The Lady and her C8 Corvette
Story by Terry Check
Inspired by the European sports cars, the 1953 corvette was unveiled to the public as the first American sports car with aspirations of becoming a world-class sports car. With the competition debut of the 1956 corvette at 12 hours at Sebring followed by the 1960 race at the 24 Hours at Le Mans, the corvette has evolved into a winning competitor with the mid-engine C8 corvette on racetracks throughout the world. Always playing with Hotwheels as a child, Samantha Kaye, now a professional model, has bought a hot set of wheels, a mid-engine C8 Corvette.
In Honolulu Masquerade Magazine caught up with Ms. Kaye long enough to have a “one-on-one” conversation.
Terry “Hi Samantha, Masquerade Magazine is excited to publish a cover story about you and your C8 Corvette.Thank you for the amazing photographs of you and your yellow corvettephotographed by Donald Xavier. Share with our readers about your fashion career …. When did you get started modeling, and what type of modeling?”
Samantha “It’s our pleasure! I began modeling in 2017, just for fun. Since then, it has grown into a fruitful career that has opened new avenues for me to grow and succeed. I started out with portraiture and now I’ve fallen into the niche of automotive modeling.”
Terry “Your fashion looks are outstanding. How do you select the outfits for your different shoots?”
Samantha “Thank you. I generally try to find pieces that are unique as well as eye catching. Keeping up with current trends is key, old fashion cycles back and one must be on top of what is out of style and what is coming back.”
Terry “Do you usually create your makeup and hair styling looks, or do you work with makeup and hair stylists?”
Samantha “I provide hair and makeup for all my shoots. It’s very rare that I have a stylist made available to me. So, I learned how to do it myself so I can be more marketable.”
Terry “In addition to fashion modeling, what additional career paths have you taken?”
Samantha “I’ve done a few fashion events, it hasn’t been an advantageous route for me. Instead, I’ve fallen into to automotive scene which has led to more opportunities than I could ever hope for, it’s been a blessing.”
Terry “How do you manage to stay so beautiful? Share your exercise and beauty tips.”
Samantha “Beauty routines are key to maintaining my image. It consists of nightly skincare. I sleep with a neck pillow so that I don’t sleep on my sides or stomach, this helps prevent wrinkles. On top of that, I go to the gym three times a week. I lift weights for muscle toning, but cardio is my nemesis. I don’t have the attention span to run on a treadmill.”
Terry “Your tattoos on the shoulder and hand are stunning. Tell us the story about the tattoos.”
Samantha “My flower tattoo is the only one I have so far, but I’d like to get more. Some people like to get tattoos for sentimental reasons. I like to collect art in the form of tattoos. It’s a testament to perseverance of sitting through something painful and boring.”
Terry ” Let us talk about your corvette, such a beautiful car. Why did you decide to buy the corvette?
Samantha “Having a weekend car is so exhilarating, I never thought I’d own a corvette, but the C8 had a huge appeal to me, since it’s the first corvette with a mid-engine, the striking bodylines, and the overall supercar feel. An all-American girl needs an American car.”
Terry “Do you drive the corvette fast and hard? How about tracking the car…. accelerating at the apex and going full throttle?”
Samantha “I generally cruise with her. I would love to push the car a little harder although Hawaii doesn’t facilitate automotive sports, so I haven’t been able to safely push the car without getting caught by Honolulu Police Department.”
Terry “How did you get involved with cars? Did you always love cars?”
Samantha “Through automotive modeling, actually! The more I found myself at car shows and events, I began to appreciate the car scene and the unique ways people express themselves through the builds on their cars. I used to play with Hotwheels a lot as a kid, my dad used to collect them. Every time we went to the store, my dad always had to stop by toys to see if the retailer had new Hotwheels he could pick up.”
Terry “Your video, “Samantha Kaye – Ennis Bound”is popular on social media. How was the video planned and created?”
Samantha “So, I create quite a few promotional videos for the marketing company I model for (742 Marketing/Race Wars USA). I am their official tour model as well as the Model Coordinator for the show, I handle talent acquisition and management of all the lovely ladies I recruit.
My husband and I planned the video according to the music we chose beforehand- which is key to a good video. We storyboarded the entire shoot, which took only about an hour and a half. The editing process is much lengthier. I drove the car as my husband piloted the drone. The rest of the video was shot at or near our house.”
Terry “Let’s talk about your favorites and why they are your favorites ….. your first words that come to your mind.”
Terry “Samantha ……. Please add to your story. This is your magazine cover story, make it a great story.”
Samantha “I firmly believe in, “What’s meant to be will be.” All the events in my past have led to me to this point in my life where I find myself fortunate enough to travel and do what I love. Not very many people get to say that. I’m grateful for the journey I’ve been on. I’d go through the hardships again just to be where I’ve found myself now.”
Masquerade Magazine (www.masquerade.us) would like to thank Samantha Kaye for this “one-on-one” conversation and to Donald Xavier of Xavier Studios ( https://www.xavierstudios.com/ ) for the photographs published in this cover story. Checkout Samantha Kaye’s amazing video, “Samantha Kaye – Ennis Bound” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCTh59zuNI .
