Monique Lester - Western Australian Model

Welcome to Baddass Kulture Magazine, what made you want to become a model, when did you start and how did you get into it?

I started modelling from a young age of 12 and throughout my teenage years. I then became a mother at the age of 18, which set me back from that path at that stage, because motherhood was more important to me. I then grew into the young woman I am today and had another son who is almost two now. After my last pregnancy, I decided to get back into modelling, photographic only. I will only be this young now, at the age of 30, I don’t have many years left to make the most of it.

Describe to us what your first photo shoot was like and how you have grown from it?

My first ever photoshoot was with an agency called “En Vogue” in Burnie Tasmania at the age of 12, I learnt catwalk, photographic modelling and how to dress, do my own makeup and pose. I have grown extremely in the modelling industry since. Always being a girly girl and loving to dress up, I always had the “stand out” effect compared to others. I approached a big worldwide modelling agency when I was 17 in Melbourne, who told me I had unique facial features to excel in modelling in the photographic world. Since then, I only have just started pursuing this now, in my own way, at my own cost. I will continue this amazing adventure and gain more exposure.

What is the crazest thing that has happened to you while on set of a photo shoot?

One of my most recent shoots with a photographer was at a Salt Lake, where it was freezing cold, windy and muddy. Was one of the hardest shoots fighting the environmental circumstances, being bitten by ants while having to lay still on a little island, with a drone filming me. That was a crazy shoot for me.

Cosplay is the theme, who would you want to become and why. If you also had one superpower to add, what would it be and what would you do with it?

My social media handles are no surprise named “Freya”, I have yet to actually dress as this Goddess. Soon haha. My super power would always be my own individual beauty. It has helped me a lot, along with the beauty I hold within my heart.

What have some of your biggest hurdles been to get yourself where you are in your career?

Dealing with some difficult photographers who hold my images that don’t deliver within a timely manner for one, then also the cost and time it takes to produce quality images when working with numerous different people. It is not cheap or easy to gain exposure and constantly ordering lingerie and outfits, makeup and hair and giving up quality time with my family. I always try balance everything to the best of my ability.

Let us look at your tattoos, when did you get your first tattoo, describe it and have you added anything to the tattoo?

My first tattoo was the one on my right thigh, I was 12 years of age and got it done by someone who meant a lot to me at that time, a Bikie in the “Devils Henchmen” in Tasmania. The tattoo had meaning in design, being an angel wrapped around a Devil. It meant “good and bad” intertwined within my personality, the cross between two paths. I could be both and either. I grew up way too fast for my own age, around an older generation then myself back then.

Let’s look at your tattoos in more detail starting with the design on your arm sleeve as there seems to be quite a few designs entwined together?

My sleeve originally was a cover up of my first ex husbands name and a rose. I parted with him years ago and covered it with a new design of a sleeve with a fairy and flowers. Since then, I have reworked it and made the design better and complete, as it was originally done over 10 years ago. Tattoos have since improved.

You also have two roses and a butterfly on your lower back, did you just like this design or does it play a particular part in your life?

This was also another cover up of an older tattoo that I since have not liked. I need work on all my tattoos as they were not done correctly, and I have since grown. I love flowers and butterflies, they have a lot of meaning and look beautiful.

Let’s move to the design on your lower stomach, please explain it?

I decided to tattoo my stomach to cover up previous scars from surgery after having kids that have caused damage to my skin with stretch marks etc. It makes me feel better about my body hiding these marks, especially for modelling purposes. I am getting this reworked again next week due to it being sliced off after having a second tummy tuck to remove loose skin.

When you are not modelling what sort of things do you get up to, to balance your life?

I only do one shoot per week right now, due to how busy I am as a mother and partner as my first utmost of importance. I always schedule each day and balance it out with work, modelling, family time and friends. I always make time to do fun things with my children on weekends, then I work part time a couple days a week as a disability support worker. Then any spare time I have, I will dedicate to shooting and social media. I love spending time with my partner and kids, going places and outings, movies, lunches and dinners, having a few drinks and kicking back.

What is the one question nobody has ever asked you that you wish they asked you?

I wish people knew my past more, and the hurdles I have had to deal with in my life; if they knew, people would be more proud of how far I have come today as a woman.

What has been the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in public?

One night my partner and I went to the Hilltop Hoods concert in Perth. When everyone was leaving the stadium, I went to the toilet and didn’t realise I trod on toilet paper somewhere in the toilets. I then walked out into the crowds, leaving it stuck to my foot. Someone pulled me aside and told me, and I was mortified haha.

And before we close out this interview, would you like to leave us with a favourite quote of yours and describe its meaning

My number one favourite quote would always have to be, “If you can’t handle me at my worst, you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best” by Marilyn Monroe, my favourite icon.

August 2025