Model And Social Media Star Reece King Remains Real And Riveting

With several major modeling feats under his belt, model REECE KING is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Being a favorite in modeling campaigns and possessing half a million followers on Instagram, the 23-year-old Essex-bred lad is hard to miss in the new-age fashion scene—landing six covers in a span of a year and a half; a milestone that he deems one of his greatest achievements as he steps into a more editorial and high fashion realm. But more than just the glamor and the flashing lights, Reece puts his weight in words and ventures out of the box further with a strong percipient mindset.

Reece knows and remains himself—he’s a biracial, bisexual young man, insightful and informed, and possesses a great sense of self-awareness when he speaks about the realities of his job and everything around its scope. The transition of working in retail to going into full-time modeling was a large jump and one that presented its scale through copious flights and taxing schedules. While we often hear the exuberant furor of all the glitz, Reece is unabashed in saying that the adventure’s exhausting nature comes with great challenges for his mental health. “There have been many times where I have had to drop everything and miss opportunities because my mental health comes first,” he tells, expressing the paramount importance of slowing down. “I’m secure enough now to admit that [I struggle] quite regularly. I have to examine myself and figure out if I can overcome the problems within the day and continue what I have planned.”

“Having a large following and platform means I understand the title of being a role model as the youth are very impressionable, especially on social media, but I don’t focus on the lines too much because you can’t please everyone. I try and just be my authentic self.”

No day is the same—going from indulging in tranquil morning rituals to castings and social media work. With prominence and a job that roots from great physicality, introverted Reece is forthright in expressing his inclination for distancing himself from the digital sphere, even going as far as saying he pretends it’s not real at times; something that may sound paradoxical to people who take models and social media stars at face value. While his Instagram may be filled with aesthetically-pleasing visuals, he’s obstinate in delving beneath the surface—speaking openly about his struggles with anxiety and depression and periodically expressing his thoughts about the world in a few characters. All of these prove to be powerful with his impressionable audience ardent to listen and he’s resolute in declaring that it all comes from his utmost honesty about himself. “Having a large following and platform means I understand the title of being a role model as the youth are very impressionable, especially on social media, but I don't focus on the lines too much because you can’t please everyone,” he asserts when asked about drawing the line with being his real self online versus taking caution on what he shows.

Riveted with a clear sensibility on what he wants to put out in the open and what to keep, he finds his online presence lessening considerably, only turning up to share what’s important. “I try and just be my authentic self. Even though I post and I am on social media, I do not share more than I want to regardless of an audience or not.” This fervent self-expression materializes into compelling words written by himself in the form of a collection of notes called Belongs To Butterflies, delivering affirmations on self-love and acceptance. Reece notes solitude for boosting his creativity and looking inwards for inspiration, doing what comes from within.

“It’s important to continue this [mental health] discussion because so many people believe they physically cannot put themselves/their mental health first and it creates a downward spiral. Talking about this struggle that so many of us can relate to removes the idea that this shouldn’t be brought into the light and worked on.”

Trudging out of just fashion undertakings, the 23-year-old only seeks to pursue more creative pursuits such as acting and varying types of activism. We spoke to Reece about his new projects and being a role model on social media, all the while retaIning his authenticity.

You’re someone who’s very open about mental health. A question a lot of people want to know is, how are you able to work well when you’re struggling with it? (especially being an introvert in the modeling industry). And why is it important to you to keep the discussion going?

When I am struggling with my mental health, I have to examine myself and take a step back and cancel/reschedule work so I can get myself back to where I need to be mentally. It’s important to continue this discussion because so many people believe they physically cannot put themselves/their mental health first and it creates a downward spiral. Talking about this struggle that so many of us can relate to removes the idea that this shouldn’t be brought into the light and worked on.

A lot of people always talk about how the internet/social media is bad. What are your thoughts on this age of accessibility? Why do you think so many are so apprehensive about it?

I can’t control anyone else other than myself but I do believe while being present on social media, you have to learn for yourself what works for you and what doesn’t. Now more than ever, apps are making functions that help remove the overwhelming negativity so your space can remain more positive.

You mentioned that you’ve never planned on modeling. Now that you’ve been doing it for quite some time, what would you say is your favorite thing about it? Would you say it’s a job that enriches you in a way because of all the things you get to experience?

I would say after doing it for a while, I have discovered that my favorite thing is meeting diverse different people that I might never normally meet and being able to travel the world. I’m not sure if I would have been fortunate enough to travel to the destinations I have been without this job; it holds enriches beyond what I believed to be achievable.

Is there an issue in fashion that you wish would be given more attention to or would be improved on? As someone who is in that industry, what else do you think can be done?

I think brands & designers especially more towards high fashion need to continue to improve & work on showcasing diversity and to view models/creatives as humans, not categories. In order for massive change within the industry, big names need to step up and stop using the same group of models that lack diversity.

Tell us about your project, Belongs To Butterflies. Can you expound on what it’s about? Why did you decide to create it?

Belongs To Butterflies is my online book that should hopefully be a physical book within the future. Over the past year, I created a system of writing what I needed to hear and overtime, the pages became fuller and I fell even more in love with writing. I decided to share & give it to the world because I believe it can heal others just how it has healed myself and many other authors’ books/words have healed me. My intentions are just to help people with my words and find myself even more along the way and continue that cycle creating positive space.

Finally, what are your future plans? What else can we expect to see from you?

I never planned on any of this and life is a mystery, so who knows? But I hope to achieve my 10/10 covers, physical copies of my book Belongs To Butterflies, being happy & content and working on making a difference on Earth through my energy & spirit.