about me

2025

Stand back!! I'm having a rock star moment.

Heh. 

Yeah, I'm Mel. Mel Kobayashi - like Bond, James Bond, but not. 

I'm a Roadrunner Tasmanian Devil in Vancouver, Canada. I'm also 62 right now and just ramping up. For what? For more modeling, what a blast, and doing commercials, also a blast, with awesome food services that include hot food choices. 

Modeling is hard, hard work. I say that partly seriously, partly not. I started doing this in my mid-50s. My biggest challenge is to keep my eyes open when I smile, but not too open or I look like I've just spotted the last chocolate on a buffet table or been bitten by a zombie. Which are also lewks. 

I don't know how to walk, as in catwalk. Sure, I walk, the Mel Walk (read about it HERE), and I am absolutely game to do that for ANY big brand. Have your people contact my people - Lizbell Agency and Pamela Wise. (I can't believe I have people. Hahaha.) I could do a modelly walk with practice. My hybrid Zoolander face is ready, although pursing my lips and/or pouting requires SERIOUS LIGHTING, acting and makeup. 

I've been flashed on screens around the world. For whole seconds at a time! I was once in a trailer at movie theatres across Canada (I missed it) and on Toronto's biggest billboard (missed that too, dang!!). If the real Mel is impressive, imagine me a kabillion-meters high. Uh, no, don't. And I've been in digital and print stuff. There one minute, gone the next. 

I am also an artist - which I still find so weird to say about myself. What I mean is I see the world through my own Mel lens and translate that vision into what I wear, photos, videos, paintings and sketches, and what I write. 

I play wherever I find space to play. Lately, I've moved back into "the box." That place "outside the box" is super-duper crowded with people wandering around power-thinking. So I've crept back in there - it's so empty it echos. I'm going to pull down the lid, lock the door and redecorate. It's mine now. 

 

I sell my visual art pieces once in a while, have had shows, but mostly I post my work on Instagram. I take my own photos/videos unless I'm hanging out with friends and we do a collab, or if I do a "creative" collab with other photographers, makeup/hair artists and stylists. Each partnership is an exciting ride.

Finally, I am into encouraging people of all ages to dig deep and amplify their core rock star vibe. It's not really a rock star or necessarily bright colours; it's just that BAM!!, that energy that makes you tingle inside. That's rock star. 

My latest adventures took off intensively my early/mid 50s, so I know it's never too late to free ourselves. When you're new to it, it starts with the BRAIN, intention, and leeches out from there. Then the emotion takes over, the tingle, and it's time to strap ourselves in. Hold on.

Thanks for dropping by!! 

Happy trails!

Mel