A first look at Blaze Taylor’s Instagram can leave you awestruck. She has long blonde hair, a big smile, and a charm that radiates through each photo. And with a name like Blaze, it’s no wonder that this 21-year old is already making waves.

With countless collaborations behind her, modeling gigs, a couple features in Cowgirl Magazine, a swimsuit design that broke the Internet (sorry, Kim), Blaze is nowhere near done and her ambitions are much greater than modeling and anything that the “influencer” industry can offer. And though she undeniably is one, she admittedly hates the word.

In a family of beauty queens, Blaze grew up a tomboy near Kansas City, Kansas. She participated in rodeos, showed horses, sheep, cattle, you name it. Her freshman year of high school, she became more interested in fashion and makeup, though she didn’t give up the rodeo lifestyle and continued to compete throughout junior high and high school, just with a little bit more of a girly look.

“In the agriculture industry, if you see a girl with a full face of makeup, people question if she’s handy. That’s an automatic judgment. I want girls to know they can be both. They can go out in the field and they can work, they can go to the rodeo and rope with the best of them, and still dress how they want, put their makeup on, wear their lashes and jewelry.” 

Blaze’s modeling career took off serendipitously. Shortly after she decided it was something she wanted to do, she was approached by Sarah Jo Otto, the owner of The Coyote Cowgirl. Sarah Jo wanted Blaze to model her clothes. She ended up traveling to the Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico for her first official shoot. After those photos came back, she started pushing them on social media and gaining her following. 

From there, Blaze was presented with many opportunities. She has worked booths at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, was featured on an episode of Roots Run Deep: Vegas Edition, and more.

“Having companies reach out and want to work with me is such an honor because anytime somebody trusts you, that is amazing. For a company to want their product represented by me is very humbling.”

 And she’s far from done.

“I want to use my platform to be an advocate for agriculture and to continue to push what I am most familiar with. My ultimate goal is to help agricultural companies, inspire girls, and be a light for people that follow me.”

Blaze is currently finishing up her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Media and Communications at West Texas A&M University. She hopes to one day work in the media industry covering rodeo and, or agricultural events. The ultimate goal is to be a broadcaster for rodeos or to run social media and be the translator between the agricultural industry and the consumer.

“There are so many people who are disconnected with that side of the world, the culture of agriculture, and where their food comes from. I want to be able to educate people so that when they go to the supermarket they can look at their produce and know where it comes from.”

As for the other sides of her, the glitz and glam and the cowgirl? Well, she’s not done with that either. She continues to take parts in rodeos and is excited about the big things happening for women in pro competitions, like breakaway roping.

Regardless of where you see Blaze, she’ll be radiating confidence and positivity, whether she’s dressed up or down, as it’s her soul that will always shine through.

“Nobody knows your story wholeheartedly, and people will judge you no matter what you do. Wear whatever you want that makes your soul and heart feel good. Dress up for yourself, not for other people. I have never judged somebody that is doing less than me.”

For brand collaborations or make-up services, follow Blaze on Instagram at @blaze_t_22 or e-mail her at blaze_t_22@hotmail.com.