Melanie Campbell has modeled in Italy, New York City, Puerto Rico and Miami. Yet, her biggest concern is not what the new fall fashions are going to be, but rather how her life is going to honor Christ today.

In her early teen years, Campbell spent her time taking the direction of her photographers, wearing what they told her to and listening to their advice to reveal more skin.

Now she realizes it’s all one big lie.

“Modeling, and the entertainment industry in general brainwash you,” said Campbell. “They tell you that if you wear what they ask you to, you’ll make more money.”

Not only was that a lie, but Campbell was quickly losing respect for her body. After a series of difficult and life changing events, Campbell gave her life to Christ at the age of 20.

“When I gave my life to the Lord, it changed everything. Within weeks all my values changed. I didn’t want to please myself or others. I only wanted to please the Lord,” she said.

One big change that came with her new life in Christ was her wardrobe. She explained that she no longer felt the need to wear revealing clothes, but rather her goal was to please God in what she wears.

“Modesty is pleasing to the Lord, and it makes me feel better about myself. Not only is it beautiful to cover up, but it’s beautiful to the Lord,” she said.

Campbell encourages girls, especially teens, to turn away from the media’s idea of beauty, and realize that it’s false beauty.

“Girls want to feel validated,” said Campbell. “They want to please someone and feel loved, when the only one who can fill that void is Christ.”

Campbell strongly exhorts women to cover up, even when peer pressure makes it tough. Campbell was briefly part of the television show, Arizona’s Next Top Model, and felt the pressure of the entertainment industry to be unbearable.

“During the swimsuit portion of the competition they took points from me because I wanted to wear a spaghetti strap top over my bathing suit. One of the judges actually questioned whether I should be eliminated from the competition because I refused to remove the shirt,” said Campbell. She soon left the show.

Campbell, now 22, continues to do local modeling, but says that her work load has decreased “tremendously” since she gave her life to the Lord.

While Campbell said it is difficult being a Christian in the modeling world she said, “I’m okay with that because I know I’m pleasing Christ.”

Even though her work load is lighter, Campbell still knows a thing or two about fashion. In fact, Campbell gives her suggestions for fall: look for empire waist blouses, high-waisted belts, sweater dresses and tall boots to add to your wardrobe. If you don’t have money to spend on new clothes, try accessories.

“You can make an outfit fashionable with accessories. You don’t have to buy new clothes every season, because you would be buying new clothes every week,” said Campbell.

© 2008 Good News Tucson™