Whenever I sit down to interview someone, it can always be a little nerve-racking. I recently had the opportunity to interview Jasmyn Wilkins, and I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit (okay, a lot) intimidated. It’s not every day you get to talk to a Sports Illustrated model. She also comes from a long line of professional athletes and was a former Miss Georgia USA. 

Nerves aside, I have to say, my interview with Jasmyn has been one of my favorites to date. Not only is she extremely beautiful, but she was easy to talk to, down to earth, friendly, and kind. We chatted about all things beauty and the launch of her upcoming brand, Morning People.

We also talked about mental health and organ donation. Of course, no interview of mine would be complete without asking about her beauty secrets!

Here’s what Jasmyn had to say:

How she got started in fashion/modeling: Jasmyn knew from a young age that she wanted to be a model and actor. In 2012, she was Miss Georgia USA and went on to place 4th runner-up at Miss USA. After she graduated from college, she immediately took the leap into modeling and hasn’t looked back.

Her advice for people starting out in modeling or social media: Go for it. Be all in. And always be yourself. Jasmyn stressed the importance of having a good support system, family or friends to boost you up on the tough days. Modeling can be hard and create a lot of self-doubt. Having good, supportive people around you is so important. If you decide to do it, you have to commit to it 100%. 

What inspired her to start her brand Morning People: Jasmyn wanted to create a line of effortless products with clean ingredients. During the pandemic, she became keenly aware of the importance of focusing on one’s own mental health and that for some, getting up in the morning can be a struggle.

She began to focus more on her self-care and wanted to create a line to inspire and uplift people, and make them excited to start their day. Aside from the products, her brand is rooted in giving back to the community. Her goal is to raise awareness around mental health and remind people to keep going, keep dreaming, and keep hustling. 

Overall, her biggest inspiration is family. Her dad continues to inspire her to help end the stigma around mental health, especially in the black community. 

Organ donation is also a cause that is very important to her. Her mother was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and would not be around today if not for a liver transplant.  

Morning People will officially launch later this year.

Current beauty favorites: These days, Jasmyn is all about skin care, especially anything with hyaluronic acid, and double cleansing. Her current makeup favorites: Anything Charlotte Tilbury and Bobbi Brown.

Small businesses/brands she is currently loving: Some of Jasmyn’s favorites include:

• skinButtr founded by fellow model Tatiana Elizabeth Price

• Rowdy Wellness, an Atlanta-based CBD line

• Beauty Bakerie, a cruelty free, all-inclusive cosmetic line

• Mad Hippie, vegan and cruelty free skin care

What has brought her joy in 2020 and into 2021: 2020 and beyond has been a tough time for everyone, and has forced Jasmyn to slow down and keep things in perspective. She has been focused on spending time with her family, reading, self-care, and exercise. 

She shared that next on her reading list was Untamed by Glennon Doyle. It’s one of my all-time favorites and everyone should read it. Can’t wait to find out what she thinks about it!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that meeting Jasmyn was one of the highlights of 2021. I’m so excited to follow her career and her continued success. I’ll be first in line for the launch of Morning People!

Be sure to follow her @jasmynwilkins and @morningpeople

If you want to sign up to be an organ donor or are interested in learning more about organ donation, visit Donate Life America at donatelife.net and the Georgia Transplant Foundation gatransplant.org

[Images courtesy of photographer Vivian Arthur]

Tara KP Troszak is an LA-based lawyer, self-proclaimed cat lady, writer and freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics. She lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband Nick and her cat Chevy. Follow her on Instagram: @makeupbytkp.