Gianna Maria is not just a model; she is a thinker, a storyteller, and the visionary founder of Shame-less. Balancing her studies in biopsychology with a flourishing modelling career, she proves that intellect and artistry are not opposites but interconnected worlds. With honesty and grace, she speaks about redefining flaws, embracing asymmetry, and turning vulnerability into strength.
Gianna, you combine your studies in biopsychology with modelling. What helps you maintain balance between the rational and the creative worlds?
Honestly, I don’t always balance it perfectly. Some days I’m buried in research papers and MCAT prep, and on others I’m in front of a camera trying to remember how to look like a functioning human being instead of someone who hasn’t slept in two days. Over time, I’ve realised the trick isn’t separating them but understanding how they connect, almost like neurons forming a network. Science pushes me to ask deeper questions about why we think, feel, and behave the way we do, while creativity reminds me I’m not just analysing life from the outside — I’m living it. They feed each other.
Which photoshoot has been the greatest challenge for you and revealed something new about yourself? What emotion or story would you like to convey more often through your images?
My first shoot with Tony Ellis in New York really stayed with me. When the photos came back, my agent at the time told me my eyes were uneven and called it a flaw I had to work around. That moment shifted everything because it showed me how much perception shapes reality. What one person calls a flaw can just as easily be seen as uniqueness. I took the advice and experimented with poses and angles, which made me a more versatile model. But I also realised that asymmetry is not a weakness. It is not a flaw, nor even a slight problem — it’s simply a reminder that people will always have opinions, but those opinions do not define you. What matters is the story you tell with what you’ve been given. What once felt like a flaw ended up becoming my edge, and I’m grateful for that.
Your movement Shame-less is centred on body acceptance. You have what many call an ‘ideal body’ — what personal story lies at the core of this initiative?
Shame-less began because, even with what people call an “ideal body,” I struggled with my own reflection. Confidence doesn’t automatically come with appearance, and I learned that first-hand. There were times when my body felt more like a performance than a home, and that disconnect drove me to create something bigger than myself. Shame-less is about stripping away the belief that your worth is tied to how closely you match a standard. It’s about owning the parts of yourself that make you human, whether they fit the mould or not. At its core, the movement is my reminder that strength comes from acceptance, not perfection. That is the story I wanted to live, and it’s the story I want to share with others.
Talents: @dacoryshow @giannamariaofficial
Photo: @jrawkphotography
