Sarah Edwards, despite being a typical student, manages to juggle transitioning to a new city, schoolwork and rugby practice, all while maintaining a professional modeling career based out of Nashville.
Edwards, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, began her modeling career starring in a video for Billy Graham at the age 13. Since then, she has modeled in runway shows, been featured on the cover of EC magazine, and appeared in Jason Aldean’s music video “Dirt Road Anthem.”
“My favorite [modeling job] was probably the Dirt Road Anthem video just because it was a bunch of kids my age and we were just hanging out, but getting paid to do it,” Edwards said.
One of Edwards’ favorite aspects of professional modeling is the feeling she gets from walking on the runway. She has been in runway shows for up-and-coming designers such as Leona and Michelle Vanderpool as well as the department store Dillard’s.
“The clothes are just ridiculous and super cool, so that is always fun,” Edwards said. “On the runway, you can’t see anyone around you with the lights shining, it’s a cool feeling.”
Edwards decided to attend the University after her first time visiting her older brother. Since then, she has found multiple ways to get involved on campus through her sorority as well as the UA women’s rugby team, in addition to keeping up with her modeling.
“I was looking at a bunch of schools but I stayed with my older brother for a weekend and just fell in love with it,” Edwards said. “The stereotypical answer.”
With the majority of her modeling jobs based out of Nashville, Edwards commutes from Tuscaloosa to Nashville on the weekends. However, her hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher come first, which has led her to turn some modeling opportunities down.
“I want to teach in an inner city elementary school,” Edwards said. “I had always had the idea of being a teacher in the back of my mind, but when I started working at a summer camp it just reinforced it, making me realize how much I love being around kinds and how much they really do look up to you.”
Edwards believes that her education is more important than a modeling career in the future.
“I put more focus on school,” Edwards said. “I’ve driven home a few times, but it is a four hour drive. I have sorority, school and rugby.”
Unlike many people in the spotlight, Edwards likes to keep her modeling career under wraps and more of a personal hobby.
“Usually I don’t tell anybody anything until it [photos] comes out just because I like to see how it turns out,” Edwards said. “But afterwards they’ll figure it out.”
Ragan Creel, a friend of Edwards and a sophomore majoring in apparel design, has modeled for Birmingham Fashion Week as well as on-campus fashion shows. She got to know Edwards their freshman year where they both struggled to balance modeling with school.
“You can’t do [modeling] full time, you never know when you will be able to go to a shoot or an audition,” Creel said. “She’s most focused on school right now.”
Edwards’ focus on school keeps her busy but she manages to book jobs whenever possible.
“I’ve had good opportunities that I didn’t take because of school,” Edwards said. “You never know when it comes to modeling, it just depends on the season and what’s in then.”
