Our exclusive interview with gorgeous Rosie Luik. Rosie is an Australian author, model, mother to four and altruistic surrogate mother to twins has beaten the odds to pursue her dreams of being a model in her 30s. Living by the mantra that it’s never too late to fulfil your goals. The social media influencer hopes to make a positive impact on women across the globe by sharing her journey as the first legal altruistic surrogate mother in Queensland, Australia despite life-threatening birth complications and how she is starting her modelling career as a mother in her 30s.
Considered one of Australia’s most respected and influential Instagrammers and confidently modelling for bikini, fashion and lifestyle brands as though she’s been doing it for years, it was a long road to success for Rosie who was married young and had her first child at 21. Bullied and made fun of for being quiet and a bit “dorky” at school, Rosie put her modelling dreams aside and instead married her now husband of over ten years, started a business and focused on being a good mom.
Inspired by her personal experience, Rosie has also penned two books about modern alternatives to having children as well as a publishing a guide to puberty, having firsthand having experienced these difficult discussions with children.
Help I’m a Tweenager: A Girl’s Guide to Puberty is an informative guide that explores and explains the issues surrounding adolescence among girls where no topic goes unanswered. From physical and emotional changes to health and social media, Rosie wanted to create an easy to understand book that raises issues relevant to the modern day tween.
An IVF Story & 21st Century Guide to the Birds & the Bees deal with the age old question of the birds and the bees with a modern twist. Rosie wanted to help start the conversation around surrogacy by creating children’s books that deal with the more modern alternatives to baby-making such as IVF and surrogacy.
For more information please visit rosieluik.com
Hi Rosie please tell us a little about you?
Hi, my name is Rosie, I’m a mum of four, we have three girls aged 12, 8 and 6 and one boy aged 10. I’m a wife to a fantastic man who happens to be a Fireman. I am a model, Social Media Influencer and an Author 🙂
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Kind, Loyal and Shy
Name one your strengths?
I like to think of myself as a patient person. I believe it helps a lot with what I do career wise and a necessity with having four kids.
How’s a typical day in your life?
Our days are structured around “routine, routine, routine”, so a typical day is a little hectic, and other than what I’m lucky enough to do for work, it’s a pretty standard day for any family. I usually wake up at 5:30am to get the kids lunches ready for school and pack their bags. This means the morning routine runs a little smoother with getting the kids breakfast, dressed for school and out the door on time for the school run. Then usually straight off to hit the gym for an hour. If I’m working I will head straight to a shoot for hair and makeup. I try to always schedule jobs in between school run so I’m all done and back to school for pick up. Then straight home, prepare afternoon tea and help with homework.
Organize dinner which with four kids sometimes feels like working in a restaurant. Then I get a chance to sit down to my days emails and get organized for the next day. “Quiet time” in our house is for the kids to wind down for bed which is also when I get some time in to write some short stories, go for a walk on the treadmill or read a good book. When the kids are off to sleep its couch time for my husband and I where we talk, binge watch a TV show if we have a chance and just catch up with each other.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Definitely my husband and my kids. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for them, their understanding and continued support.
How did you get started in the modeling industry?
I did some promotional work two and a half years ago to try and get extra money coming in to cover medical bills and other bills that had piled up during my recovery. I was approached numerous times while working asking if I’d considered modelling. When I realised that it may not be too late to pursue a modelling career, I worked really hard, said yes to every job, and paved my little space in the industry.
What was your first project?
It was for a jewellery line, we had a shoot at the beach. I met some wonderful people on this shoot and watched a lot of Next Top Model in preparation.
What is the best and worst part of being a model?
I love what I do so much and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to model at this stage of my life. I love working with and getting to know the talented people that I meet. I love being a part of bringing a brands campaign to life. I guess you could say the worst part would be the “no’s” they can sometimes be hard, especially if it’s for a brand you really love.
How do balance your personal life with your modelling life?
Honestly, we just make it happen. My husband has a permanent rotating work roster, we are very blessed that we can usually schedule my work or attend events around his roster. This means that at least one of us is at home with the kids which is important to us.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t change for others be yourself and love yourself.
How do you prepare for a photoshoot?
With four kids, I don’t have that much time. So regular, short, high intensity gym sessions work for me. I try to go most days of the week. I also love boxing and pilates or something as simple as getting a good walk in if I can’t make it to the gym. I try to eat clean and eat foods that I enjoy so it’s never a chore. This helps keep my skin in check too. It’s important to be prepared for any opportunity that comes up at all times. A lot of times I only have a week or two from the final confirmation until shoot day so there isn’t a lot of time.
Now tell us about Rosie the author, and about your books “Help I’m a Tweenager: A Girl’s Guide to Puberty” and “21st Century Guide to the Birds and the Bees”?
During our third and fourth pregnancy I was an altruistic surrogate for a friend and ended up having twins for her, so I’ve had six babies. In Australia it’s illegal to be paid for surrogacy, I just wanted my friend to be happy and have the family she had always wanted. It ended up raising a lot of questions from the kids of family and friends, and of course my own about the different way in which babies are made. “21st Century Guide to the Birds and the Bees” is a book for kids that explains ALL the ways a baby can be made.
“Help! I’m a Tweenager” came about in the lead up to my oldest daughter starting puberty and a lot of my younger followers on social media messaging me for advice and all sorts of questions. I wanted a safe place for their questions to be answered without delving in to more in depth topics like sex and drugs. The book is written for tweenage girls on their body and puberty. I share advice based on my own personal experiences and that of other women who have come out the other side of that chapter in our lives.
Where the love for writing comes from?
I love having a place to go, an outlet such as writing gives me the opportunity to lose myself for a few moments each day. Whether it’s blogs, books or short stories on a community forum it is a fantastic creative channel. I love being able to help people and if I can do that through my writing then that makes it so much more worthwhile.
What is next for Rosie Luik?
2018 is hopefully going to be a big year for me and my family. I have a few projects in the works, I’m hoping to travel more, write more and model as much as I can.
Who is your favourite Actor/Actress? And why?
Well Harry Styles is my favourite everything so does that count? He did star in Dunkirk so he is an actor now haha. He holds a special place in my life; during my time in hospital it was his music (as part of One Direction) that helped me get through the sometimes long days, weeks and months.
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
My Phone, Wallet and hand sanitiser. And I must always remember the kids.
What music do you like?
Harry Styles is my jam
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
Taking the kids to a market or hiking somewhere, spending good quality time together; swimming at the beach, ice cream and fish and chips for dinner.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I don’t really get to watch TV very often so I’m quite behind in my viewing. My husband and I usually go by recommendations of good series and then we binge watch it from start to finish. We’re watching Ballers right now which we are loving. We also loved the TV Series “The Fall’ Highly recommend that one.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Kale!!! Loove that stuff.
And your favorite cheat food?
Licorice OMG YESS
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Happy, healthy and looking back on the last five years and being proud of myself.
Do you support any charities?
Yes Bully Zero, something very close to my heart, it is a great support network for victims of bullying.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram @rosie_luik
Facebook Rosie Luik
Twitter @rosieluik
Website rosieluik.com
Favorite Music: Harry Styles x
Quote: “Kindness is free, sprinkle that shit everywhere” and “knowledge dispels fear”
Holiday Destination: Ummm Bahamas, never been but really want to go, the pics on Instagram look surreal!
Food: Tacos!!! I could eat them all day
Restaurant: We don’t get out much so I’m not sure! The kids love a night at a sushi train restaurant. For me anywhere with a great broccolini
Drink: Red Bull
Celebrity Crush: My celebrity card has Harry Styles or Mark Wahlberg on it.
Song: Anything by Harry Styles (Hope I don’t sound repetitive)
Sports Team: Melbourne Storm, a Rugby League team in Australia
Movie: Definitely “Love Actually” or “The Goonies”
