Josie Canseco – Above Average

Model and social media star Josie Canseco on her idol, her famous father, and her career

- By Brandon Friederich. Photography by Arnella Markaryan

Josie Canseco’s Instagram bio doesn’t contain links to her jet-setting Retreat Magazine cover or serene editorial spread in Harper’s Bazaar México. Nor does she urge her 1.2 million followers to visit the top of her profile page for a “special deal” from one of the labels she’s worked with, among them Nike, Juicy Couture and Alo Yoga—she’s a brand ambassador for the latter. Instead, there’s a link to a YouTube video titled “The Meaning —Jim Carrey.”

“My favorite human, who I’ve looked up to my entire life, is Jim Carrey,” Canseco tells us. “His talent, humor, confidence, and wisdom is inspiring and something that’s shaped me and my perspective on everything.” The four-minute clip features a montage of scenes from the prolific funnyman’s many roles overdubbed with audio excerpts from his 2014 commencement speech at Fairfield, Iowa’s Maharishi International University. Some may consider the video mawkish, but Carrey’s overarching message can be summarized by this humility-inspiring line: “How will you serve the world? What do they need that your talent can provide?” Belying her youth, the 26-year-old Canseco has taken Carrey’s words to heart, using her time and talent in service of others—“others” being animals.