Influencer Session with Lexi Mendiola

Socially Powerful interviewed model and Instagrammer Lexi Mendiola (@leximendi) from the USA, who gained international recognition for sharing her stretch marks. Lexi started her social media journey by sharing behind the scenes glimpses of her modeling work and daily life. She shares stunning beach shots and beautiful tropical destinations because of her passion for travel. Lexi’s openness about body positivity, especially embracing her stretch marks, set her apart and earned global acclaim. She has worked with major brands like NIKE, McDonald’s, and L’Oreal, and aims to continue empowering audiences through her content.

Lexi Mendiola @leximendi

Today, we caught up with Lexi Mendiola, a 24 year old Instagrammer and Model from the USA. Lexi hit the headlines last year when she showcased her stretch marks and went viral. She gained huge notoriety and acclaim from global audiences.

Tell us about you, your background and how you came to start on social media?

Hey! I’m Lexi, and I’m a commercial model-slash-content creator from Manila, Philippines. I’ve been focusing more on social media these days, but I can definitely say that posting snippets of my work in modelling is what helped me get started online. People were interested in the behind-the-scenes snippets with a mix of my everyday life.

Tell us about what you do on your social channels?

These days, I’m all about travelling! I love to be on the beach, so it’s a blessing that I currently live in a tropical country which almost feels like it has a beach or something similar to offer within a 10-mile radius.  I’m planning a few trips this year to colder climates though so we’ll see how that plays out with this tropical girl!

What social channel are you most passionate about and why?

Definitely Instagram. I’m just generally a more visual person, so creativity flows through this channel much easier for me. I’d love to get started on Youtube as well though, but still working up the courage for that! haha

How often do you post and update your audience? What content works best for you?

I try to update daily, or at least thrice a week at the very least. For me, definitely, travel/beach shots as I think my followers know that is what really makes me tick. It’s the most natural, I guess!

How do you stand out on social media? What makes you different?

I think what made me stand out was my courage to post about my stretch marks one day. I really didn’t see it coming but it was so well received around the world by People, Allure, the Today Show, Refinery29, Womanista, Yahoo!, among others, and my heart couldn’t be more full.

Are you friends with other influencers?

Definitely! I’ve come to know a lot of influencers through events and they’re some of the nicest people I’ve met.

What are your ambitions with social media? Where do you want to take it?

Definitely to continue using it for empowerment and helping others build self-confidence. It’s just so important to love yourself and the skin you’re in, it’s the only body you’ve got so might as well embrace it 1000%!

What brands have you worked with? 

I’ve worked with NIKE, McDonald’s, L’Oreal, Fujifilm, Pond’s, Burt’s Bees, Creamsilk, Crocs, San Miguel Beer, Philippine Airlines, Daniel Wellington, among other brands.

What’s the piece of content you’ve created you’re most proud of? Why? 

http://people.com/bodies/lexi-mendiola-tiger-stripes-swimsuit-photo/

Where can people follow you? 

Instagram.com/leximendi