Meet the American model, writer, sporting all-rounder and psychology graduate who has a thing or two to say about genetic engineering…
Wicked photo shoot, Kaeleigh. What did you love most about it?
The most fun part was being able to shoot on the beach. I feel the most comfortable by the ocean.
Tell us a little more about yourself
I grew up with a large family who all grew up playing piano and another instrument of our choice – mine was clarinet. We would also train year round in sports, soccer, running, snowboarding and surfing since we grew up in California. I’m quite sporty because my parents were very strict growing up so quitting wasn’t an option. So, I figured if I have to do something I might as well go all out and try to be the best at it if I’m doing it anyway.
And you are a writer, too?
Yes, I produced articles for MXDWN Music and Celeb Secrets – I write music articles for them and occasionally interviewed artists.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
That I have a degree in psychology.
Nice. How long have you been modelling?
I’ve been modelling since I was 18. I was discovered by a photographer who connected me to a clothing company shooting for Instagram and ended up doing a test shoot for them. After that I gained some traction on Instagram, brands reached out to me and from there I was signed to Genetics MGMT, my mother agency.
Social media plays a big part in your career. What do you dislike about it?
One of the things I dislike about social media is that some people feel entitled to their opinion online and say things they would never even attempt in person.
Would you ever date one of your followers?
I would hope that the person I’m dating would follow me on social media.
What do you look for in a man?
Someone I can be comfortable around and someone who makes me laugh. They don’t have to be funny but it could just be some mannerisms they have that make me chuckle.
How can a man win his way to your heart?
A man can only win his way to my heart if I feel a connection and then it doesn’t really matter what they do.
Describe your ideal date.
My ideal date would be Just relaxing at home or running errands – I find a certain beauty and comfort in the mundane.
What have you learnt about men over the years?
Not one thing! Men never fail to surprise me – I’ll always go on a date with them because for some reason they will always do something unintentionally hilarious that I will use later as a story to humour crowds. So, I guess I have actually learnt something from men – that hanging out with them will give me comedic material.
As our Woman of the World this month, where would you love to travel to next?
I’d love to visit my twin in Australia. Since she’ll be doing her residency in New Zealand, Australia would be close to her and would be better for us both because a lot of our close friends are Australian and so it would be nice to see them.
Have you ever been to Australia?
I visited Australia when I was very young, so I don’t remember a lot, which is why I’d love to go again. It would be great to be able to do more activities than I wasn’t able to do before.
What’s one thing you would change about the world?
I would change the UNESCO panel’s decision to place a temporary ban on genetic engineering. I believe the way humans are evolving is externally using our minds to create tools that allow us to pick and choose traits that are better equipped for the environment. The leading debate is that this could lead to an issue of eugenics, however other countries have done it and it seems that we are just delaying the inevitable. Instead of focusing on delaying the progression of genetic modification we should look for ways to make it accessible to everyone. ■
STATUS UPDATE
FULL NAME: Kaeleigh Heather Gilabert
BORN: December 1, 1998
HOMETOWN: Lancaster, California USA
CURRENTLY LIVES: Los Angeles, California USA
FIVE WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Funny, apathetic, honest, morally-correct.”
BEST HIDDEN TALENT: “I can do a Stitch impression from Lilo and Stitch.”
PHOBIAS: “Heights and being in the dark, alone.”
LIFE MOTTO: “If it was easy, everybody would do it.”
INSTAGRAM: @kaeleighgilabert
TIKITOK: @KlayMoss
Photographed by RYAN DWYER
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
For the full article grab the July 2022 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
