Meet our 'Resilience' cover star, Māori model Lucy Rosiek

WORDS Elyssa Kostopoulos PHOTOGRAPHY Jai Odell PUBLISHED Thu, 2 Mar 2023 - 8:01 am

Lucy Rosiek is dynamite. She’s a firecracker you can’t put out. No small flame, once she’s on, she is on. It’s in her eyes – a knowing look that assures you she’s not afraid of what comes next. Even if she is. In the face of catastrophe, the proud Māori model knows how to wade her way through. She lets herself feel it all – the beauty, the pain, the resistance. It’s all part of the process, and Rosiek isn’t immune to the transformation. It’s a sign of the ultimate performer, and Rosiek is ready to put on a show.

"I'm proud to be Wahine Māori (Māori women). I often think about how hard my ancestors fought to keep our culture alive, and provide future Māori generations with opportunities past generations never had," Rosiek shared with RUSSH. "Every day, I am proud to be a descendant of such resilient people and will forever be blessed with the future they've provided me. I only hope to continue their legacy."

The first thing you should know about me is … I’ve been modelling since I was 14, and I’m a half Māori/half European, from Aotearoa (New Zealand). My Iwi’s (tribes) are Ngati Porou and Ngāi Tahu. My star sign is ... Libra. It suits me because ... I can’t make a decision to save myself. More often than not, I can also see the positives and negatives to every option I’m faced with.

My first memory of modelling is ... When I had my first ever test shoot. It was my first time being in front of a camera, I had done my own hair, makeup and styling. I was so excited, however, I remember shaking and feeling weak in my knees throughout the shoot from how nervous I was.

Speaking to RUSSH about her day on set in New York City shooting the Resilience cover story, Rosiek shared that the most memorable and empowering moment from the day was the moment they captured the cover. "That particular moment was definitely the highlight of my day. I felt so empowered shooting the cover as I kept thinking about how far I’ve come and how lucky I am to work with such talented people, and do this amazing art for a living. Definitely a photoshoot I’ll never forget!"

If I wasn’t modelling, I would be ... Studying psychology or criminal investigation. My most played song of all time is ... Going off my 2022 Spotify wrapped, it would be Everglow’s Pirate. It’s always a good song to play if you need a boost of energy and to be hyped up. My friends would describe me as ... Well, I did ask my friends and they said that I’m kind and funny but a weird individual, who takes a lot of photos of food. If I could be anywhere, I’d be ... In my whares (home) in New Zealand, probably eating take-out fish and chips, surrounded by whanau.

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Knowledge is … The ability to understand that you’ll always be learning something new.

The ultimate act of resilience is … Accepting that the journey to grow or to achieve a goal, will be a long and hard journey, which has definitely been disheartening for me sometimes. But accepting this fact, allowing people to help you, and continuing to push forward regardless, for me is the ultimate act of resilience.

To experience the Resilience issue in its entirety, the March edition of RUSSH will be available on newsstands from March 2 and through our shop online. Find a stockist near you.