Whether it be on MTV or ad campaigns across the country, it is hard to miss Rhiannon McConnell.
The Elizabethton native has been busy over the past two years, traveling across the globe for various designers, and has been labeled a “rising star” in the fashion industry by different well-renowned media outlets, included Vogue.
It is an eye-opening experience for McConnell, who currently resides in San Diego with her husband, who is in the Navy. The model told the Elizabethton Star that coming from a small town is nothing out of the ordinary in the modeling world.
“It’s something that really isn’t that rare,” McConnell said. “It’s definitely a big adjustment coming from a small town like Elizabethton but a lot of my model friends also come from small towns.”
Fashion just came natural for McConnell. Growing up in Elizabethton, with the Mall of Johnson City right across the county line, it was a joy being able to delve into the fashion world.
“It was something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, honestly,” she said. “I was a tall, lanky teenager but I had a family member say it was something I should try.”
McConnell is managed by her “mother agent” Vita Models, who discovered her in Johnson City at the age of 17. She also works with Wilhelmina NYC, Vision LA, Model 1 London, Fabricca Milan and Marilyn Paris.
The model first appeared on the national level last year during the MTV movie awards. Along with helping bring out awards, while working with the Vision Model Agency, Cantor also appeared in the “Lick My Lips” music video for Katharine McPhee — 2006 runner-up on American Idol.
It was during an ad campaign for Gucci in 2016 when the schedule started to burn up, she said.
“I look at modeling completely different now,” McConnell added. “I’ve so many different experiences that really stand out. I had the chance to meet the designer for the Gucci Campaign last summer. It was great, and I’ve had the chance to meet other designers and become good friends with them.”
Along with working on the 2016 spring line campaign for Gucci, McConnell can be found on H&M fashion store at the mall in Asheville, N.C., along with the store’s website. Cantor’s Instagram account, rhisux, has approximately 14.2 thousand followers with various posts from different shoots.
Calvin Klein is set to launch their new CK One perfume campaign, which McConnell will be the face for.
Chasing dreams is nothing new for Cantor, who provided words of encouragement to the youth of the area looking to go for their goals.
“It’s emotional to think about,” she said. “Growing up, I had people telling me I couldn’t do it. You just have to follow your dreams. Anything is possible with hard work and dedication.”
McConnell will have the rest of the month to catch a breather before fashion weeks start up in September. The model added that once she departs from California, she will be busy for the month working at different shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan.