Amy Taylor: California's Golden Babe

From being an epitome of beauty and brains, to accepting the new-age concepts of fashion, she is ruling the industry with her stunning photo shoots featuring her curvaceous fantasies. Amy Taylor is also a commercial pilot, a member of MENSA, and has received an undergraduate degree in MBA from Berkeley. What else can anyone ask for in a woman? Carrying a flowing mane of mysteriously dark brown hair and set of piercing blue eyes, she would stop any man in his tracks.

We’re sure you would be wondering where to find this perfect woman? Born in Nittany Lion Country, Pennsylvania, and raised in California, since the age of five, Amy can be found enjoying the sunny skies, flying, keeping fit at her gym, or at the beach playing with her dog, when she is not posing in front of the camera. Despite being eternally fiery, the diva doesn’t focus too much on these looks in daily life. She has always known that they’d fade someday, and that the inside of a person is sexier than any hot shell could ever be. Listen to her untold story as she takes us through her incredible journey in an exclusive interview.

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How excited were you to shoot this Cover feature?

I was very much thrilled! It was a blessing to shoot with a talented and creative crew, who created beautiful images that I hope people will enjoy, particularly in these difficult times. I feel lucky to be one of the few entities on social media not trading in rage, bad news, and other negative topics. Rather, I just want to be a source of fun, happiness and beauty, to the extent I’m able. FHM offered me this opportunity to do that again and I’m so grateful to them.

If you weren’t a model, what would you be?

I’d be the other things. I am...a pilot, a daughter, a girlfriend, a businesswoman, and another flawed soul just trying to do my best every day. I’m content with my choices, including all of those I have.

What is your definition of fashion?

Fashion is escapism. It can make the day a little happier. It’s a release from the struggle of life. It’s a way to feel more like what you’d like to be, and it’s a way to present yourself to the world and send a message about what you’d like to be thought of. These days, fashion is often a statement and message, a way of showing what you care about. It’s a wordless communication method. It’s often a form of protection (I like to wear baggier clothing that hides my shape when I want men to leave me alone, for example), quite literally these days with masks. And of course, it’s often a celebration of history and tradition, tying us to the past and our ancestors (I have some of my grandmother’s clothing, in my closet to commemorate her beautiful, stylish life, for instance).

What has been your favorite experience that shaped who you are right now?

Living in Berkeley, California. Not only was I around the most brilliant thinkers with beautiful priorities in this world, but I was also taught to use my gifts (work ethic, mental acuity, sense of justice) to try to make this world a better place, not just to think about myself. Berkeley changed me forever, and though I continue to evolve, I’m so grateful for the chance to have lived in the moral center of the progressive universe. It’s a special place which had a great impact on the way I see this world. It has made me a better person.

What is the importance you attach to fitness in your daily routine? Has the pandemic left an impact on your workout regime as well?

Fitness is a huge part of my life. I have a trainer, and I eat very healthily when home (so that I can eat and drink whatever I like when out socializing!). It’s part of my job to have a great body, and because I’m a pilot it also helps me pass my aviation medical exams with flying colors, to stay as healthy as I can. The pandemic prevented me from going to the gym for a while, but things are coming back to normal (safely, of course), so I’m back at it. For me, fitness is also mental healthcare. It reduces my anxiety which is particularly important these days when there’s a stressful situation outside, and helps me feel happier.

When you first started out, were there any major obstacles or setbacks you had to overcome?

Yes, of course. There are many people who try to take advantage of the situation when we try to start as a young model. I don’t know any model who hasn’t experienced this. The world would rather ignore the abuse than create better laws to keep models safe. I’m not sure whether that’s because of hate or envy, but it’s a shame. Even in recent years, I’ve had photographers and editors throw tantrums about my lack of submissive obedience, but I’m happy being an empowered, in-charge model. This world is full of men who want women to be quiet and obeying, but I’m thrilled to see times change. Even models, largely young women without power or money, stand up and demand respect and rights. However, there’s still a LOT of work to be done in this space.

How do you like to spend your fun time?

Staying fit, traveling, flying, cooking, playing piano, and enjoying my little furry dog.

Are you planning to visit India?

Yes, as soon as I can! I’ve been to the North and absolutely loved it. It was simply magical. India is easy to fall in love with. It’s a spectacular country full of wonderful people and experiences. I badly want to see more of India, and plan to visit the South as soon as the world gets back to normal...can’t happen soon enough.

Describe how your typical day would look like.

On days I’m home, it begins with walking my dog, having some coffee, and checking work messages. I’ll then go to my trainer, then return home to work on the computer for a while. I may have social plans in the evening, or just relax and read or watch. While on other days, I might fly, and still other days I’m traveling somewhere in the world. It just depends! I don’t have a pre-planned daily schedule, and I like it that way. I get bored pretty easily.

What is the most exciting thing about being a model?

Being able to work with brilliant, creative people and seeing what they create. I’m not stylish, I’m not good at makeup or hair, and I don’t see the way they do. But their abilities fascinate me. It’s a lovely way to get to peek into another culture, and learn from people who are unlike me. I’ve spent my entire life trying to learn as much as I could, and modeling is just another thing I’ve been lucky to learn.

Amid a hectic work schedule, how do you take care of your beauty essentials?

Beauty essentials, for me, comprises just staying as healthy and as happy as I’m able. True beauty comes from within. I do all that I can to reduce stress, steer clear of toxic people and information, and get sleep/stay fit/generally keep my body healthy. Beyond that, I use all the fancy creams and other items. I am not sure whether it’s the key or not, though, as some of the most beautiful women I know use very basic skin/hair/body care. It’s not always about money; it’s about the way you live. These are hard times in which to attain the self-care one needs; I’m pretty serious about keeping my life and mind healthy. It’s not always possible, but I do my best. For me, self-care is essential. For beauty, and for health.

What are your future plans?

To try to navigate the rest of this pandemic as sanely as possible, haha! And then to travel, to age gracefully, to still model if it’s appropriate or retire if that’s what strikes my fancy at that time. To move closer to family, eventually and probably, and to keep love and joy in my life in all the ways I currently do (friends, lovers, dog, all that). I take it day by day...as they say, “Man plans and God laughs”. So I’ve been trying to release control and surrender a little, not knowing exactly what life has in store for me. Not always easy to digest, but I suppose, the revelation of the future is the adventure that makes life worth living!

Date of Birth

December 24, 1978

A celebrity crush

Eric Bana

Your favourite cheat meal?

Pasta, preferably with shaved white truffles

Mean Girls or Sherlock?

Mean Girls

Chocolates or ice candies?

Chocolates

Favourite books and authors?

Anything science, physics above all other disciplines, and Brian Greene in particular.

A man with money or drop dead gorgeous looks?

Money. Looks fade and can be bought with money. But above both of those, personality. Nothing else matters more.

Favourite holiday destination

Anywhere to which I haven’t yet been. South of India is on my bucket list! As is the rest of the Middle East (I’ve only been to Dubai), Africa, Antarctica, the North Pole, and heaps of other places. There’s so much of the world which I still want to see, and so many people and cultures about which I still want to learn.

One thing without which you cannot leave the house?

These days, the stupid-but-necessary-I-guess mask.

A quote which describes you

What you seem, be really.

You have an OCD for...

Tidiness. I hate chaos, either in people or in places. It gives me anxiety when people or spaces are messy, scattered, sloppy. I like discipline and neatness.

Your biggest fear?

That the world won’t continue to trend toward rights and justice for all stigmatized groups. That hate will triumph and that the darkest parts of people will be so deliciously addictive to those who are evil. I’m also fearful that this part of us will destroy the progress toward diversity and kindness for which this world has fought hard.

The sexiest and biggest turn-offs in men?

I find power, calm, elegance, luxury, and health sexy in men. I find pettiness, argumentativeness, laziness, ADHD and lack of loyalty huge turn offs in men.

One thing you would like to change about the world?

I’d like to be able to get rid of tribalism and all that comes with it. When people create ingroups and outgroups, the most ugly, psychotic behaviours and harms occur. If we could see our differences in more tolerant lights, this world would be far better.

Last words for our readers...

More love, less hate.

From the October 2020 issue of FHM India.