Talking With Tess Annique: the Inspirational Model, Influencer, Entrepreneur, and Health and Wellness Icon

For model and influencer Tess Annique, being an expert in all things fashion, fitness, and wellness is in her DNA. A model since she was 15, Annique’s career in the industry includes everything from signing with Elite Model Management and working with Cosmopolitan, to being a famed influencer and having an Instagram account with over 30,000 followers. Beyond her work as a full-time model, Annique is also a wellness advocate, sharing powerful and worthwhile tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Most recently, Annique launched her own website, adding entrepreneur to her long list of impressive accomplishments. Keep an eye out for Tess Annique — the mesmerizing model, iconic influencer, and extraordinary entrepreneur who uses her platform to share health, wellness, and fitness tips, demonstrating every day that she truly is beautiful on the inside and out. 

“My childhood was wonderful,” Annique reflects. “I grew up in sunny California. A European home in a California beach town. I was a very happy kid.” Annique, a first generation American, reflects fondly on her experiences growing up with European influences. “I loved growing up in a European household,” she shares. “My entire extended family still lives in Germany. The combination of European and American influence was amazing. The way I ate growing up was very European: soft-boiled egg for breakfast, French bread and prosciutto, or pretzel bread with butter and salt. My favorite European influences have always been in the kitchen!” 

In addition to having great memories of some of her favorite foods, in recalling her childhood, Annique also notes being drawn to fashion at an early age. “I loved fashion as a kid,” Annique explains. “My mother was always impeccably dressed. She designed and

sewed these beautiful clothes; she was always so creative.” A few years beyond that, Annique realized a few more of her passions. “My passion for fitness and wellness grew at a much later age,” she shares. “As a kid, I always loved sports. I played volleyball growing up and absolutely loved it. At 16, I had to choose between working in LA for fashion or playing volleyball for my high school team. I remember it being the hardest decision at the time, I chose working in fashion.”

Indeed, around that same time, the world of fashion called out to Tess Annique. “I remember signing with Elite Model Management in LA,” she reflects. “It was so different than how it is now. There was no social media. You had to be tall and within these certain measurements.” Soon after that, Annique landed her first modeling job: working with Cosmopolitan. “I got it through my agency,” Annique says of booking the job. “It was so fun! There were ten or so models for a bunch of different editorials and features. One day we were shooting at a hotel in Santa Monica, the next day at a house in Hollywood Hills. I was 15 at the time, so my mom had to be with me on set, but it was such a fun, large production! I loved it.”

Flash forward to three years ago, when Annique decided to prioritize her mind and body; making the decision to go fully sober. “Getting sober is a very personal decision,” Annique explains. “It only works when you decide you’ve had enough. I was feeling miserable. My life was out of control. I was feeling beyond hopeless, and I just knew I had to make a change. The only way I could become the person I knew I wanted to be was without drugs or alcohol. I met my now fiancé at treatment. We reconnected six months or so later. We both live a sober, healthy lifestyle and it makes all the difference to have someone who also walks the path you’re on.”

Today, Annique works as a full-time model, influencer, and wellness advocate — a profession that provides her great creative opportunity. “No two days are the same,” Annique says of her daily schedule. “I always try to work out and move my body. Some days that’s a walk, other days it’s a 2 hour gym session. I’ve shifted a lot of time recently into producing content instead of consuming it. I’ve seen such a great shift. I’m huge on making lists and tackling projects bit-by-bit. I have my hand in so many different pots now so to speak. If I’m physically organized, it helps me becoming mentally organized.”

Annique is doing more than just producing content; indeed, she is an expert entrepreneur and the visionary behind her website Wellness With Tess. “I came up with the idea during COVID,” Annique says of launching the site. “I had so many women who had never gone to treatment or weren’t sober, asking me questions about self-care: both mental and physical. The pandemic obviously took a toll on everyone. There’s a lot of vulnerability that comes with treatment or twelve step programs, that perhaps people aren’t accustomed to. I wanted to share the knowledge I’ve gained with other women so they too could live fuller, larger lives. I learned how to code and make a website. I did it all myself, so I’m sure there are some things that could be better. But not too bad for a first go!” 

In reality, the website is significantly better than “not too bad” — complete with a phenomenal aesthetic, creative blog, helpful resources, health and wellness tips, and health coaching options. “It’s been incredible,” Annique says of working hands-on with clients. “I love working with other women, specifically younger women who are just starting out on their own. I love seeing them implement small changes into their daily lives that yield large results, where they feel empowered about the life they live and the choices they make.” Additionally, working with clients also serves as an excellent inspiration source for Annique’s blog content. “It comes from my day-to-day life or conversations I have with friends or clients and I think, ‘Oh! That would make a great post,’” she says of where she gets ideas for her blog. “I love doing the recipes and sharing that with others and seeing people recreate them! I’m hoping to do a full cookbook soon.”

Annique is in a powerful position in her life: her perspectives on the past are perceptive, and her plans for the future are promising. There are countless more exciting projects in the future for Annique. Fans can look forward to “more in depth guides and how-tos on Wellness With Tess launching this fall,” she shared. As for goals: “I would love to make a nonalcoholic wine,” Annique says. “That’s such a dream.” As she reflects on her journey of prioritizing her mind, body, and health, she shares what she wishes she knew when she was first embarking on this new chapter of her life. “I wish I believed in myself a little more when I was younger,” Annique says. “I was very impressionable, a little naïve. I used to center such a large part of my life around being social. But at the end of the day, nobody really cares if you went to the party. If you have a few solid friends you can trust and be vulnerable with, you’ve won the lotto.”

In the last year and half, as society and its industries continued to evolve and change with a new reality, Tess Annique did, too. “I definitely started producing more of my own work from home,” she says of how the pandemic impacted her career. “I turned my office into a studio and started working with brands directly, shooting social media content for them. I took the chance to work with people I care about and shoot some incredible content! I had more creative control which I loved.”

Perhaps one of the most catching traits of Tess Annique is her ability to inspire others, be it on her wellness blog, on her Instagram, or on the runway. Fittingly, the ever-inspirational Annique cites Melissa Wood Health as her own personal inspiration. “She’s such an inspiration in the wellness space,” Annique explains. “I love Izabel Goulart for fashion and streetstyle. I love Hailey Bieber for her faith and heart of gold, and ability to stay grounded through all her success.” Furthermore, Annique herself is inspiring because of her outlook and motivational nature. Indeed, if she could personally tell every single one of her followers one thing, it would be “you will never regret treating your body well. You’ve only got one.” Moreover, she is inspiring in that her industry experience — much like her knowledge — is vast. “I’ve had some true up and downs with working in fashion,” Annique reflects. “I’ve started young. I’ve left. I’ve come back. But what was most rewarding was this past Miami Swim Week. In 2017 I did swim week but was at such a low point in my life, I felt horrible in mind, body, and soul. It showed. I didn’t book any shows. I partied, stayed out late, and treated my body horribly. I got sober shortly after. This past July, I went to Miami for Swim Week and walked three shows in a day. I was completely sober and present and it felt beautiful.” 

Model, health and wellness expert, fashion icon, entrepreneur — Tess Annique has done it all. Her success all across the industry speaks for itself, and she is only just getting started. “Fashion is a fun way to express yourself: your mood, how you’re feeling,” Annique says. “I think wellness isn’t just mental wellness, but physical as well. I love how fashion brings out my creative side. I love taking something like fitness clothing and elevating it to a fashionable moment.” Tess Annique is a model in every sense of the word. She is a full-time fashion model, sporting the newest looks and designs; and also a role model, demonstrating everyday how to live a healthier life. “Take inventory,” Annique says to those hoping to cleanse their lifestyle in a manner similar to her. “See what’s working for you, see what’s not. Ask yourself what changes you’d like to see. I’m a big believer in vision boards. I make one every New Year’s Eve. It really helps me take on each year feeling empowered. The power of visualization and manifestation is real. Each year I’m so taken aback by how many of those things came true.”

Meet the Author

Ashley Vitarelli is an aspiring writer currently majoring in Film & Television at Boston University. She is the Head Writer of Bay State, the longest-running college soap opera in the country, and is also a writer for BUTV10’s sitcom The News. In addition, she is a writer for two satirical newspapers at Boston University. Ashley is the co-creator and co-host of Alligator Pitch, an interview series focused on sharing advice from business professionals to help women get their start in the entertainment industry.