We delve into the beautiful mind of Corrie Yee – the model agency mogul and fearless fashionista who is really a big nerd at heart.
Awesome shoot Corrie, can you tell us a bit about it?
We shot in the fall of 2023 at the Bel Air Oasis, a gorgeous home in Bel Air that’s near J.Lo and Jay Z’s houses. We wanted to mix old Hollywood glam with a modern twist, so I am wearing a bikini, and I’m glammed up. We tried to capture a classic look.
Are there any funny anecdotes you can share about this shoot?
We created a mist effect, but it was just my photographer holding a garden hose, and we did shots in the pool which looked warm and inviting, but the water was actually freezing.
Have you ever been to New Zealand?
No, unfortunately I have never been to New Zealand, but I am looking forward to visiting someday soon. I love to travel, and my all-time favourite movie is Lord of the Rings. I understand that Hobbiton is in the Waikato region. It looks like a beautiful area, and I am planning to definitely visit New Zealand soon and explore your beautiful country.
When do you feel sexy and why?
I feel sexy much of the time! To me being sexy means feeling comfortable in my own skin, feeling free and alive and in tune with my wants and desires. And going after them. That’s me. Every day.
What is your best asset? Physically and otherwise.
I think my best asset is my face. I think it’s the Asian and Caucasian mix in my genes. My other best asset would be my artistic ability. I had a great grandfather who was a talented artist, and I seemed to have inherited that ability.
Give us a little more background about yourself and your life story so far.
I grew up in a small town in New Mexico. My mother was a teacher, and my father owned a restaurant and also worked as the county assessor. I have one older sister whom I am very close to. I became interested in being a model when I was about 12. I did many small, local modelling events beginning when I was about 15. I tried to do as much work as possible in New Mexico, but opportunities there were limited. I eventually moved to Las Vegas and began working with a modelling agency. My career began to really take off after I did a photoshoot with an excellent photographer, and then a domino effect began. Offers poured in and my Instagram account grew quickly to over a million followers. I moved to Los Angeles where I focused on modelling full time. I’ve modelled for brands such as Popsi Lingerie, Mouawad Diamonds, Honeybirdette, Fashion Nova and others. Currently, I am running my own modelling agency and planning to launch a bikini line I love the fashion industry and love what I do.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
I think people would be the most surprised to know that I am friendly, approachable, and a big nerd. I enjoy cooking, doing yoga, painting, and anime. I like wearing comfy pyjamas and curling up in front of the TV and watching films like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and almost any animated film.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Independent, happy, empathetic, confident, good listener.
How long have you been modelling and what would you do if you weren’t modelling?
I’ve been modelling since I was fifteen years old. If I wasn’t modelling, I would probably be working in the health and fitness industry and nutrition. I have had a passion for diet and nutrition since I was a young teenager, and when I first started college, I considered a career in nutrition. So much about how we feel, and our mental outlook resides in how well we take care of our bodies. Life is a one-time shot, so l think it’s important to feel our best and go after our dreams. I’d enjoy helping people in their journey
What have you learned about men over the years?
I’ve learned that men just need good food and great sex. Men are not as complicated as women.
What is one thing men should know about women?
Women like confident men with leadership skills, manners, and kindness. It’s a powerful duality that makes a man both a protector and someone with a tender side who values others.
Describe your ideal date.
Definitely begin the evening with a romantic dinner with excellent food and end the evening with great sex. That’s the perfect date night.
What can we get you at the bar?
I’d like a skinny, spicy margarita. Yum!
Got a hangover cure?
A spa day and tacos.
What’s your best hidden talent?
I am a good listener. One of my favourite quotes is from Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, who said, “The beginning of wisdom is silence. The second is listening.” I believe that all people want is to be heard, and so I strive to be present, attentive, and open-minded when I’m with other people.
Do you have any phobias?
No, I like to live life fearlessly. Just grab it by the throat and squeeze. Don’t let fear hold you back from anything.
Who is your girl crush and why? Name a few if you want.
My number one girl crush is Marilyn Monroe. She was a beautiful woman who embraced her sexuality and defied the “good girl” image expected of women in the 1950s. I like that a lot. She paved the way for future generations of women to be more open with their sexuality. She founded her own production company and she spoke out against racism and sexism in Hollywood. I also like Pamela Anderson, the blonde bombshell. She’s so gorgeous, and I like how she broke with conventional beauty standards and went for a full-figured physique. I love her boobs.
What is the freakiest/weirdest thing someone has sent you via social media?
I think the absolute weirdest one was when a fan sent me a sock puppet – a long brown sock with two black buttons for eyes. He wanted me to put the puppet on my hand and do a sock puppet show on social media.
What is your motto in life?
Go for your dreams, be you, and live life unapologetically.
What is next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?
I have a bikini line coming out soon, and I have some international trips with my girls planned, so stay tuned. Some good stuff is ahead.
Finally, where would you like to be in five years?
I’d like to have visited all of the seven wonders of the world, I’d like to have a home in the hills of LA and in Bali. I’d also like to be managing models and helping them in the fashion industry as well as expanding my own business in fashion.
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Corrie Yee
Hometown: Alamogordo, New Mexico
Born: November 18, 1991
Instagram: @corrieyee or @thecorrieyee
Twitter: @Itscorrieyee
Facebook: Corrie Yee
Photographed by Arthur St. John
For the full article grab the January 2024 issue of MAXIM New Zealand from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
