TRISTA TAUCHAS

Could you tell us something interesting about yourself that people would not ordinarily know about you? I have never lived in the continental United States. I have only ever lived in either Hawaii or Alaska. Other than that, I lived in Mallorca, Spain for 2 years while I taught as an ESL teacher. I was working for the Spanish Ministry of Education in a tiny town, on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean. All three places are incredible and have definitely shaped me to be a unique individual. Hawaii, Alaska, and Spain feel like home, while California feels like a foreign country.

If you weren’t a model, what would you be? I’d definitely be a fox, since they’re clever, incredibly adorable, and can live on all seven continents. Aha! No just kidding, um I would be a criminal profiler or a neuropsychologist. I started modeling when I was 4 years old but have always had a fascination with crime and forensics. My absolute dream is to work for the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI. True crime is my thing and I’m obsessed with what makes a serial killer tick.

What turns you off the most? People who mask their insecurities with a big ego. Take some time to figure out what you don’t like about yourself, then change it. The overcompensation is unnecessary. Oh, and hypocrites.

What is the one thing about yourself that you wish more people knew? I am much smarter, kinder, and funnier than I look. Like I am honestly probably one of the most inappropriate people you will meet who will also tell you how a black hole is formed and do your laundry for you.

What does your typical day look like? I wake up wherever it may be, find some clothes and go from there. That is generally the gym to meet my trainer and do cardio. I try to workout 5 days a week. Then I head to work, which is playing with babies as a nanny. I absolutely love the kids and families I work with. Then I hang out with my dogs and smoke weed. I smoke a lot of weed. That’s my norm, with some exciting modeling trips in between. For instance, I will be going to Europe and the Middle East for the next month on modeling assignments which will be a much different schedule, and a lot less weed.

When you are not busy modeling, what is your favorite thing to do? As much as it’s a cliché, my favorite thing to do is travel. A lot of the travel comes with the modeling, but it is a completely different experience when you get to dive into the culture of a destination and detach from your phone. To just forget the world and be present in a specific place, at a specific moment is such an amazing peace. A peace that I find when I travel.

Which three words best describe you?

Resilient, authentic, and unforgettable.

Were you excited to shoot this feature? Excited is an understatement! I used to pick up the FHM magazines off my brother’s floor when I he would pay me to clean his room as a kid. Ya know, back when Kim Kardashian was on the cover? To be featured is momentous to me and my career as a model.

Trista Tauchas

Trista Tauchas

Where to from here, what are your plans for the future? My plan is to continue fulfilling my dreams one day at a time. My goals are to continue building this life that I don’t need a vacation from. This next year is filled with so many new events, places, transitions, and amazing people that I couldn’t even begin to tell you where I’m going because I honestly have no idea. Which is the most EXCITING part! As for after that, I am going to buy a piece of land somewhere and start an animal sanctuary. All avid animal lovers are invited to join.

Describe your perfect man: My perfect man is funnier, smarter and more ambitious than me. He would motivate me to achieve whatever it is that makes me happy, whether it’s being a model or being a mime. My perfect man NEVER kills my vibe, that’s for sure.

Tell us a bit about your most embarrassing moment? I was drunk trying to go through security in Amsterdam, and the cute Dutch girls working security started giggling at me. One of them leans over and asks “are you drunk?” I respond with “oh NO, absolutely not. Haven’t had a drink all day.” It’s 2pm, mind you. So I make it through, get my bag, put my shoes on and proceed to eat shit so hard, falling over my suitcase and losing a shoe. The girlfriend I was with looks left, looks right, and exclaims “Quick! Get up! No one saw!” I look around, she’s right. No one saw haha so I gathered up my drunk ass and we were off to Ireland. What a good friend.

Lastly, what is your life motto or a quote that means a lot to you? “You are what you love, not what loves you.” Put more of yourself out into the world and stop caring about what other people think. It’s a waste of life!

Want to see more of Trista? Then follow her journey on Instagram @trista_tauchas for all her latest news and updates.