Meet Kimbra Hickey: "The Hands of Twilight"
By Praise SantosSunday, Oct. 25, 2009
OTownStyle.com met with hand model Kimbra Hickey--also known as "The Hands of Twilight"--when she was in Orlando for the EyeCon Florida Twilight Convention. Kimbra's famous cover gig has been described as the Sport Illustrated modeling gig of all hand modeling gigs. She's a pretty big deal. Ms. Hickey divulges with us how she snagged the job, her Orlando experiences, and the shock of finding a hand twin.
OTownStyle.com: How did you get your start in modeling?
Kimbra Hickey: The Learning Annex in NYC offered a class on "How to Become a Parts Model"--that's where I was discovered by an agent. I went to get my hands, feet, and legs professionally photographed and soon after, the auditions and bookings started coming in.
OTS.com: What was going through your mind when you were auditioning for the "hands" role for the Twilight book?
KH: At the time of the audition for Twilight--remember, this was five years ago--I had no idea what this new up-and-coming book was going to turn into. I was told the shoot was a cover photo for a teenage vampire romance called Twilight.
OTS.com: What are your thoughts about the Twilight sensation?
KH: It's awesome! The Twilight saga has created something wonderful for so many people of all ages. I sometimes hear from moms that their children had no interest in reading until Twilight came along. That's fantastic!
OTS.com: How do you like Orlando?
KH: I actually went to Disney World yesterday and saw Mickey Mouse. When I told him who I was, he giggled and jumped up and down! [laughs and points to picture] I joke and tell people, 'This is Mickey Mouse, Hickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse.'
OTS.com: What is a typical day in the life of hand model? Manicures, finger exercises?
KH: I have to always be sure my hands and feet are camera-ready. Fresh manicures and pedicures and moisturizing will do the trick! I usually hang out at the studio while the photographer and crew are setting up for my shots. It's the one job you can go to and get paid to put your feet up! Haha.
OTS.com: What other brands have you promoted with your photogenic fingers?
KH: I work with Avon, Target, Maybelline, and Nokia to name a few.
OTS.com: Do you do hand modeling full time? If not, what is your day job?
KH: I'm actually a massage therapist in New York City. I work a lot with my hands!
OTS.com: From YouTube-ing, I keep on coming across world famous hand model, Ellen Sirot. What do you think of her and her habits like no hand shakes and wearing gloves all the time?
KH: Are you talking about the interview when she was on The Big Idea? Yeah, she seems like a nice person, but she makes the rest of us seem so weird!
OTS.com: Have you ever been noticed on the street? Can you describe a time when you had a crazy fan encounter?
KH: Yes, I've been recognized on the street by Twilight fans who already know what I look like. They're cool fans; no crazy encounters. I appreciate it when they see me and come over to say hello!
OTS.com: Have you ever seen the C.S. Lewis "A Guide to Live By" book cover? Call me crazy but it reminds me of something! What do you think?
KH: Yes, I've walked by it many times at Borders. It haunts me every single time! That image is so incredibly similar to the famous Twilight cover; I did a double take when I first saw it. Who's the lucky hand model that was chosen to hold an apple on a C.S. Lewis book cover? Call me crazy, but I have a hand twin!
For more on Kimbra Hickey and "The Hands of Twilight" visit her at www.myspace.com/kimbranyc
