Model and influencer Bethany Lily April graces OTS Magazine's Feburary 2025 digital cover issue with her unparalleled creativity, resilience, and authenticity. With over a decade in the industry and a loyal following of more than 6 million, Bethany’s journey reflects self-discovery, empowerment, and an unwavering dedication to inclusivity and body positivity.

This exclusive shoot, captured by the talented photographer Marika Sorichetti, highlights Bethany’s radiant presence and signature style.Styled in a stunning Rat & Boa brown dress for the desert scenes and a chic mauve lounge set by SKIMS, Bethany embodies elegance and strength

Through her global travels, abstract artistry, and bold fashion choices, Bethany continues to inspire countless individuals to embrace their true selves. In her interview, she delves into the inspirations behind her creative work, her commitment to wellness, and her thoughtful reflections on modern social media’s challenges.

Join us as we celebrate our extraordinary "Model of the Month" Bethany Lily April, a woman redefining beauty, creativity, and empowerment in today’s world.

It’s been quite a journey, and I guess one of the first great moments was when I started gaining recognition, and my follower count just skyrocketed. After that, things kept unfolding as I collaborated more with other models and influencers and began traveling for shoots all around the globe.

True beauty does come from within; it’s like a light inside that shows in how you think and how you carry yourself. I always try to show that light, not just when I’m in front of a camera but also when I’m blogging, posting on social media, or interacting with followers. And in real life too, obviously. I think it’s about embracing positive energy - being open-minded and valuing communication with the people around us. 

Travelling and experiencing new cultures is very important to me because it inspires me and helps me grow as a person. Everywhere you go, you kind of have to adapt to connect with the people you meet and truly understand their culture. It makes you humble and is so rewarding - creatively as well. Exploring art and new art forms helps me grow as an artist too. Inspiration is very important to me.

In front of the camera, I’m always exploring new ways to express myself, trying different characters and avoiding the same poses or facial expressions all the time - while still staying true to the classic Bethany style. Similarly, in my paintings, I maintain a signature style but continuously experiment with new techniques. I don’t want to repeat myself; I strive to evolve and refine my self-expression in both modeling and art.

I believe that keeping an open mind is essential in all forms of art, whether it’s painting or modeling. 

I think it’s so important to just be yourself without feeling ashamed of how you look. Every body is unique, yet the fashion industry still seems stuck on the idea that everyone should fit into standard sizes like S, M, L, or XL. But let’s be real - so many of us don’t fit neatly into those categories. I often struggle to find clothes that work for my body shape because I’m a bit curvier than what most garments seem to be designed for. And while it’s great that the fashion industry is starting to embrace more inclusivity and diversity, there’s still a lot of progress to be made. 

I try to maintain a healthy daily routine based on the 80/20 rule for diet and exercise. The principle is that 80% of your results come from your diet, while the remaining 20% come from your exercise routine. Exercise is important, and I believe anyone can find 30 minutes a day for it. If you can’t hit the gym, at least take a long walk. I’m fortunate to have dogs, which naturally keeps me walking a lot - and I love it.

The real key, however, lies in what you eat. Recently, I’ve been focusing more on nutrition and using exercise for overall well-being and physical improvement. Following the 80/20 approach to eating means prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods, managing portion sizes, and making healthy choices most of the time. I try to include lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and limit processed foods. This is fairly easy for me because I genuinely prefer salads and fresh food. Fun fact: I’ve actually never had a burger in my entire life (!)

That said, I’m no saint. I sometimes struggle with sticking to my daily routines, especially when I’m traveling or working abroad. It can be really challenging to maintain consistency, and since I travel a lot, it’s a constant effort.

I would advise thinking this through carefully before taking that step. What are you looking for, and why do you want to go down this route? If it’s for attention, remember that your name will be tied to whatever you do online forever. The internet never forgets, so make sure to build an online persona you’re comfortable with in the long run.

Unfortunately, there are many people out there who don’t have your best interests at heart. People like me receive a lot of hate online. Some people are envious, while others are simply mean, and it can be tough to deal with.

My success on social media was partly down to luck. I happened to get started just as social media was beginning to take off. When I first started, the whole concept of being a social media influencer was still new. Celebrities didn’t really use Instagram yet, and most people only had private accounts. I felt there was no point in having a private account - my friends already knew me. But with a public account, I could make new connections and reach more people. As social media grew, I rode that wave.

I was 18 when I started, but nowadays I see people putting themselves out there at much younger ages. Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.

To me, women’s empowerment is about ensuring women have equal rights and are not controlled by men. Our society is still very much male-dominated, and although progress is being made, I’ve noticed a kind of backlash recently. It’s an up-and-down journey, of course, but social media has unfortunately given a platform to those who oppose women’s empowerment, and their voices seem to be growing louder.

Additionally, some politicians and religious leaders attempt to control women’s lives and bodies through repressive laws and by stigmatising women who refuse to accept being treated as less valuable than men.

I believe it’s our responsibility as women to stand up to this and make our voices heard. Everyone should have the same rights - we are all equal, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or beliefs!

I really don’t want to be confined to any specific style - I always strive for a look that feels right for me in the moment. However, one constant in my styling is that the outfit must make me feel confident. That’s the beautiful thing about fashion: the right clothes can be a powerful tool for self-care and wellbeing.

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration in fashion, and how has it shaped your identity as a model? 

I think my greatest inspiration in fashion isn’t so much a single 'who' but rather the experience of being out and about, drawing inspiration from many different styles and designers. This has definitely played a big role in shaping my identity as a model.

However, if I had to name one fashion designer, it would be Alexander McQueen. I really admire his work - it’s bold, creative, and unique. What’s fascinating is that, at first glance, you might not expect someone like him to create such extraordinary fashion, which makes his designs even more inspiring!

Exploration is essential for growth and evolution, but you don’t need to travel across the globe to experience it. Sometimes, it’s as simple as combining different ingredients when you cook and discovering new flavours with your taste buds. Or it could be taking a different route on your walk and stumbling upon streets, buildings, or architecture you’ve never noticed before. Even having a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally speak to can be a form of exploration.

Last summer, when I was in Capri, I had one of those unexpected encounters. A lovely old woman who owned a flower shop offered to help me and my friend take some pictures. She could hardly speak English, but she was so sweet and made that day incredibly special. It was a completely unplanned meeting, and it gave me a glimpse into the true soul of Capri.

Well, it’s hard to single out any specific destination, but in general, I would say that Asia fascinates me more than other parts of the world. There’s something about their cultures, their food, and their life philosophy. I love meeting new people and trying to adapt to their cultures while learning more about them. Meeting people from different parts of the world is such a bliss - it expands your mind and helps you grow as a person. I’m a restless soul, and I love travelling because the change of environment inspires me so much.

 

Outfit| Rat & Boa

What does “being the best version of yourself” mean to you, and how do you continually strive toward that goal?

It’s important to have regular check-ins with yourself, recognising any bad habits you may have and finding ways to address them. Small changes lead to bigger ones, and even the tiniest step is an important one that helps you become a better person

 

We all struggle with ourselves from time to time, and we all have problems. But I think it’s important not to overthink them, not to get stuck in a negative spiral. If you feel you’re getting entangled in negative thoughts, try doing something else for a while. Distract the negative energy with something positive, like calling a friend, cuddling with your dog, or diving into creating some artwork. Painting is actually one of my favourite things to do when I need a different perspective and want to break free from negativity.

One of the biggest challenges as a model is probably being told “no” a lot. This is a tough business, but I try to use those setbacks as fuel to improve myself, rather than being dragged down. I try to identify the reasons why I didn’t get that gig or job and work on improving those areas so that I am better equipped the next time I get that kind of opportunity. And always make sure to show up as the best version of yourself, regardless!

 

It’s been an incredible journey over the past 10 years - so many life-changing experiences that have shaped who I am today. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to all corners of the world, and since travel is such a huge passion of mine, I’m hoping to develop that side of my career even more. I’m also really passionate about being a role model and inspiring others, so that will definitely continue to be a big focus for me. Building a successful personal brand opens up so many amazing opportunities, and I’m really excited to see what the future holds. I’m constantly working on new projects and plans - and I’ve got a few exciting things in the works! But it’s still a bit early to share any details just yet.

 

Outfit| Rat & Boa

That more women can feel they are in control of their own lives and are proud of who they are, and that more men understand the pressure society (and social media) puts on women (and men). Some parts of social media – Instagram included – tend to push a sexualised agenda, reducing women to sex objects instead of listening to what they have to say. I sometimes get DMs from female followers saying they wish they had my confidence, and it shouldn’t be like that. All of us should have that confidence, including them. And I hope I can be a small part of making that happen.

Well, it would not look like perfection. I don’t think beauty has anything to do with perfection. That’s why I love doing my art; there are no straight lines or pre-defined rules of beauty in abstract art. 

A face can be so much more beautiful if there is something unique and different about it.

And it honestly makes me sad that people keep running to the doctor, trying to make their appearance ‘perfect’. Because perfection is actually quite boring. They should celebrate their uniqueness instead - their unique imperfection!

 

Thanks so much for the opportunity to be featured as Model of the Month in OTS Magazine. It’s always lovely to share a bit about my career and thoughts on life! 

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Follow Bethany Lily April via Social Media - Instagram|Website

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