Karlie Kloss grew up ‘with four women’: “It’s hard not to be a feminist’

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It’s good that magazines know if they’re making models look like bland pieces of toast on their covers, at least they should have the decency to include a PUPPY. Karlie Kloss covers the new issue of Porter Magazine, but who is even paying attention to her when she’s holding such a perfectly grumpy German shepherd puppy? GET THAT PUPPY A MODELING CONTRACT. Anyway, in the Porter interview, Karlie talks about feminism and what she’ll be studying at NYU as a full-time student.

On feminism: “I grew up in a house with four women—it’s hard not to be a feminist.”

She’s a chameleon: “ I feel a bit like a chameleon. Not only in the way that I can adapt to different circles and feel really at ease, but it is part of my job to be a chameleon. I find it a challenge to physically take on a different character at each show.”

Her celebrity: “I’m a bit numbed by celebrity at this point. It’s being able to get to know people I have admired from afar and actually recognizing that everyone’s just a normal person. I see people more for who they actually are.”

She’ll be studying computer coding at NYU: “I’m not in any rush to get a degree in four years. I’m figuring out how I’m going to balance it all, but I am planning to take a class in the fall. I definitely could not get a job as a coder yet. But it is something I am fascinated by, even if it is not the profession I choose. Simply having the comprehension of the way that it works, having the ability to speak that language and to be able to not only comprehend it, but write and build something—the world is built on code.”

Her future: “Whether or not, 30 years from now, I’m doing this job, I will be doing something I am really fascinated by and excited by and passionate about. That is really how I measure success; it is what you do with it. I’m excited for the future, I’m excited for all that it holds, but for me the focus is on continuing to challenge myself and make myself better.”

[From E! News]

Just a word about coding – I love the “Girls Who Code” movement and the attempt to teach the younger kids (specifically girls and minorities) how to code. Yes, Karlie probably won’t get a job in Silicon Valley, but she might inspire some young girls to study coding because IT IS COOL. It is cool if Karlie Kloss is interested in it. STEM jobs are cool.

As for the rest of it… Karlie seems to be following the Christy Turlington method – go back to school, develop other interests outside of modeling, be the “good girl” model/activist/celebrity. It worked well for Christy. It will probably work well for Karlie.

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Photos courtesy of Bruce Weber/Porter.

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17 Responses to “Karlie Kloss grew up ‘with four women’: “It’s hard not to be a feminist’”

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  1. aims says:

    I can’t put my finger on it, but I find her off putting . Again, I don’t know why, but I’m not feeling it.

  2. Molly says:

    “Will be a full-time student” at NYU….. “I am planning to take a class in the fall.” Uhhh, one class a semester is hardly an impressive academic endeavor? For all this going-to-school-full-time-for-computer-coding or whatever.
    Sincerely, bitter college student who takes 4-5 a semester ’cause she’s trying to get finished before tuition keeps increasing

  3. Allie says:

    Some people can’t do whatever they feel passionate about,Karlie, because we have loans and bills to pay for. Therefore, we have to take whatever crappy job we can. I hate rich people.

    • klein says:

      That’s a pretty defensive remark. It’s not her fault she had the necessary attributes required to become a model – and although it might be irritating to the rest of us that she has the good fortune to explore areas that interest her, would it be better if she didn’t? Plenty of people with these advantages have just stuck their good fortune up their noses and then complained about the fallout.

      Life isn’t fair, and she’s certainly luckier than many, but our disadvantages don’t relate to her advantages so it’s not worth being bitter about this.

    • Latoya Monterey says:

      At what point in the interview did Karlie Kloss insult poor people or come off as ungrateful? Seems like a weird person to direct your rage to. Maybe don’t read stories about wealthy celebrities if you take everything they do personally. I’m poor but I couldn’t care less if a model wants to help some girls learn how to code.

      “I’m doing what I love.”
      “HOW DARE YOU.”

      • Allie says:

        I don’t mind if you couldn’t care less if a wealthy person is doing something they love, why should you care if I do? Plus, I was jokingly saying that, which I guess didnt go through that way in text. Oh well. It always surprises me how quick people defend celebrities. I didn’t say anything nasty about her as a person, sheesh.

      • klein says:

        Sure Allie, it was a joke….

      • Allie says:

        @klein it was? But ok, I’m an extremely hateful person, thanks!

      • klein says:

        I don’t think you’re hateful at all. Just a bit defensive. Perfectly natural.

  4. oneshot says:

    I can’t put my finger on it – she’s not traditionally pretty in the face but she just has this appeal as a model, that even conventionally prettier girls can lack.

    Like if I saw her on the street I wouldn’t think she’s much to look at, just another girl-next-door type, but in photos it’s obvious to see why she is a top high fashion model with no reality tv backing or rich parents. That picture of her with Swifty at the Grammys, it couldn’t have been clearer which one was the model, despite the presence of the skinnier and almost equally tall pop star in the pic.

  5. oneshot says:

    Also, good on her for choosing to go back to school and actively working towards something she’s passionate about. Coding is not some faff course, and I like that she is aware of her limitations but wants to go for it anyway.

  6. LAK says:

    What a cute puppy.

  7. Milena says:

    I really like her – good for her.

  8. AnkitaH says:

    that puppy is so darn cute!!