Identical twins Leah Rose and Ava Marie were born in California on July 7, 2010. It wasn't long before their mom, Jaqi, was inundated with comments about the girls' natural beauty.
Jaqi originally signed the girls to a modeling agency when they were 6 months old, but she ultimately decided it wasn't the right time. With a 2-year-old son and a set of twins, life was simply too hectic.
But when Leah and Ava turned seven on July 7, 2017 (7/7/17), Jaqi took it as a sign. She posted the first photo of the girls on Instagram and had no idea their profile would go viral.
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The Clements twins became Instagram stars overnight, and modeling agencies began clamoring for the chance to sign them…
Jaqi Clements and her husband were so excited to start a family.
Two years after the birth of their son, Jaqi learned she was pregnant again. This time, with identical twin girls.
Ava Marie and Leah Rose were born four and a half weeks early, on July 7, 2010.
"Knowing their personalities now it makes total sense that they would show up early, unannounced, and ready to take on anything," Jaqi wrote on her blog.
"For as long as I can remember strangers would approach me when we were out asking first if they were twins," she wrote.
"Their follow up would always be… 'Wow they are so beautiful, you should really think about getting them into modeling.'"
Jaqi originally signed the girls to a modeling agency at 6 months old but decided it wasn't the right time.
With a 2-year-old son and brand-new set of twins, she said it was hard enough to get out of the door!
When the girls turned 7 years old on 7/7/17, Jaqi took it as a sign. She felt they were ready to try again with a modeling agency.
"Aside from the fact that I'm a huge believer in signs and have been told by almost everyone that 7 is a lucky number, I just had a feeling that this year was going to be a fun and exciting year for them," she said.
This is the first photo Jaqi posted to Instagram, and she couldn't believe the chain of events that followed.
"I presented my idea to the girls that, if they were up for it, in addition to their dance classes and swim team practices they had every week, they could give modeling a try."
Since Ava and Leah have always loved being in the spotlight, Jaqi and her husband weren't at all surprised when they expressed an immediate interest in modeling.
As the days passed, Jaqi noticed more and more people following the twins' Instagram account.
Strangers across the world are in awe of their beauty, sisterly connection, and knack for capturing a moment together.
Some have even described Ava and Leah as "the most beautiful twins in the world."
It had been over six years since Jaqi first attempted to find a modeling agent.
Much to her surprise, this time, she heard back from almost every single one, asking to set up a time to meet the girls.
Jaqi was stunned when the Instagram account hit 15,000 followers…
Just a couple months later, Ava and Leah had over 700,000!
Now they have 2+ million followers and counting!
The girls are now signed with two modeling agencies.
They've won contracts with various children's clothing brands and magazines and even shot six jobs in the span of one week!
For the Clements family, modeling has become a family affair.
The twins' older brother, Chase Robert, has also been signed to the same agencies.
Jaqi and her family have turned traveling the world into a full-time job. What a very gorgeous and fortunate family!
Jaqi usually lets her daughters enjoy owning the spotlight, but every once in a while she'll pose along with them. She is quite a beautiful woman herself.
There have been some people who are critical of the family for getting their children involved in the modeling industry at such a young age. Jaqi's response? They don't know her kids.
Jaqi even detailed all the things the girls love about modeling. " They like the new adventures we go on every week, never knowing where we will end up but looking forward to a new experience. They like spending time in the car with each other and with me… having some girl time together."
"They love compiling different playlists for our 5 hour round trips and singing along to all of their favorite songs while we enjoy each other’s company."
"They like when I pack them snacks or surprise them with a treat when I pick them up early from school. They love meeting new people everywhere they go and making friends on set, both adults and other kids."
"They love trying on the clothes and the accessories and yes, even getting their hair and makeup done. They love that companies want to send them products and accessories just for being them!"
For all those reasons, Jaqi knows her girls are happy modeling, regardless of where it takes them. She knows that the time may come where they want to do something else, and she's ready to support them 100% when it happens.
The negativity of spectators isn't the only downside to the business, as Jaqi has learned. She often has to drive the girls 5 hours into and out of Los Angeles in rush hour traffic.
She's also acknowledged that contrary to popular belief, parents don't make boatloads of money when their kids model. It actually ends up costing them between transportation and meals out, as any hobby might.
What makes it worth it for the Clements family is the joy that every bit of the experience, from getting their makeup done to meeting new people, brings to Ava and Leah.
The girls are now 13-years-old and continuing to book work and see their stars rise together. As they navigate their way through the industry, Jaqi's learned some things about managing their rise.
You can never be too cautious or ask too many questions to the people you're trusting to help navigate your children through the industry, Jaqi has learned.
Modeling can be a wild industry to be in, but these girls are lucky enough to have their mother and each other to guide them through.
What a beautiful family. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of Ava and Leah in the years to come.
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