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I'm No Angel: From Victoria's Secret Model to Role Model
In December 2011, 21-year-old Victoria's Secret model Kylie Bisutti stunned the fashion industry when she chose faith over fame and fortune and made the switch from supermodel to role model.
In I'm No Angel, Kylie shares her story--from her early years struggling to make it big in the cut-throat world of modeling, her "big break" winning the Victoria's Secret Runway Angel competition, and the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that followed, to the moment she realized that she could no longer reconcile her career with her Christian beliefs, surrendered her life to God, said goodbye to the runway, and dedicated her life to preaching a message of modesty and inner beauty.
Along the way, Kylie talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her near-constant quest for approval in a world where you can never be thin enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. She helps readers understand that true beauty lies within and that real fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, and serving Christ.
In I'm No Angel, Kylie shares her story--from her early years struggling to make it big in the cut-throat world of modeling, her "big break" winning the Victoria's Secret Runway Angel competition, and the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that followed, to the moment she realized that she could no longer reconcile her career with her Christian beliefs, surrendered her life to God, said goodbye to the runway, and dedicated her life to preaching a message of modesty and inner beauty.
Along the way, Kylie talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her near-constant quest for approval in a world where you can never be thin enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. She helps readers understand that true beauty lies within and that real fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, and serving Christ.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2013
45 people are currently reading
1133 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Bisutti
3 books33 followersKylie Bisutti is an American model who won the 2009 Victoria's Secret Angel. At 19, she beat out 10,000 other girls to win a modeling contract with Victoria's Secret,,"Victoria's Secret Model Search" competition,broadcast online through CBS and concluded during the December 1st airing of that year's Fashion Show. Placing first through fan voting over fellow contestant Jamie Lee Darley in the final round earned Bisutti, nineteen years old and a newlywed at the time of filming, the prize of walking in the annual show alongside Victoria's Secret Angels like Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes.
Although Bisutti continues her career in the entertainment business,she did not work with Victoria's Secret after the show. She later said lingerie modeling conflicted with her Christian values: "My body should only be for my husband and it's just a sacred thing." Bisutti states that she will only choose wholesome jobs that will honor her Christian beliefs.
Although Bisutti continues her career in the entertainment business,she did not work with Victoria's Secret after the show. She later said lingerie modeling conflicted with her Christian values: "My body should only be for my husband and it's just a sacred thing." Bisutti states that she will only choose wholesome jobs that will honor her Christian beliefs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
September 30, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Here's why:
1) She has a story to tell with a beginning, middle, and end, which she relates in an entertaining way.
2) She writes believably.
3) The book was beautifully edited, a feature that is lacking all too often in free downloads and even in books that you pay for.
4) The book moves fast; it doesn't contain too much detail that slows down the read.
5) Who doesn't want to read about models and modeling?
6) I like reading how God turns lives around.
To those of you who slam Ms. Bisutti with a low rating for "talking too much about God," all I can say is, the book is published by Tyndale House, which has been exclusively publishing Christian material for decades. Ms. Bisutti has been doing the PR circuit for a few months now at the national level, pushing the story of her Christian conversion and how she walked away from the life of a Victoria's Secret model to serve God in a more dedicated way. What did you think her book would discuss?
1) She has a story to tell with a beginning, middle, and end, which she relates in an entertaining way.
2) She writes believably.
3) The book was beautifully edited, a feature that is lacking all too often in free downloads and even in books that you pay for.
4) The book moves fast; it doesn't contain too much detail that slows down the read.
5) Who doesn't want to read about models and modeling?
6) I like reading how God turns lives around.
To those of you who slam Ms. Bisutti with a low rating for "talking too much about God," all I can say is, the book is published by Tyndale House, which has been exclusively publishing Christian material for decades. Ms. Bisutti has been doing the PR circuit for a few months now at the national level, pushing the story of her Christian conversion and how she walked away from the life of a Victoria's Secret model to serve God in a more dedicated way. What did you think her book would discuss?
July 30, 2019
No. I'm sorry but just no.
I think one of the reasons why I hate this book so much is because of my values. Whenever I read excerpts that put virtues like modesty and purity on an untouchable pedestal and shames the aspects of what makes us feminine, it makes me feel sad. I believe in celebrating our sexuality. Why should we cover that up?
Furthermore, Victoria's Secret is a lingerie line. It's obviously going to beautify its models for the audience in order to sell their products (that's just business). But it knows how to balance the fine line between objectification and sexualisation.
Second of all, the implication comes along that a supermodel can't be a role model? Ummm, why the hell not? From Gisele Bundchen to Ashley Graham to Winnie Harlow, there are hundreds of women out there who are breaking rules and diversifying the field and marking their name against the register.
It's only my personal opinion though. I'm not rebelling against how the book was written, only how certain aspects of the modelling world are portrayed.
There are some good points brought up about the cut-throat world of modelling but it's the same with any other entertainment industry (singing, acting etc.) And airbrushing is a controversial issue about which I would have liked to have heard more anecdotal evidence from the author herself.
So on an ending note, good for you Kylie. It's great that you've found happiness. But I really didn't like your book. This is practically another one of those cases where, "It's not you. It's me." Can't read a single paragraph without just cringing.
P.S I did watch Kylie's one-time stint on the Victoria's Secret runway and she looked extremely happy to have for the opportunity. "On top of the world," as she says. But since she obviously regrets it, I think that opportunity would have gone to better use for one of the other ten-thousands girls that she beat.
P.S.S Victoria's Secret released a statement relating to Kylie Bisutti's memoir saying:
I don't know what to believe but at least I can content myself with (hopefully) knowing both sides of the story.
I think one of the reasons why I hate this book so much is because of my values. Whenever I read excerpts that put virtues like modesty and purity on an untouchable pedestal and shames the aspects of what makes us feminine, it makes me feel sad. I believe in celebrating our sexuality. Why should we cover that up?
Furthermore, Victoria's Secret is a lingerie line. It's obviously going to beautify its models for the audience in order to sell their products (that's just business). But it knows how to balance the fine line between objectification and sexualisation.
Second of all, the implication comes along that a supermodel can't be a role model? Ummm, why the hell not? From Gisele Bundchen to Ashley Graham to Winnie Harlow, there are hundreds of women out there who are breaking rules and diversifying the field and marking their name against the register.
It's only my personal opinion though. I'm not rebelling against how the book was written, only how certain aspects of the modelling world are portrayed.
There are some good points brought up about the cut-throat world of modelling but it's the same with any other entertainment industry (singing, acting etc.) And airbrushing is a controversial issue about which I would have liked to have heard more anecdotal evidence from the author herself.
So on an ending note, good for you Kylie. It's great that you've found happiness. But I really didn't like your book. This is practically another one of those cases where, "It's not you. It's me." Can't read a single paragraph without just cringing.
P.S I did watch Kylie's one-time stint on the Victoria's Secret runway and she looked extremely happy to have for the opportunity. "On top of the world," as she says. But since she obviously regrets it, I think that opportunity would have gone to better use for one of the other ten-thousands girls that she beat.
P.S.S Victoria's Secret released a statement relating to Kylie Bisutti's memoir saying:
"Ms. Bisutti has made numerous fabrications and misstatements of fact regarding her brief association with Victoria’s Secret. In 2009, Ms. Bisutti won an online amateur modeling competition and hasn’t worked for us since that year. The prize for the winning contestant was the unique opportunity to a one-time walk in the 2009 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Ms. Bisutti also participated in a swim photo shoot in 2009. That was the extent of Ms. Bisutti’s involvement with Victoria’s Secret. She was never a Victoria’s Secret “Angel” as defined by the terms of our Angel model contract. And contrary to Ms. Bisutti’s claims, she was never offered any subsequent modeling contracts or opportunities with Victoria’s Secret despite her multiple appeals for further work. She has repeatedly fabricated her work experience with Victoria’s Secret--including a relationship that simply did not exist."
I don't know what to believe but at least I can content myself with (hopefully) knowing both sides of the story.
June 6, 2013
Wow! What a book! I first heard about Kylie when she was on Good Morning America--sharing her story of how she walked away from being a Victoria's Secret model to becoming a role model. But in "I'm No Angel," Kylie goes deeper into the story. She shares about the negativeness and dark sides of modeling, of how she compromised her convictions by making "excuses"--and how the Lord changed her heart.
It is also intriguing to her what her husband, Mike, thought of the entire thing. Not all guys want their wives parading down runways with next to nothing on.
I highly recommend this book. Yes, it can get "graphic" with some of the things Kylie experienced (like SEEDY photographers), but it is a story that every girl needs to hear. I know myself, I struggle with body image sometimes--especially when I compare...uh...certain parts of myself to models. However, there is so much more to life than having the perfect body. It's more important to have a better heart.
So read Kylie's story. You will be glad you did.
It is also intriguing to her what her husband, Mike, thought of the entire thing. Not all guys want their wives parading down runways with next to nothing on.
I highly recommend this book. Yes, it can get "graphic" with some of the things Kylie experienced (like SEEDY photographers), but it is a story that every girl needs to hear. I know myself, I struggle with body image sometimes--especially when I compare...uh...certain parts of myself to models. However, there is so much more to life than having the perfect body. It's more important to have a better heart.
So read Kylie's story. You will be glad you did.
March 28, 2019
Kylie Bisutti has such an awesome story, I was excited to pick up this book.
This book talked about sex a little too much for my taste, but it was a big part of what gave the book it's strength. I have never read a book which convinced me so completely that outward beauty is hallow as much as this one did.
I would not recommend this to anyone under 16, but if you struggle with self-image or jealousy of girls with "perfect" bodies, this book is for you.
I would recommend caution because this book does include mentions of nudity, modeling being about selling sex, girls struggling with anorexia and bulimia, losing virginity, several stories of guys acting inappropriately, and stories of modeling lingerie.
Overall, there was a bit much content for my tastes, but it was such a potent book on where we need to be seeking our true identity and beauty.
This book talked about sex a little too much for my taste, but it was a big part of what gave the book it's strength. I have never read a book which convinced me so completely that outward beauty is hallow as much as this one did.
I would not recommend this to anyone under 16, but if you struggle with self-image or jealousy of girls with "perfect" bodies, this book is for you.
I would recommend caution because this book does include mentions of nudity, modeling being about selling sex, girls struggling with anorexia and bulimia, losing virginity, several stories of guys acting inappropriately, and stories of modeling lingerie.
Overall, there was a bit much content for my tastes, but it was such a potent book on where we need to be seeking our true identity and beauty.
May 20, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir.
Kylie's story was fascinating from the beginning. It was honest and heartbreaking at times.
There was a time when a modeling agency tried to recruit me and I gave them my information and when my mother answered the phone one day, she promptly hung up on them saying I wasn't interested in that. At that time I was devastated and hurt. Reading this account made me ever so thankful for my late mother protecting me from this lifestyle.
The real hero in this story is her husband: he stood by her, allowed her to make decisions to compete in the Victoria's Secret Angel competition even though he knew it might be to the detriment of their new marriage. He prayed and prayed her for to see the light. When she finally did, he was elated and grateful to God. If it wasn't for him, I'm not sure Kylie would have been able to give this testimony.
I hope this book reaches the younger girls of today to help them see their true worth. I'm excited about Kylie's ministry and hope the Lord blesses her and her family with great success.
Kylie's story was fascinating from the beginning. It was honest and heartbreaking at times.
There was a time when a modeling agency tried to recruit me and I gave them my information and when my mother answered the phone one day, she promptly hung up on them saying I wasn't interested in that. At that time I was devastated and hurt. Reading this account made me ever so thankful for my late mother protecting me from this lifestyle.
The real hero in this story is her husband: he stood by her, allowed her to make decisions to compete in the Victoria's Secret Angel competition even though he knew it might be to the detriment of their new marriage. He prayed and prayed her for to see the light. When she finally did, he was elated and grateful to God. If it wasn't for him, I'm not sure Kylie would have been able to give this testimony.
I hope this book reaches the younger girls of today to help them see their true worth. I'm excited about Kylie's ministry and hope the Lord blesses her and her family with great success.
October 12, 2014
Meh, this book was ok, but not all that interesting. Kylie is very young at the beginning and at the end of this book. There wasn't much growth either- not emotionally or spiritually. It also seems like she just moved her search for celebrity from one venue to another.
I also have no idea how she is a role model now.
It doesn't play at all into my review of this book, but does putting a bible verse on a skin tight t shirt make it less of something to induce men to look at a body?
I also have no idea how she is a role model now.
It doesn't play at all into my review of this book, but does putting a bible verse on a skin tight t shirt make it less of something to induce men to look at a body?
March 8, 2024
Good story of Gods redemption.
September 13, 2016
I just picked this off the shelf at the library and read it pretty quickly. It reads pretty fast and held my interest.
I don't know anything about the modeling world, nor am I usually interested. Since the cover leaflet said she and her husband live in Montana, I decided I MUST read it! Kylie Bisutti tells her story of coming to Christ in high school, but still pursuing her aspiration to become a super model. Finally, when the two worlds collided soon after being selected a Victoria Secret angel, she tells of walking away to pursue becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.
I was impressed with her genuineness. She explained the struggle she had reconciling the demands on her body the industry imposed, and what the Bible says about true beauty. She is honest and forthright, and presented a very readable account.
This would be an excellent book for young women and teens who struggle with self-confidence and body image. She is bold about her faith without being preachy or condemning. Others may be challenged by it too, just in living for Christ in a frequently hostile work environment.
I don't know anything about the modeling world, nor am I usually interested. Since the cover leaflet said she and her husband live in Montana, I decided I MUST read it! Kylie Bisutti tells her story of coming to Christ in high school, but still pursuing her aspiration to become a super model. Finally, when the two worlds collided soon after being selected a Victoria Secret angel, she tells of walking away to pursue becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.
I was impressed with her genuineness. She explained the struggle she had reconciling the demands on her body the industry imposed, and what the Bible says about true beauty. She is honest and forthright, and presented a very readable account.
This would be an excellent book for young women and teens who struggle with self-confidence and body image. She is bold about her faith without being preachy or condemning. Others may be challenged by it too, just in living for Christ in a frequently hostile work environment.
July 15, 2023
My second time reading this one bumped it up a star !!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is definitely one of my favorite books. Soooo incredibly helpful for body-image issues and seeking true beauty. It is a fascinating story that reads like a novel. I loved seeing representation of an imperfect and messy walk with God, and watching him redeem all of it. I Highly recommend!!
Major trigger warnings:
Mentions of eating disorders (with some details), sex, pornography, sexual abuse, nudity, explicit party scenes, drugs, alcohol
If you have any content questions or concerns about this one, comment below!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is definitely one of my favorite books. Soooo incredibly helpful for body-image issues and seeking true beauty. It is a fascinating story that reads like a novel. I loved seeing representation of an imperfect and messy walk with God, and watching him redeem all of it. I Highly recommend!!
Major trigger warnings:
Mentions of eating disorders (with some details), sex, pornography, sexual abuse, nudity, explicit party scenes, drugs, alcohol
If you have any content questions or concerns about this one, comment below!!
August 12, 2015
This book is pretty good. Not great... but good. I had pretty much decided to give this book 3 stars until I read that last chapter -- that's what boosted my rating on up to 4 stars.
I just had a really hard time understanding and relating to Kylie (even if she is almost exactly my age). But she does have an interesting & inspiring story to tell.
I just had a really hard time understanding and relating to Kylie (even if she is almost exactly my age). But she does have an interesting & inspiring story to tell.
May 29, 2013
I'm No Angel, Kylie Bisutti revealed the hidden clandestine of the modeling industry and being a Victoria's Secret model winner. She described how she met and married her husband, Mike and the effect her marriage had on her career. The book disclosed how she left Victoria Secret and became a Proverbs 31 wife. She began modeling in Las Vegas at the age of fourteen and she quickly learned that sex sells and the industry knows that men are drawn to this. Throughout the years, she has witnessed mischievous individuals trying to entice young girls into human trafficking in Thailand, girls struggling with eating disorders, and being asked to dress immodesty. She has also seen hair designers cutting off models bangs, hair extensions being pulled out and taking out hair roots, hair burned by the flat irons, and models having to wear Saran Wrap. The hair designers and photographers are brutal and relentless in their pursue of obtaining a certain look for their photos. All for the price of beauty.
Kylie is very candid about her experiences with modeling and her painful past including her mistakes. She shared her personal struggle with fitting into the mold of the world and the high demand of beauty. At one of the photoshoots, she couldn't find all of her clothing and she asked an intern where the rest of her outfits was located. The interned yelled across the studio and asked, "Hey, does anyone know where the rest of the big model's clothes are?" (Page 105). She only weighed 115 pounds. Satan tempted her to check out the other model's labels on their clothes and she noticed that most of the girls were a size 0 or a size 00. She realized that she was only a size 2 and she was considered a big model.
She also opened up about being a conversation she had with her agent and she couldn't understand why she kept being asked to do test shoots. Her agent stated her harsh opinions of why she couldn't go to Fashion Week castings. She declared that, "It's because you are a fat pig right now. You are a cow, and I don't want any of my clients to see this way! Your thighs are too big. Your butt is too big. You're just... big!" (Page 106). Eventually, Kylie begin obsessing over her body image and the way she looked. She was determined to lose weight. Her agent told her over the holidays to lose two inches off your hips and two inches from your waist. She finally got down to 108 pounds and she began to get to do more photoshoots. Then she dealt with trying to maintain her current weight and be skinny.
The book also included a thirty day "True Beauty Makeover" section at the end of the book. It had a scripture verse, a small story, two questions, and a true beauty tip for each day.
I loved the transparency that Kylie displayed throughout the book. She exposed the hurtful comments that she has received and the past mistakes she couldn't undo. I liked how she was honest about losing her virginity to a boy in high school and how she regretted that choice. He started by quoting movie lines from The Notebook and he asked her to take a drive with him and he even put on a love soundtrack that she made him. Then he processed to pressure her and said he wanted her to be his first, which later the rumors were he already was having sex with another girl. That guy was a baiter! I especially liked how she stated the warning signs and the red flags she should have seen from the guy. She shared how she came to know Christ and how he forgave for her decision. This part of her story could vastly assist young girls in learning from the effects of making small compromises and the lines some guys will use on our girls.
I would recommend this outstanding book to any young girls as well as older women who have low self-esteem and they are obsessing over their body image. Women with eating disorders would immensely benefit from the personal stories that Kylie Bisutti has experienced. Even men can benefit from reading this book and they can began to comprehend the extraordinary demands the industry is putting on our young girls and women in general. Her story was heartbreaking and very eye opening on the issues of striving to look like an image on a cover of a magazine or a TV screen. I'm a guy and her courageous story was inspiring and it made me recognize the importance of protecting my future daughters and instilling in them, the way God sees them. It also showed me how I'm supposed to treat my future wife. I also loved the encouraging story about how she met her husband and how she is trying to be a Proverbs 31 wife. This served as a great reminder to me that God is already working behind the scenes and is writing a love story between my future wife and me, even if I haven't met her yet. This book is a wonderful encouragement to young girls and women on focusing on true beauty which comes from the inside! If you're looking for a phenomenal gift to give to a young girl, then this book is the one to give! It has the potential to change their life and I'm praying it does!
Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.
Kylie is very candid about her experiences with modeling and her painful past including her mistakes. She shared her personal struggle with fitting into the mold of the world and the high demand of beauty. At one of the photoshoots, she couldn't find all of her clothing and she asked an intern where the rest of her outfits was located. The interned yelled across the studio and asked, "Hey, does anyone know where the rest of the big model's clothes are?" (Page 105). She only weighed 115 pounds. Satan tempted her to check out the other model's labels on their clothes and she noticed that most of the girls were a size 0 or a size 00. She realized that she was only a size 2 and she was considered a big model.
She also opened up about being a conversation she had with her agent and she couldn't understand why she kept being asked to do test shoots. Her agent stated her harsh opinions of why she couldn't go to Fashion Week castings. She declared that, "It's because you are a fat pig right now. You are a cow, and I don't want any of my clients to see this way! Your thighs are too big. Your butt is too big. You're just... big!" (Page 106). Eventually, Kylie begin obsessing over her body image and the way she looked. She was determined to lose weight. Her agent told her over the holidays to lose two inches off your hips and two inches from your waist. She finally got down to 108 pounds and she began to get to do more photoshoots. Then she dealt with trying to maintain her current weight and be skinny.
The book also included a thirty day "True Beauty Makeover" section at the end of the book. It had a scripture verse, a small story, two questions, and a true beauty tip for each day.
I loved the transparency that Kylie displayed throughout the book. She exposed the hurtful comments that she has received and the past mistakes she couldn't undo. I liked how she was honest about losing her virginity to a boy in high school and how she regretted that choice. He started by quoting movie lines from The Notebook and he asked her to take a drive with him and he even put on a love soundtrack that she made him. Then he processed to pressure her and said he wanted her to be his first, which later the rumors were he already was having sex with another girl. That guy was a baiter! I especially liked how she stated the warning signs and the red flags she should have seen from the guy. She shared how she came to know Christ and how he forgave for her decision. This part of her story could vastly assist young girls in learning from the effects of making small compromises and the lines some guys will use on our girls.
I would recommend this outstanding book to any young girls as well as older women who have low self-esteem and they are obsessing over their body image. Women with eating disorders would immensely benefit from the personal stories that Kylie Bisutti has experienced. Even men can benefit from reading this book and they can began to comprehend the extraordinary demands the industry is putting on our young girls and women in general. Her story was heartbreaking and very eye opening on the issues of striving to look like an image on a cover of a magazine or a TV screen. I'm a guy and her courageous story was inspiring and it made me recognize the importance of protecting my future daughters and instilling in them, the way God sees them. It also showed me how I'm supposed to treat my future wife. I also loved the encouraging story about how she met her husband and how she is trying to be a Proverbs 31 wife. This served as a great reminder to me that God is already working behind the scenes and is writing a love story between my future wife and me, even if I haven't met her yet. This book is a wonderful encouragement to young girls and women on focusing on true beauty which comes from the inside! If you're looking for a phenomenal gift to give to a young girl, then this book is the one to give! It has the potential to change their life and I'm praying it does!
Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.
September 1, 2014
Kylie Bisutti began modeling professionally around age 13, and six years later won a Victoria's Secret modeling contest on national television. One year later, she announced that she would be leaving the modeling industry permanently due to conflicts with her Christian beliefs.
I remember seeing the news stories, and finding the idea so unbelievable as to be laughable. How does one even become a lingerie model while professing christian beliefs? The two seem fairly incompatible. As always, the truth is more complicated than it appears, and in this book Kylie is given a platform to tell her story, uncensored by George Stephanopolis.
My critiques of this book are few, and make no real difference to Kylie's message. First, the writing style is about what you would expect from someone who finished high school through online courses while holding down a job and never attended college. Even with a co-writer parts read like a diary from junior high. This is not a high literary effort, it is a heart-felt one. Second, even with Kylie's (sometimes uncomfortable) honesty, it becomes fairly evident that this is far from a tell all. This is enough to get her point across, and as such, there are some things which go completely unexplained, and moments that could be described as plot holes. For example, we don't discover that her husband (whom she married at 18/19 years of age) is divorced with a son and is significantly older than her until nearly the end of the book. While that information is relevant to a biography, it isn't relevant to her message of internal beauty, so the information gets placed out of context and in a haphazard manner. Third, Kylie never really discusses her personal emotional damage resulting from working in the industry. She gives plenty of examples of the ways that others were harmed, and even tells stories of her own brushes with eating disorders, crash diets, and abuse, but the book leaves out the emotional impact of the occurrence then and the scars now. It isn't that I don't empathize or feel compassion for what she, and other models, have gone through, and I certainly don't think that they somehow deserve it, just that this book doesn't connect the heart to the situation. Kylie comes across looking as though she left the modeling world unscathed with a great husband and a healthy figure. Maybe it is too soon to tell, or maybe Kylie didn't feel ready to discuss that aspect of her experiences, but I wonder if some readers might walk away with the impression that, while modeling isn't "christian", it isn't necessarily a harmful lifestyle.
Kylie is a beautiful girl who had it all by the world's standards and left it behind to follow her heart for God. That takes a lot of character. And for other young women who struggle with their appearance on a daily basis, it is comforting to know from an insider that the beauty they see touted on television and in print ads is artificial to the point of physically impossible.
I remember seeing the news stories, and finding the idea so unbelievable as to be laughable. How does one even become a lingerie model while professing christian beliefs? The two seem fairly incompatible. As always, the truth is more complicated than it appears, and in this book Kylie is given a platform to tell her story, uncensored by George Stephanopolis.
My critiques of this book are few, and make no real difference to Kylie's message. First, the writing style is about what you would expect from someone who finished high school through online courses while holding down a job and never attended college. Even with a co-writer parts read like a diary from junior high. This is not a high literary effort, it is a heart-felt one. Second, even with Kylie's (sometimes uncomfortable) honesty, it becomes fairly evident that this is far from a tell all. This is enough to get her point across, and as such, there are some things which go completely unexplained, and moments that could be described as plot holes. For example, we don't discover that her husband (whom she married at 18/19 years of age) is divorced with a son and is significantly older than her until nearly the end of the book. While that information is relevant to a biography, it isn't relevant to her message of internal beauty, so the information gets placed out of context and in a haphazard manner. Third, Kylie never really discusses her personal emotional damage resulting from working in the industry. She gives plenty of examples of the ways that others were harmed, and even tells stories of her own brushes with eating disorders, crash diets, and abuse, but the book leaves out the emotional impact of the occurrence then and the scars now. It isn't that I don't empathize or feel compassion for what she, and other models, have gone through, and I certainly don't think that they somehow deserve it, just that this book doesn't connect the heart to the situation. Kylie comes across looking as though she left the modeling world unscathed with a great husband and a healthy figure. Maybe it is too soon to tell, or maybe Kylie didn't feel ready to discuss that aspect of her experiences, but I wonder if some readers might walk away with the impression that, while modeling isn't "christian", it isn't necessarily a harmful lifestyle.
Kylie is a beautiful girl who had it all by the world's standards and left it behind to follow her heart for God. That takes a lot of character. And for other young women who struggle with their appearance on a daily basis, it is comforting to know from an insider that the beauty they see touted on television and in print ads is artificial to the point of physically impossible.
February 23, 2016
About this book:
“In December 2011, 21-year-old Victoria's Secret Runway Angel Kylie Bisutti stunned the fashion industry when she chose faith over fame and fortune and made the switch from supermodel to role model.In "I'm No Angel," Kylie shares her story--from her early years struggling to make it big in the cut-throat world of modeling, her "big break" winning the Victoria's Secret Runway Angel competition, and the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that followed, to the moment she realized that she could no longer reconcile her career with her Christian beliefs, surrendered her life to God, and dedicated her life to preaching a message of modesty and inner beauty.Along the way, Kylie talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her near-constant quest for approval in a world where you can never be thin enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. She helps readers understand that true beauty lies within and that real fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, and serving Christ.”
Series: This is an autobiography.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 31:30 in the front, James 1:2-3, Matthew 5:10. 1 Peter 3:3-4, Ecclesiastes 3:1,3-4, Ephesians 5:6, Proverbs 2:12, Psalm 30:2-3, Zechariah 4:10, Psalm 25:16-18, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Ezekiel 28:17, Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 25:16, John 1:16, Ephesians 3:20, Ecclesiastes 3:11, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 2:15-17, Proverbs 31:10-12. 25-26, 28-31, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jeremiah 29:11; Every chapter & devotion starts with a scripture.
Negative Content- In school, girls call Kylie a ‘anorexic b----‘, written just like that; A roommate smokes weed.
Sexual Content- ‘…but ultimately the modeling industry’s job is to sell sex.’; While in Thailand, Kylie recalls, a man telling two girls they’re beautiful, as sex trade happens often, sadly; fourteen ‘sexy’s; Kylie, when she was 14, her ‘boyfriend’ put his hand up her shirt; a, male, photographer makes Kylie take off her top and put plastic wrap on and tries to kiss her.
-Kylie Bisutti
Written in a almost diary-like Point of view of Kylie
287 pages of her story, 8 pages of pictures, and 37 pages of the devotion in the back; 290 total.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I do not own any Victoria’s Secret clothing or want any of it, go near or into their stores. It’s just a no-no for me. I liked how Kylie’s has a happy ending/beginning, end of modeling, happily married to her husband, with a stepson & baby on the way (Three months to go!), it’s just the beginning of her new life, and I’m so happy for her!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“In December 2011, 21-year-old Victoria's Secret Runway Angel Kylie Bisutti stunned the fashion industry when she chose faith over fame and fortune and made the switch from supermodel to role model.In "I'm No Angel," Kylie shares her story--from her early years struggling to make it big in the cut-throat world of modeling, her "big break" winning the Victoria's Secret Runway Angel competition, and the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that followed, to the moment she realized that she could no longer reconcile her career with her Christian beliefs, surrendered her life to God, and dedicated her life to preaching a message of modesty and inner beauty.Along the way, Kylie talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her near-constant quest for approval in a world where you can never be thin enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. She helps readers understand that true beauty lies within and that real fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, and serving Christ.”
Series: This is an autobiography.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 31:30 in the front, James 1:2-3, Matthew 5:10. 1 Peter 3:3-4, Ecclesiastes 3:1,3-4, Ephesians 5:6, Proverbs 2:12, Psalm 30:2-3, Zechariah 4:10, Psalm 25:16-18, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Ezekiel 28:17, Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 25:16, John 1:16, Ephesians 3:20, Ecclesiastes 3:11, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 2:15-17, Proverbs 31:10-12. 25-26, 28-31, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jeremiah 29:11; Every chapter & devotion starts with a scripture.
Negative Content- In school, girls call Kylie a ‘anorexic b----‘, written just like that; A roommate smokes weed.
Sexual Content- ‘…but ultimately the modeling industry’s job is to sell sex.’; While in Thailand, Kylie recalls, a man telling two girls they’re beautiful, as sex trade happens often, sadly; fourteen ‘sexy’s; Kylie, when she was 14, her ‘boyfriend’ put his hand up her shirt; a, male, photographer makes Kylie take off her top and put plastic wrap on and tries to kiss her.
-Kylie Bisutti
Written in a almost diary-like Point of view of Kylie
287 pages of her story, 8 pages of pictures, and 37 pages of the devotion in the back; 290 total.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I do not own any Victoria’s Secret clothing or want any of it, go near or into their stores. It’s just a no-no for me. I liked how Kylie’s has a happy ending/beginning, end of modeling, happily married to her husband, with a stepson & baby on the way (Three months to go!), it’s just the beginning of her new life, and I’m so happy for her!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
February 28, 2014
3.5 stars. This was a very quick, easy read, but I enjoyed it. It was refreshing to read how Kylie's perspective of modeling changed. I'm very concerned for young girls that focus so much on their beauty that they'll do anything to get their appearance to be "perfect." I hope many teenagers read this and grasp the lesson at hand: outward appearance is not what matters, and you are beautiful the way God made you.
August 20, 2016
This book gave a wonderfully clear view into the world of modeling and the world's view of it! Kylie explains why she was attracted to modeling, and why she felt God calling her to quit. This is a worthwhile read for every girl over the age of 12. I learned a lot and feel like I understand a lot more than I did before.
September 17, 2016
I’m No Angel: From Victoria’s Secret Model to Role Model by Kylie Bisutti tells the story of her successful rise through the modeling world only to abandon it at the height of her success.
As a young girl Kylie was thin and pretty with “freakishy long legs,” and constantly people would tell her she looked just like a model or should be a model some day. Kylie makes an important point when she says:
In her junior high years, she felt a growing disconnect with her father, who had taken a new job and was working all the time so that she could “have what [he] didn’t have growing up.” She “missed their old life…when we had less money but more time together.” Then her height and thinness started getting her teased at school, with girls saying she was anorexic and boys calling her a giraffe.
So when opportunities for modeling did come her way, the positive attention and affirmation soothed. her. She hoped to “prove something to all the people who had teased me at school” and even to “regain [her] dad’s attention.”
From the very start, at just 14, she was made up and dressed to look older than she was and to appear sultry and sexy and pose provocatively. Being expected to change clothes in a room with models of both sexes made her uncomfortable, but she figured it was part of the job and she needed to get used to it. In addition:
Some girls even had surgery to remove ribs to look thinner, Kylie herself, at a size 2 and 115 lbs., was referred to as “the big model,” and her agent called her a “fat pig” and a “cow” and told her she needed to lose weight.
After a devastating heartbreak in high school, Kylie was open when a friend invited her to her church’s youth group. She began going to her church and learning about God, Jesus, and salvation for the first time. At a youth camp some time later, she finally put her faith in the Lord Jesus as her Savior. After she came home, her mom saw such a difference that she was open to what Kylie shared about what she was learning.
It still took years, though, for Kylie to come to a realization that there might be a problem with her modeling, especially modeling lingerie. We are saved in a moment, but growth and sanctification are processes that come with time in God’s Word and in His church. Kylie tells how her modeling career continued until she reached what she considered the pinnacle: winning a Victoria’s Secret Runway Angel competition. Aspects of modeling continued to bother her, but at first she just thought it was part of the job, then didn’t want to displease her agent or company or jeopardize her job or risk rejection. Finally she was convicted, but continued to compromise. She “wasn’t mature enough to understand this at the time, but it wasn’t simply a question of what you can or can’t see in those types of photos. My sinful choice was rooted in something deeper: what the photos represented. I can only imagine how sad it made God to see my complete lack of honor and purity and respect, not only for myself, but also for my parents, for my future spouse, and most of all, for Him.”
When she married, her husband at first didn’t realize all that was involved in her modeling, and once he did, instead of “making” her quit, he just quietly prayed for God to convict her. And He did. “God was opening my eyes to the fact that I couldn’t glorify Him in my life while at the same time taking modeling jobs that compromised His values. The disconnect was too great, and if I kept trying to do both, I would end up despising one. I had to choose. Would I serve the world, or would I serve God?”
When she repented and chose to serve God, at first she thought she would continue t model but avoid jobs that were immodest.
Unfortunately a sad consequence of modeling is that the photos that were taken of her will forever be available on the Internet, even some by a unscrupulous photographer who sold some to a porn site. There’s no way to get them back or have them erased. “I could make godly decisions related to my future, but I couldn’t control how others chose to exploit my past.” She chooses to think of them as “a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the depths of God’s redemptive grace.”
Now she is married with two children and a ministry encouraging women in their walk with the Lord. She blogs at I’m No Angel.
A few years ago during Victoria’s Secret show on TV, Kylie was watching Twitter and finding mostly negative comments about it, some from women who felt that it was a negative not only because of the immodesty, but because of making “everyday” women feel inadequate. One man tweeted, “I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a VS model.” Kylie responded, “I quit being a VS model to become a Proverbs 31 wife.” Within minutes she was contacted and asked to do a guest blog post which went viral and led to interviews on a number of news sites. There were some verbal attacks as a result, but there were also words of encouragement in unlikely places in the industry.
At the end of the book is a 30-day devotional section titled “The Master’s Makeover,” with Scripture and words of wisdom about beauty from God’s point of view.
I found this quite an eye-opening book and was blessed by Kylie’s growth. As far as I can tell no one sat her down and had “a talk” about modesty with her, but God dealt with her heart and brought her to conviction Himself. In the few pictures shared in the book, she looks so much healthier and happier, in addition to being more modest, in her more recent photos.
As a young girl Kylie was thin and pretty with “freakishy long legs,” and constantly people would tell her she looked just like a model or should be a model some day. Kylie makes an important point when she says:
Adults don’t always realize the profound effect their words can have on young kids—girls in particular. These people mean well, of course. What harm could possibly come from telling a little girl she’s pretty? Technically, none—unless that’s the only affirmation she ever hears…
It wasn’t as though I didn’t have anything else going for me…but whenever anyone looked at me, all they seemed to see was model.
As my identity became wrapped up in being pretty, it also became the primary attribute I used to define my value. If people weren’t praising me for my looks, I started feeling like I was lacking somehow, and I would go out of my way to make them like me. This would turn into a cycle that would haunt me for years to come.
In her junior high years, she felt a growing disconnect with her father, who had taken a new job and was working all the time so that she could “have what [he] didn’t have growing up.” She “missed their old life…when we had less money but more time together.” Then her height and thinness started getting her teased at school, with girls saying she was anorexic and boys calling her a giraffe.
So when opportunities for modeling did come her way, the positive attention and affirmation soothed. her. She hoped to “prove something to all the people who had teased me at school” and even to “regain [her] dad’s attention.”
From the very start, at just 14, she was made up and dressed to look older than she was and to appear sultry and sexy and pose provocatively. Being expected to change clothes in a room with models of both sexes made her uncomfortable, but she figured it was part of the job and she needed to get used to it. In addition:
That’s one of the harsh realities I learned early on about the modeling industry: ultimately, your body doesn’t really belong to you. It belongs to the client. Since they’re paying, they figure they can do pretty much whatever they want to you. They can curl your hair, straighten it, dye it, cut it –even shave it. I’ve seen hair extensions being pulled out by the roots and smoke billowing out of flat irons while the hair inside gets singed and fried. I’ve watched models squeeze their feet into shoes so small their feet literally bled, and I’ve seen false eyelashes torn off so quickly that the natural lashes came off with them. Modeling may look glamorous on the outside, but believe me, beauty can be an ugly business.
Some girls even had surgery to remove ribs to look thinner, Kylie herself, at a size 2 and 115 lbs., was referred to as “the big model,” and her agent called her a “fat pig” and a “cow” and told her she needed to lose weight.
After a devastating heartbreak in high school, Kylie was open when a friend invited her to her church’s youth group. She began going to her church and learning about God, Jesus, and salvation for the first time. At a youth camp some time later, she finally put her faith in the Lord Jesus as her Savior. After she came home, her mom saw such a difference that she was open to what Kylie shared about what she was learning.
It still took years, though, for Kylie to come to a realization that there might be a problem with her modeling, especially modeling lingerie. We are saved in a moment, but growth and sanctification are processes that come with time in God’s Word and in His church. Kylie tells how her modeling career continued until she reached what she considered the pinnacle: winning a Victoria’s Secret Runway Angel competition. Aspects of modeling continued to bother her, but at first she just thought it was part of the job, then didn’t want to displease her agent or company or jeopardize her job or risk rejection. Finally she was convicted, but continued to compromise. She “wasn’t mature enough to understand this at the time, but it wasn’t simply a question of what you can or can’t see in those types of photos. My sinful choice was rooted in something deeper: what the photos represented. I can only imagine how sad it made God to see my complete lack of honor and purity and respect, not only for myself, but also for my parents, for my future spouse, and most of all, for Him.”
Had I been further along in my Christian walk and more focused on serving God rather than myself, I might have seen that. But I still had a long way to go in my faith. In my mind, being a Christian meant that God loved me and that He wanted me to be happy, healthy, and successful. I’d been listening to CDs that taught me how to transform my mind, when I should have been immersing myself in the Bible so God could transform my heart through His Word. Up to that point, I’d been treating God like a genie in a lamp, making childish wishes and then waiting for Him to deliver.
But God didn’t send His Son to die on the cross so that one day I could become a famous fashion model. He doesn’t exist to serve me; I exist to serve Him.
When she married, her husband at first didn’t realize all that was involved in her modeling, and once he did, instead of “making” her quit, he just quietly prayed for God to convict her. And He did. “God was opening my eyes to the fact that I couldn’t glorify Him in my life while at the same time taking modeling jobs that compromised His values. The disconnect was too great, and if I kept trying to do both, I would end up despising one. I had to choose. Would I serve the world, or would I serve God?”
When she repented and chose to serve God, at first she thought she would continue t model but avoid jobs that were immodest.
But as I continued to grow in my relationship with the Lord, I started to lose the desire to model at all. Regardless of the type of clothing, I knew that modeling promotes the world’s sense of beauty. This wasn’t the type of beauty I wanted to endorse for girls and women. Not only that, but the temptation would always be there to be thinner, prettier, and more in demand. I’d seen how addictive those desires can become, and I didn’t want any part of it anymore.
Unfortunately a sad consequence of modeling is that the photos that were taken of her will forever be available on the Internet, even some by a unscrupulous photographer who sold some to a porn site. There’s no way to get them back or have them erased. “I could make godly decisions related to my future, but I couldn’t control how others chose to exploit my past.” She chooses to think of them as “a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the depths of God’s redemptive grace.”
Now she is married with two children and a ministry encouraging women in their walk with the Lord. She blogs at I’m No Angel.
A few years ago during Victoria’s Secret show on TV, Kylie was watching Twitter and finding mostly negative comments about it, some from women who felt that it was a negative not only because of the immodesty, but because of making “everyday” women feel inadequate. One man tweeted, “I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a VS model.” Kylie responded, “I quit being a VS model to become a Proverbs 31 wife.” Within minutes she was contacted and asked to do a guest blog post which went viral and led to interviews on a number of news sites. There were some verbal attacks as a result, but there were also words of encouragement in unlikely places in the industry.
At the end of the book is a 30-day devotional section titled “The Master’s Makeover,” with Scripture and words of wisdom about beauty from God’s point of view.
I found this quite an eye-opening book and was blessed by Kylie’s growth. As far as I can tell no one sat her down and had “a talk” about modesty with her, but God dealt with her heart and brought her to conviction Himself. In the few pictures shared in the book, she looks so much healthier and happier, in addition to being more modest, in her more recent photos.
May 14, 2013
Blog: http://nastassjaloots.blogspot.com/20...
I quit being a VS model to become a Proverbs 31 wife – Kylie Bisutti
LEAVING FAME FOR FAITH
I’m no Angel by Kylie Bisutti is the story of a Victoria’s Secret Angel, the most glamorous of models, leaving the fashion industry and modeling world behind to honour her husband, and God, with her body. Becoming a VS Angel shortly after marrying the man of her dreams, Kylie and Mike were catapulted into a world neither of them expected. Kylie adequately phrases it as “By taking on the persona of an Angel, I had unwittingly signed a deal with the devil”.
Kylie treats the reader to a front row seat of her entire modeling career with all its ups and downs; starting out modeling at the local mall, following opportunities that took her abroad, signing with agencies in New York, and finally hitting the big time by becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel. As to why she wrote this book, Kylie explains:
"I believe God allowed me to walk through the fire and see the best and the worst the industry had to offer so I could come out on the other side stronger and wiser, with my eyes fully opened to the truth. And now I believe He is calling me to share what I’ve learned, with the hope that other people won’t have to learn the hard way, as I did". - Kylie Bisutti
We follow Kylie’s harrowing experiences, including being exposed to the dangers of sex-trafficking and prostitution, the drug abuse, eating disorders and extreme surgeries some models subject themselves to in order to be skinny, and the disturbing reality that a model wanting to be a part of the fashion industry needed at least one topless photo in her portfolio: "What does posing nude have to do with fashion? I wondered. And yet the models with the R-rated comp cards seemed to be the ones getting the jobs."
Then there are the horrific elements that came too close to home in Kylie’s case; verbal abuse - being called a fat pig and a cow by her agent (for the "crime" of being a size 2!), physical abuse - what is to my mind assault and a near-rape by a seedy photographer exploiting a young girl new to the business, and the infidelity, the lies, the deception, the betrayal, and the pornography that seems to be par for the course in the industry. Kylie elaborates on the excessive and often painful beauty treatments used to get models runway-ready, and even her own surreal experience of being Photoshopped to have a significantly smaller waist, and a bust size three times her normal one! The reader also gets a glimpse of what the lifestyle meant for her marriage and how it affected her husband. We don't always think how hard it must be for a man to watch his wife strut her stuff in underwear, millions of other men getting to see her that way; not to mention the comments from his friends!
Despite being happily married and very much in love with her husband, Kylie was encouraged to refrain from wearing her wedding ring in order to keep the fantasy of the VS brand alive. She was also approached by at least one celebrity through VS, who thought Kylie was his type and he wanted to “get together” – even though the fact that Kylie is married was no secret. By all accounts neither the celebrity nor the VS exec had a problem with propositioning a married woman. Shocking! Kylie was expected to play down her marriage, and to be a flirty, seemingly available VS model.
I wouldn't say that I'm No Angel is an exposé on the dark side of the industry; for me it's more of a testimony - in writing this book Kylie doesn’t badmouth anyone or anything, she simply tells her story. This book is an excellent read for all women in general, and I would especially recommend it to girls considering entering the world of modeling, as well as their parents.
More than focusing on the industry as such, Kylie is focusing on being a woman of worth – the importance of being a Proverbs 31 woman strongly comes across, and the message of inner beauty far outshines the focus on the glamorous outer beauty. It was a pleasure following Kylie’s journey, and her spiritual growth is a joy to experience.
I'm No Angel contains the most accurate depiction of the modeling industry nowadays, that I've ever come across. Kylie concurs, at some point modeling "is not about modeling clothes anymore".
"I’d known for years that a big part of the industry was selling sex – especially when it came to lingerie. But until I heard him say the words, “That’s what we’re paying you for,” it had never really hit home before. That’s when it finally hit me. I was being paid to tease, tempt and tantalize men. And it wasn’t just my job. As a Victoria’s Secret Angel I was expected to make this my whole identity... I simply couldn’t live the lifestyle the brand demanded and be a strong, faithful Christian wife".
Kylie doesn't hold back any of her mistakes in writing this book. It must have been really hard for her to relay some of the things she went through, but the lessons she learned are valuable and can save many young girls from similar hurts. More importantly, Kylie has let go of her past thanks to Christ's forgiveness. Kylie now lives a quiet life with Mike in Montana where she volunteers at her local church, and is working on a Christian fashion line that she describes as modest clothes for women of all shapes and sizes.
I quit being a VS model to become a Proverbs 31 wife – Kylie Bisutti
LEAVING FAME FOR FAITH
I’m no Angel by Kylie Bisutti is the story of a Victoria’s Secret Angel, the most glamorous of models, leaving the fashion industry and modeling world behind to honour her husband, and God, with her body. Becoming a VS Angel shortly after marrying the man of her dreams, Kylie and Mike were catapulted into a world neither of them expected. Kylie adequately phrases it as “By taking on the persona of an Angel, I had unwittingly signed a deal with the devil”.
Kylie treats the reader to a front row seat of her entire modeling career with all its ups and downs; starting out modeling at the local mall, following opportunities that took her abroad, signing with agencies in New York, and finally hitting the big time by becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel. As to why she wrote this book, Kylie explains:
"I believe God allowed me to walk through the fire and see the best and the worst the industry had to offer so I could come out on the other side stronger and wiser, with my eyes fully opened to the truth. And now I believe He is calling me to share what I’ve learned, with the hope that other people won’t have to learn the hard way, as I did". - Kylie Bisutti
We follow Kylie’s harrowing experiences, including being exposed to the dangers of sex-trafficking and prostitution, the drug abuse, eating disorders and extreme surgeries some models subject themselves to in order to be skinny, and the disturbing reality that a model wanting to be a part of the fashion industry needed at least one topless photo in her portfolio: "What does posing nude have to do with fashion? I wondered. And yet the models with the R-rated comp cards seemed to be the ones getting the jobs."
Then there are the horrific elements that came too close to home in Kylie’s case; verbal abuse - being called a fat pig and a cow by her agent (for the "crime" of being a size 2!), physical abuse - what is to my mind assault and a near-rape by a seedy photographer exploiting a young girl new to the business, and the infidelity, the lies, the deception, the betrayal, and the pornography that seems to be par for the course in the industry. Kylie elaborates on the excessive and often painful beauty treatments used to get models runway-ready, and even her own surreal experience of being Photoshopped to have a significantly smaller waist, and a bust size three times her normal one! The reader also gets a glimpse of what the lifestyle meant for her marriage and how it affected her husband. We don't always think how hard it must be for a man to watch his wife strut her stuff in underwear, millions of other men getting to see her that way; not to mention the comments from his friends!
Despite being happily married and very much in love with her husband, Kylie was encouraged to refrain from wearing her wedding ring in order to keep the fantasy of the VS brand alive. She was also approached by at least one celebrity through VS, who thought Kylie was his type and he wanted to “get together” – even though the fact that Kylie is married was no secret. By all accounts neither the celebrity nor the VS exec had a problem with propositioning a married woman. Shocking! Kylie was expected to play down her marriage, and to be a flirty, seemingly available VS model.
I wouldn't say that I'm No Angel is an exposé on the dark side of the industry; for me it's more of a testimony - in writing this book Kylie doesn’t badmouth anyone or anything, she simply tells her story. This book is an excellent read for all women in general, and I would especially recommend it to girls considering entering the world of modeling, as well as their parents.
More than focusing on the industry as such, Kylie is focusing on being a woman of worth – the importance of being a Proverbs 31 woman strongly comes across, and the message of inner beauty far outshines the focus on the glamorous outer beauty. It was a pleasure following Kylie’s journey, and her spiritual growth is a joy to experience.
I'm No Angel contains the most accurate depiction of the modeling industry nowadays, that I've ever come across. Kylie concurs, at some point modeling "is not about modeling clothes anymore".
"I’d known for years that a big part of the industry was selling sex – especially when it came to lingerie. But until I heard him say the words, “That’s what we’re paying you for,” it had never really hit home before. That’s when it finally hit me. I was being paid to tease, tempt and tantalize men. And it wasn’t just my job. As a Victoria’s Secret Angel I was expected to make this my whole identity... I simply couldn’t live the lifestyle the brand demanded and be a strong, faithful Christian wife".
Kylie doesn't hold back any of her mistakes in writing this book. It must have been really hard for her to relay some of the things she went through, but the lessons she learned are valuable and can save many young girls from similar hurts. More importantly, Kylie has let go of her past thanks to Christ's forgiveness. Kylie now lives a quiet life with Mike in Montana where she volunteers at her local church, and is working on a Christian fashion line that she describes as modest clothes for women of all shapes and sizes.
December 28, 2022
I really loved this book as it gave me a new perspective Of the modelling industry and how dream and faith (religion) can collide and force you to make hard decisions
September 23, 2021
Kylie is so passionate about her faith. I feel like it's rare to read about someone contemporary who grew to let God in so much that they walked away from everything they'd ever wanted just when they'd finally got to that point. Although I personally struggled to understand how it took her so long to see things for what they were, I absolutely took my hat off to her in the way she exited that lifestyle just as passionately as she'd lived in it and then turned it into something positive and outward-focussed. It was also an interesting look into the seedy world of modelling.
August 21, 2020
The dark side of modeling rises easily to the surface.
One common theme throughout the book is that, throughout Kylie’s journey in modeling as a preteen to a young woman in her 20s, she had hopes that the view would get better from the top. She endured cockroach-infested apartments in Japan, drug addicted roommates in tinnnyyy New York apartments, and even sexual molestations from seedy photographers (hired by her reputable agency!!) who attempted to wrap her nude in saran wrap...
Even after winning the Victoria Secret Bootcamp search, she was dismayed by the way the execs treated her.
She became saved early on in her modeling journey, and she alludes to the way her faith altered her relationship with her family in a positive way. Kylie slowly began to reconcile her Joyce Meyer-fueled-lifestyle-approach to Christianity-in reaching her dreams, to recognizing how her career was the antithesis to her walk with God.
One common theme throughout the book is that, throughout Kylie’s journey in modeling as a preteen to a young woman in her 20s, she had hopes that the view would get better from the top. She endured cockroach-infested apartments in Japan, drug addicted roommates in tinnnyyy New York apartments, and even sexual molestations from seedy photographers (hired by her reputable agency!!) who attempted to wrap her nude in saran wrap...
Even after winning the Victoria Secret Bootcamp search, she was dismayed by the way the execs treated her.
She became saved early on in her modeling journey, and she alludes to the way her faith altered her relationship with her family in a positive way. Kylie slowly began to reconcile her Joyce Meyer-fueled-lifestyle-approach to Christianity-in reaching her dreams, to recognizing how her career was the antithesis to her walk with God.
September 13, 2014
Kylie takes the reader through her experiences as a model, from her first audition to the Victoria Secret runway and everything that came between. Her story was fascinating. It was eye opening. I didn't know that models got started so young. I was horrified at the things that these young girls were expected and pressured to do. I thought that America had laws against children being photographed in provocative poses without much (or anything) for clothing on. Kylie talks about her mistakes, her budding faith, and her hard work to get to the top of the modeling industry.
She talks about how she compromised her beliefs in favor of her career. She tried to rationalize away the prickling of her conscience. As an outsider reading her story, I could see the blaring oxymoron that her life had become. On the one hand she was trying to be a good Christian and draw closer to God. On the other hand, she was selling sex. But it isn't easy to see those things when you are the person going through it. Kylie shares her struggles, her triumphs, and her epiphany when she realized that her two lives could never work together. She had to pick one or the other.
This book is worth the read. Kylie shares her testimony about respecting yourself, your family, and God by dressing modestly and making sure your actions coincide with your beliefs. I work with a group of young girls in my church and Kylie's testimony gave me some great material to share with them. Hopefully her experience will help them understand the importance of respecting the beautiful bodies that God created for them.
Content: The author shares her experiences, even the uncomfortable ones, but she manages to give the situation without going overboard on the details. It's pretty clean, but read it first if you are thinking of giving it to your teen.
My blog: Batch of Books
She talks about how she compromised her beliefs in favor of her career. She tried to rationalize away the prickling of her conscience. As an outsider reading her story, I could see the blaring oxymoron that her life had become. On the one hand she was trying to be a good Christian and draw closer to God. On the other hand, she was selling sex. But it isn't easy to see those things when you are the person going through it. Kylie shares her struggles, her triumphs, and her epiphany when she realized that her two lives could never work together. She had to pick one or the other.
This book is worth the read. Kylie shares her testimony about respecting yourself, your family, and God by dressing modestly and making sure your actions coincide with your beliefs. I work with a group of young girls in my church and Kylie's testimony gave me some great material to share with them. Hopefully her experience will help them understand the importance of respecting the beautiful bodies that God created for them.
Content: The author shares her experiences, even the uncomfortable ones, but she manages to give the situation without going overboard on the details. It's pretty clean, but read it first if you are thinking of giving it to your teen.
My blog: Batch of Books
April 6, 2017
Great book. A real eye opener.
January 3, 2016
Hang in till the end-- there may be times in the middle where you wonder if her prayers for success (whether in relationships or modeling) reflect a shallow understanding of faith; but remember, she is work in progress (as is all of us!)
It was encouraging and convicting to read through Kylie's journey. It must have taken great courage to share her past with such authenticity and openness, and I am so grateful that she did-- it has blessed me greatly. The plot itself was full of intriguing twists (of course, a Director with infinite wisdom was behind it), and she was a great story teller.
I especially appreciate her constant reference to the source of her transformation: not human wisdom, not some mindset of morality, not even second-hand truths passed down through some Christian culture, but simply the Word of God.
I wish she could have written more about the self-destructive nature of sin, its eternal consequences, as well as the need of true repentance. It would have been enlightening to hear a more explicit description of her path from believing that God loves her and just wanted her to be happy or successful, to the understanding that continuing down her path would lead to destruction.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be encouraged and challenged by a personal account of what it might look like to take up our cross and follow Jesus Christ.
It was encouraging and convicting to read through Kylie's journey. It must have taken great courage to share her past with such authenticity and openness, and I am so grateful that she did-- it has blessed me greatly. The plot itself was full of intriguing twists (of course, a Director with infinite wisdom was behind it), and she was a great story teller.
I especially appreciate her constant reference to the source of her transformation: not human wisdom, not some mindset of morality, not even second-hand truths passed down through some Christian culture, but simply the Word of God.
I wish she could have written more about the self-destructive nature of sin, its eternal consequences, as well as the need of true repentance. It would have been enlightening to hear a more explicit description of her path from believing that God loves her and just wanted her to be happy or successful, to the understanding that continuing down her path would lead to destruction.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be encouraged and challenged by a personal account of what it might look like to take up our cross and follow Jesus Christ.
September 16, 2013
This book tells a pretty compelling story: Kylie Bisutti won the 2009 Victoria's Secret Angel search, but upon discovering that the modeling world, especially at the top, was incompatible with her Christian faith, left it all behind. I was interested in her revelations about that world, but honestly was irritated at her years of naiveté trying to make it to the top. I had assumed that her conversion came after she had achieved success, and at that point she decided to stop modeling. In actuality, she converted at 15, and continued in the business for four more years. How did it not occur to her earlier that provocatively posing in lingerie might not be okay with God? At least she figured it out eventually...
The reason I'm only giving Bisutti's book three stars is because she writes like what she is: someone who only finished high school through correspondence courses and has never been focused on education. I was often confused about order of events, and a lot of details went unexplained. The section about her meeting and falling in love with her Christian husband was so cheesy I cringed. But that's okay. She doesn't have to be a great writer to be a good role model, and she is that. I'm glad to have learned her story just so I can talk about her example with my young daughters.
The reason I'm only giving Bisutti's book three stars is because she writes like what she is: someone who only finished high school through correspondence courses and has never been focused on education. I was often confused about order of events, and a lot of details went unexplained. The section about her meeting and falling in love with her Christian husband was so cheesy I cringed. But that's okay. She doesn't have to be a great writer to be a good role model, and she is that. I'm glad to have learned her story just so I can talk about her example with my young daughters.
January 22, 2015
I'm No Angel: From Victoria's Secret Model to Role Model... what an incredible book! What a journey Kylie went on! Besides sharing an amazing story of redemption, this book was really, really interesting. It pulled me in. Kylie apparently has a way with words. What a gift she's given to us in sharing her story; she experienced the agonies and thrills of modeling herself, and understands firsthand a girl's longing to be a Victoria's Secret "Angel", born from the desire to be beautiful, thin, noticed, adored, loved...
I don't want to give anything more away... You should really read this book though! Kylie Bisutti was there. She was a Victoria's Secret model, an "Angel", the most coveted model there is probably. Will you hear her words? Will you understand why she turned around and walked out without regret? Kylie will tell you what it's like to be a modeling "Angel", and why it's best you don't go there.
I don't want to give anything more away... You should really read this book though! Kylie Bisutti was there. She was a Victoria's Secret model, an "Angel", the most coveted model there is probably. Will you hear her words? Will you understand why she turned around and walked out without regret? Kylie will tell you what it's like to be a modeling "Angel", and why it's best you don't go there.
August 11, 2016
I want to start off by saying that I don't like writing negative reviews. However, I'm No Angel by Kylie Bisutti is one of those books that just leaves me scratching my head. A Christian, she applies for a contest to walk the runway in a Victoria's Secret show. In lingerie. Then complains about the fact that they want her to be too sexy, etc. She also posed nearly nude for men's magazines. What did she expect from this "career" of lingerie modeling? And why would a Christian sign up for it? It's just a very odd story. Now, she wants to tell us all about how inner beauty and modesty are what matters. Easy for her to say, now that she's already had plastic surgery to enhance her looks!
I'm not trying to judge her current walk with Christ. She seems like she was a very naive young woman (married an older man at a very young age, got in over her head with the "modeling" career), etc. I'm glad she's on the right path now. This just isn't a story I'd want my daughters to read.
I'm not trying to judge her current walk with Christ. She seems like she was a very naive young woman (married an older man at a very young age, got in over her head with the "modeling" career), etc. I'm glad she's on the right path now. This just isn't a story I'd want my daughters to read.
February 2, 2017
I remember having this book on my list when it first came out so I'm happy it found its way back to me. I saw it on the shelf and immediately had to take it home from the library. I enjoyed the story and admired her bravery. While the story was slow in some parts (as is life sometimes, right?), there are a few worthy takeaways. I also connected with it as someone who struggled with the same insecurities of our shared body shape. It was a good reminder that I'm not alone, that none of us are alone.
January 1, 2016
non-fiction
I'm No Angel is an awesome read! Not only do we get a peek at what the modeling world is really about, and a wonderful account of one woman's journey to Christ, but a super love story between Kylie and her husband Mike. I can't believe I got this ebook for free. This would be a great book for young women also.
I'm No Angel is an awesome read! Not only do we get a peek at what the modeling world is really about, and a wonderful account of one woman's journey to Christ, but a super love story between Kylie and her husband Mike. I can't believe I got this ebook for free. This would be a great book for young women also.
January 29, 2016
Read the book on my iPad. Downloaded it after hearing a recommendation from our assistant pastor. This is the autobiography of a young woman who really was fortunate not to fall prey to the demands of a modeling career. She learned a lot at an early age due to her travel and relationships. Would recommend for young ladies and their parents, especially those struggling with self-image issues.
February 9, 2014
A nice personal story that reminds girls and young women that materialism and pretty faces are NEVER as important as faith and values. Kylie is a wonderful role model who portrays what true beauty looks like
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