EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Gail Margaret King:
A Journey of Authenticity, Grace, and Strength

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1)You’ve mentioned integrity as your compass. How do you uphold that value when faced with moments of moral or professional compromise, especially in industries where appearances can overshadow authenticity?

An integral part of integrity is honesty. We all know the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes when modeling in shows, we are given fashions to wear which we do not find comfortable or pleasing to the eye. I remind myself that I am there to help my designer sell his design. My job is to showcase it to my audience regardless of my opinion. When presented with the assigned article of clothing, I ask for and take direction from the designer. I have to make sure I am professional in my attitude and performance.

2)Resilience often shapes true character. After overcoming your cancer journey, how has your outlook on success, beauty, and purpose evolved compared to before?

Character is shaped by resilience. It is in adversity that we discover who we really are. We are lucky enough sometimes to find our purpose in life. The only “C” in college or graduate school was in speech. I was painfully shy standing before a group of people. After my cancer journey, I was asked to present before support groups, social media and in hospitals. I quickly realized that being able to help others was more significant than being fearful of public speaking. I truly believe I was selected for this journey so that I could help many others. I have since made hundreds of speeches across the country. Success is overcoming fear and helping others.

3)Fashion and creativity clearly play a vital role in your life. How do you see the relationship between style and self-expression — is fashion for you a form of communication, empowerment, or even healing?

I always adored fashion. I loved playing “dress up” as a child and still feel the same way today. Fashion is a form of communication because it affects how I feel and how I want to feel. Colors textures and style can tell you who I am. Self-expression helps me build self-confidence and enables me to project to others who I am and what I represent.

4)You’ve collaborated with incredible talents like Pamela Quinzi. What emotions surfaced when you first saw the dress she created for your survivor story, and how did that moment redefine your connection to art and femininity?

The dress that celebrity designer Pamela Quinzi designed with the logo ”I was that Woman” literally brought me to tears. My past surgeries and will to live was embodied in this logo. It also serves as an inspiration for other women that their dreams can also be realized.

5)You’ve said that humor helps you stay balanced. Can you share a moment when laughter helped you get through something truly difficult — and what that taught you about perspective?

After winning the National title of “Ms Senior America,” I was asked to model in a ballroom fashion show. I was given my outfit from my designer. Halfway through the show, an attendant approached me backstage and told me I was to wear a second gown. With only a few moments before I was to go out on the runway, I quickly dressed. I did feel it felt a little revealing by my breasts, but I wore it anyway. I was so embarrassed after the show when the designer thanked me but also shared that that the gown was on backwards. We all laughed but she wasn’t too bothered as a client bought it! 6)In your eyes, what does grace under pressure look like? How do you maintain composure and kindness in high-stress environments or competitive spaces? Grace and perseverance is possessing dignity and composure when faced with conflict. As a mature model, I don’t feel the pressure I might have felt when I was younger. You might be right for one project but not for another. We are all there to make the show be wonderful. People who are kind remain kind and try to help others when under pressure.

At the heart of every great story lies authenticity — and for Gail Margaret King, that quality defines not only her career but her entire approach to life. Guided by an unwavering sense of integrity, Gail has built a path grounded in purpose, resilience, and elegance, proving that true success begins within.

For Gail, integrity is more than a value — it’s a compass. Every decision, both personal and professional, is shaped by her commitment to staying true to herself. “To maintain my integrity at all times,” she affirms, a principle that has carried her through both triumphs and challenges. Like many who have achieved greatness, she acknowledges that failures have been powerful teachers, leading to moments of deep personal growth and self-awareness.

Among her inspirations, Audrey Hepburn stands as a beacon — admired not just for her timeless style, but for her humanitarian spirit and inner grace. It’s a reflection of Gail’s own outlook: combining elegance with empathy, professionalism with authenticity.
One of the most meaningful milestones in her journey came when celebrity designer Pamela Quinzi created a one-of-a-kind dress in honor of Gail’s story as a cancer survivor — a moment that intertwined art, fashion, and courage into a celebration of life itself.

While many might not realize how much she enjoys hard work, Gail approaches every endeavor with quiet determination and balance. She finds strength in humor, creativity in the everyday, and sees the world as a canvas where “life is creativity, fashion, and art.”
Her definition of success has evolved over time, but remains deeply personal: achieving her goals while staying grounded in her values. For Gail, authenticity is both her legacy and her philosophy — the word she hopes will define how she is remembered.
In a world often defined by appearances and competition, Gail continues to navigate with sincerity, grace, and an open heart. If she could speak to her younger self, her message would be simple yet powerful: “Never give up.”

Through her journey, Gail Margaret King reminds us that real success is not just about recognition or achievement — it’s about staying true to who you are, no matter where life takes you.
2025 has been quite a year for Gail, fulfilling her dreams. Hard work really does pay off. In addition to appearing on three billboards in Times Square and one in Hollywood, she appeared on 31 magazine covers. In addition, she was honored by designer Pamela Quinzi, Anastasia Magazine, and International Magazine for “Best Model of 2025”! Pamela Quinzi also awarded her the first winner of the International Infinity Award for Empowerment, Inspiration, and Humanitarian Impact Award.

INTERVIEW

7)Audrey Hepburn inspired you deeply — if you could speak with her today, what would you tell her about how her influence has shaped your own path?

Who hasn’t been inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s elegance and style? If I could speak to her today, I would thank her for her humanitarian work with UNICEF. While fighting cancer, she devoted herself as an ambassador to children. I would want to know how she found her inner strength to do this when she was exhausted. How did she cope with her illness during this time?

8)As someone who values authenticity, how do you hope to influence younger generations of women who might feel pressured to conform rather than embrace who they truly are?

I hope to influence younger generations of women by sharing my authenticity when they might feel pressured to conform rather than embrace their true selves. “To thine own self be true” is what I live by. I try to set an example by being a role model never pandering to those in charge in order to gain favor. I help everyone when I am backstage. I never pretend to be someone I am not.

9)Looking ahead, what kind of creative or humanitarian projects would you love to dedicate yourself to — something that reflects both your artistic vision and your values?

Looking ahead, I will continue to dedicate myself to others afflicted with cancer by speaking before women sharing my journey dressed in exciting fashions I believe represent me. I want my support groups who come to see me to know that their dreams can come true. Many know me as a former beauty queen but they also need to know how we can overcome adversity. My speeches can be found on Youtube and “LooKING to make a Difference with GAIL”. When you feel that you look good you will definitely feel better. When I feel better, I look well.

10)Finally, when people look back on your story years from now, what feeling would you like them to carry — beyond your achievements or legacy — simply from having known your journey?

From having known my journey, I would hope that people would understand why my motto was: “You must never give up, no matter what”. This statement reflects my hopefulness in any serious obstacle we are facing. I want others to feel sanquine

Model: Gail King - gmkliny@aol.com - @gailmargaretking
Designer: Natasha Berezhnaya - @berezhnayanatasha
Photographer: Shelly Cohen - @shellyat1280