2. Victoria’s Secret Angel to Actress — Leo DiCaprio’s Advice, Model horror stories & Superman

This is the kind of conversation I’ve been craving. The kind where nothing is scripted, where things get a little uncomfortable, a little messy, and a lot more honest than expected. What happens when you’re labeled “difficult” for simply having boundaries and not accepting being disrespected? In this episode of Mask Off, I sit down with my friend, former Victoria Secret Angel and current Hollywood star – Sara Sampaio – for a raw and unfiltered conversation about navigating the modeling and acting industry, setting boundaries, and the reality behind the image people think they see. Sara Sampaio opens up about the pressure to please, the fear of being misunderstood, and how quickly standing up for yourself can turn into a reputation you never asked for. We talk about uncomfortable situations on set, power dynamics, and the moments where you’re forced to choose between your career and your integrity. We also get into mental health, emotional growth, and what it feels like to finally start feeling everything after years of pushing it down. From meltdowns during the “best year” of your life to learning how to trust yourself again, this is a conversation that goes deeper than surface-level success. This is a conversation about perception, pressure, and finding your voice in a world that constantly tries to define it for you. MY CHANDRA SKINCARE ESSENTIALS (use code MASKOFF15): https://chandrabeauti.com/products/th... FOLLOW: Kelly Gale — Instagram: kellygale Sara Sampaio — Instagram: sarasampaio Chandra Beauti — Instagram: chandrabeauti Produced by Montana Ave Media Group Magnus — Instagram: thepodfather_magnus Subscribe for more real conversations on relationships, self-growth and living authentically. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro & meeting Sara Sampaio 00:30 How she started modeling at 16 02:10 Victoria’s Secret dream & early career 03:00 First VS show & rejection struggles 04:10 Modeling vs acting – biggest differences 05:30 Why modeling felt “soul-sucking” 06:20 Pressure, perfectionism & feeling disposable 07:00 “High school mean girls” in the industry 07:20 Insecurity, not fitting in & being sensitive 08:10 Food habits, ADD & growing up 10:30 Fitness, body & early modeling days 11:25 Worst modeling experience (nudity pressure) 12:20 Agent pressure & uncomfortable situations 13:20 Contract broken & betrayal 14:40 Being labeled “difficult” 15:00 People pleasing vs standing your ground 16:30 “We’re not difficult” – setting boundaries 17:00 Hair struggles & being “a diva” 18:10 Transitioning into acting 19:10 Auditions, rejection & accent struggles 21:40 Meltdown after audition rejection 22:20 Landing Superman & big break 23:40 Imposter feelings & self-doubt 25:00 Chemistry read & booking the role 26:00 Life after Superman & bigger opportunities 27:00 Acting advice from Leonardo DiCaprio 28:40 Following instinct vs bad coaching 30:30 Producer game 32:40 Modeling vs acting – emotional disconnect 33:30 Women, anger & suppression 35:00 Feeling everything after “opening Pandora’s box” 36:00 Mental health, Zoloft & meltdowns 37:00 ADD in women & emotional overwhelm 38:00 Relationship, burnout & lifestyle stress 38:30 Funny interruption (dog medication moment) 39:00 Meditation & ADD struggles 40:00 Stress, routines & phone boundaries 41:00 Aging, beauty & industry pressure 42:30 Botox, insecurity & self-image 43:50 Chandra products & skincare 44:40 Rapid fire questions 45:50 Outro