FROM HARD HATS TO HIGH FASHION

THE STORY OF MODEL CASEY RUSSO

Some women wear stilettos. Some women wear hard hats. And then there are women like Casey Russo who wear both, effortlessly.

For the past 3.5 years, Casey has been blazing her own trail as a professional model, defying industry expectations and societal labels. Represented by four agencies, Heyman Talent, Talent Fusion, Wink Talent, and Unique Models, she has booked campaigns with powerhouse brands such as Meijer, Bath & Body Works, Abbott Health, Nationwide, Bank of America, Centier Bank, Indiana Donor Network, Marriott Hotels, ESPN and even the Ohio Department of Health. She’s also appeared in commercials, films, and walked runways as a proud curve model proving height has nothing on heart.

But behind the glossy images and runway lights is a woman who has fought fiercely for her confidence, her independence, and her daughter. Casey is a solo mother to her beautiful 14-year-old daughter Kilyn, who has faced lifelong medical challenges. That role has shaped her into a woman of unwavering strength. “Every single booking I get still makes me emotional,” Casey shares. “I just feel so blessed for every opportunity. Modeling gave me back to myself confident, happy, strong, brave, and independent. All the things I want my daughter to see in me.”

Her path to modeling wasn’t straight. For years, she's run an asphalt paving company alongside her father handling operations of heavy machinery and managing crews in a male-dominated industry. “It’s the perfect mix of hard hats and stilettos,” she laughs. “Who says you can’t be both?”

But it was a friend in the fashion industry who kept nudging her to try modeling. At first, Casey didn’t believe she belonged. Years of being told she wasn’t “enough”, not thin enough, not pretty enough, not worthy enough, had left scars. “Finally, I said, ‘Okay, I’ll submit to three agencies. If I don’t hear back, we’ll never talk about this again.’” Instead, all three agencies offered her contracts.

That moment changed everything.

Since then, Casey has embraced modeling not just as a career but as a reclamation of her identity. She’s living proof that beauty doesn’t fit into one mold. She’s proof that resilience can walk the runway. She’s proof that you can start over, no matter your age, size, or circumstances.

“I want women to know you can be whoever you want to be at any age, size, or gender,” she says. “Here I am a curvy model who also runs an asphalt paving company. And I love every second of it.”

 Casey Russo is not just modeling clothes, she’s modeling courage, perseverance, and self-love. And that may just be her most powerful role yet.

QSM: Being a single mom is tough and from one single mom to another you are doing an amazing job. 

Casey: Gosh, I really appreciate that. Single moms unite!!! It is NOT easy by any means! For me, I am technically considered a solo parent because my daughters father passed away in 2021 so there is no one to share that responsibility, time, financial needs, etc. Let’s just say… I’m always the bad guy! Raising a teenage girl is tough … raising her alone… send help! All jokes aside, my daughter, Kilyn, is an incredible young lady.

QSM: Can you share how becoming a single mother to a daughter with medical challenges shaped your personal and professional journey?

Casey: Well, I think as parents we put our kids first. That’s normal. Kilyn was a perfectly healthy child until one day, everything changed. It’s such a long story, but the easiest way to explain it is that at 21 months everything inside her basically went nuts. It seemed like she just had a virus. I took her to multiple doctors, urgent cares, hospitals, all to just be turned away from and told she just caught a bug, and she’ll get better. She just needs rest, fluids, and the BRAT diet. Blah blah blah. This was SO far from the reality of what was happening in her precious little body, and I knew it... I FELT it. I mean come on… we are moms. We just know. So, I kept being persistent that something was not right. At the same time, my grandmother passed away, so we tried to get to her funeral. We made it to Indiana but couldn’t make it through the funeral because I ended up back in the hospital with Kilyn. And once again, they sent us away. I’ve never been so frustrated.

It took an incredibly smart doctor in Noblesville to take me seriously. He ran tests and discovered that her levels, especially her albumin, were dangerously low. At this time, my husband (Kilyn’s dad) was still in Orlando, and I was in Indiana. The doctor said, “You have two choices. 1. You go straight to the airport, fly home so you’re near dad, and head directly to the hospital, we’ll call and tell them you’re coming so they’re ready or 2. You go directly to Riley Children’s. Either way, go now and be prepared to be there for a while. I was terrified.

We flew to Orlando, went directly to Arnold Palmer children’s and stayed there that time for 41 days in the ICU. We almost lost my daughter twice. It was truly the worst time in my life. I would not leave her room. Not for anything. She went through so much during that stay. She had to learn to walk again. It just took everything out of her. I still sort of live with the fear that something will happen to her and I could lose her.

This was our new normal. In and out of hospitals between 3 cities, Orlando, Denver, and Indianapolis. We spent many holidays, days, weeks, and months in hospitals. Infusions she had to be on have caused her some very rare skin disorders. Those caused us to move abruptly from Florida to Indiana for her care. Bills were piling up. Understatement of the century. They were endless. I spent my days taking care of her. Not sleeping. Worrying. Fighting with insurance companies. At doctors’ appointments. As you can imagine, you can’t keep a job with this new way of life, so I quit my job to solely focus on her. It’s the least I could do. She was going through so much. It’s just a true testament to how incredible Kilyn truly is. She has been through so, so much. Much more than most will ever have to face in a lifetime and she is still, through it all, the kindest, most resilient, caring, funny, charismatic, brave, strong, genuine, empathetic, beautiful, spunky, sassy, great friend to all, on fire for God young lady you will ever meet. I can’t believe I am lucky enough to be her mother and watch her overcome this obstacle and every once she’s faced and yet still flourish.
We ended up in the hands of the doctor who would save her. Literally. Give her Hback her quality of life. She’s doing so much better now and able to really just enjoy life as a teen. There are still challenges, but we face them together. She’s a total rockstar!

QSM: You mentioned your husband “at the time” and you also mentioned being a single mother. Can we dig deeper into that?  

Casey: This question is tough to answer. I say that because to answer this truthfully will hurt some people. People who I love and care about. It’s always been hard to truly tell my story, because everyone wants to remember all the best parts of someone when they pass away, right? For me… I try so hard to cling to those, but what has actually happened in the time after my late husband’s passing is a wild range of grief, of acknowledging all that I have actually been through in my marriage, letting go of the guilt I felt after his suicide, and healing.

My late husband and I were together for 17 years. I crushed on him so hard! He was funny, handsome, had the best hair (laughs), he stood up for the underdogs, was caring, loved his family and friends deeply, and all of that is why I fell in love with him.  But he had a past, a tough childhood where he too was raised by a single mother due to his father being sort of a monster. I hate to say that, but it’s true. He witnessed things he shouldn’t, found a friend that had committed suicide in college, just a lot of traumas. All things he never dealt with and this would become ever apparent in our marriage.

Let’s just say, our marriage wasn’t all glitter and rainbows. He was manic at times. Would rage. His anger and temper would get the best of him. I sit here hesitating to continue because this is exactly what I mean… all these parts. The truth… they’re the parts that no one who knew him wants to hear because to most this was NOT their Evan. And most of the time it wasn’t mine either. However, there were too many times to count over the years where I would get a version of him that seemed to mirror that of his father, the man he never wanted to be like.

Verbal, emotional, mental, sometimes physical abuse. So regular that I really started to believe all of the things he said to me … about me. That I was unwanted, uneducated, unlovable, names I can’t even repeat in this article… that no one would ever want me. Basically, that it’s him or no one. It’s funny because I used to be so independent, strong, and brave. Until years of this tore me down into someone I didn’t even recognize anymore. Someone who “let go of herself” if you will. Who became numb. Who would cling to all the good times trying desperately to think that things will change. That HE could change. But he couldn’t.

This all started before we were even married. The fights. The names. The fact that he and alcohol absolutely did not mix. I thought, once I’m his fiancé… he’ll see me different. Once I’m the mother of his child… this will end. Once I am his wife this will surely stop. Right? Wrong. In fact, I think it got worse.

The thing is… after the bad would come the best version of him. The “I’m sorry”. “I love you”. “It’ll never happen again”. You know.. THAT. And because I wanted our family to work so badly and because I knew that deep down, he was such an incredible human who just had demons to fight. We all do. I tried. And tried. And tried. And I stayed.

I didn’t tell many about what was going on behind closed doors. It was humiliating. On the outside everyone thought I had it all together. That my life was awesome! So, I kept that front. I always feared what my father would do if he knew the truth. So, I let this become my reality… until one last horrific fight on Memorial Day weekend 2021. When I turned to him and yelled, “THIS will be the last time you ever touch or speak to me that way again”, and I meant it. The Tuesday after the holiday I went directly to an attorney and filed for divorce. This time, not matter what, even though I still loved him… I wouldn’t go back. It was terrifying, but when I sat with the attorney explaining my situation and she slides over a pamphlet about abuse, something I didn’t even truly realize was so bad until that moment… and she said to me “If your daughter told you what you just told me… what would you say to her” … mind you the attorney literally had tears in her eyes. I responded, sobbing “I would tell her to RUN no matter how scary it is and never turn back”

We never officially got divorced because you can imagine how that went. We still did things together as a family. I really tried to show him that we could be so good as coparents. That we both loved our daughter so much that we want a healthy life for her.

What I didn’t know all along and would later find out five days before he took his life was that he had been an addict the entire time we were together. He never stopped using. Since college. Honestly, probably since high school. A shock to me as we stood in our driveway after going to dinner for our daughter’s 11th birthday together. I literally thought he was just trying to start another fight in public. I was furious.

Four days later, I was waiting on him to show up for Kilyn’s 11th birthday party. 16 friends of hers were there and he wasn’t. Which was so weird because we had talked earlier that day about meeting there a little early to set up. I called. No answer. Called again. No answer. Text. Nothing. What I didn’t know was that he had taken his life in our home 6 minutes after 4:00. What would follow would be that of a total nightmare. I’m sure you can only imagine. Grief. Guilt. Shock. Blame from all of his friends that just needed someone to blame. The ones who didn’t understand… well anything really. The horror that my daughter now would never see her father again. Just …. the worst thing you can imagine. And no one tells you about the endless to do list that falls upon you when your spouse passes. As if you can even clearly think.

I guess, what I’m trying to say is… I loved him. Deeply. You don’t stay with someone that long if you don’t. You don’t keep trying that long if you don’t. But, I knew that I didn’t want to lose my kid over this. I didn’t want her to think THIS is what you expect from a man. How he should treat you. But what I definitely never, EVER wanted… was to lose him. For her to lose her father. For his family to lose their son, uncle, brother, nephew. For his friends to lose their friend.

QSM: What a story!!!! I mean WOW! What’s sad is that too many women share this same story. Please do accept our sincerest condolences on your loss. Let’s change the topic to something a little lighter. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced running an asphalt paving company in such a male-dominated field, and how did you earn respect in that environment?

Casey: Well…. being a leader in a man’s world is not for the faint of heart. Let’s start there. The construction/infrastructure industry is a tough one in general. But, throw in the fact that you are about 2% of the population in that industry and it just takes the challenge to another level.

I was thrown into this industry sink or swim. Which is the way my dad was back in the day. My father has been in the asphalt industry for over 40 years. This is his world. For me… this was the furthest thing from my mind. I knew nothing about it except as a child my father worked crazy long hours and his clothes smelled like asphalt. It’s a very distinct smell, but it grows on you.

In 2018, the founder of the company my dad worked for knew he was going to pass away from cancer and asked my dad to buy and take over the business. 5 months after that my dad was asking me to come work there. What?! My background is childcare. I went to school for elementary education. This was not the plan. However, it has been the biggest blessing. To work with my father every day. To be challenged every day. To learn something new every single day. I thrive on that.

The men I work with are incredible. They have my back, they support me, they are patient when I might not make the right decision, that in turn causes more work for them. They truly have become my allies. I’ve really learned that I don’t have to be anything other than what I am. Tough, strong, a leader, confident, resilient, decisive, and always ready to take on the next challenge. I still have a lot to learn, but I am loving this journey so far. I am humble enough to say, “I don’t have the right answer but let me find that out and get back to you”. I don’t necessarily feel like I have to “prove” myself as a female in this industry, but I do know that it shocks the heck out of people when I show up on a job site or they realize I am the Vice President of the company. Through emails, I can seem like a man since my name can be both… I’m called sir over emails many times so, it’s actually funny to me when I get to meet someone in person, shake their hand, and they realize Casey… is a chick!!

I just am who I am. My office is painted blush pink. I have a beautiful pink hard hat. I use way too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!! I’m ME!

I do think I’ve earned the respect of my guys by being willing to step in whenever and wherever, and they know it. If we are short on a crew, I’ll step in the field and do what I can to help. I’ll pick up a shovel. I’ll jump in an excavator to load the dump truck with stone if needed, I’ll weld the side of the steel bucket, I’ll order the parts. I literally have laid on the ground under a 66,000 pound dump truck to help two other men change the drive shaft. Granted, I was just the “holder”, but I was there… rolling in the dirt to lend a hand and help out.

I’ve actually always been a little bit of a tomboy-like diva. Rode four-wheelers, played with my brothers’ micro machines (though my version would line them up at the McDonalds and take their order), I shot clay pigeons in the backyard, I would play paintball with the guys while all the girls in our friend group stayed inside baking cookies with my mom. Literally. I just always liked getting dirty but loved all the girly things as well. Barbies, dressing up, the biggest bows, getting “fancy”. I think it’s why I handle this so well. It’s in my blood!

There are also some amazing groups that I get to be a part of. Women of Asphalt. National Women in Construction. IndyCREW. Groups that support me and are there as a resource. Let me tell you, networking is essential. If you don’t already know… everything is about connection.

I have had challenges. Just trying to learn everything for one. Being judged instantly for being a woman or customers asking to “speak to someone else” when I answer their questions perfectly fine. Just last week I was on the phone with a man who said he’d like to speak to the higher up… I said, “you’re talking to her bud.”. He didn’t like that. There’s also the realization that sometimes we meet people about prospective jobs in vulnerable places, their properties, alleys, empty buildings… and we as women have the fear of being taken advantage of. It’s real. Last season, a disgruntled customer put his hand up to me like he was going to slap me. In seconds, my crew was racing over to us. Gosh, that was a moment for the books.

Mostly, I think the challenges are just showing up to meetings and events in a room full of men and trying to push down the intimidation that naturally tries to seep up. To be confident in what I know and what I do. To face those men and join in the conversations.

QSM: You sure do have some layers to you! Let’s talk about modeling. What was going through your mind the moment all three modeling agencies offered you contracts, especially after years of self-doubt?

Casey: The truth… I think it was something like… oh gosh what do I do now?! I was shocked. I also of course had to call my friend, Michaela, and tell her she was right and thank you for pushing me to do this.

You see, trying to be a model in the marriage I was in, it wouldn’t have happened. I am a woman of faith, and I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason and when it’s supposed to. We might not ever understand God’s purpose or timing… but it’s His plan. Not my type A, color-coded schedule plan.. but His.

When my friend, Michaela, who has been a successful model for over a decade kept telling me I needed to model. I thought she was nuts. It just seemed impossible for me. You have to remember, I had years of being told I was worthless. You can’t really be a model if you have confidence issues or hate yourself. Those offers, the agencies who saw something in me… what they didn’t know was they would change my life for the better and help me find the way back to myself. To the woman I used to be. The one I loved. The one I would want my daughter to see and respect. This industry… it literally saved me.

QSM: How did your experience in construction influence your confidence and work ethic as you transitioned into the modeling industry?

Casey: Just the drive I would say, to overcome challenges and rise above. To keep pressing on even when it gets hard or seems like too much. To not take no for an answer. To put in the work… soooo much work. It’s all worth in!

I began working very young. My friends and I had a babysitting business called Kids Inc. This was before the age you could legally even hold a job at an establishment. I wanted to make my own money so I found ways to do it. Then, in high school and college I worked multiple jobs at once. Juggling everything and moving up in every role I ever held.

Before my husband passed, I started a business called Paper & Petals Collection. It was highly successful and something I created from the ground up. There was a huge sense of pride in that and I was devastated to need to sell if after he passed. It was all just too much to deal with at once.

So, long story short… it’s always been in me. That work ethic. Instilled in me from my parents at a young age. The will to succeed. I crave it. It’s the balance thing that I’m still working on!

QSM: What does it mean to you to be a curve model in an industry that traditionally favors narrow beauty standards?

Casey: Here’s the thing, curve models are being better represented now than ever. I’m not sure why it took so long to realize that the average woman doesn’t look like your typical model. That’s not relatable to most. But these curves… they are! These curves represent a significant portion of women in our world currently. Why are we so quick to label it anyway? Why does there have to even be a distinction?

You see in the fashion industry “plus-size” (we prefer the term Curve because it is more inclusive and empowering of each woman’s unique shape) can be considered anything over size 8 although most start that at 12 or 14. The average women in America is a size 16-18 currently. Curves are beautiful!

Curve fashion has not always been so celebrated though. It was harder to find clothes that fit, yet still made me feel beautiful. It wasn’t always encouraged on a runway or in an ad. Like I said at the top. it has come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go. I feel honored to represent women with a figure! This figure, these curves... they’re one of my favorite things about me! I mean my life hasn’t been a straight road, it’s been a windy, curvy one so why wouldn’t my body mimic that!?!

QSM: How do you balance your demanding roles as a solo mom, a model, and a businesswoman, especially when each requires so much emotionally and physically?

Casey: I feel like this is something I will never truly be great at if I can be completely vulnerable. I’m working on it, however, it’s hard to do it all. It’s exhausting. I am all of those things you mentioned, but also on multiple committees for organizations and events in our city that mean a lot to be. Philanthropic work that fills something in me. To give back.

I don’t sleep much! Ha! No, truly though for the longest time I put everyone and everything before myself. What I found is that I was always drained and people weren’t getting the best version of me because I was burnt out. Now, I really focus on taking time for me. Doing things for me and not feeling guilty about it. I need that to keep going. To give the best version of me to my family, my job, my friends, etc.

I’m trying to learn how to say “no”. I’ve been the yes girl for years. In this season, I’m trying to set some boundaries. You’d think at 40 I would have that already figured out, but I’m still working on it! I’m trying to focus on knocking out what I can and then being okay with the fact that the rest will still be there tomorrow. I’ve had to let go of trying to be “perfect” and work more on being “present.” Realizing that I can’t do it all and leaning on my village to help when needed. I am SO thankful for family, friends, and coworkers ready to step up and step in when needed. Sometimes, modeling and acting only gives me a day notice (not even) to know I’m booked, have to travel, and I need to sort our how my daughter will get to school and sports! It’s all of those people who step in to help make it happen so I can still pursue my dreams. I’m truly so incredibly grateful, more than any of them will ever know.

QSM: What advice would you give to women who feel like they’re “too old” or “not enough” to pursue a dream or start over?

Casey: That there is no cap on pursuing your dream. There is absolutely no such thing as being “not enough”. You are perfectly you. Created to be just that. You can be anything you want at any age and at any size. It’s never too late for a fresh start. I’m proof of that!

Photo credits: Philip Drew @photosbypdrew