Sydney Martin is the kind of woman who turns heads the moment she walks into a room. With her striking beauty, confident energy, and love for fashion, she’s as effortless in front of the camera as she is in everyday life. Bright, bold, and full of charm, she’s a name you won’t forget.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (HBZVN): Growing up in Alaska must have been a unique experience—how did your upbringing in Anchorage shape your perspective on beauty, creativity, or even ambition?
SYDNEY MARTIN: I feel so grateful to have grown up in a place that added such a unique and valuable foundation to my life. Alaska is not only a beauty unmatched, but also a divergent environment – rich with culture and opportunities to learn. I tested into the highly gifted program in second grade and had a very rigorous education where we were taught to think BIG and pursue ambitious goals. I’ve also always had this strong self-motivation and perfectionism that drives me – I was the kid who refused to get a B in school and, until middle school, I was also the only African American in my class!
My family is full of pilots, fisherfolk, gardeners, and photographers. Because of the long winters and accompanying darkness, we chose to keep busy learning and exploring my passions: figure skating, cheer, dance, violin, pageantry… and attending camps in the summer that grew my love and appreciation for Alaska’s incredibly beautiful ecosystems. Sharing my experiences with the majesty of Alaska definitely inspired me to express myself creatively… to share the wonder of what I saw through powerful visual storytelling.
And then, of course, so many iconic black women pioneers in the modeling industry inspired me to dream and create my own future: Naomi Campbell, Iman, Tyra Banks – the greats! “America’s Next Top Model” was kept on repeat as 9-year-old Sydney tried to replicate the crazy challenges (if you know you know!) So when I graduated from high school a year early and embarked on my quest to test my success in Los Angeles, I carried all these rich experiences with me.
HBZVN: What’s the one thing you miss or love most about Alaska – something that always stays with you no matter where you go?
SYDNEY MARTIN: There are a million things to miss about Alaska: the fresh salmon, the breathtaking sunsets, even just the crisp, clean air itself. But what stays with me most is the deep dedication and respect for preserving authentic culture and wildlife. I grew up surrounded by Native Alaskan traditions while also learning about my own heritage – Nigerian, German, and English – and that gave me such an appreciation for diversity.
Anchorage is a true melting pot. My high school was actually the second most diverse in the United States, so honoring roots was a part of daily life. Alaskans are explorers by nature. We travel to escape the long, dark winters, so from a young age I was always venturing out: national pageants, math competitions, even a trip to Costa Rica to live with a local family and learn Spanish. That same curious Alaskan spirit eventually led me to LA at 18.
HBZVN: From the stunning natural landscapes of Alaska to the fast-paced world of Los Angeles fashion and film, what drew you to modeling, and what did you hope to express through it?
SYDNEY MARTIN: Modeling has been, and will always be, my favorite art form. I come from a family of photographers, and my mom had me in front of a camera before I could walk. At ten, after I entered my first scholarship pageant and won, I fell completely in love with the modeling side of the competition. The photo shoots excited me in new ways, and strutting on the pageant stage felt like home. Transitioning to a fashion runway just made sense.
I graduated from high school a year early with the sole hope of using my gap year to move to Los Angeles and passionately pursue a modeling career with everything I had. Even though Alaska felt a world away from the industry, I wanted to chase my dream and TRY! For me, modeling was always about more than just beautiful pictures. It was about storytelling, about showing that dreams can be chased and realized, even against almost impossible odds. I feel so blessed to now share my art and my story through my first love, modeling, and my new passion, acting.
HBZVN: You’ve appeared in shows like Euphoria, All American, The Rookie, and Grown-ish— was there a moment on set that made you fall in love with acting even more deeply?
SYDNEY MARTIN: I realized acting was truly my calling on the set of Euphoria Season 2 in 2021.
I was originally cast as just a background party-goer, but then I ended up next to a principal actor who was already mic’d up. The director overheard me, and suddenly I was asked to improvise a scene on the spot – BOOM – my very first lines on TV and one of the most significant turning points in my life! That opportunity sparked a fire in me that hasn’t faded. I’m endlessly grateful for this career, and I will forever owe a special thanks to Angus Cloud for inspiring me to grow as an actor.
Since then, I’ve devoted myself to studying the craft, because acting isn’t just a job – it’s a joy! For me, it’s even therapeutic and healing. Stepping into another person’s shoes demands self-awareness, reflection, an understanding of the many facets of human experience, and the ability to channel them into creative expression and performance. There’s truly nothing else like acting, and it has taught me so much about both art and myself.
HBZVN: You looked stunning at Wimbledon in that plaid belted dress. So effortlessly chic! What inspired your outfit choice for such an iconic event, and how do you usually approach dressing for elegant daytime occasions like this?
SYDNEY MARTIN: I’ve always been a fashionista at heart! Back in 6th grade, for my year-long ‘Right of Passage’ project, I designed and constructed my own ‘cutting edge’ fashion line. In 2012, that was pink zebra themed, fantastic – as you can imagine! Since then, I’ve honed my personal sense of style, evolved, and still love to design and create my own pieces.
For Wimbledon, I wanted something that respected the event’s timeless elegance but felt young and fun. The belted plaid dress hit that sweet spot – classic but with a little edge. For daytime events, I go for effortless vibes: clean lines, cute fabrics, and just enough personality to keep it uniquely me. Fashion is storytelling, and I want every look to feel captivating, confident, and unapologetically myself.
HBZVN: Your Instagram feed is a beautiful mix of glamour and candid energy. How do you curate what you share, and what kind of mood or story do you try to capture through your posts?
SYDNEY MARTIN: I think of my Instagram as both a project portfolio and personal time capsule. I’ve always expressed myself visually, so photography naturally became my way of telling stories. The pictures capture the moment, but the mood, that’s something I’m very intentional about creating, and it’s always true to who I am.
Modeling, filming, acting, and producing are all skills I continue to practice and learn not just on set, but on social media as well. Of course, I share the editorial and commercial work I’m proud of, but I also love styling, shooting, and editing, my own travel and lifestyle content. For me, it’s never about just looking beautiful myself. It’s about showcasing the beauty of the places, cultures, and experiences I’m blessed enough to enjoy. Growing up in Alaska, one of the most stunning places in the world, gave me that perspective and appreciation early on.
It’s also important that my page reflects an image that brands I collaborate with can feel proud of, while still being authentic. At the end of the day, my Instagram is my life carefully curated into highlights. Every post is different, and as someone who’s neurodivergent, I thrive on the creative challenge of building something fresh each time. That process of constant innovative reinvention? I love it.
HBZVN: Having been a part of world renowned tv shows, over 40 music videos and multiple campaigns, how do you stay grounded and inspired through the constant flow of projects and creative collaborations?
SYDNEY MARTIN: For me, humility isn’t just a virtue. It’s the foundation of longevity in this industry. I’ve always believed that staying grounded starts with remembering who I am outside of all the glitz and glam, and choosing continual self-reflection and improvement.
Growing up in Alaska shaped so much of my character, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have family and friends who have known me long before my career started. They remind me daily that success is wonderful, but it doesn’t define me. It’s my relationships and values that truly anchor me, regardless of how many projects come my way.
Talent: Sydney Martin @thesydneymartin.
Photographer & stylist: Alessandra Fiorini @alessandrafioriniphotography.
Makeup: Virginia Le Fay @virginialefay.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
