When her parents asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said she wanted to be a statue. 

“(Her dad and I asked) ‘What do you mean?’” her mother, Juliana Crawley, said. “She would get up and put on some cute clothes and just kind of stand there. And we were like, ‘Oh, you want to be a model.’” 

Alex Crawley, a senior biology major from Jonesboro, does professional modeling, including work for Vigour Magazine, Dillard’s and Arkansas Bride. 

She said she sees modeling as a form of expression. Sometimes, she meets up with local photographers who need to build their portfolios and does free modeling. 

“I really love doing these casual shoots where we’re not getting paid. It’s just like we’re creating art,” Crawley said. 

When Crawley is not in front of a camera, she is pursuing a career as a pediatric dentist. She also teaches yoga and sells artwork. 

Professional Modeling

Crawley began modeling in high school after a photographer told her she should try it. 

She looked into it and later, an agency based in Miami signed her, and she began building her portfolio.

Now, she works closer to home and is signed to Sculp Agency in Little Rock. 

Through Sculp, Crawley booked her favorite job, being on the cover of the Spring/Summer 2023 edition of Arkansas Bride. 

“I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know it was a cover shoot,” Crawley said, “I tried on 10 different ball gown dresses. (They were) so expensive, so beautiful, so pretty. Then there was also jewelry.”

She said one of the rings she wore for the shoot cost about a quarter of a million dollars. 

“They had a whole jewelry team, just to make sure the jewelry was safe and secure and polished,” Crawley said. 

Crawley said she felt too young to model wedding dresses. 

“That was a fear of mine, that I was going to look too young and it wouldn’t look believable,” Crawley said. “I think it was the hair and makeup, the lighting, and amazing photographer, but I looked very mature.” 

She said her mom did some runway modeling in college and seeing those photos made her interested in becoming a model. 

“I think I was very inspired by my mom. I always thought she’s the most beautiful person on the planet,” Crawley said. 

She said modeling does not feel like work to her. 

“Anytime I’m free for a modeling gig, I definitely do it. It’s so fun, I really enjoy it, it’s like a hobby,” Crawley said. 

Biology Student

In addition to her modeling work, Crawley is a full-time student. 

Kia Jefferson, an instructor of biology, taught Crawley’s histology lab. 

“She’s very dedicated, enthusiastic, willing to learn, a very hands-on person. She’s not afraid to ask questions, participates willingly, which is amazing considering how many students do not participate,” Jefferson said. 

Crawley said she dreams of becoming a pediatric dentist and plans to take a gap year to prepare for dental school. 

“Comparison is the thief of joy. I’m surrounded by so many smart people who are all going to med school or dental school right after college and I just felt like I wasn’t quite ready for that yet,” Crawley said. “It’s okay to go at your own pace.” 

She said she chose to study biology because it is important to be well-rounded. 

“For a second there, I was like ‘I want to move to New York and pursue modeling.’ I also realized in that career, you have to be so competitive and it has to be your whole life and I couldn’t be a dentist like I’ve dreamed of since junior high,” Crawley said.

Beyond her studies, Crawley is involved in many campus organizations and activities. 

She serves as the new member educator of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. She is also a Chancellor’s Ambassador, an Honors student, a member of the Environmental Club and teaches yoga on campus. 

Yoga Teacher

Crawley teaches yoga at the Red Wolf Center Mondays at 5:30 p.m., which is free to A-State students. She also teaches at Nirvana, the Trim Gym and Soul Shine Studios. 

Crawley said she first began doing yoga after her chiropractor recommended it. He told her yoga could help with her lower back pain and posture. 

She began practicing yoga consistently and formed relationships with yoga teachers in Jonesboro who encouraged her to become a certified yoga teacher. 

“I did the training, I loved it, it was very challenging and eye opening,” Crawley, “But it was a great opportunity to learn more about myself and learn more about what I love.” 

Jamie Couch, co-owner of Soul Shine Studios, works with Crawley. He said he knew Crawley from another studio and hired her to work at Soul Shine. 

“I’ve always thought a lot of her not only as a yoga instructor but just as a person.” Couch said.

He said Crawley stands out as a yoga teacher due to her positive energy.

“Whether you’ve had a great day or not so great day, it’s hard to not be energized a little bit with her enthusiasm she brings into the classroom,” Couch said. 

Crawley said she has worked as a yoga instructor for four years. 

“I’ve been able to grow my practice and meet a lot of people and hopefully influence a lot of people in a positive way,” Crawley said. 

Artist

Crawley creates and sells paintings, but began making art as a creative outlet. 

She said she started painting during the pandemic and started to sell them after her mom shared her work on Facebook. 

“It’s mainly just been a way to relieve stress for me and spend time with me and just think about life,” Crawley said. 

Crawley said she does commission work through an Instagram account, @alexcrawleyart. 

Her mom said she encourages Crawley to paint when she feels stressed. 

“When you are creating, you are in the zone, you’re in the flow. It’s like you’re connected with something bigger than you and you’re not thinking about it, you’re just being,” her mom said. 

Her mom said Crawley loves people and does not judge, compare or criticize. 

“She sees people where they are and I think when they spend time with her they feel heard because she actually is listening and cares,” she said. “I think that’s one of the biggest qualities that I’m proud of.”

Categories: Life