Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexii Loushel.
Hi Lexii, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Lexii Loushel. I was born and raised in Peoria, IL, to my mother, Allesia Lindsey, and my father, Antonio Foote. I have seven brothers, no sisters, and I’m the baby.
My journey truly started at the age of two years old. My mother says my first full, clear sentence was, “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful CoverGirl.”
Every Sunday, I attended church by my own will. I was about five or six years old, and I would cry if my mother didn’t wake me up, put my curls in my hair, and dress me in a cute outfit with stockings. I remember waking up to the smell of a hot comb sitting on a gas stove with blue magic grease and rat tail comb. The sound of the sizzle when the hot comb touched my kitchen had me ducking like duck duck goose. When it was time get dressed, mama would roll the stockings down, we’d stick one foot in at a time, and then roll them back up to avoid runs in the tights.
Our pastor would allow the kids to have fashion shows before service started. Of course, I was ready every week to show off my cute hair and outfit.
I went on to grade school, middle school, and high school but didn’t fully continue my modeling career. I became a cheerleader and volleyball player. Maybe a street fighter too, but that’s hearsay. LOL.
During my sophomore year, in 2009, I modeled with a popular production called Janet’s Just For You. It was such a fun and major production back then.
I then walked in my first-ever runway battle at the Black Expo, where I came in second place.
After graduating high school, I went off to college on a cheerleading scholarship. I spent three years there with no degree to show for it because, honestly, my heart wasn’t where it needed to be.
During my third year, in 2015, I was in Texas when my late auntie Zinie decided to put on a fashion show in New York. She wanted me to come out, so my parents booked my flight.
Although I had no formal training myself, I taught some of the girls how to walk.
That show wasn’t the biggest show at all, LOL, but it was special to me because I shared that moment with a woman who meant the world to me. My aunt played a huge role in my journey.
From there, she took me to a casting call for Harlem Fashion Week. That same trip, I booked my first big show with Harlem Fashion Row at the Pier in Manhattan.
I then booked Small Boutique Fashion Week, walking for many different designers. Of course, sitting in the crowd at every show was my Aunt Zinie.
Every year from then on, I would fly to New York and stay with her for months at a time, hustling and networking for my next opportunity. 113th & Lennox will forever hold a special place in my heart.
My next chapter came when I was blessed with the opportunity to continue my journey on America’s Next Top Model in 2017. The show aired in 2018.
Because of the way the season was cut and produced, I was only featured in the first episode. That broke my heart and crushed my spirit. But it didn’t break ME.
My mother told me, “If you can’t find a place for yourself, then you create one.”
And I did just that.
God gave me the vision of #SELF. I promised myself that I would always represent mySELF at the highest level.
I knew I wanted to build a team of models at home and push them to travel to New York and beyond. Today, I have models I’ve trained who have appeared on billboards, models who have booked shows during New York Fashion Week, and I officially have an academy.
We train, do community work, host events, travel together, and produce shows as #SELFModelz. It has become the most recognized model group in Peoria, IL.
Many blessings have come my way throughout my journey. The chapter I am sitting in now has been one of my greatest joys thus far.
However, in 2025, I experienced the biggest heartbreak I never saw coming.
I lost my uncle in January of 2025.
Months later, my Aunt Zinie was killed right in front of her building on April 22nd.
Then, in October, my father, who lives alone, suffered a seizure. Somehow, he ended up stuck between a bar and a wall in his home, causing him to struggle to breathe. No one knew how long he had been there, but things were not looking good.
His kidneys and lungs were failing. He was bleeding on his brain and had suffered multiple strokes.
Throughout October 2025, I spent the entire month by his side.
By the grace of God, he made it through.
I felt my aunt tugging at my spirit, telling me it was time—but I wasn’t ready.
I finally picked my head up and got back out there in January of 2026.
By February 2026, I auditioned for Project Runway Season 22 and booked it.
Spending time with the models was exactly what I needed. I didn’t just find model friends; I found a support system in my career. A family.
My journey is still unfolding, but I owe every tear, every heartbreak, every fight, every smile, and every ounce of joy to God.
He chose me, and I chose Him.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey was far from a smooth road. My best friend says one word that describes me best is “resilient.”
I have been told “no” so many times because of my thick hips and nice-sized, cuffed booty. I am built like a true Black woman. LOL. I’ve been told many times that I’m a plus-size model, only for the plus-size community to tell me I’m too petite. Then the petite models tell me I’m too curvy.
I’ve been told I’m not “model material.” I’ve had people in my hometown try to tear me down, tarnish my name, and count me out.
But when you have the power of God over you and you serve Him, He will send a mighty wind your way that will blow every naysayer out of your path.
Nothing can come against His will.
I am who I was called to be, and nothing or no one can stop that.
I have a praying mother, a praying best friend, and a praying community behind me.
I will overcome every obstacle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work at the intersection of fashion, confidence, and community. Modeling is where my journey began, but it has grown into so much more than being in front of the camera.
Today, a lot of my work centers around developing people. I coach models, create fashion experiences, produce shows, and build spaces where people can learn how to present themselves with confidence and purpose. I’m especially passionate about working with models who may not fit the traditional mold of what the industry has considered “model material.”
What I’m most proud of is that my work doesn’t stop when the show ends. I’ve been able to create opportunities, build relationships, and watch people I’ve trained grow into confident models and creatives themselves.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not interested in simply teaching people how to walk. I want them to understand who they are, what they bring to the room, and how to make an impression when they get there.
I’ve had to create my own lane throughout my career, and now I’m intentional about helping other people create theirs.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Oh man. My favorite childhood memory is thinking I was a boy. LOL. Growing up with all boys built my toughness. When they played football, I was at the practices running up and down the field with them doing suicudes.
When they played basketball, I was out there doing defensive slides too.
When we got in trouble, we had to do push ups, bear crawls,pull ups, etc. My oldest brother would always make me start mine AFTER the boys got to about 10 & if I caught them or pass them, he would add on to their set.
I couldn’t let them out do me just because I’m a girl.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexiiloushelofficial/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allexia.foote.5?
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/allexia.foote.5?
