__First off, tell us how you were “discovered” and how your modeling career all started?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I was discovered at 17 on facebook. I met with a local agency in Portland called Q6 which I am currently signed with. At that point I was homeless, bouncing around the city trying to find work but luckily my digitals were sent to Wilhelmina New York and they flew me out to meet with them and I was signed on the spot.

__What has been your favorite shoot?

Joshua Van Fossen__ My favorite shoot was with my good friend Regine David. I was in Tokyo for a couple months shooting. My favorite moment was at this beautiful island called Enoshima. We took some amazing photos in the water at the far side of the island.

__ Do you have any hidden talents?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I would say my hidden talents would be my ability to listen and understand. Empathy! Not so common in my generation. I had a lot of therapy throughout childhood which gave me an awesome perspective on life.

__ Do you ever get shy in front of the camera?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I get camera shy sometimes but I try to break away from it by being my myself. Everything comes from an inner place.

__ What is your favorite movie?

Joshua Van Fossen__ My favorite movie is ‘Requiem for a Dream.

__What are the five things you can’t live without?

Joshua Van Fossen __ The five things I couldn’t live without would be. 1) My gut instinct. It’s helped me through so much, and I’m lucky to be able to be in touch with my higher power. 2) My tarot cards. They have gone everywhere with me since I was about 10 helping me look through different lenses. 3) My friends or just people in general. I am so grateful for everything that people have shown me in life and how connected we all are no matter how different our paths have been. 4) My dusty old converse. I have been rocking ‘Chucks’ since I can remember, helped me every step of the way. 5) My journal, where I project my mind. All of my songs and poem and pain and triumph are in there.

__ Was modeling something you always wanted to do, or did it just kinda happen?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I thought about modeling when I was younger. I remember putting on fashion shows for my mom out of her closet when I was about 5.

__What’s your favorite band / music at the moment?

Joshua Van Fossen__ Favorite musician is Bowie for sure. I love his music and have listened to his work since I can remember. He has always inspired me to put myself out there and to push to break boundaries and social constructions.

__ Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Joshua Van Fossen__ My greatest inspiration has been my mother. Her and I went through a lot both on our own and together. We both battled with addiction and we both saw a lot of pain earlier in life. We are terribly similar. She inspires me to be relentless and to always push for what I believe in and never give up on yourself even if that is all you have.

__Give us 5 interesting facts about you that people may not know.

Joshua Van Fossen__ 1) My full name means the beloved savior of the church. 2) I started taking acting classes at the YMCA when I was four and continued until I was fifteen. 3) I did aerial trapeze and ballet. 4) I can flip or roll my tongue in like all ways possible. 5) I’m fascinated with religion and spiritual beliefs from around the world. Thanks to my grandma who studied theology.

__If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Joshua Van Fossen__ If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be a bento box from my favorite sushi place back home in Portland. 

__Are you a bathroom singer?

Joshua Van Fossen__ For sure! I sing all the time.

__ Do you believe in love at first sight?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I don’t believe in love at first sight. I would call that infatuation. I think love is something that grows alongside your understanding of that person.

__ Do you keep a diary of your journey?

Joshua Van Fossen__ I do keep a journal. It keeps me level headed and further my understanding of what life is.

__ Which celebrities you believe are the most influential?

Joshua Van Fossen__ Most influential celebrities would be Bowie. He has been a huge icon for me growing up for starter. Lady Gaga who I have listened to since I was about 7 and she’s helped me understand myself and she has fought so much for the LGBTQ community.