Leah Winters - #OWM Audition
Leah Winters
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23
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5'5
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Independent Model & Photographer
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Birthmark on left side of face
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Kleptomaniac
•Leah's POV•
As I've said before, I was interested in photography and capturing images since I was really little, but I never wanted to be a model. I had my life as a world famous photographer planned out in detail and begged my parents for a fancy camera. I took every art and photography opportunity throughout primary and secondary school so that I aced my exams and got into one of the best art and and design schools in the country.
I was more than ready to start university and my journey as a photographer. Although none of my friends had gone with me to university, I was excited to meet new people and go to parties. Like I said though, there's one thing about university I remember more than anything else...
My kleptomania started...
Kleptomania
n.
A recurrent need to steal, typically without regard for need or profit
It started with a notebook. A silly thing that kept on bugging me. It was pink with a blue spine, and I wanted it. At first I ignored the wanting; jealously was a human emotion, it was surely only normal to feel it? But as the weeks passed, I couldn't sleep, I would scratch at my legs until they were crying and raw in lessons just to try and not think about the notebook. I noticed people starting to avoid me and teachers constantly asking if I was okay. People thought I was mentally ill, I wasn't. I just wanted the notebook. It was a warm day in June when I finally stole it. She walked past and her bag wasn't fully closed, so I took the chance, I took the notebook and I took the shortcut back to my dorm. I collapsed on my bed, wrenching with sobs. I felt worse than I ever had, just for taking a notebook.
I hated it, I truly did, nevertheless I continued to steal. A bag here. A phone there. Boxes under my bed became full and overflowed with stolen items whilst my self-confidence, marks and dignity were cruelly stolen from me. Eventually I was sentenced to jail for petty theft. Rumours went around shook about what had happened to me, but when the items were returned everyone worked it out.
I returned to university disgraced and was expelled. However, there was one teacher who didn't give up on me and gave me private lessons at my small one bedroom apartment.
I am now at the stage where I need to rebuild my life and this is where modelling and #OWM come in. Modelling was an accident; a few selfies which weren't actually that bad and a lack of inspiration for anything else. I want and I need to get my career going and I feel like this is the way forward. I have had a few hard battles in my lifetime so I'm hoping a rise to modelling fame won't be too tough.
Leah
