I believe in or support. No hate towards anyone who thinks otherwise, this is just how I approach collaborations.
Something you love and hate about Los Angeles?
CT: What I love about LA is that I can drive to so many different parts of the city and it feels like there is still something to learn or see a new adventure or food place to try. I used to go on “day” dates in LA. We would plan a day in LA and pick 3-5 spots to visit and spend the whole day exploring those areas and finding the best food places nearby. I’ve lived in Southern California my entire life and I’ve visited LA a good amount of times, and still feel like there’s always something new for me there.
Who are your favorite musicians to jam out to when no one’s looking?
CT: I might get some backlash for this, but I actually really do like Chris Brown’s songs. I’ll jam out to Chris Brown, YG, Drake, Saweetie…it’ll be 5:30 am and I’ll be blasting those songs in the car during my hour-long commute to work.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
CT: I’ve been wanting to go to Thailand so badly! It looks so beautiful and I’m honestly surprised I haven’t been. I feel like so many people I know have been and I honestly just love tropical places. I love being able to just wear a bikini all day, have a nice cool drink and maybe some chips to go with it!
What’s your favorite thing to do in your down time?
CT: Honestly, I love to just lay in bed snuggled up in my blankets with a candle on and watch a movie. When I’m working, I’m running around and on my feet for 12-13 hours, so any moment I get to lay down and rest is my favorite.
They say you are what you eat, what are you?
CT: I’d have to say I’m pretty sweet, because I have the biggest sweet tooth ever! I love chocolate chip cookies, donuts, brownies, etc. It’s so bad for me, but I can’t resist! I mean, ice cream won’t like itself, right?
If your best friend could tell us something embarrassing about you, what would it be?
CT: She probably would tell the story about how I originally tore my MPFL/MCL from hugging someone and that is why I have 5 scars on my left knee right now. It was embarrassing. My knee got wrapped around a pizza stand that was hanging off my friend’s apron, he turned one way and I fell the other way and before I knew it, I heard a pop. Two weeks later, I was playing tennis and my knee completely gave out. Fast forward to last summer, I had to have an mcl reconstruction surgery and a tibial osteotomy. Definitely no fun!
Lastly, tell us about your dream collab, who is it and why?
CT: My dream collab.. I think it would have to be Matt Garcia! I love how he edits and can turn basically any photo into something so magical. My favorite edits are his Disney ones and I love Disney so it would be a dream come true!
