Meet Ellie G Coles | Model & Influencer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellie G Coles and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ellie G, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been passionate about the arts and thrived in creative environments. It was never really a choice for me—just the way I’ve always been. Being able to express myself artistically and creatively is the most beautiful thing. At the age of 8, I started participating in community theatre and absolutely fell in love. From there, I continued performing in musical theatre productions for a decade until I moved to Charlotte, NC, when I was 18. During that time, I also sang the National Anthem at baseball games and began pursuing modeling by participating in photoshoots at local boutiques. As I continued to explore that world more deeply, my love for modeling grew. I became captivated by how much emotion and storytelling could be conveyed through fashion. The creative environment of organic, collaborative creation pulled me in. I love being able to evoke emotion through facial expressions, body language, and posing in photos, and to tell a story through intricate styling. Modeling is so much more than just “looking pretty”—it requires acting, talent, emotional depth, and creative skill, just like any other artistic outlet.
Modeling, in turn, led me to content creation as I realized how much I loved sharing my creativity—centered around fashion, beauty, and aspects of my personal life like travel and lifestyle.
I chose this path because I truly can’t see any other. A life full of creativity and art calls to me—it adds an endless amount of purpose and meaning to my life. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life, and I couldn’t agree more. To create is to get down to the very fiber of our being—to shed ourselves into our work and be born anew through our passions.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up, I was often told that pursuing a career in the arts or anything creative was like giving up on your future. But I’ve always felt the opposite—art and creativity are the very backbone of life. From a young age, I knew I was meant to follow a path rooted in self-expression. And while that path hasn’t always been easy, it’s been mine.
There’s no secret formula to how I got where I am today. It’s been a journey of trial and error, of putting myself out there time and time again—even when it was scary. Especially as a content creator and influencer, that initial vulnerability can be incredibly daunting. But I believe this kind of work is brave. It requires thick skin, resilience, and the ability to tune out judgment and push through the “you can’t”s.
One of the hardest parts of being a creative is hearing “no” more times than “yes.” But I’ve learned to see rejection not as a dead end, but as redirection. I’m proud of myself for refusing to give up, for continuing to seek the next “yes,” and for knowing that no matter where my story takes me, I gave it my all. I put in the work. I made sacrifices. I stayed true to my ever-evolving self.
I’m also learning to celebrate my progress along the way. I used to be someone who always looked toward the next goal, the next project, the next milestone. But I’ve started to slow down and appreciate how far I’ve come—from walking in New York Fashion Week three times in 2023, to being featured on four magazine covers, to seeing my face appear on brand websites and social media platforms. Those are surreal, full-circle moments I don’t take for granted.
If my 16-year-old self could see me now, I know she’d be proud. And while I’m still not exactly where I want to be professionally, I’ve come a long way—and that’s something worth honoring.
My biggest lesson so far? Do it for yourself. Make the promises to yourself. Love yourself enough to show up and give it your all, so when you look back, you know you did it from a place of integrity and passion—not performance.
When it comes to what sets me apart, I’ll be honest—I’m still discovering that. It’s easy to get caught up in comparison, especially on social media. Between the likes, followers, comments, and constant trends, you can lose your sense of self trying to keep up with what’s “cool” or algorithm-approved. But I’ve found that the truest version of my work comes when I stop chasing numbers and instead create content that fulfills me—content that’s rooted in what I genuinely love: fashion, beauty, travel, storytelling, and real life.
That’s where I’ve found my voice. And that’s where my audience has found me.
At the end of the day, I like to think of my content as trendy, but with heart. And what I want people to know about me and my story is this: I’ve worked hard, I’ve stayed grounded, and I’m still growing. People change. We learn. We evolve. And the more room we make for that—in ourselves and in each other—the better the art becomes.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my bestie was visiting, I’d be so excited to show them all my favorite spots in and around Charlotte—especially being gluten-free I’d love to show them all the gluten-free gems I’ve discovered over the years. I’d plan the ultimate week-long trip full of amazing food, fun experiences, and a few hidden treasures.
First things first: food.
We’d start with breakfast at Snooze and get their gluten-free strawberry shortcake pancakes—they’re heavenly. For lunch, we’d head to Amélie’s for their sun-dried tomato goat cheese pesto sandwich (on gluten-free bread, of course!) and pair it with their incredible tomato basil soup. Dinner at Burtons is a must, with their bread service, calamari, pasta, and chocolate cake—all 100% gluten-free and absolutely delicious.
Another favorite lunch spot is Flower Child. Their glow bowl topped with salmon is perfect, and their classic hummus with gluten-free pita bread never disappoints. We’d definitely plan our week around Monday Night Brewing’s “Gluten Freedom Nights”—because how could we miss their hot honey pizza, Margherita pizza, pesto pizza, cheesy rosemary breadsticks, and gluten-free sweets from Sweet & Cozy Bakery? If the Donut I Love You food truck is around, we’d swing by for some of their treats too!
And of course—Trader Joe’s run for snacks!
For drinks and a great view, we’d grab cocktails at Nuvole 22 rooftop. Nothing beats the Charlotte skyline at sunset.
For shopping, we’d stop by SouthPark Mall to check out Sephora, Altar’d State, Urban Outfitters, and Swarovski, then swing over to Park Road Shopping Center to visit Julie’s at KLA Boutique. A must-visit for secondhand treasures is Thrift Pony—hands down the best thrift store in Charlotte.
For fun outings, we’d spend a day at Lazy 5 Ranch feeding the animals and then head to Tiger World for some more up-close wildlife encounters. Another favorite adventure is Optimist Hall. We’d grab a bowl and yucca fries from Suárez Bakery & Barra, & a gluten-free triple chocolate cookie, or maybe a sushi burrito from Zukku Sushi CLT.
One of the highlights of the week would be dinner at Athens Pizza, a little outside of town but totally worth the drive. It’s authentic Persian cuisine, and nothing compares.
We’d also stop at PlantHouse to build our own terrariums—such a unique and peaceful experience.
To close out the trip, we’d shop around Concord Mills, then head across the street to TJ Maxx/HomeGoods for some finds, and end the day with a movie at the AMC.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It truly takes a village, and I’m lucky to have the most incredible village of love and support around me.
My mother, Allison Gereighty, has always been my foundation. She’s supported me throughout my life and taught me to be strong, hardworking, kind, and to lead with good intentions and authenticity. She always taught me to be true to myself. She has wrapped my life in warmth and unconditional love. I couldn’t be more grateful to be blessed with such an amazing mother.
My grandmother, Susan Philibert, has made sure I always had what I needed. She made all of my prom dresses and costumes, supported every creative endeavor, drove me to practices, and was always there. Her support has been rooted in intellect, truth, and love.
My grandfather, Jeffrey Straus, MD, has stepped up in countless ways—always showing up, lending a helping hand, and being a steady source of support through it all. He has supported me in my choices and dreams, encouraging me to believe in myself and pursue what truly matters to me.
A huge thank you to my wonderful boyfriend, Cyrus Abedini, who consistently supports my best interests, hopes, and dreams. He fills me with confidence and reminds me daily of my worth. He builds me up, teaches me something new daily, and constantly pushes me to reach my full potential. He has added so much love and happiness to my life and has opened up the world to me. He has taught me that there is nothing I can’t do!
I also can’t go without mentioning my siblings, who grew up alongside me and helped nurture my creativity during my formative years: Claire Coles, Gabriel Coles, and Nathan Coles—who is also a creative and owns his own media company, Cineteria Media LLC. Each of them has brought so much joy and inspiration into my life.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliegcoles
Image Credits
Rick Belden Photography
Andre Blom Photography
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