Some people take years to understand what they truly want to pursue in life, and some end up discovering their passions early on. Switching from one profession to another is often a difficult choice to make. Model, writer, and actor Kaki West Swid is no stranger to making meaningful career transitions. After becoming a hugely successful model, she decided to pursue writing as she treads in the footsteps of her father and brother before her.
West Swid has established herself as a renowned model on fashion runways, magazine covers, and print. She has been featured on the covers of publications, such as Harper’s Bazaar FHM, Maxim, GQ, Esquire, and several others. Since she began her modeling career at the tender age of 14, she has reached the pinnacle of her field rather early. Now, she has turned her gaze inwards and decided to pursue writing. She shares, “I’ve reached a point in my life, where happiness and fulfillment are what I seek most. My father and brother were both accomplished authors, so it was only a matter of time before I followed in their footsteps. After all, writing is in my blood.”
After studying at Whittier College with a major in Theatre Arts and Communication, she pursued her modeling career under the guidance of her mother, former model, Kate West. Kaki is currently working as a New York Times author and even wrote her first screenplay, which is being considered by the streaming giant, Netflix. Embracing her penchant for word play, she has shifted into literary pursuits. Elaborating on the change, she says, “It is essential to learn, grow, and evolve as we move forward. Now, I am building on my passion for writing and hope to emulate my father and brother’s greatness.”
West Swid, along with her husband Scott, is an active philanthropist. She has done a great deal to support organizations, such as Wounded Warrior Project, USO, and the Henry Street Settlement of NYC, among others. She advocates animal rights and believes that helping the less fortunate is a vital responsibility that falls upon us all. Despite being the daughter of Bing West, a renowned author and politician, and enjoying immense success early on, she remains humble, aware, and dedicated to her craft.
