To mark her Autumn Collections issue cover, the scarlet haired skater and Marc Jacobs favourite gives her take on the States she calls home
As part of our States of Independence summer takeover, 50 American indie icons have volunteered to take the Dazed Pop Quiz; a quick-fire Q&A about what they love and loathe about life in the USA. Check back here every day for more from the series.
As comfortable on her skateboard as she is on the runway, when it comes to the anti-girl next door redefining America's model landscape today, Natalie Westling leads the pack. Combining a genuine grunge lean with an ethereal, uncompromising appearance, face-of-the-moment Westling is way and above your average Southwestern belle. Raised in Arizona, her chilled out take on the modelling game has been bringing the heat just like the endless deserts of her home state. Racking up campaigns from Céline to McQ, her flame-haired appearance in the dead-eyed Marc Jacobs SS14 campaign even managed to outshine Miley's antics (no mean feat). As her cover story for our Autumn 2014 issue with bezzie mate Binx Walton launches, we spoke to the breakout star about junk food, Jessica Rabbit and her best skater slang.
Which living American do you most admire and why?
Natalie Westling: Honestly, I admire so many different people for different reasons that to pick only one wouldn't really make all that much sense.
Which living American do you most despise and why?
Natalie Westling: Bill O'Reilly.
Whose face should be on the $100 bill?
Natalie Westling: Chaz Ortiz.
What is your favorite quote about America?
Natalie Westling: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." – H.L. Mencken
What three words define the States today?
Natalie Westling: Are you serious?
Who gave you your first break? Do you still talk?
Natalie Westling: Katie Grand and yes we do.
When + where you the most happiest?
Natalie Westling: Being back in Arizona hanging out with friends and family.
Ultimate American film?
Natalie Westling: How the West was Won.
What is your ultimate American guilty pleasure?
Natalie Westling: Fast food.
What high school clique were you in? Do you stay in touch?
Natalie Westling: The Drum line band and everyone. Yeah, we've stayed in touch.
What food reminds you of home?
Natalie Westling: Mexican.
What smell do you associate with the city of your birth?
Natalie Westling: Clean desert air.
What's the best road trip you've ever been on?
Natalie Westling: A trip to California with the family when I was 16 is probably right up there at the top.
Where did you first fall in love?
Natalie Westling: I haven't been there yet.
Ultimate American album?
Natalie Westling: Born in the USA.
What would make you leave America forever?
Natalie Westling: If the Federal law was the same as state law in Mississippi, I would definitely need to get the fuck out.
What noise reminds you of the States?
Natalie Westling: Different languages.
What is your favorite American building?
Natalie Westling: The Empire State building.
Most overrated US tourist attraction
Natalie Westling: Times Square.
Most underrated US tourist attraction
Natalie Westling: The Four Corners. I don't think anyone goes there anymore.
Favorite slang phrase?
Natalie Westling: What up. Trippin. Sketch. True.
What law would you change or invent?
Natalie Westling: To keep federal law away from state law.
Where in the States would you ride out the apocalypse?
Natalie Westling: Montana.
When was your last run-in with the cops? What happened?
Natalie Westling: Surprisingly enough, it's actually never happened.
If you could change one thing about the US, what would it be?
Natalie Westling: Prejudice.
Which fictional American do you most identify with?
Natalie Westling: Jessica Rabbit.
If you could vote for Obama again, would you?
Natalie Westling: Definitely. Unless Hillary Clinton was running, then it would be a close call.
If you lost it all tomorrow, what would you do the day after?
Natalie Westling: Something new. Like get a dog or buy a bobsled.
What will America look like in 2050?
Natalie Westling: Oh I'm afraid, I don't know.
Does the American Dream still exist?
Natalie Westling: I'm here aren't I?