Ines Tazi, a French influencer, currently resides in Los Angeles. She highlighted her chic persona by starring in the dating competitions of “The Circle: France” and recently the Netflix show, “Perfect Match,” which premiered on Valentine’s day. With her personality being far different from what is traditionally expected of someone on a reality TV show, along with having a great sense of style, she grabbed the public’s attention.

Dress by Saher Ebadi
Belt by Graham Cruz
Earrings by Lilou

Since you have a degree in geopolitics. How did you get into the world of reality TV?
After graduating, I decided to do something I always wanted and worked on creating a beauty company. I was then quite active on social media and got spotted on Instagram and contacted by DM. What is interesting is that a production like the Circle looked for someone with my profile, which is quite dichotomous: my online persona, which was focused on glamour, fashion, and beauty, differed greatly from my offline self. Offline, I was an entrepreneur with a background in political science, an English boxing teacher, and a big soccer fan. It is this duality that ultimately led me to reality TV and while surprised at first, I liked the idea that I could show that despite our curated online presence, we can be multidimensional and complex. Social media tends to homogenize our tastes and identities, and I felt less adventurous in my early 20s. But now, I strive for greater alignment between my online and offline personas.

What has your experience been like being on two different reality dating shows?
It was as complicated, exciting, and eye-opening. There is high pressure knowing that the shows are produced for entertainment purposes and that the audience has expectations and preconceived ideas of what they want to see. However, I have found that it possible to be true to myself and have a genuine presence on reality dating shows. Having the main character's energy and being true to yourself at the same time (despite cameras being everywhere) required me to do a lot of introspection. I believe that setting your own boundaries and learning what your non-negotiable values are is essential before signing-up to be on reality shows, since you can quickly get emotionally vulnerable within these environments. Despite these challenges, I am grateful for being on these shows, and it was one of the most thrilling and stimulating experiences I’ve had.

**Left:**
Coat by ABODI
Pants by Saher Ebadi
Shoes by Sheri & Co
**Right:**
Jacket and Pants by ABODI
Earrings by Gabriel &Co.

Do you think people can meet the love of their lives on reality TV?
While it may not be the most conventional (or easily accessible) way to find love, shows like "Love Is Blind" and "Too Hot to Handle" have demonstrated that relationships can develop and thrive in (and from) a reality TV setting. Love can be found anywhere and everywhere (sorry for being a bit cheesy) and the same applies for meaningful relationships. Being on these shows also allowed me to get to know people whom I may have not crossed paths with otherwise. have met life-long friends on "The Circle,” After that show, I am now convinced that it is possible to have true connections on reality TV.

How did it feel being the only international cast member in the “Perfect Match?”
It was crazier than expected. It was challenging at first because some of the other members already knew each other, and English is not my first language. It was not easy to convey humor (especially my humor) and flirtation in a language that I only learned when I was 18, but I guess my French background and romanticism helped me to connect with the cast, and perhaps that's why I received a warm welcome from the group. I am not sure if they understood all of my jokes though. Thank god for the good video montage.

**Left:**
Top by Uncuffed Leather
Gloves by Lilith Viper
Pants by Uncuffed Leather
Shoes by Chinese Laundry
Earrings by Talent’s Own
**Right:**
Jacket and Pants by ABODI
Earrings by Gabriel &Co.
Shoes by FRANCO SARTO

Do you think people view you differently after being on these shows?
Prior to showing my face on screen, I was not someone who shared much of my personal life or personality with people I did not know well. So yes, I would say that people got to know me a little bit more. It can be quite intimidating to show that level of vulnerability, especially when it comes to dating but I believe that vulnerability and empowerment go hand in hand. These experiences have left me paradoxically feeling more empowered despite my initial fears!

Your fashion is highlighted throughout the show and especially on your Instagram. Describe your style.
My style is not easy to define because it varies depending on where I am and how I feel. In the United States, people often say that I have a very French sense of style, while in France, they describe it as eclectic. For me, fashion is political. It’s a way to express complex ideas in simple ways. My style reflects all the different influences that I’ve had. I’ve always admired fashion icons like Vivenne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, and Jean Paul Gaultier for their incredible vision and their ability to make fashion fun and inclusive. You can break the code; fashion belongs to everyone.

**Left:**
Top by Uncuffed Leather
Gloves by Lilith Viper
Pants by Uncuffed Leather
Shoes by Chinese Laundry
Earrings by Talent’s Own
**Right:**
Dress by Saher Ebadi
Belt by Graham Cruz
Earrings by Lilou

What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is a means of self-expression. During the show, I often used fashion to convey my mood or to empower myself. Fashion is a way to connect with your inner self and the world around you.

Do you have any specific fashion inspirations?
Well, I tend to focus more on style than on trends. I'm all about the story behind the outfit: the personality, the history, the stance. There is a French say that I love that says ‘Plutot la barbarie que l’ennui’, meaning I prefer something daring and breaking the rules than following fashion in an overly trend -focused way. For me, it's not just about what you're wearing, but how you wear it and which message and energy you convey. I'm often inspired by people who exude personality and a genuine vibe/attitude in what they wear.

How do you spend your day-to-day life?
My day-to-day life is pretty much organized chaos at the moment. Every hour presents a new challenge. I'm currently working on a variety of projects: editorial photo shoots, content creation, running my own company (Skult), and casting for scripted shows in both Paris and Los Angeles, and everything in between. It's a lot to juggle, but I love the variety and the opportunity to work on different things. I also do a fair amount of traveling since many of my projects are overseas. These days, I find myself splitting my time between Marrakesh, Dubai, Paris, London, and Los Angeles.

What influences you in how you live your life?
I grew up in a family with strong women who embraced their multi-faceted nature and rejected society’s narrow expectations. I find influences in people who with similar purpose and conviction. Whether it is the writer George Sand, Frida Kahlo, Vivienne Westwood, or more recently Angèle or Rihanna, those women left an indelible mark on my soul by how strong, visionary, and empathic they are, with a higher purpose.

I also feel impacted and humbled by the strength of the Iranian people and women, especially fighting for their freedom. Their act of bravery is something that makes me want to do more, to use my voice for those who do not have the chance I had. Those are powerful displays of courage from which we can all learn.

In previous interviews you have said that you want to focus on personal projects. What are some of them on which you have been working?
One thing that I am prioritizing is acting. I've had a deep-seated love for the craft ever since I was a child. I have done years of on-stage acting growing and being excited that there may be TV roles (scripted ones this time) that could help me learn more from other women’s stories, struggles, and strengths. It's still early days, but I'm always excited to get outside of my comfort zone and explore this new avenue in my career.

Do you have any goals covering what you want to accomplish after the show airs?
I want to broaden my creative ventures, whether it is in front of or behind the camera. through beauty and fashion while also exploring new opportunities in the TV and film industry. Acting has always been my passion and feminism my commitment, if I can marry both that would be incredible.

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Ines Tazi
Fashion Stylist: Douglas Hickman
Hair: Erika Vanessa for Exclusive Artists using T3 Tools
Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Summer Safi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine