Small town girl gets big-time break
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POLSON – After finishing high school, young adults are presented with the universal question, what do I do now?
For 18 year-old Polson resident Kayla Golden, the answer is a non-traditional career choice, modeling. For Golden, it all sort of just fell right into place.
“I’ve always enjoyed being photographed,” she said. “My mom used to take pictures of me as a little girl and I started receiving really nice comments about my photos.”
It was August 2009 when Golden was finally discovered by Missoula talent agent and photographer Deserae Pollack, that things began moving in the right direction.
“Deserae began coaching me and taking photos so that I could build up my portfolio,” Golden said.
The pair have been working together for almost two years now, building up an extensive collection of images. She says all the hard work has finally paid off.
Recently, Golden picked up Casey McClain, the 2001 Miss Teen California, as an agent. She says that McClain moved to the Missoula area recently to work with Pollack, and help Golden get recognized. It worked. Industry professionals began calling Pollack, with interest in negotiating contracts with Golden.
“I got my big break,” she said.
Golden said that she has always dreamt of becoming famous.
“I would like to make modeling a permanent career,” Golden said.
Pollack began promoting Golden to various talent agencies across the nation. The response of professionals has been very positive.
What began as just an annual family trip to the California coast quickly became Golden’s chance to meet and work with some industry professionals. All of this was almost an overnight occurrence, she said.
“It’s very overwhelming,” Golden said, “I feel very excited and blessed for this opportunity.”
Golden will leave Wednesday for California with mother Anna, along with family friend and makeup artist Jessica Reum. Her hairstylist Bud Davis, who is the co-owner Salon Envy, a beauty salon in Polson, will not be traveling along. Golden credits him to be partially responsible for her success, along with Reum.
While in California, she will visit with her brother Anthony, who plays football for Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, 45 minutes outside of Los Angeles. According to Golden, her family is very close knit.
“I love my mom and brother, we have always been a very tight family,” Golden said.
While on vacation in California, Golden will visit with photographer Tobey Ogden in San Diego to shoot during sundown on a beach for a No Fear advertisement. She will also be meeting with Glamour Magazine in Los Angeles to show her work and discuss a possible contract. She also plans to also meet with casting directors for other agencies that she doesn’t have details for yet.
All of the buzz around Golden began around the end of February, giving her very little time to get ready for the trip.
For Golden’s mother Anna, she says she couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s success.
“Her recent success hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m proud of her,” Anna said. “This has all fallen in place so quickly that it is hard to process, but I am her biggest supporter.”
Anna has never missed a photo shoot, and loves spending as much time as possible with her children.
Among all her communication with agencies in California, Golden is also working diligently towards winning this year’s Miss Montana pageant she says.
“There is a lot of prep work that needs to be done,” she said.
Some of her pre-pageant prep work, according to Golden, includes taking classes for contracts, on industry specifics including how to differentiate between legitimate and non legitimate contracts, as well as learning basic information about modeling, and shopping trips to Las Vegas.
Golden’s mother says that she is proud of how her daughter has kept her sweet, genuine personality through all of the buzz surrounding her career.
“I don’t want her becoming something that she isn’t,” Anna said.
“I don’t have a mean bone in my body, but I am very confident and driven to succeed,” Kayla said.
Her drive to succeed combined with strong roots in Lake County helps her stay connected with her community by volunteering. She volunteers for hospice, and has modeled to raise money for charities and organizations.
Regardless of her success in modeling, Golden does plan on attending college if she makes it big or not.
“I want to go to college, and I will,” she said, “My degree will be in criminal justice… I want to be a detective.”
As she prepares for this next trip to California, Golden is excited to see where this next chapter in her life will lead her.
“I’m excited to see what happens on this trip and what will come from it,” she said.
