Sami Sparrow - NSW Model
what made you want to become a model, when did you start and how did you get into it?
I started when I was 21 years old and had my very first TFP in a graffiti filled tramway. We started out with streetwear then and pretty much jumped right in with a topless shoot. I think I was anxious and nervous but once I got topless, I was just running around the place with my tits out.
What is the craziest thing that has happened to you while on set of a photo shoot?
The thing that comes to mind comes more so after a shoot, I did a Ball Pit photo shoot which was really fun. A pub was having a Ball Pit party so we got to use it beforehand and as I was leaving, I realised that I had no way to get out. I was in a car park that had a boom gate and I had no way of paying for it so my friend and I had had this genius idea as it was an old dodgy boom gate. We were going to hold the gate up and I was just going to drive out. There was wire which got caught on my door and it snapped and broke the whole gate. Somehow, we never got caught haha
What have been some of your biggest hurdles to get yourself where you are in your modelling career?
There are many hurdles in modelling as you have to stay motivated and always bringing out new content so I think having a passion for modelling has kept me on track, there has been times where I’ve disappeared for a bit and then come back with fresh new ideas so I guess it’s always having something new.
Let’s look at you tattoos, when did you get your first tattoo, describe it and have you added anything to the tattoo?
So, I was 17 years old, in my school uniform at the time, and my friend and I went after school to this tattoo shop. Luckily the owner wasn’t there and it was just the apprentice so he was happy to do a tattoo without seeing our ID’s. We got and I shit you not, we got LOL. I still have that and it’s on my wrist in script, I haven’t added anything to it. It doesn’t look terrible but a little bit blurred but that cost me $70. My mum was not happy, I tried to hide it from her for a bit and she kind of got over it but my dad hates tattoos so he was not really happy about it.
You have quite a few tattoos which are separately placed on your body rather than entwining with each other. The first one that stands out is the vampire woman on you left outer thigh. Rather than the typical Elvira style it looks like it came from a comic book. Care to explain further?
It’s based from comic book character Vampirella. My tattooist that has done most of my work he did this design for me and once he showed it to me, I said yes. I do like Elvira and it’s not that typical one that everyone has. Since I got it, I’ve actually seen it around a lot more.
And then there is the hand holding a purple rose, did you just like the image or was there meaning behind it?
That one Daniel Bryant (@edfasty) designed for me and it was around Valentine’s Day and he was doing a series of roses and I liked that one. I really loved the design and I’m going with the whole patch work look. The separation of the tattoo if anything is reflective of my ADHD personality and that I get distracted very easily.
If we move down to your right leg there is a black panther wearing a studded collar and drawing blood. What were you thinking when you found this design?
That is my cat, Vincent. He is a big black cat and the collar is actually black but it is studded and he is an absolute menace. I have a child lock on my fridge, he is human and has to open everything and escapes all the time. So the tattoo is him in panther form.
Are there any tattoos we have missed or should we not talk about the “Yes Daddy” love heart on your inner thigh?
I was waiting for you to mention that one. I absolutely love that one and it was the first ever tattoo I got by Dan. Originally, I was going to get “Anal Queen” and I thought it would be awkward to try to explain that to my niece and nephews who at the time were young. “Yes Daddy” is awkward but not as awkward as “Anal Queen” haha.
Since we last spoke, I’m sure you have added to your tattoo collection or at least planning it. Please give us an update and of course the meaning behind the tattoos?
My latest addition is my Japanese irezumi style sleeve on my right arm, designed and inked by my usual artist Dan @edfasty / @finelinewalkwithme. It took about 10 sessions in total and just under a year to finish. Since then I won a competition for a free tattoo and got a cool tiger fighting a snake on my right thigh, designed and inked by @spacecadexttattoo at @inkculttattoo she did an incredible job and I’m very happy with it!
Featured in Baddass Kulture Mag Issue #3 June 2024