Meet two of Australia’s hottest, most popular and most wanted influencers. With millions of social media followers between them, you don’t have to be Einstein to see why Queensland twins ELISHA & RENEE HERBERT are on the rise. Watch this space…
Hey Renee and Elisha, this is your first-ever photo shoot for us. Why did you decide to do MAXIM?
ELISHA: We have been talking with MAXIM for over a year now and have been building the excitement up!
RENEE: When MAXIM sent us the mood board for the shoot it got us so excited because of how much it suited us. We absolutely love MAXIM and we are in our bikinis 24/7, so it definitely fits our vibe.
Well, you both look stunning. When do you feel sexy?
E: It’s hard to think of yourself as sexy most of the time but I think when you really let go of all the self-consciousness and feel more confident in yourself it just flows and you build it up more and more. It helps a lot to have amazing make-up artists, photographers and creative directors helping you feel your absolute best. So, I guess I’d feel my “sexiest” on a shoot where I’m all done up and coming out of my comfort zone.
R: Yeah, I feel most sexy when I’m in front of the camera. I’m just totally feeling myself and it’s like I’m being my most confident self. Then as soon as the cameras are off I’m back to being normal.
What is your best asset?
E: It’s hard to decide what your best asset is – I guess if I asked people around me they’d all say different things but I think it would probably be my everyday passion for life and to live impulsively.
R: My best asset would probably be how easygoing I am.
Give us a little more background about yourselves and your life story so far.
R: We started modelling during school and would fly to Sydney from Queensland every week. Elisha and I have always done everything together and as soon as we finished school at 17 we started travelling on our own and basically living out of a suitcase. We started in the U.S. where we signed with a modelling agency and have been to over 10 countries.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
E: Maybe that I’m actually a triplet. A lot of people just think we are twins.
R: Yeah, most people don’t know that there are three of us!
How did you both get into modelling?
E: We got into modelling when we were about 12 and then again when we were 15. We were scouted off Instagram and signed with IMG worldwide.
What would you be doing if you weren’t modelling?
E: Ideally marine studies or something in the fashion industry.
R: Something to do with fashion or animals.
You are two of the most sought-after models on the planet. Why do you think this is?
R: I’m definitely flattered but I don’t know if that is completely true. Maybe it has something to do with us being identical twins.
What do you love most about each other?
E: Our ability to learn from each other and work together on things. To always have someone who understands you more than anyone could.
R: That I get to have a best friend and travel partner and always having someone to motivate me.
What is your twin sister’s best quality?
R: Probably that she is so extroverted and spontaneous.
E: Her love for animals
What is her most annoying habit?
E: Being on her phone while I’m trying to talk to her!
R: Elisha’s addicted to drinking Diet Coke. So much so that she’s starting to drink it more than water.
What do you dislike about each other?
R: Normal sister things, she can be super annoying and stubborn.
E: There’s nothing in particular we dislike about each other but I would say we hate when we clash and have different opinions on things. We’re like a married couple sometimes.
You both have well over one million followers on Instagram. What’s the weirdest thing someone has sent you on social media?
E: We get weird comments and direct messages so often I’ve lost count.
R: I weirdly always get asked to send photos of my feet so that’s definitely weird. I used to have my account on private because I hated the creepy comments so much, but it was just way too hard to sift through so I guess I just have to deal with it now.
What message do you have for the haters and social media trolls?
E: I never really take hate negatively and rarely get it on social media, but I think it’s important to know that if someone is hating on other people’s lives instead of accepting people, then they have something going on with themselves that they aren’t happy with. It’s not hard to be open-minded – it’s harder to be mean than to be nice.
R: I honestly don’t care about rude comments and just ignore them, but I’d probably say to stop focusing on other people’s lives and focus on your own. Be positive and spread love instead of hate.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
E: It’s hard to generalise all women, but I think they should know that women always deserve to be treated with respect no matter what.
Would you ever date one of your social media followers?
R: If I was single, yes I would date anyone that I like or connect with – doesn’t matter who it is.
E: I mean, I know a lot of guys that follow me and they are either my friends or acquaintances so it would definitely be possible.
If you had to take MAXIM on a date, what would it entail?
E: Ooh, that’s a hard one – there’s so many date ideas out there! I’d love just an ultimate adventure day followed by a moonlit cinema watching some old films with some wine and good food.
R: I’d definitely take MAXIM to the beach at sunset with some wine and snacks. Maybe go swimming then have a cute picnic date.
What can we get you at the bar?
E: Mojito is our favourite.
R: Yes, vodka mojito is definitely my go-to drink.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
E: A plunge into the ocean.
R: Whenever I’m hungover I literally sleep all day, eat a big breakfast and drink a lot of water. I don’t really handle hangovers that well – I just get super lazy.
Finally, finish these sentences:
At bedtime I wear…
E: Silky PJs – they are my fave.
R: Matching sausage dog PJs.
Public nudity is…
R: OK, if you’re sneaky.
E: What we should all go back to – like the Adam and Eve times!
STATUS UPDATE
FULL NAME: Renee Herbert
BORN: June 25, 1999
HOMETOWN: Sunshine Coast, Qld
LIVES: “Sunshine Coast is my base but I’m all over the place and living out of a suitcase most of the time.”
FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Easygoing, spontaneous, passionate, adventurous and outgoing.”
HOBBIES: “Painting, reading, swimming, dancing…”
PHOBIA: “Claustrophobia!”
GIRL CRUSH: “Margot Robbie because she’s Aussie and she’s talented AF.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Be yourself and stay positive through everything.”
INSTAGRAM: @reneeherbert_
SNAPCHAT: @reneeh27
TWITTER: @reneherbert__
STATUS UPDATE
FULL NAME: Elisha Herbert
BORN: June 25, 1999
HOMETOWN: Sunshine Coast, Qld
LIVES: Everywhere
FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: Open-minded, loving, compassionate, impulsive, fun.”
HOBBIES: “Hiking, travelling, painting, swimming, dancing…”
HIDDEN TALENT: “I’m a woman of very limited talents but I can lick my elbow, so apparently that’s a talent.”
PHOBIA: “Cockroaches.”
GIRL CRUSH: “Natalie Portman, because she’s incredibly beautiful and is a feminist, vegan and my absolute favourite actor.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Be the energy you want to attract.”
INSTAGRAM: @elisha__h
SNAPCHAT: @eliishaxx
TWITTER: @elishaherbert2
PHOTOGRAPHED BY NEIL DIXON
INTERVIEW BY SANTI PINTADO
HAIR & MAKE-UP: YUNI WILSON
STYLING: BELINDA ROELOFS
BIKINIS: MARY HOLLAND LINGERIE
LOCATION: G COLLECTIVE
For the full article grab the June 2019 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
