An Unexpected Surprise
All babies are cute—we agree, but Jaqi and Kevin Clements’ daughters are out of this world. The couple welcomed their two little girls in July 2010, and ever since they were born, people couldn't stop appreciating their beautiful features.
Despite delivering the twins four and a half weeks earlier than expected, Jaqi and Kevin were relieved to see how healthy they both were. Given that the adorable kids had unparalleled gorgeousness, they also needed distinctive names—so the couple introduced their bundles of joy as Leah Rose and Ava Marie Clements. What they didn’t know was that their daughters’ beauty would change their family’s life forever!
A Dream of All Parents
Every parent in this world wants to have extraordinary kids, not because they want to show them off, but to see them succeed in life and become the best versions of themselves. Couples sacrifice a lot to make sure their children live the best life possible and in doing so, they open many new doors for their offspring.
Jaqi and Kevin Clements also wanted to do everything for their children and so they never second-guessed themselves before taking a huge decision for their daughters, but what they didn’t know was that the girls would do much more than they’d expect.
Early Signs of Stardom
Jaqi shared that going into labor before time got her worried, but it didn’t matter in the long run. Both her daughters were healthy, but more than that, they were charismatic beyond measure. The twins acted like celebs from the start— they would dress up unexpectedly, show up, and be the life of any gathering!
Family or strangers, everyone noticed their striking appearances. It was undeniably hard to ignore Ava and Leah's silky-smooth skin, shiny hair, and utterly symmetrical faces that could be on the covers of magazines. Besides several compliments, people said something about Ava and Leah that got their parents pondering if they should be doing things differently.
What Did People Say?
Every person who would bump into these angels would suggest to Jaqi and Kevin that their daughters should be models. With such a high quotient of style and good looks, it only sounded fair to the parents, who couldn't help but consider this suggestion.
After contemplating and calculating all the merits and demerits, Jaqi indeed decided to give it a try. Luckily, when she discussed the idea with Kevin, he also agreed with her. After all, their daughters’ beauty and talents must not go to waste! Everyone got to work immediately with a lot of excitement when something unforeseen happened!
Things Took a U-Turn
Since Jaqi was naive about the industry, she got her six-months-old twins signed up with a baby modeling agency, but soon realized it might be too much for her family to handle.
Leah and Ava had an older brother who needed just as much attention from his parents as his sisters. On top of it, the agency was in Los Angeles, which was quite far away from their residence. Carrying three young kids daily to another town was not feasible, and as Kevin had to go to work, leaving the toddler at home wasn't an option either. Here's how Jaqi got over this dilemma.
Ending Before the Beginning
It was enticing to give her children a life of modeling at such a tender age, but Jaqi believed that perhaps it was not the right time. Her kids were too young, and bringing them up alongside their buddies seemed more important than exhausting them unnecessarily.
Initially, there were apprehensions, but as the entire family spent time together, the couple had zero regrets about taking a break from their hectic schedule. Gradually things fell into place, but one-day, Jaqi questioned her choice as a random but very crucial thought crossed her mind.
Liberal Parents
Though short-lived, the twins enjoyed their three months of training thoroughly! Despite being pulled away from the agency; they couldn't get over it. Jaqi observed this behavior closely and thought of having a conversation with the girls about what they wanted.
Aiming to keep her daughters happy, Jaqi didn't wish to force decisions on them. For her, it was necessary that Ava and Leah don't suppress their emotions. Not many children get such progressive parents; the twins would definitely feel lucky when they'd grow up. Jaqi ensured they had a say in everything related to them, even if they were too young.
Jaqi & Kevin in A Tricky Situation
While Jaqi was lost in a conundrum, she completely forgot that Ava and Leah haven't even learned to speak proper sentences yet! These affectionate toddlers only knew some babbling sounds, laughter noises, and the language of crying! There was no possibility that the girls could voice their opinions even if they had something in their minds!
Kevin and Jaqi were stumped! As parents, they wanted nothing but the best for their dear ones, but they struggled to see a streak of light at the end of the tunnel. It took years for them to finally figure out what was best for their daughters—it was as if the fate intervened.
A Ray of Hope
Jaqi is a person who strongly believes in signs and considers seven as her lucky number. When the girls turned seven, something triggered this side of Jaqi and she quickly added two and two together. The girls were born on 7/7, they were aged seven now, and even her lucky number—this was all a sign for her to get started again.
Jaqi thought of surprising the girls with modeling classes. Simultaneously, she was open to the idea that her daughters would only start training if they wanted to. Ava and Leah already had dance and swimming classes every week. She didn't want to burden them!
Girls' Reaction Shocked Jaqi
While they kept busy with other extracurricular activities, the twins never shied away from putting on a fashion show for everybody including, neighbors, and friends. Their mom and dad still don't know how Leah and Ava got this hobby, but they just wouldn't stop performing.
When Jaqi shared her plans with these little starlets, they were ecstatic and instantly said a big yes to the idea, as if the girls were waiting to be asked! Their mother was relieved that she was taking the right step towards her daughters’ happiness, now only thing left to do was let the world know!
Picking Up from Where They Left Off
This time, things weren't as rocky as last time. The couple had previous learnings, and Jaqi's little ladies were older and wiser; naturally, they expected the execution to be much smoother now. All they had to do was search for an incredible opportunity.
Fortunately, someone in the neighborhood was looking for junior models for a recently launched children's boutique. Their applications were selected promptly, and the twins got the project! It was only uphill from here as these pictures added weight to Ava and Leah's portfolio, and here's how it went.
Slow & Steady Wins the Race
Even though they had turned seven, these girls were still too young to understand the art of expressions or act a certain way as professionals! Playing around with mom's cosmetics is one thing and styling it with matching outfits and jewelry proved detrimental to Ava and Leah's development. Jaqi thought it would be best to take things slowly.
Taking matters into her hands, Jaqi did a photoshoot with them at home, in a familiar space. She kept it minimal, little to no makeup, simple pleats in their hair, and went out in the garden area to click some random moments between the sisters!
A Rough Patch Again
Ava and Leah used to put on make-believe fashion shows since they were young toddlers, but it did not mean they intuitively knew how to pose like an expert. While one kid would look at the camera, the other one would stare into the abstract.
If Ava remained focused, Leah would try to distract her, sometimes accidentally, sometimes purposefully. On both occasions, there was a fight between the sibling duo. It was apparent they all needed help from a designated coach. Jaqi was also facing trouble being patient with them.
Seeking Professional Help
It was appropriate to get the girls back with a top-tier agency. It may sound like an obvious step, but it's stunning to witness how much effort Jaqi was putting on her own to shape her daughters' careers.
The responsible mom still had a list of contacts from before, but she worried if any of them would be available to give their family another try after six years. With a hesitant mind, Jaqi started to connect with the agents one by one, and to her surprise, almost everyone showed interest. Excited, she did something that got them in trouble yet again!
Double-Trouble
When Jaqi signed up with two agencies, she assumed it would enhance Ava and Leah's chances of getting good quality work quickly and easily. Little did she know they would get in a pickle later!
Things worked in their favor until one of the agencies gave her a call to tell them they have a Barbie audition for her girls tomorrow. This may sound like good news, but panic ran across the Clements house because they had already given the trial for the same gig with their second agent. Jaqi wondered how to get out of this mess.
Being Honest is Always a Good Idea
Finding no other way, Jaqi had to reveal the truth to their agency, and luckily, they fixed the matter in a few hours. Apart from external help, Jaqi was doing everything she could do from her side to help her little ones.
She learned that instead of keeping a hard copy, starting an Instagram page of Ava and Leah would be more beneficial for their growth in the industry. Lo and behold, she made an account under the name of @clementstwins, and in no time, it received 300,000 followers. Once again, number seven proved to be lucky as Jaqi began her Instagram journey in July 2017.
Instagram Follower Curve
A mother of three would get only a few hours to spend by herself, let alone surf on social media. Jaqi was inexperienced with this millennial platform, yet she learned some tactics that helped the girls' beauty attract a good fanbase. Five months in, and they reached 380,000 followers.
In fact, Jaqi was kind enough to share her secrets to increasing those numbers on Instagram in interviews later. She revealed that because the digital world is all about pictures, one must not settle with an average photographer. Well, it indeed sounds like wise advice. Take notes, everyone!
This Family is a Talent Hub
By this time, all the pieces were falling together. Some of it was, as Jaqi believed, a miracle of magic number seven, and the rest was all her family members' hard work.
While Leah and Ava were gradually tasting success, their older sibling Chase wasn't far behind either. He had a knack for singing since his toddler years. Not ignoring his talent, Jaqi and Kevin signed him up with the same agency as their daughters. Besides having a melodious voice, Chase also modeled and acted. It seems like talent ran in these kids' genes.
It's Raining Jobs
Jaqi's all three kids were quite skilled now. Their resumes looked good, and Ava, Leah, and Chase had remarkable experiences as well. Wherever the trio went, people immediately wanted to sign them up.
As a matter of fact, the girls had six jobs lined up within a week. It might sound tiring to even adults, but the twins enjoyed their modeling assignment to the core. Meanwhile, Chase also kept doing a few commercials. You indeed never feel exhausted when you do something you love! However, this bustling life suddenly came to a halt.
Two Sides of a Coin
There was good news for the Clements family from all around, but just like there are pros and cons to everything, the troop had to face some challenges as well!
Even though she had experts' opinions in everything, Jaqi had to make a final call in most circumstances. She was still processing a lot of new information about this kind of business and admitted on her blog that it had its highs and lows! Jaqi also advised that while diving in this department, one must ensure they trust their instincts and have the right guidance.
Critiques Everywhere
Jaqi further discussed the trails of negative comments people left on social media channels, which either targeted the twins or her. This was entirely unexpected for the family.
Individuals would say things like - let them enjoy their childhood, or commented on Jaqi and Kevin's parenting skills. Although Clements knew these weren't worthy of any attention, it wasn't as easy as they thought! As guardians, it was their duty to protect their children. She didn't feel like stooping down to these haters' levels, so she stuck to an adage - if you can't say something nice, don't bother saying anything at all. But did it resolve this problem?
Breaking Her Silence
As a social media user, Jaqi was trying her best to be patient with all this negativity, but as a mother, she wasn't getting any success in ignoring one particular comment. People would frequently say Ava and Leah looked sad in every picture, which implied that they were being forced to do modeling.
Jaqi is a mentally and emotionally very strong person, but this was beyond her limits. She ultimately spoke up against these harsh comments. She clarified that some photoshoots required the kids to have more solemn looks than others. Off-camera, both girls live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Sadly, it didn’t change the situation much.
Never Ending Questions
Another big question this family got was if the twins wore makeup. Half of their Instagram audience thought it was no big deal, whereas others felt the girls' skin was too tender to be exposed to such harsh cosmetic products.
Jaqi replied to this query as well. She confirmed that be it any agency, in a professional setting, almost every single photoshoot requires some touchup. There was always a hairstylist and makeup artist present on the sets. Ava and Leah were comfortable with this process, and so were their parents, but somehow critiques seem extra concerned!
Wonder Woman
After putting up with all this, it would not be wrong to call Jaqi a Wonder woman. She is no less than a blessing to the family! The lady acted as a shield and kept her cubs safe in every situation.
Moreover, without any complaints, Jaqi drove back and forth for work. Getting through LA traffic isn't a cakewalk, but she would take the girls there several times per week for projects, which meant spending 5 - 6 long-hours on roads. Sound brutal, but this iron lady dealt with it with a smile. Besides their mother, let's shed light on what her kids were doing apart from modeling.
Leah & Ava's Other Interests
Although modeling consumed most of these girls' time, they were still ordinary children who would goof around on the sets, groove to their favorite songs, play loud music during car rides, and even got on one another's nerves! Like kids of their age, Leah and Ava were equally creative and playful.
If not child models, these youngsters would totally be in either a drama company or participating in a dance reality show. These skills may have taken a back seat due to their main hobby, but this also brought certain significant changes in everyone's life.
Silver Lining
So far, we have covered most of the disadvantages of being young fashionistas, but that's not it. There are ample benefits of having a model life, and this happy family would vouch for it.
What we see as five hectic hours of traveling, the Clements perceived it as an opportunity to spend some quality time with each other, which otherwise may not have been possible. It brought everyone even more close and connected. They say each trip was an experience in itself and more.
Added Benefits
In addition to a deeper bond with old members, these twin sisters also made new connections on the go! They had a gala time every day with other kids of their age.
Furthermore, the sibling duo would get ample packages, clothes, toys, and products to endorse. Such pampering much wow! All they had to was try these goodies and review them in a commercial or via a photoshoot. If this isn't a star life, we don't know what it is! Regardless of a hustled regime, Jaqi always kept regular with such updates on her blog, but wait; there's more to her page than just a few festive moments' documentations.
Guide to Instagram Success
Gaining 300,000 followers overnight isn't a child's play. You must know what you're getting into and have all the required information. If you are an Instagram novice, Jaqi's here to save the day. Fortunately for us, the wise woman has made a list of essential tips and tricks she learned during her journey, from beginners to social media superstars.
Besides, experts say that knowledge shared is knowledge squared. What good is a theory if no one reuses it, and we couldn't agree more! Thankfully, Jaqi has been completely honest about her experiences. Continue reading to learn from the best.
A Handcrafted Rulebook
We understand once you start uploading pictures on a digital platform, it becomes addictive. You want to post more and more photographs for a few likes. But Jaqi says the first and most crucial point is that one must never overpost.
To ensure that your audience doesn't get bored of your account or start putting it on mute, Jaqi suggests that always update images and videos frequently, but in moderation. If there's too much information for people to process on a page, they start unfollowing and sometimes even report it. If you're impressed, Jaqi's next point will amuse you even more!
Crucial Hashtags
Can you think of what makes a picture on a digital platform reach a larger audience? Friends and family might re-post it, but even that won't make an image get a million responses.
When you're done guessing, match your answers with Jaqi's, who have learned the use of appropriate hashtags is the key. That's something, which helped her daughters to become social media superstars globally. Observing the accounts of other child models, she discovered a set pattern of hashtags, which proved extremely useful. Read further for the magical step three.
Know Your Audience
Following these guidelines, once you become a popular Instagram celebrity, it's time to filter your audience. This may sound like an unnecessary step, but trust us, it is like a post-production process in photography. Finishing touches are all it takes to build an ideal account.
Jaqi recommends, following people from the target industry you want to target should be a priority. Then follow random fans so they give you a shoutout, and ultimately, their friends would land up on your page. A win-win situation! However, if a person is new, she suggests one must follow everyone, including photographers, other kid models, children's fashion, and more.
One Last Thing
Another interesting way the twins' got Instagram success was by benefiting from the comments section. Jaqi observed that leaving a simple appreciation comment on fellow models' photos, designers, coaches, and photographers, ended up forming a new connection every time. It helped in sparking up conversations, establishing relationships, and gradually contributed to their profession. Helping others is indeed the best way to expand one's business!
Enough about the rules now. Since social media pictures have to be aesthetically beautiful, let's focus on what Jaqi recommends for converting an ordinary image into an attractive one while staying on a budget.
Frugality is in Trend
The Clements family noticed some posts received more likes than others. Similar outfits and certain poses were also favored among the rest. To deliver more such portraits, their mother came up with a brilliant idea that was extremely light on their pockets as well.
Remember the lady who owned a kids' boutique in their neighborhood? Jaqi used to borrow stylish garments from her and made a deal that while she lends her clothes to Ava and Leah, there'll always be a shoutout about her brand in the description section. This barter system clearly worked out well for both parties, but was there no other way?
Managing Cash Flow Wisely
Wondering what did Jaqi do with all the money from tons of modeling projects if not spending it on their clothes? Well, kids needed over-the-top outfits for their photoshoots, and these kinds of dresses can not be worn on a day-to-day basis or even at parties. Moreover, getting a garment that expensive and adding its matching jewelry and other accessories is an expensive affair for middle to upper-middle-class families.
It's better to save this hard-earned credit score and use it later for paying college bills and rental insurance. We are in awe of Jaqi's intelligence!
Lessons Learned Throughout
Aren't we feeling thankful for this hardworking mom, who has shared so many valuable details from her experience?! And the best part is, she doesn't stop there!
While Jaqi's still surfing through the thick and thins of the modeling world, she says one of her greatest take away is that no matter how big or small you are, always be honest. We agree that is indeed the best policy! Whether a person has to work with a photographer, an agency, colleagues, or fellow models, stating what's on their mind helps to keep things transparent between everyone involved.
Where Are the Kids Now?
Ava, Leah, and Chase had a dinner table conversation with their parents, and everyone concluded they are enjoying this modeling work. They also made an agreement the minute either of the three children felt burdened or simply done with these assignments; no one would force them to continue.
As parents Kevin and Jaqi promised their kids they will always support anything which is harmless and makes them happy - be it studies or other activities. So far, the sibling trio has taken their modeling curve in an upward direction, and it's obvious they are going to go far!
Inherent Talent
If you're wondering how did the Clements twins turn out to be so stunning inside out, well, an obvious answer is some incredible genes. Along with the kids, their mum also keeps making guest appearances in several photoshoots. Jaqi tells, she's an amateur, but her pictures say otherwise. The woman looks like a pro!
It's not only Jaqi's beautiful genes, but perhaps her hidden talent is the reason why her children acted as models since they were in baby strollers. Ava and Leah have taken on both their parents, but it's apparent they are more like their gorgeous mother.
Loving the Adventure
While an ordinary family would go to an amusement park for adventure, Clements chose a runway. Their path may be different, but they aren't wrong in any way. There has been appreciation, hatred, good, positives, negatives, but the troop survived everything with ease.
Jaqi praised her daughter for giving a new purpose to all their lives and a career option she wouldn't have even imagined for her kids at such a young age. They don't have any long-term goals at the moment, but they are definitely enjoying their present, she further adds on her blog.
Running Well in the Race
Today, Ava and Leah have around 1.5 million followers on their Instagram page. Wow! It's not going to take long when they'd be counted among some of the most influential women around the world. For instance, Wonder Woman celeb Gal Gadot has 28 million followers, and music maestro Lady Gaga has 35 million.
Those digits are huge, but if we compare the Clements to such stars, or top actresses, and artists, they are on the right track to soon become the most loved models on digital platforms. Aren't these sisters giving major career goals?
One Year Later
So much happened within a span of 365 days that it looks like more than a year. Everyone is much wiser now, including the children, who are now eight years old. This also means more opportunities started pouring in. Fashion magazines, publications, and high-end clothing brands began reaching out to the family, and without a doubt, the results looked stunning!
They don't work with average professionals, only big-shot photographers and agencies. If anyone lacks motivation, these girls' solid portfolio will give them multiple reasons to be more focused in life.
Official Celebrities
Undoubtedly, the year gone by was beyond exciting for the Clements' daughters and their dear mom. Since they are designated as professional models now, the twins signed contracts with brands like Disney, Nike, Target, and Mattel, and have featured on famous fashion magazines' cover like Harper's Bazaar Brazil.
Not only that, but popular print media also wrote about their endeavors. In 2017, Daily Mail published an article about Ava and Leah, which helped them get even more exposure. You'd be surprised to know that Ava and Leah have been giving an important message behind their flawless beauty.
Fighting for a Cause
Amidst all this good news, their father, Kevin, got diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia. Sadness spread across the whole family, but everyone decided to be courageous, take care of Kevin, and find him matching bone marrow so that he’d recover quickly. Leah and Ava took this responsibility on their delicate shoulders, but they were indeed the right people for this.
Since the twins had a strong digital fanbase, they appealed to their followers, and in no time, they took the internet by storm. People’s responses came out so overwhelming.
The Power of Media
Leah and Ava's campaign, Jaqi's blogs, and Chase's efforts started showing the result. They even partnered with DKMS, an organization where a person can get tested to become a donor. Their voices were heard nationally and internationally.
Although Kevin's brother turned out to be a match, moments like these restore our faith in humanity. In today's era when the online world is majorly used for entertainment, a small American family tried to save a life and somewhat succeeded in it! His surgery was successful, and the girls helped their father through recovery.
Back to Work
Another year passed with all this hustle-bustle, and now it was time everyone got back to their routines. What Ava and Leah started at the age of seven as a mere hobby made them rightfully earn the tag of the world's most beautiful nine-year-old twins.
Care to know what a day in their life looks like? As per Jaqi, her young models are always busy having fun. They'd get expensive merchandise gifted, go shopping, get asked for selfies from people around, and much more. Both the sisters are also fortunate to have a mother like Jaqi, who's responsible for this fantastic ride!
Enjoying the Spotlight
If you're having a tough time believing how marvelous this pair of best friends is, you might want to check their website to understand what's really brewing in Leah and Ava's life.
From endorsing a brand to selling nail lacquer to raise awareness and funds for their cousin Shane's spinal injury, these girls are spreading smiles wherever they go. Indeed, any skill can become a profession given that you follow it passionately. Leah Rose and Ava Marie have come a long way from receiving a few compliments for their beauty to turning those words into money!