Talent: Ines Tazi @taziines
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Editor-at-Large: Elen Liu
Fashion Stylist: Doug Hickman
Makeup: Raquel Moreno @rpromakeupartist
Hair: Erika Vanessa
Location: Los Angeles, California
Since you have a degree in geopolitics, how did you get into the world of reality TV?
After graduating, I decided to do something I always wanted and worked on creating a beauty company. I was then quite active on social media and got spotted on Instagram and contacted by DM. What is interesting is that a production like the Circle looked for someone with my profile which is quite dichotomous: my online persona, which was focused on glamour, fashion and beauty, differed greatly from my offline self. Offline, I was an entrepreneur with a background in political science, an English boxing teacher, and a big soccer fan. I think that it is this very duality that ultimately led me to reality TV and while surprised at first, I liked the idea that I could show that despite our curated online presence, we can be multidimensional and complex. Social media tends to homogenize our tastes and identities, and I felt less adventurous in my early 20s. But now, I strive for greater alignment between my online and offline personas.
What has your experience been like being on two different reality dating shows?
It was as complicated as exciting and also very eye-opening! There is a very high pressure knowing that the shows are being produced for entertainment purposes and that the audience has expectations and preconceived ideas of what they want to see. However, I have found that it is possible to be true to yourself and have a genuine presence on reality dating shows. Having a main character’s energy and being true to yourself at the same time (despite cameras being everywhere) required me to do a lot of introspection. I truly believe that setting your own boundaries and learning what your non-negotiable values are is essential before signing-up to be on reality shows, since you can quickly get emotionally vulnerable within these environments. Despite these challenges, I am extremely grateful for being on these shows and it was one of the most thrilling and stimulating experiences I ever had!
Do you think that people can actually meet the love of their lives on reality TV?
While it may not be the most conventional (or easily accessible) way to find love, shows like “Love is Blind” and “Too Hot to Handle” have demonstrated that relationships can develop and thrive in (and from) a reality TV setting. I think that love can be found anywhere and everywhere (sorry for being a bit cheesy) and the same applies for meaningful relationships. Being on these shows also allowed me to get to know people that I may have not crossed paths with otherwise and I have met life-long friends on “The Circle”. After this show, I am now convinced that yes, it is possible to have true connections on reality TV.
How did it feel being the only international cast member in the Perfect Match?
It was crazier than expected! It was quite challenging at first because some of the other members already knew each other, and English is not my first language. It was not easy to convey humor (especially my humor) and flirtation in a language that I only learned when I was 18, but I guess that my French background and romanticism helped me to connect with the cast, and perhaps that’s why I received a warm welcome from the group. I am not sure if they understood all of my jokes though…thanks god for the good video montage.
Do you think that people view you differently after being on these shows?
Prior to showing my face on screen, I was not someone who shared much of my personal life or personality with people I did not know well. So yes, I would say that people got to know me a little bit more. It can be quite intimidating to show that level of vulnerability, especially when it comes to dating but I believe that vulnerability and empowerment go hand in hand. These experiences have left me paradoxically feeling more empowered despite my initial fears!
Your fashion is showcased throughout the show and especially on your Instagram, how would you describe your style?
My style is not easy to define because it seems to vary depending on where I am and how I feel. In the US, people often say that I have a very French sense of style, while inFrance, they describe it as eclectic. For me, fashion is political – it’s a way to express complex ideas in simple ways. My style reflects all the different influences that I’ve had. I’ve always admired fashion icons like Vivenne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, and Jean Paul Gaultier for their incredible vision and their ability to make fashion fun and inclusive. You can break the codes, fashion belongs to everyone!
What would you say fashion means to you?
To me, fashion is a means of self-expression. During the show, I often used fashion to convey my mood or to empower myself. Fashion is a way to connect with your inner self and the world around you.
Do you have any specific fashion inspirations?
Well, when it comes to fashion inspirations, I tend to focus more on style than on trends. I’m all about the story behind the outfit – the personality, the history, the stance. There is a French say that I love that says ‘Plutot la barbarie que l’ennui’, meaning I prefer something daring and breaking the rules than following fashion in an overly trend -focused way. For me, it’s not just about what you’re wearing, but how you wear it and which message and energy you are convening. I’m often inspired by people who exude personality and a genuine vibe/attitude in what they wear!
How do you spend your day to day life?
My day-to-day life is pretty much organized chaos at the moment. Every hour presents a new challenge! I’m currently working on a variety of projects – editorial photo shoots, content creation, running my own company (Skult), and casting for scripted shows in both Paris and Los Angeles… and everything in between. It’s a lot to juggle, but I love the variety and the opportunity to work on different things. I also do a fair amount of traveling since many of my projects are overseas. These days, I find myself splitting my time between Marrakesh, Dubai, Paris, London, and LA.
What influences you in how you live your life?
I grew up in a family with strong women who embraced their multi-faceted nature and have always rejected society’s narrow expectations. I find influences in people who with similar purpose and conviction. Whether it is the writer George Sand, Frida Kahlo, Vivienne Westwood, or more recently Angèle or Rihanna, those women all left an indelible mark on my soul by how strong, visionary and empathic they are, with a higher purpose.
I also feel impacted and humbled by the strength of the Iranian people and women especially fighting for their freedom. Their act of bravoure is something that makes me want to do more, to use my voice for those who do not have the chance I had. Those are powerful display of courage that we can all learn from!
In previous interviews you have said that you want to focus on personal projects, what are some things that you have been working on?
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been keeping quite busy with various projects lately. One thing that I am prioritizing is acting. I’ve had a deep-seated love for the craft ever since I was a child, i have done years of on-stage acting growing on and I’m excited that there may be TV roles (scripted ones this time) that could help me learn more from other women’s stories, struggles and strengths. It’s still early days, but I’m always excited to get outside of my comfort zone and explore this new avenue in my career.
Do you have any goals on what you hope to accomplish after the show airs?
I want to broaden my creative ventures, whether it is in front or behind the camera. through beauty and fashion while also exploring new opportunities in the TV and film industry. Acting has always been my passion and feminism my commitment, if I can marry both that would be incredible.
