Emelia Hartford
Emelia Hartford, producer, car builder, and driver is also a multi-talented actress, who is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She has amassed a large following in the automotive industry and on social media for racing and building cars. She’s appeared on Netflix’s “Fastest Car” and in the films “From Mexico With Love” and “Nightfall.” With more than three million followers on all of her social platforms (being a prominent creator on YouTube for more than four years), she challenges norms and stereotypes as a woman in the heavily male-dominated automotive industry.
Black fringed dress by Alabama blonde
Leathery bikini top/arm harness by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Rhinestone pants by Charles and Ron
Shoes by NØ NAME
Ball Necklace by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
When did you first get into cars?
This is typically the number one question I get asked. It wasn't because of a father or a boyfriend really. I had a life event happen at 15, which forced my family to uproot to Indiana. Right as that happened, I went down the rabbit hole of what to get for my first car. I turned to the internet, which said I needed something RWD and manual, so I decided on an Infiniti G35. I literally smoked the clutch on my drive home because I didn’t know how to drive stick. Right around the same time, my family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, a college town about an hour south of Indianapolis. There, I found the car scene which became my new family, and I was hooked. So essentially, I was a similar age to a lot of people who weren’t raised in a car enthusiast family, around the same time I got my driver’s license, 15-16.
How did you learn to build cars and what made you interested in developing your skills to this degree?
My knowledge of cars really started when I arrived in Indiana. I met a crew called B-Crew (they did weekly car meets), who taught me a ton about modifying and fixing cars. “Booch” (his nick-name) became one of my closest friends, and in a way became my mentor. We were swapping turbos on his DSM and doing all kinds of mods on the weekends, rather than going to parties. When I moved back to Los Angeles at 18, I had a decent knowledge of cars, but realistically still had a lot to learn (still do to this day). I started learning from friends, shops, and even tried going to school for mechanics. I tried to teach myself on forums and reading but found that I learned best by doing. Ten years later, that still holds true and I learn every day from every new build I do. It’s natural to want constantly to get better and learn more. I’m like that with every passion really. I always want to be the best I can be and constantly be challenging myself. Ultimately, it comes from lots of practice and, most importantly, surrounding myself with my amazing team and mentors.
Your talents speak for themselves and are really incredible for anyone, but what is it like to be this good at what you do in such a male dominated field?
Please, ha-ha, I keep myself humbled. I still have so much to learn. It really feels good to see the industry shifting; every day I see more badass women popping up. The cool thing about cars is they don’t care about what gender is driving them or working on them. I just aim to push the limits and have fun doing it. If I am successful at that and am able to capture it and share it with the world, I am happy. At the end of the day, for me, it’s all about doing good in the world. Making people smile and feel inspired.
Left:
White overall by Charles and Ron
Sneakers by SHOES 53045
Bikini top by Sunga Life Babes & Bikinis
Right:
Black mesh top by VEGAN TIGER
Rhinestone bra by A LINE CALLED K
Trench by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Jeans by Levi’s
Shoes by Prada
How do you deal with the sexism you encounter as a woman in the auto industry?
I handle it the best way I know how: By outworking and outperforming anyone and everyone regardless of gender. I try to demand respect through my actions. I think it takes thick skin, toughness, and, most importantly, believing in myself. I like to not put focus on being a woman but focusing on my accolades and accomplishments. The more I make it about person to person rather than men versus women, the more I see sexism dissipate. And for any other women out there, just know we have to support each other and recognize the uphill battle we share.
When did you start using social media and YouTube as platforms to highlight your talents, and what made you want to do so?
It was about five years ago. I was a struggling actress who was waitressing to get by. I started to see people with a following book work more than others and I knew that was where the industry was headed. I picked up a camera and just started grinding. I was planning, shooting, editing, and posting daily. The first 250 YouTube videos I produced by myself. I barely slept, but just kept going. The same went for social media. I just tried to stay as active and authentic as possible. I quit my waitressing job about one year into it, absolutely terrified whether I was going to be able to make rent. I started working even harder and making more content. Slowly I continued to grow. I wish it were quickly, but I think that’s life. You get what you give and there really aren’t many shortcuts.
Left:
Black mesh top by VEGAN TIGER
Rhinestone bra by A LINE CALLED K
Trench by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Jeans by Levi’s
Shoes by Prada
Right:
White overall by Charles and Ron
Sneakers by SHOES 53045
Bikini top by Sunga Life Babes & Bikinis
Acting and the auto industry are quite different fields. How do you balance a love for both? Are there any similarities you’ve found between the two or any ways that your skills in one may help your skills in the other?
They are so different, but at the same time when it comes to producing content in the automotive industry, it really is very similar. Lights, camera etc. The biggest difference is having a script vs. what is essentially improv. I will say that filming myself everyday has helped tremendously with my on-screen presence and confidence. And seeing myself on camera has really given me a lot of comfort in my own skin, which makes acting more natural. I’m also always in at least one, if not two, acting classes, and I have seen in the last year how working in class has helped me in my televised hosting work, outside of film.
How old were you when you started acting?
I started working to build my resume when I was young. I had to take a small break when moving to Indiana but hit the ground running again at 18 when I moved back to Los Angeles.
Left:
White top/ skirt by Izabela Couture
Heels by Keeyahri
Gloves by Sarah Regensburger
Necklace by Maison Margiela
Right:
Black fringed dress by Alabama blonde
Leathery bikini top/arm harness by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Rhinestone pants by Charles and Ron
Shoes by NØ NAME
Ball Necklace by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
What (or who) inspires you?
Honestly, everyone and anyone who is doing what they love and pushing the limits of what is possible. I get inspiration from everywhere. My biggest influences come from all sorts of different aspects in my life. First and foremost are women who challenge the norms of what we have been “deemed” capable of. There are too many to name in this category. I’ve always looked up to Meryl Streep, my highest ambition is to be a great actress and her acting ability is on another level. I also am influenced by Halle Berry for her acting and producing career and more so for coming from a rough childhood similar to mine. Dwayne Johnson for his ability to move from wresting to film to business mogul. I like to think I’m on the same path, but coming from the automotive world, Adam Sandler for his comic abilities and the number of timeless movies he was able to create and star in, Carroll Shelby for pushing the limits of possibilities in racing and designing some of the greatest performance cars of all time, Mr. Beast is my inspiration on YouTube, he is relentless with focusing on making great content all while trying to just make the world a better place, Sabine Schmitz for teaching the boys how to drive on the most challenging race track on planet earth, I hope she rests in peace. I could go on, but that’s who comes to mind.
What are your goals or hopes for the coming years?
Book a leading role in a major action film. I’d love for it to be about cars, ha-ha.
Social Media.
https://www.youtube.com/c/emeliahartford
https://www.instagram.com/ms.emelia
https://www.tiktok.com/@emeliahartford
https://www.facebook.com/emeliahartford
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3337778/
Left:
Black fringed dress by Alabama blonde
Leathery bikini top/arm harness by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Rhinestone pants by Charles and Ron
Shoes by NØ NAME
Ball Necklace by VAN PEART PRIVÉ
Right:
White top/ skirt by Izabela Couture
Heels by Keeyahri
Gloves by Sarah Regensburger
Necklace by Maison Margiela
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
Creative Director + Photographer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Emelia Hartford
Fashion Stylist: Sky JT Naval
Hair: Ana Estela
Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Lola Jarzemsky, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
