From humble beginnings in Calgary, to the cover of Italian Vogue, Lisa Cant epitomized the doe-eyed ingénue of the early noughties. With campaigns for Chanel, Akris, Juicy Couture and Daks under her belt, Lisa stepped back from the limelight to attend university. Now a mother, Lisa balances her new role with the new challenges that brings. Emily Sandberg and I caught up with Lisa to find out what she’s up to these days.
What went through your mind when you were approached in Ikea to try modeling?
I was pretty surprised – I’d never thought of modeling before that moment. I never imagined that it would take me this far.
After six years of modeling successfully you decided to enroll at Columbia University. What was the trigger for this decision and how did you maintain balance?
I was just looking to do something different. I wanted a challenge and thought that university would be incredibly enlightening – which it was. I definitely had to cut back on traveling and working. I probably could have done a better job of finding time for work, but I became very involved in my studies and rarely wanted to miss classes, so I turned down a lot of potential jobs. I felt like it was the right thing for me at the time as I wanted to do my best in university.
You are involved with The Model Alliance. What was the impetus for making this decision?
Sara Ziff, the founder, approached me and asked if I would write an essay about going back to school. We were both in Columbia at the time and she wanted a model’s perspective about the challenges of balancing modeling and studies.
What have you discovered about yourself through modeling?
I learned that I can be patient. Modeling takes a lot of patience, you are primped all day at work, sometimes longer than you are even shooting.
What are your goals for the future?
I would like to keep an open mind for the future. I don’t have any concrete plans and no specific goals at the moment, which I enjoy.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I had a baby last year; little Charlie is the center of my life.
What advice would you give to someone about to embark on a modeling career?
To be persistent. I was rejected by a lot of agencies before I began working. If someone really wants it they need to try smaller markets and just keep working at it.
What are you most grateful for?
The love of my family.
What was the last book you read?
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters. Makes me want to go to Italy in the 1960s.
What last made you cry?
I’m not much of a crier – definitely not in movies.
Favorite board or card game?
Scattergories
Gamble or invest?
A bit of both.
List three things you are grateful for right now.
The love of my family, the opportunity to spend most days with my son and my health.
Lisa Cant is represented by Trump
