Watch Her Series: Karyn Dodier (NAM Miss New Mexico 2024)♡
Welcome to the Watch Her Series! Introducing you to extraordinary women you should be watching…
Today I’m featuring another Sister Queen and the current NAM Miss New Mexico Karyn Dodier! Read about Karyn’s journey towards confidence below!
Karyn seriously may just be the coolest human ever! Her career in the film industry is so cool and I can say one of my sister queens has a famous set of hands ;) Seriously watch out for her because she’s going to make it big one day. On top of this, she’s genuinely one of the kindest people I know.
Thank you Karyn for joining me on the Watch Her Series! Read her story below!
How would you describe your journey towards self-acceptance?
My journey towards self acceptance started when I graduated high school. I realized the status quo I spent my teenage years trying to meet were unrealistic. Trendy makeup, fashion and music didn’t fulfill me long term. What really satiated me emotionally was artistic expression (for me that was painting, filmmaking and acting). Trends are fleeting, but being genuinely yourself and embracing the things you enjoy are evermore.
What aspects of yourself have you found most challenging to embrace?
I have always been deeply insecure as a woman who is 5’11”. People in school used to call me names for being taller than them and when school events, prom and graduation rolled around I was too insecure to wear high heels. It’s apropos now because in pageantry I wear heels constantly. Competing in pageantry made me fall in love with wearing heels, and being the tallest person in the room. It helped me embrace that part of myself I spent years trying to hide.
Can you share a turning point when you began to fully embrace who you are?
When I graduated with my film degree in summer of 2019, I almost immediately begun working in the Film Industry. After one day as a background actress the agency that hired me called me back to be a body double for one of the main actresses; she was also 5’11” and they hadn’t found a girl to fit the criteria yet. This insecurity I had for years landed me a job I spent years in college dreaming about. I went on to work on that film set for 3 years. In fact, if you’ve seen the show, anytime they cut to hand shots or body shots, it’s probably me.
How have societal beauty standards influenced your journey of self-acceptance?
Working in film, I saw behind the curtain of how long goes into making sure actors look perfect. When the actors would walk into the makeup trailer they’d look entirely different from when they left after hours of makeup. It is also frequently reapplied throughout filming. So I realized that this jaded view society had of beauty standards wasn’t real. It was a huge weight off my shoulders knowing our favorite celebrities and influencers get acne and they have bad hair days too.
What advice would you give to someone struggling to embrace their authentic self?
I would tell them that no one could ever be you. You’re so unique, in a way that so many people would celebrate. I used to be made fun of for playing Dungeons and Dragons, until I found a group of friends who played with me. I used to get bullied for being tall, until I started acting and modeling and that insecurity was embraced. When you find your community, your insecurities become character traits you grow to love and embrace.
