If you’re an 80s or 90s child, odds are you grew up seeing covers and ad campaigns with supermodel Niki Taylor as frequently as we do Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner today. Niki began modeling at the age of 14 and was one of the most ubiquitous faces in fashion throughout the 90s, gracing countless runways and glossies. Things took a sharp turn, however, in 2001 when Niki found herself in a near-fatal car accident and received multiple blood transfusions, which ultimately saved her life. Now a longtime supporter of the American Red Cross, Niki is currently working with Nexcare brand for the ninth annual Nexcare Give campaign. We caught up with the mom of four to ask her our quickfire questions.
- My morning routine is… I go on a jog every morning with my dog, Buck. I tend to have the most energy first thing in the morning and I love to get a jump-start on my day before anybody else is out of bed.
- My go-to beauty product is… Too Faced primer — I’ve been wearing this for years. It goes on easily and works wonders for my skin.
- I’m dying to splurge on… my next family vacation! With summer around the corner, we’re in full planning mode and have a few fun trips lined up. It’ll be nice to spend some quality time with them.
- The best parenting advice I’ve ever received is… it’s a process — there really is no book or guide. Trust your gut!
- When I cook… I focus on healthy meals and all organic products. Having some great cookbooks around helps a lot, too!
- My fitness routine is… now that I’m back to working in bathing suits, in addition to running, my husband is really into CrossFit, so I join him. The key is to never get bored and to always look forward to exercising by keeping it fun.
- A key to overcoming hardship has been… having a good support system. I have an amazing family and friends that I’m so thankful to have by my side.
- If you looked in my fridge you’d find… plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- My advice to young models is… that the industry has changed a lot, but people are people and my main advice is: be nice to everyone and stay humble and you’ll go far.
- The one modeling moment I still can’t get over is… I would have to say my very first runway show with Thierry Mugler when I was 16. I’ve worked with amazing photographers — I always enjoy the process of how everything comes together to make a beautiful photo, it really never gets old or routine. I love going on sets.
- My favorite beauty trick is… sleep is key and remember to stay hydrated! I also don’t drink or smoke — I think that always wears on your skin.
- A tip for looking good on camera is… to try to find good lighting — pictures in the daylight are always good and don’t forget to smile.
- The best way to deal with insecurities is… you have to stay positive. It’s all about your attitude and the support system around you. For me, it’s my family.
- If my days had one extra hour… I’d spend it with my husband and kids.
- The best place I’ve ever traveled is… working and as a tourist, I am always amazed by different cultures and the natural beauty of this planet. There are a number of places I still really want to see and experience, but emotionally, my parents’ house in Florida is one of my favorite destinations — we go as a family each year, so it’s a special place for us.
- The one clothing item I can’t live without is… my wedding ring.
- The last thing I googled was… Chris Cornell. I grew up listening to him and the bands he was in and my heart just broke.
- The best piece of advice I ever got was… always be in the moment and celebrate both the big and small parts of life.
- My biggest pet peeve is… tardiness — being punctual is important to me.
- One thing I wish people knew about me is… I’d say a fun fact is that my husband and I like to ride Harley-Davidsons and go on cross-country trips.
- Giving blood is close to my heart because… it’s what saved my life years ago when I was in a car accident. You don’t think about it until you need it, but every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That’s why I work with the American Red Cross and the Nexcare Give program year after year to encourage people to roll up a sleeve and give where they live.
