UO Interviews: Models That Eat
After being in the modeling industry for the majority of her teen years, model Phoebe Pojo (nickname: Pojo) decided to start a platform, Models That Eat, to create "a safe space for models to discuss body image and their relationships with food." Her content runs the gamut from chatty, personal YouTube videos to live cooking segments, each feature focusing on the comfort of food. Below, we speak to Pojo about what it's like to grow up in such an unforgiving industry and how she uses her platform to help those around her.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do!
My name is Phoebe, but everyone calls me Pojo! I’m a foodie, model, and the creator of Models That Eat, a safe space online for models to discuss their relationships with food. I’m super passionate about sustainability and plant-based living, and hope to make a positive impact on the planet with my media!
Explain to us what Models That Eat is and how it got started.
Models That Eat started as a food account on Instagram. I would post the meals my friends and I ate between castings and jobs. I started modeling when I was 13, and something that stuck with me while growing up in this industry is the repetitive conversation I’d have with others regarding the “model diet,” or what models were eating. I always had a positive relationship with food, so seeing others stigmatize our eating habits was so weird to me. I decided to dedicate Models That Eat to models’ open and honest truths about food and their bodies. No BS, no script, just real dialogue that can help others see that models are people, trying to carry the weight of an objectifying career.
What’s something you’ve discovered since starting Models That Eat that you hadn’t realized before?
When I started to see the positive feedback from people watching my videos, whether they modeled or not, I was really amazed by how transformative these conversations were for others. Hearing models talk about food while eating goes against everything we’ve been taught by the fashion industry and diet culture. We’re told that if we conform, shrink, or minimize ourselves to our appearance, we can find acceptance and bliss. Models embracing food is seen as radical –– how wild is that?!
In many ways, Models That Eat can be seen as anti-industry. I see it to be pushing our industry forward in a body- and food-positive direction, which is what we all need. I’m beyond grateful for this feedback!
Can you explain your Dine n Dash video series to us? What are you hoping the audience takes away from these videos?
Dine n Dash is an episodic series where I take models to their restaurant of choice, and over food we talk about their relationships with food. These conversations break into many directions, whether we talk about eating disorders, body image, industry pressure or deeper traumas. My goal is to show others the soft and personal sides of my friends who are usually only seen as their projected personas on social media. Sitting down with people and really getting to chat about these topics can not only be therapeutic for them but also their fans...which I love! Plus, we get some bomb food out of it. Win-win!
Everyone talks about very personal issues – how do you get people to open up about these things?
I really try to express to anyone I sit down and eat with how safe of a space they are in! We could be eating at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in an alleyway, and I want my friend to feel like they’re at home talking to me on their couch. I always show the models my rough cut of each video prior to it being posted and let them make any edits they would like to. This is a priority for me, as my worst nightmare would be making anybody feel exploited or used for content. That is not what my channel is about! It should be an equally comfortable and gratifying experience. Some of my least favorite content online uses models for clickbait and to endorse diet culture; with my work, I try to combat all of that media.
Who’s your dream guest for Dine n Dash?
Bella Hadid. Is that corny? I’m not sure… I just know how impactful an episode with her could be. She could help millions of people with her honesty. It’s going to happen, trust me!
How do you keep a healthy mindset in the modeling industry, especially since you’ve been a part of it for so long?
One of the greatest lessons (and challenges) for me has been learning to not put all of my eggs in one basket. The modeling industry can easily cause you to lose your sense of self and personal ethics if you let it take over your identity. I recommend models really investing time in other hobbies, passions, and hustles. It is so valuable to have other endeavors going, and blossom into an entrepreneur! It will not only benefit your mental health, but it makes being on set with an amazing brand a lot more enjoyable!
What do you have planned for the rest of the year for Models That Eat?
This pandemic hit me hard with work pivots and schedule changes, but I am slowly getting back into the flow of filming as restaurants open more and more. I’m beyond excited to sit down with some new friends, start building up the Models That Eat reel, and hopefully get to eventually pitch to a studio for a higher budget! I would love to expand my content to a larger platform soon. In the meantime, I’ve been focusing on creating a sustainable line of merch, including reusable napkins and digital wallpaper drops for my community. We sold out the first drop in a day, which was very exciting!
What’s the best pasta you’ve ever had? The best pizza!?
Hands down, the best pasta is Pura Vida in Hollywood. Holy. Cannoli. (Their cannolis are also fire...) Their vegan carbonara will impress any non-vegan you know, too!! All of my friends I’ve taken there are obsessed with it. This may be unexpected, but my favorite pizza was in Paris. There’s a spot called Hank Pizza, and they do deep dish styled slices. Their potato truffle slice sent me over the moon! I can’t recommend enough –– if Americans are ever allowed back into France, I’m there!
Favorite restaurant in NYC right now?
I have been in love with this new food delivery/pick up service called Green Appetite! They make authentic Japanese bento boxes that are fully vegan! Don’t get it twisted, though, these boxes are far from average. They include everything from turmeric shiitake gyoza to vegan chick’n with soy jelly, maple daigaku potato...and their packaging is fully compostable and sustainable! You can find them on Instagram –– give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
To see more from Pojo, follow her on Instagram: @pojo