The stunning Australian model and influencer bounces back bigger and better to talk about boys, burgers, brain surgery, womanhood and her good mate Warnie…
Magnificent photo shoot, Emily, and welcome back for another MAXIM cover. How does it feel the second time around?
It feels amazing! I’m really proud to be back and a lot has happened since my last cover, so this feels like a full-circle moment and I’m very honoured!
You’re wearing Honey Birdette for this one. What goes through your mind whilst shooting in lingerie?
First of all, let me just say, Australian lingerie is so much nicer than American — especially Honey Birdette! What goes through my mind while I’m wearing Honey Birdette? I feel invincible, sexy, feminine, confident and empowered.
And, as always, you look stunning. What is the sexiest thing about you?
I consider myself a passionate person and passion is always sexy. Not everyone can handle it but I think that’s the point – and when someone can, that’s when I find a spark. I’m a very strong, but also open-minded and understanding, person. I’m also pretty tough but if you gain my trust I’m very sensitive and sweet underneath it all — I’m a tough cookie but deep down I’m cookie dough! Kindness is also sexy. I’m a good friend and I’m loyal – these are things I find attractive in others, so I’d consider them sexy in myself.
When do you feel you are at your sexiest?
This is a hard one to answer! I feel sexy in all different times in all different ways. I feel sexy when I’m speaking my mind and having an intellectual conversation. Being smart is sexy, so engaging in interesting conversation and having something to say makes me feel empowered, which is sexy.
What’s your best asset?
Physically, I’d say my eyes and my hair. I’m mainly complimented on my booty so I guess I’d say that, too, and I’m also told I have nice feet — if that’s what you are into! Otherwise, I’d say I’m just a thoughtful person. I’m a deep thinker, which can be good and bad at times, but I’d rather overthink than be ignorant and inconsiderate. I’m courageous, too. I know that no matter what, I can pretty much deal with whatever life throws at me – so long as I know what it is I’m dealing with.
Speaking of which, life threw you a pretty big curve ball when you had to have brain surgery last year. Sounds ominous! Tell us more.
It was as crazy as you could imagine and definitely not something I expected life to throw at me! Early in 2019 I was shopping on Melrose Ave in L.A. and suddenly woke up in an ambulance, and then again at Cedars Sinai hospital where they told me I’d had a seizure. It was terrifying! They kept me in hospital for about three days and after doing all the tests they found a cavernoma, which is a cluster of rogue blood vessels in your brain that you’re born with, and can cause issues like seizures and strokes later in life. At first I was managing the seizures with medication but it was so strong and I wasn’t myself at all. It completely knocked me out for about five hours a day to where I could barely speak or function — I was dizzy and having massive mood swings. I hated it. They kept giving me different drug combinations but unfortunately, changing seizure medication usually causes seizures to happen. I had five grand mal seizures that year. I knew surgery was an option but I was terrified to do it because the cavernoma was located in my front left temporal lobe, which is the area of our brains that control speech and language, so there was a risk that I could lose my ability to speak if the surgery went wrong.
Holy shit. So, what did you decide?
The last seizure I had was in the shower and it was very scary. My ex-partner found me on the floor and it was just very dangerous to continue trying to manage them with mediation never knowing if I would get a break through seizure. I was unable to drive or socialise for about two years and I really lost my sense of self identity, which was so hard because I’ve always been so independent. After the last seizure I finally decided to do the surgery because as scary as it was, living with the threat of seizures happening for the rest of my life was scarier.
And we hear the doctors actually woke you up during the operation?!
They did wake me up! They keep you under while they do the opening and closing of your head but they had to wake me up while they operated because the cavernoma is located in the area that conducts speech. While I was awake one of the surgeons waved at me and said hello. It was so surreal! A nurse just showed me flash cards of pictures and I had to say out loud what the words were while they zapped my brain tissue with an instrument that tests if it’s functional tissue. It’s crazy because it’s the difference of fractions of millimetres that can make the difference of losing your speech or not.
This is incredibe!
Yeah, my head was pinned into a cage as they can’t risk you even moving a millimetre because of how precise they are. Neurology is pretty incredible. Learning about the human brain is extremely fascinating. Neurosurgeons are really cool it’s like a superpower. It’s hard to comprehend they can do what they do, let alone being the patient! I remember at my follow up appointment I was just staring at my surgeons hands trying to comprehend that his hands had actually touched my brain and I said to him, “OMG, you’ve seen my brain!” He just laughed and said, “Well, yes, that’s my job”. I still can’t really wrap my head around it all – no pun intended!
Ha! For those who don’t know a lot about you, give us a little more info about yourself.
Melbourne is my home town and I started modelling around age 23, then moved to America to pursue my career further. Although I started modelling in the glam world, I expanded my career to work with fashion brands as well fashion nova and Khloe Kardashian’s denim line Good American. I built up my social media following to where now I’d say I’m a model and influencer. I’ve been very blessed to maintain my career but there’s a lot more to it than just mindlessly posting selfies. A lot of planning and politics goes into building relationships with brands and your audience.
Yes, you’ve been living and working in Los Angeles for years and last time we chatted you’d just done ads for Carl’s Jr. Do people still refer to you as the Carl’s Jr girl?
They do! I actually ended up being the last Carls Jr. girl ever! Right after my commercial they made a big corporate rebrand so that sexy burger commercials are no more now, which I think is sad! But I consider myself very lucky for having the chance to be one. I always found their commercials to be iconic, cheeky and fun!
Such a shame. For the record, what is your all-time favourite burger?
As far as any take-out goes, you can’t beat local shops in Australia for any of it. Fish and chips, chicken and chips, burgers… Americans will never understand. And I’ll add that Aussie hot chips are way better than American fries. I don’t know how to explain it but they’re just so much better. Maybe it’s the chicken salt?
It’s definitely the chicken salt! And you’re actually in Australia now. Is this the first time you’ve returned home since COVID hit the world?
It is! I’m so ecstatic to be back!
What do you look forward to most when you come back to Oz?
A lot of things! The food and coffee in Melbourne for sure! The nature and just the culture. We are really grounded and down to earth here. I love the break from L.A. where so much is about status. I love going out in Australia because there’s no bottle service or VIP bullshit. It’s a lot more fun and you meet a more interesting mix of people.
What else would people be most surprised to know about you?
I’m pretty outspoken about women’s rights and that often means people think I hate men. It’s quite the opposite actually – gender roles are outdated in general and a lot of the things that would liberate women also liberate men. For example, the societal pressure of men being the breadwinner would dissolve if we fixed the wage gap for women and had more women in leadership positions in the workforce. And if we stopped framing women’s duty as being home makers, things like custody disputes would naturally evolve to recognise men’s roles as fathers to be as valued as mothers. Of course, sexism endangers women more than men but that’s not to say that equality would hold men back at all. It would certainly also help things like the high suicide rates, in men, if society did away with thinking that expressing emotions makes you feminine or less of a man. I think feminism is for everyone and I wish more men understood that.
Where do men go wrong with women?
I could write a whole essay on this, but if I had to summarise I’d say the biggest thing is they forget women are just people like they are. Humans all want the same things but none of us are exactly alike. A lot of damage has been done with those shitty misogynistic pick-up artist guys who teach men to neglect women and basically just emotionally manipulate them into submission. No genuine connection comes from that! Maybe you’ll have some luck getting her into your bed but if you have to slowly convince a woman she’s worthless to get her there then what does that say about how you think about yourself? Don’t you lay next to her worried she’d leave you if she realised her value? That’s so toxic and so lonely.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
Before you judge a woman’s response to you, take a look at what your approach to her says about you. Do you think a woman is just with you for your money? Did you lead with your wallet? Did you act flashy in order to attract her? Do you think a woman is rude? Were you truly respectful when you approached her? Maybe you interrupted her catching up with friends when you barged in asking for her number? We are responding to your signals. I also have to say to all the guys who complain about women not choosing “nice guys” are you choosing and pursuing “nice girls”? Are you resenting women for not giving you a chance if you’re not conventionally attractive, but then you yourself aren’t giving women a chance who you don’t find conventionally attractive? It’s cause and effect!
Describe your ideal man.
The most attractive quality in men is courage. The courage to be themselves, communicate openly, be honest – even when it’s difficult – and just unafraid to take risks. I think love is a risk worth taking, so if they’re brave in life then they’re likely brave enough to show up when it comes to love. Effort is very attractive. I also need someone confident. I’ve had issues in previous relationships with men finding it hard to deal with me having a lot of attention from other men.
How can I guy possibly win his way to your heart?
If he can’t lead, I can’t follow. Set the tone and I’ll match the energy. Be intentional and consistent and deliver on your promises. It’s about balance for me. Show effort but don’t be overwhelming or suck up. Make me laugh but know when it’s time to take things seriously. Be proud and supportive of my career and show me off, but don’t make me feel like I’m just some trophy model on your arm. Respect my opinions but also tell me your own. Ultimately, just have a strong sense of who you are and what you have to offer and be unafraid to show up and do what it takes to make a relationship work.
You posted a touching tribute on your Instagram to Shane Warne. What was your friendship like with Warnie?
I feel very fortunate to have got to know Shane. Our friendship was pretty typical – just two Aussies getting together in L.A. with some mutual friends whenever we had the chance. He was as down to earth, fun, kind and as genuine as it gets. He loved life and his family. He’s gone far too soon. Last time we spoke we were planning to catch up when I was next in Melbourne, so it’s very sad to be here now and he’s not. But I do feel very blessed to have met him at all.
The tabloid press said you were once romantically linked to Warnie and called you his “rumoured girlfriend”. What do you say to these reports?
Tabloids are garbage. It’s ridiculous how they spin a couple of photos into a story. Our relationship wasn’t romantic. We were just mates!
You have 4.7 million (and counting) Instagram followers. How do you keep them coming back for more?
Sometimes I ask myself the same thing! I have imposter syndrome sometimes and I catch myself wondering how I got so lucky to have so many supporters. I’m very thankful for it! I aim to give my audience some insight into my life while also trying to give them gems here and there to help them better understand why traditional gender roles are outdated.
Nice one. What’s next for you?
I’d really like to write a book. I’m currently looking for a literary agent who can help me turn that dream into a reality. As you can tell, I’ve got a lot of stories and I’ve got a lot to say! ■
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Emily Sears
BORN: November 10
HOMETOWN: Melbourne Vic
CURRENTLY LIVES: Los Angeles, California U.S.A.
FIVE WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Loyal, passionate, thoughtful, strong, fun.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Truth is stranger than fiction.”
INSTAGRAM/TWITTER: @emilysears
Photographed by CALEB CHIC
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
Hair & make-up by EMILY HARPER
Styling by HONEY BIRDETTE
