Darling, You’re Different.

To some, it’s been a welcome change. Others have had more difficulty. One thing, though, seems clear: For L.A.-based model Carmella Rose, it’s been quite an adjustment. Although she has a rabid social-media following, the COVID-19 pandemic brought many of her modeling gigs to a halt. Undeterred by these setbacks, however, she has continued doing what she loves: giving back to her community and being a beacon of hope for those in need. “I feel like there is so much hurt in the world. If I could just be a little piece of light that makes the world a little brighter, it’s so worth it for me. And I hope that by doing so, more people will be inspired to do the same, as well,” she proclaims, triumphant and hopeful.

Throughout her career, Rose has done a lot to try to make the world a better place. For instance, as part of her work with UNICEF, she traveled to the Dominican Republic in 2019 to address the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates and helped raise funds for their Mothers and Babies in Good Care Initiative, which has encouraged exclusive breastfeeding to prevent neonatal and infant mortality and facilitate growth and healthy brain development.

Additionally, she has worked with Oxygen Seven Reforestation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving and restoring forests worldwide through community programs and global expeditions. Some of their programs are as simple as coming together and planting trees – which is exactly what Rose did when she participated in their program last November in Malibu, California. “This was my third time volunteering for them, and planting native trees and plants in that area,” she says. “We chose Malibu because, as many people know, the area has been struggling with wildfires over the past few years due to climate change, but by planting trees and restoring the lands, we believe it’s pumping oxygen into the air, which saves lives. Plus, it’s nice to come together with like-minded people and do something good.”

On another note, Rose is a longtime animal lover: Growing up, she was fascinated by wild animals and spent a lot of time learning about them and their homes by watching Animal Planet on television. So when she was approached with the opportunity to visit the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa this past April, she knew she couldn’t refuse. “One of my friends who is a photographer actually invited me,” she shares. “I had already been to certain parts of Africa three times, including the Serengeti, and each time I’ve gone, I’ve really fallen in love with the experience. This time, it was kind of like a random trip, but it’s something that I’m really grateful that I got to experience.” During her trip to the Kruger National Park, she went to an elephant sanctuary and met Jabulani, an elephant that was rescued by the people of the park as a baby after his parents were killed by poachers. Despite being up close and personal with Jabulani, she was amazed by the vast amount of land where Jabulani and other animals could roam free. “I was inside there and looking for fences, and I really couldn’t even see them,” she recalls. “It felt so surreal being in the home of these wild animals and observing how they live and how they are in their real habitat. It was just a really great experience to sit back and appreciate what Mother Nature created, and it weirdly felt like home.”

As for her future plans, the possibilities are endless. In addition to a new digital campaign with PETA to promote the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, Rose created a YouTube channel during the peak of the pandemic last year and plans to film more content for it and also for her TikTok page, as we strive to reach the light at the end of the COVID tunnel and travel restrictions are lifted. “I think sometimes we can be carried away with our busy lives and keeping track of other people’s lives on social media. Taking a step back and appreciating what you have, where you are, and what’s around you make you feel really grounded and grateful, so I think it’s really important to constantly be reminded of that,” she says, adding that she looks forward to each new day and takes one day at a time.

Writer: Hannah Fitzpatrick

Photographer & Videographer: Nuttia Sunittramat

Stylist: Melissa Lynn

Stylist Assistant: Ana Nazarian

Hair: Mashal Afzalzada (using Oribe)

Makeup: Edward Cruz

Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)