There are people who are content to follow a conventional path through life, and then there are those who seem determined to explore every opportunity that comes their way. Sammy is very much in the latter category.
Model, actress, writer, relationship coach, wife and part of a large, loving family, Sammy is a woman with many different sides to her personality. Standing six feet tall, with a love of tattoos, an unconventional sense of style and a determination to be herself, she’s certainly not someone who believes in blending into the background.
But there’s much more to Sammy than her striking appearance.
Her journey has taken her from modelling and appearances in feature films to working as a teenage music reporter for the BBC, studying Politics at university and working in Parliament as a speechwriter. Today, she combines her creative interests with her work as a relationship coach through her business, Marlow Matchmakers.
Along the way, she’s developed a refreshing outlook on confidence, individuality and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to be your best.
For HERA Magazine International, Sammy talks openly about her experiences in modelling, her passion for writing and acting, the importance of her husband and family, and her ambitions for the future.
And, as you’ll discover, she’s not particularly interested in following anyone else’s rules.
The HERA Interview
HERA: Let’s start at the beginning! How did you first get into modelling, and what was it that attracted you to being in front of the camera?
Sammy: I’ve always had a passion for modelling and being in front of the camera. I started when I was in my teens and it developed further when I began university. It helped that I’d been in a few feature films alongside some great British actors. This gave me a huge amount of confidence to pursue a career in modelling and working in the creative industry.
HERA: Looking through your portfolio, you seem equally comfortable with natural, everyday looks and more glamorous photography. What do you enjoy most about modelling, and how would you describe your own personal style?
Sammy: I think everyone is beautiful and everyone has a creative side to them. I also think the most attractive trait someone can have is embracing who they are as a person and being comfortable in their skin. I think modelling allows you to be really creative and change up your appearance. It’s fun and it’s like acting, you create a role for yourself every time a new shoot happens.
My own personal style is very edgy. Very different and I don’t conform to the norm which has people raising their eyebrows. I’m full of tattoos, I rarely wear black and at 6ft I tend to stand out so I may as well wear what I like anyway!
HERA: You’re not just a model, you’re also a writer! Tell us a little about your writing. What subjects or stories do you enjoy exploring, what inspires you, and where can our readers find your work?
Sammy: I’ve been writing since I could pick up a pencil. I love writing and find it really therapeutic. I worked for the BBC as a teenager as a music reporter. That was incredible and opened so many doors and opportunities for me. I then went on to write for my university magazine and after graduating in Politics I worked in Parliament as a speechwriter and wrote casework. It was amazing. I had the best time and loved policy writing and doing interviews and news articles for major newspapers. Not many can say their words are published in Hansard so I think that’s awesome.
I now write for my business Marlow Matchmakers. I’m now a Relationship Coach and like to write about love, divorce, sex and people’s connections. I find it fascinating. I’ve approached a few magazines lately with interest in freelancing so fingers crossed !
HERA: Confidence is something that often comes across in your photographs. Has modelling helped you develop your confidence, or has that always been a part of your personality?
Sammy: I think modelling has 100% helped my confidence. Because it allows me to express myself but also I’m being given direction. Of course people will always give their opinions and not always agree with the photos taken but I’ve learnt to really not care enough.
HERA: When you’re working with a photographer, what makes a really enjoyable photoshoot for you? Do you prefer arriving with a clear concept, or do you enjoy seeing where the creativity takes you?
Sammy: I love seeing where the creativity takes me. But what’s best is when I love the photographer shooting me. I’ve had really awkward situations in the past where the photographer has been rude and outspoken and the photos can show I wasn’t at my best. But when I get on as a team it’s amazing what can be achieved.
HERA: Away from modelling and your creative work, we’d love to hear about your family and the people closest to you. How important are they in your life, and what do you enjoy most about spending time together?
Sammy: My husband is everything to me. He is my soul mate and my best friend. I’m extremely lucky to have him as my partner. We share a large family with beautiful children and we have a very loving family home. We love to travel, eat good food, laugh and just spend time in each other’s company.
My husband and I like tattoos. Motorbikes. Movies and planes and being with the kids. It’s a very chaotic loving life to live.
HERA: You’ve also worked as an actress. What has that experience been like for you, and is there a particular role or project you’ve especially enjoyed? Are there any upcoming acting projects you’d like our readers to know about?
Sammy: I love acting. I think learning lines and adapting a persona is amazing. I love getting to embrace a role and truly getting to understand eye type of actress I want to encompass. I’ve applied to evening acting class in London so watch this space and my Mandy profile is up and running.
HERA: Social media often shows us just one part of someone’s life. What do you think people would be most surprised to discover about the real Sammy?
Sammy: Real Sammy is very down to earth. I’m extremely loyal and committed to my friends and family. I come across as extremely arrogant but I know I’m not. I come across as arrogant simply because fake it till you make it.
HERA: You’ve already explored several creative avenues, but is there something you’ve always wanted to try, whether that’s a dream photoshoot, a particular acting role, a writing project or something completely different?
Sammy: I want to model and be interviewed by a leading women’s magazine. But I’d also love to give my professional advice on relationships on a program like ‘Married at First Sight’.
HERA: Finally, looking towards the future, what would you most like to achieve, both professionally and personally? And is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sammy: Health wealth love and everything in between. Ideally I want my career to take off and for the hard work to pay off so I can show my children what they can be capable of if they work hard.
A Final Word from HERA
What makes Sammy’s story so interesting is not simply the number of different things she has accomplished, but the enthusiasm with which she continues to embrace new possibilities.
From working in Parliament to stepping in front of the camera, from writing about relationships to to enjoying life with her large and loving family, hers is a life that refuses to be defined by any single role.
And perhaps that’s what comes across most strongly in this interview. Sammy is comfortable being different, happy to challenge expectations and determined to pursue the things that matter to her.
There’s also a wonderful contrast between the confident, sometimes larger-than-life personality she presents to the world and the warmth with which she speaks about her husband, children and the people closest to her.
Her ambitions remain as varied as her experiences. Whether that’s developing her modelling career, returning to acting, expanding her writing or bringing her relationship expertise to television, it’s clear that Sammy still has plenty of chapters left to write.
And we particularly admire her desire to show her children what can be achieved through hard work, determination and the courage to follow your ambitions.
And you can find Sammy on Instagram – here
Thank You, Sammy
On behalf of everyone at HERA Magazine International, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Sammy for taking the time to share her experiences, thoughts and ambitions with us.
Thank you for being so open about your life, your family, your creative passions and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
We wish you every success with your modelling, acting, writing and relationship coaching, and we hope that some of those exciting ambitions become reality sooner rather than later.
Most importantly, we hope you continue doing things your own way.
Because, as Sammy reminds us, there’s nothing wrong with standing out from the crowd.
With love and best wishes from HERA Magazine International.
Leave a Reply