SANDY YOUNG
Mother. Lesbian. Rocker. Advocate. Model.
By Mika McCurry
These are just a few of the hats Sandy Young wears. A strikingly beautiful, down-to-earth, funky 36 year
old from New York City, Sandy is driven beyond belief, very competitive and considers herself a "great
friend and a good listener." She is the lead singer of the Brooklyn band WhoButShe and likes to rock
whenever she can, whether it be at Arlene’s Grocery or Union Square Park.
Sandy has overcome an abusive marriage of ten years that gave her the courage to come out of the
closet and likes to think of herself as a positive role model for others that may find themselves trapped in
a similar situation. She is a devoted mother who feels most beautiful when she tells her kids she loves
them.
On June 11, 2009, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT tune in to watch Sandy compete as a top ten finalist on TV Land’s
original reality competition “She’s Got The Look.” The series sets out to discover a sophisticated,
beautiful and confident woman 35 or older destined to become the next great supermodel. The winner
will receive a lucrative modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc., a photo spread in SELF magazine
and $100,000.
Sandy and myself met up just recently in San Diego, and she shared her experiences and ideas with us
exclusively.
Mika - Why did you decide to audition for “She's Got The Look?”
Sandy - I decided to audition because my friends saw the casting and thought that I would be really great
for it. I went along with what they said and they are the reason why I was in the competition.
Mika - While on the show did you form any lasting friendships with any of the other contestants?
Sandy - Yes, I formed a lot of lasting friendships. As a matter of fact, I still talk with most of the
contestants. I can't say all but with most of the contestants, yes. It was a great experience. I think the best
thing from the experience was getting to know their stories and really bonding with them that way.
Mika - It was mentioned that you are in a rock band. Where did your music career begin?
Sandy - I took four years of vocal coaching and I basically self taught myself. All my life music has always
been there for me. When I was with my husband I would mention that I wanted to do this and he would
say “No!” He was very controlling and after I left him I wanted to follow my passion, my dream, which was
music. It has always been there for me. I started with one band and moved to New York and started
another band.
Mika - Are you currently single?
Sandy - No, I'm in a relationship with Mandy, my photographer.
Mika - Was there a lot of on-screen and off- screen drama between the models on the show?
Sandy - DRAMA! Huh, yes there was a lot. A lot of drama.
Mika - The first walk that you did when you had to wear your own clothes, how nervous were you?
Sandy - It's so weird because I am so backwards with things. When it comes to my personal life I'm a
little bit more shy as a person and when it comes to on camera and doing challenges I am pretty
confident.
Mika - While on the show did you learn any secrets to becoming a model?
Sandy - As far as secrets…? I would say no, because I always knew by being the front of a band that
confidence always gets you along way. I knew a lot of things going into it. What was crazy was the way
they applied make-up and the things they did. To see that right in front of your own eyes and to see them
transform you is pretty amazing. The fake eyelashes they put on me were crazy. I’d never done that
before. When they put the eyelashes on me and I finally got used to them it looked beautiful. It was
amazing.
Mika - Sandy, your photos are exquisite, absolutely beautiful. From being in your own street clothes
and then into gowns and heels. The judges even asked you if you know how to wear heels.
Sandy - When they asked me that I was out there wearing a tie and a vintage striped shirt and skinnies
and Converse. I remember before we did the first taping I wore combat boots and all the other girls wore
heels. Sean asked me if I can wear heels and I said “Yea, yea I can wear heels”. The other judge said,
“Somehow I don't believe that” and I pulled it off. I totally transformed myself.
Mika - Is there any one accessory you cannot live without?
Sandy - One accessory I can't live without? I'm not really much of a heels type of girl or dress type of girl
either. I would say, still it would be my Converse. The thing that is important to me is that you can do a
reality show, you can do commercials, print ads and this and that and the main thing is that I always
believe in is to stay true to yourself because people, the audience, will see that and it will come through.
Mika - Before the show airs we would like to know more about you. You are the only lesbian on the
show. What is your coming out story?
Sandy - This is where it comes into play that I want to be a spokesperson and use this opportunity that I
have with the show to reach other women. My story is that throughout my growing up I always felt like I
was a lesbian and I was always attracted to women. Coming from a family that was very conservative, as
a child I knew I couldn't talk about stuff like that so hid it. In high school I would be attracted to women but
I would date guys because I felt like it was acceptable.
Then I went into college and as I got older the feelings progressed but I still pushed them down and
married my husband. I had two children with him that I absolutely love, Jacob and Stephanie. They are
amazing, absolutely amazing. After I had them I got married to him and I got married for the wrong
reasons. I just wanted my last name to be their last name. Things fell apart. We would always fight. He
was verbally abusive and it turned a little into physical abuse. Finally, when I turned thirty, I said “I can't
deal with this anymore! I deserve better!” I went through lots of crying and decided to leave him and stay
true to myself. I came out as a lesbian and have been happy ever since. I want women to know that you
don't have to hide. You only have one shot at life. You really have to live your life. Don't live it through
what other people expect of you. Live it for you because in the end you will be so much happier and
people around you will be happy to. My children are so much happier now. There are so many women
out there that are hiding and living this fake life and if I can reach one person that would be great.
Mika - Is there a message that you like to tell our readers?
Sandy - If I can just reach that one person that is reading this article and they say, “That's me”. That's what
I'm talking about when it comes to being yourself. Just because I'm a model, …just because I'm the lead
singer in a band and because I do get a lot of attention from those things, … that is just really one aspect.
There is so much more to me and I want people to see that and to absolutely, one-hundred percent
relate to that.
Mika - You know what I like about you? I like that you are so friendly and so humble.
Sandy - Thank you, I am not going to define myself by the way that I look. If I can leave this world
knowing that I made a difference because looks fade but what’s inside stays forever… So if I can make a
difference with just one person in this world I will be so happy.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE, AS ALL OTHER MATERIAL ON ORIGINAL THELAVENDERLENS.COM PAGES AND IN THE LAVENDER LENS PRINT MAGAZINE IS
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE ANY OF THE CONTENT WITHOUT
PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION GIVEN BY THE PUBLISHER.
Mother. Lesbian. Rocker. Advocate. Model.
By Mika McCurry
These are just a few of the hats Sandy Young wears. A strikingly beautiful, down-to-earth, funky 36 year
old from New York City, Sandy is driven beyond belief, very competitive and considers herself a "great
friend and a good listener." She is the lead singer of the Brooklyn band WhoButShe and likes to rock
whenever she can, whether it be at Arlene’s Grocery or Union Square Park.
Sandy has overcome an abusive marriage of ten years that gave her the courage to come out of the
closet and likes to think of herself as a positive role model for others that may find themselves trapped in
a similar situation. She is a devoted mother who feels most beautiful when she tells her kids she loves
them.
On June 11, 2009, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT tune in to watch Sandy compete as a top ten finalist on TV Land’s
original reality competition “She’s Got The Look.” The series sets out to discover a sophisticated,
beautiful and confident woman 35 or older destined to become the next great supermodel. The winner
will receive a lucrative modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc., a photo spread in SELF magazine
and $100,000.
Sandy and myself met up just recently in San Diego, and she shared her experiences and ideas with us
exclusively.
Mika - Why did you decide to audition for “She's Got The Look?”
Sandy - I decided to audition because my friends saw the casting and thought that I would be really great
for it. I went along with what they said and they are the reason why I was in the competition.
Mika - While on the show did you form any lasting friendships with any of the other contestants?
Sandy - Yes, I formed a lot of lasting friendships. As a matter of fact, I still talk with most of the
contestants. I can't say all but with most of the contestants, yes. It was a great experience. I think the best
thing from the experience was getting to know their stories and really bonding with them that way.
Mika - It was mentioned that you are in a rock band. Where did your music career begin?
Sandy - I took four years of vocal coaching and I basically self taught myself. All my life music has always
been there for me. When I was with my husband I would mention that I wanted to do this and he would
say “No!” He was very controlling and after I left him I wanted to follow my passion, my dream, which was
music. It has always been there for me. I started with one band and moved to New York and started
another band.
Mika - Are you currently single?
Sandy - No, I'm in a relationship with Mandy, my photographer.
Mika - Was there a lot of on-screen and off- screen drama between the models on the show?
Sandy - DRAMA! Huh, yes there was a lot. A lot of drama.
Mika - The first walk that you did when you had to wear your own clothes, how nervous were you?
Sandy - It's so weird because I am so backwards with things. When it comes to my personal life I'm a
little bit more shy as a person and when it comes to on camera and doing challenges I am pretty
confident.
Mika - While on the show did you learn any secrets to becoming a model?
Sandy - As far as secrets…? I would say no, because I always knew by being the front of a band that
confidence always gets you along way. I knew a lot of things going into it. What was crazy was the way
they applied make-up and the things they did. To see that right in front of your own eyes and to see them
transform you is pretty amazing. The fake eyelashes they put on me were crazy. I’d never done that
before. When they put the eyelashes on me and I finally got used to them it looked beautiful. It was
amazing.
Mika - Sandy, your photos are exquisite, absolutely beautiful. From being in your own street clothes
and then into gowns and heels. The judges even asked you if you know how to wear heels.
Sandy - When they asked me that I was out there wearing a tie and a vintage striped shirt and skinnies
and Converse. I remember before we did the first taping I wore combat boots and all the other girls wore
heels. Sean asked me if I can wear heels and I said “Yea, yea I can wear heels”. The other judge said,
“Somehow I don't believe that” and I pulled it off. I totally transformed myself.
Mika - Is there any one accessory you cannot live without?
Sandy - One accessory I can't live without? I'm not really much of a heels type of girl or dress type of girl
either. I would say, still it would be my Converse. The thing that is important to me is that you can do a
reality show, you can do commercials, print ads and this and that and the main thing is that I always
believe in is to stay true to yourself because people, the audience, will see that and it will come through.
Mika - Before the show airs we would like to know more about you. You are the only lesbian on the
show. What is your coming out story?
Sandy - This is where it comes into play that I want to be a spokesperson and use this opportunity that I
have with the show to reach other women. My story is that throughout my growing up I always felt like I
was a lesbian and I was always attracted to women. Coming from a family that was very conservative, as
a child I knew I couldn't talk about stuff like that so hid it. In high school I would be attracted to women but
I would date guys because I felt like it was acceptable.
Then I went into college and as I got older the feelings progressed but I still pushed them down and
married my husband. I had two children with him that I absolutely love, Jacob and Stephanie. They are
amazing, absolutely amazing. After I had them I got married to him and I got married for the wrong
reasons. I just wanted my last name to be their last name. Things fell apart. We would always fight. He
was verbally abusive and it turned a little into physical abuse. Finally, when I turned thirty, I said “I can't
deal with this anymore! I deserve better!” I went through lots of crying and decided to leave him and stay
true to myself. I came out as a lesbian and have been happy ever since. I want women to know that you
don't have to hide. You only have one shot at life. You really have to live your life. Don't live it through
what other people expect of you. Live it for you because in the end you will be so much happier and
people around you will be happy to. My children are so much happier now. There are so many women
out there that are hiding and living this fake life and if I can reach one person that would be great.
Mika - Is there a message that you like to tell our readers?
Sandy - If I can just reach that one person that is reading this article and they say, “That's me”. That's what
I'm talking about when it comes to being yourself. Just because I'm a model, …just because I'm the lead
singer in a band and because I do get a lot of attention from those things, … that is just really one aspect.
There is so much more to me and I want people to see that and to absolutely, one-hundred percent
relate to that.
Mika - You know what I like about you? I like that you are so friendly and so humble.
Sandy - Thank you, I am not going to define myself by the way that I look. If I can leave this world
knowing that I made a difference because looks fade but what’s inside stays forever… So if I can make a
difference with just one person in this world I will be so happy.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE, AS ALL OTHER MATERIAL ON ORIGINAL THELAVENDERLENS.COM PAGES AND IN THE LAVENDER LENS PRINT MAGAZINE IS
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE ANY OF THE CONTENT WITHOUT
PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION GIVEN BY THE PUBLISHER.
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