Alexis Ren finds her true self in her next role: actress.

Styled by Jordan Gross, Hair by Joseph Maine, Makeup by Jenna Kristina. Alessandra Rich bodysuit, alessandrarich. com; D’Orazio earrings, doraziopr.com; Le Vian ring, levian.com. Styled by Jordan Gross Hair by Joseph Maine Makeup by Jenna Kristina

As we begin this interview, I ask you to forget everything you may think you know about Alexis Ren (@alexisren). While we all remember and admired her glorious travels around the world and her meteoric rise to social media fame like we’d never seen before, the woman I speak to today is not the same person that we knew and loved in 2015. While she is still just as beautiful, kind and inspiring, she is so much more. And her recent entry into the world of acting solidifies that.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my afternoon chat with Ren over the phone, it’s that she’s deeply spiritual and extraordinarily in tune with herself and those around her. Because of this, her stepping into the role of (the coincidentally named) Lexis in her upcoming film, The Enforcer, is not only thrilling but a natural progression for the star. Alongside a legendary cast that includes Antonio Banderas and Kate Bosworth, Ren made her film debut in late September to much anticipation.

“It is a very organic and natural transition to move to acting, but for so long I fought it—I don’t even know why. Maybe because I’m from L.A. and I felt like everyone was an actor. But I’ve wanted to be so much more than just pushed into the ‘influencer’ category that remained for so many years—I feel like I’ve held a grudge over that perception of me for so long because it made it so hard for me to be respected in the modeling industry,” she shares.

After some time, the idea of acting grew on her, and she began to pursue a career in the field, taking acting lessons for over three years before landing the role in The Enforcer.

“I realized acting is connected a lot with regulating your nervous system, being present, having a connection with God in that way. It’s a very spiritual experience because you have to get out of your own way in order to let whatever’s supposed to happen happen,” she says.

One of the struggles, however, was getting that first big role. As she notes, it was almost like a Catch-22—people want someone fresh, but they also want someone with experience who has been recognized in other bodies of work. However, as a true believer in fate and things lining up that are meant to be, the team behind the film wanted to take a risk on the casting—making Ren the perfect fit for Lexis.

“I think some people use acting to get really close to themselves, and other times they use it to get away from themselves. For me, it’s the former. I think that’s where authenticity shines, but there’s no right or wrong. So I kind of used that as the tool to move forward with this project—I didn’t even know who was attached to it, just that when I heard that they wanted to take a risk, it was the perfect fit for me.”

She found herself relating to her character in some ways, which she honed in on to shine through the role.

“Lexis had a really hard upbringing, but her looks kind of got her to a place of safety, although she wasn’t actually safe. She’s not in a good spot, but her heart is really open. She’s still this amazing person. Just to see a woman go through so much—be in a bad situation with bad people and still have such a strong, open heart spoke to me. I see myself in her in that way— I’ve been through a lot, but I continue to believe that as long as you keep your heart open, things will work out in the end,” she shares.

Ren’s life was completely upended following the passing of her mother, who was her best friend. She tragically died of colon cancer in 2014, sending Ren into a very dark period of time in her life. But years later, Ren is able to channel her mother and her guidance in her daily life, and has now looked at her death in a different way—one that allows her to channel emotions and bring them to life through the art of acting.

“I have to thank my mom for opening my heart up like that, because after she passed away, I’ve been able to use her as a tool,” she says. “No matter what moment or location I’m in, I just like to tune into my mom and listen to music that triggers those darker emotions—I can open my heart really, really quickly. I wasn’t able to do that before my mom passed away. I feel like everything was really aligned for me to be able to do this.”

Versace jacket, top, skirt, necklace and bracelet, versace.com; D’Orazio earrings, doraziopr.com. Styled by Jordan Gross Hair by Joseph Maine Makeup by Jenna Kristina

“That’s kind of what acting has become for me—instead of feeling shame for my emotions, I put it all into the character.”

She continues, “Sometimes, when I’m acting and it’s a really draining scene, my body can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not. So I would have this very emotional experience and I’d be so confused because I’m like, ‘It’s OK, body. It’s not real.’ But it’s also beautiful and cathartic because it feels good, right? I always joke that I have so much emotion, it’s great to be paid for it!,” she laughs. “We can all relate, when you’re holding in a cry all day, letting it out is a healing experience. It feels amazing. That’s kind of what acting has become for me—instead of feeling shame for my emotions, I put it all into the character.”

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Outside of her acting career, Ren has also used this strength to empower others through her wellness community, We Are Warriors. In 2017, Ren shares with me that she made an iPhone note (the diary to the inner workings of her mind, she notes) that she wanted to create a community where she could speak to young girls once a week and help them. Fast-forward to 2020, and Ren started a workout program for girls who were confined in lockdown and seeking somewhere to go. Through this digital community, she was able to connect with a whole new group of friends and make an impact on each of their lives.

We Are Warriors was born, eventually growing into a learning platform where girls could find the tools needed in their lives that they weren’t getting in school—self-awareness, nervous system regulation, biohacking, taxes, finance, investing, credit cards— you name it. She partnered with her god sister, Allie Michelle, who is a certified yoga teacher and focuses on craniosacral healing and breath work, while Ren targets self-awareness work, trauma reaction and helping girls understand why they are the way they are.

“I want them to realize they don’t have to be stuck in this identity if they don’t want to. I want to teach them to learn how to understand your emotions, your subconscious thoughts and where they’re coming from, controlling your reactions—this is the foundation of who you are,” she shares.

With this community, she again channels her mother to bring her best self forward to help others.

“She was my mentor and my therapist. She was also very spiritual. She taught me a lot very early on. I was too young to even realize how much she taught me, but looking back now, I realize the path she left for me to finish. We Are Warriors is a manifestation of that because I always wanted to share what my mother did for me with other people.”

Another thing about Ren that you should know is that she doesn’t want your sympathy. She’s come to terms with consistently being typecast as “the pretty girl,” which she acknowledges is nothing to complain about. However, she’s longed for people to see her in a more substantial way and allow her talents to shine through. Her gradual digression on social media has helped her accomplish this.

Etro top and bottom, etro.com; Flake tights, flake.com; D’Orazio earrings, doraziopr.com; Le Vian ring, levian.com. Styled by Jordan Gross Hair by Joseph Maine Makeup by Jenna Kristina

“It took me a long time to realize this, but social media is a tool, it’s not a career,” she shares. “My mental health was hit really hard growing up, because I looked at it as the end-all-be-all. Social media became a black hole because you can never satisfy it. You can never fill it. You’re totally at the whim of this algorithm that keeps forever changing according to people’s preferences. It’s really not a good thing to base your self-worth on.”

Etro top and bottom, etro.com; Flake tights, flake.com; D’Orazio earrings, doraziopr.com; Le Vian ring, levian.com. Styled by Jordan Gross Hair by Joseph Maine Makeup by Jenna Kristina

She continues, “The evolution for me has been that I am going to use it rather than having it use me. I’m not going to care deeply about how many likes I get or how many comments, because it doesn’t matter. The transition has been scary and hard, because to be honest with you, I only really valued myself on my looks for a very long time. Like, as long as I look good, we’re all fine. I’ll be safe. It was only very recently that, in the last couple of years, I see that I have more to offer and I can acknowledge my looks that I’ve been given but also realize that can only get you so far— society may deem me pretty, but I can only utilize that tool to a certain extent. Same as if you’re pretty but a terrible person, or talented but a terrible person,” she says.

“It’s all paying off now because I realize my career is about my physical life, not what’s on social media. Ever since I believed in myself, social media has been becoming smaller and smaller, and it feels so good because now I can post things without having an anxiety attack. I don’t feel like I’m a prisoner to it anymore, which has been wonderful.”

This mindset shift and its success are evident, as Ren seems to be at the height of her career, as well as happiness. In September, she debuted in her first film and starred in her first-ever Victoria’s Secret campaign, which had been a lifelong dream for her.

“The VS campaign was one of my bucket list things. Because without Victoria’s Secret, I wouldn’t have become a model and wouldn’t have gone down this path—my 9-year-old self would be like, ‘Are you f***ing kidding me right now?’ Of course the fashion world has been full of toxicity, and Victoria’s Secret in particular has had to go through changes with an organizational shift and new CEO to combat this. They are a brand committed to evolving, so for me, I see it as my own personal relationship with VS, what it’s done for me in my life. I am so glad they’re not what they used to be anymore, and I’m so proud I can be part of the new version of the brand,” she shares.

This mentality is indicative of the modern-day Alexis Ren who has come to be a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Juggling modeling, acting, mentoring and maintaining her mental wellness is no doubt a challenge, but one that the beauty seems to welcome and thrive in, embracing her new identity and moving forward with a new outlook on life.

Nana Jacqueline dress, nanajacqueline.com; D’Orazio earrings, doraziopr.com; Le Vian ring, levian.com. Styled by Jordan Gross Hair by Joseph Maine Makeup by Jenna Kristina

“For anyone reading this interview, I challenge you to first ask what your voice stands for; then you can go along and try to get the ears to listen,” she concludes. “Whatever you’re doing should feel good and shouldn’t feel like you’re forcing anything. If it feels like you’re forcing yourself, it’s probably not the way it’s supposed to happen. It took me a really long time to learn this, but if you can just step away from everything and find what you want to build for yourself, that is going to serve you so much more. Your ability to adapt will become your most prized possession as a human.”