After living in Japan for a few years, I thought I had seen everything. Tokyo had already changed my life—modeling, adventure, late nights in Roppongi. But one night, everything shifted. I met a man I had never expected to fall for. He was Japanese, but not like anyone I had met before—tall, about 6’2”, quiet, strong, and standing just a little apart from the crowd. He worked as the driver and bodyguard for a man named Kenji… someone I knew was connected to the Yakuza. And somehow, it was love at first sight. At the time, I didn’t realize the full weight of what that meant. I just knew there was something different about him. Years later, when he came to America with me, he told me something that stayed with me forever. He thanked me. He said bringing him to the United States had helped him escape a life he never really wanted—the world of the Yakuza. Sometimes the biggest turning points in life don’t feel dramatic in the moment. Sometimes they start with one glance… across a coffee shop in Roppongi.

Sometimes when we look back at our lives, we can see a moment where everything quietly shifted. For me, there were moments like stepping into the modeling world so young, or later realizing I had a lifetime of stories that needed to be written. At the time those moments don’t always feel big. Sometimes they’re just a decision, a meeting, a place you went, or a person you met. But later you realize that moment changed the direction of your life. Do you have a moment like that? A moment when your path began to change? Aurelia is opening another page in the archive today. 🦉 One of the early moments that quietly changed my path. Makeup by Beth Katz, 1985.

I doing a LIVE spotlight interview with Rachel from Australia — the owner of The School Bookshop! This truly feels like such a joy and a full-circle moment for me, and I would absolutely love for you to join me there. We’ll be talking about my book, the journey behind it, and the power of showing up and sharing our stories. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of writing a memoir — or if you just want to come celebrate with me — I hope you’ll be there. Your support means everything, and I’m so grateful to be walking this path alongside all of you. I can’t wait to see familiar names and faces in the live. 💛 …save the spot in your heart for it.

I’m currently writing an anime-inspired memoir series called I Escaped Hollywood, Barely. Adventures of an American Model in Japan. It’s being created in real time inside my private e-book club within my skool community, Free Fallin 1989—where readers can follow along as I write, share thoughts, and be part of the journey from first draft to finished series. Right now, membership to read along is $7 as an early supporter rate. As the series grows, that price will rise to $17, but I wanted to open this chapter gently, for those who love stories in the making. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes creativity, serialized storytelling, and watching a book come to life, you’re warmly invited 🤍 👉📖https://www.skool.com/free-fallin-1989-1364/about

The Book Shop Spotlight! It is an HONOR! I am excited to be interviewed Live from Australia by the owner of The Skool Book Shop!