Among the many amazing pinups keeping Bettie’s legacy alive, Dizzy Ms Lizzyy has caught our attention as both a master of modeling and a wonderful human being. In paying homage to the Queen, she incorporates elements of Bettie’s look and poses but also brings her own freshness and creativity to the mix.

*Click image to browse Dizzy Ms Lizzyy’s shop!*

This multitalented maven is currently gracing the covers of two Bettie Page comic books in the series by Dynamite Entertainment, and she recently achieved a huge milestone by shooting with Playboy – which she deems the most exhilarating highlight of her modeling career. But like her main muse, she’s so much more than a gorgeous pinup: She’s also a passionate advocate for human rights and a car-loving gal who happens to be restoring a 1950 Mercury between planning her upcoming wedding.

In the midst of all this, we had the honor of getting to know more about her and her love for Bettie. Check out our chat below.

Tell us a bit about yourself – where you live, what you do for work and fun, and anything else you’d like to share.

I am an all-around 100 percent Cali girl! I am very proud. I was born and raised in Southern California, the daughter of two Mexican immigrants who raised 5 children in SoCal. I never thought I'd leave my beloved home, but I recently moved to Dallas, Texas, two years ago. I departed Los Angeles in pursuit of love, which worked out very well, as I am now engaged and planning a full wedding later this year!

I'm a jack-of-all trades type of woman. I have worked in education, management, and now I’m part of the legal world as a legal assistant/paralegal for the largest non-profit organization in the entire state of Texas that works directly with the immigrant community. Since my early adult years, I have flourished in helping and educating others, as this truly is a livelihood and passion for me.

When I'm not stuck in my law bubble, I love to shoot and model like the many pinup models of the past. It has been a passion and a hobby, as well as a therapeutic and fun outlet in expressing myself for well over ten years now – time flies! If I'm not behind a lens, you can find me covered in dust and bando from sanding and getting the rust off my 50 Mercury project that my fiancé and I began well over two years ago now. I love getting my hands dirty, especially because I know that once it's complete, the satisfaction will be that much more rewarding!

I spend many of my weekends holed up in my husband-to-be’s shop, Pinnacle Refinish, learning and working on my old-school ride. Although I am no expert by any means, I do enjoy being around old cards and motorcycles, so I guess you could say that while I have a very feminine side, I’m also a gal who isn’t afraid of loud engines and grease.

Aside from my main areas of focus, I love to attend car shows, see live music, spend time with my parents, cook, collect vintage pieces both in fashion and home decor, and snuggle my two rescue pit bulls who are my world. I also travel back and forth from LA to Texas often to visit family and work on photoshoots – you can’t keep me away!

When and how did you first learn about Bettie?

Oh, Bettie! I discovered her during my senior year in high school. One of my friends had her pictures plastered all over the wall in her room, and I remember thinking, "Holy heck! Who is THIS?" I quickly became aware of how famous and talented she was through more research. It was love at first sight! I was instantly drawn by that fierce and captivating stare that you see in most of her images, and I was also drawn to her impeccable taste in fashion. Her style was spunky, fun, fearless, and all around pretty and feminine, similar to the ways in which I’ve always carried myself as well.

What are some of the things you most love and admire about Bettie?

I think there's this common mutual agreement with Bettie fans that the main draw is how raw she was, seeing the sincerity shine through her pictures and balancing the perfect sultry yet sweet image while not conforming to the standards of that day and age – the fearlessness! Her ability to be herself without allowing anyone to tell her she shouldn't or couldn't do so. Most importantly as well, I love her originality and her determination to be this unstoppable force of pinup power galore.

How does Bettie inspire you in your daily life – for example, how does she influence your self-confidence, and what are some ways she helps you get through hard times?

Bettie is truly one of a kind. She endured some of the hardest situations possible, yet she strived for more and kept going. I think of myself as a mini Bettie, as I have endured very difficult and similar hardships that make me think of how fortunate I am to be here today. The most difficult of times obviously were the most painful, but yet, by the power of will and my outlook, I really pushed my aspirations and dreams forward.

Bettie was a "take chances" kind of person, and without a doubt, that's probably the story of my life. Every single aspect of my life today has been by chance and leaps of faith. Every step of the way, I promised to continue being true to myself, and I think Bettie is the true essence of self-acceptance, remaining real and in touch with herself, which brought her every ounce of success.

Another way Bettie inspires me is that she's a constant reminder of body positivity. I was always curvaceous in certain areas of my body like my hips and legs. I was often teased and frankly, I was embarrassed growing up, thinking my body wasn't up to par with my classmates. This is sort of like how Bettie was turned down for being "too curvy.” She is literally the model for anyone out there that is told they are “too much,” to remember that they are absolutely enough, so keep going no matter what!

You’re one of our very favorite Bettie-inspired models because you manage to capture her energy and look and combine it with your own magic. How and when did you start doing Bettie-inspired looks and posing, and how your modeling evolved over the years?

Anytime someone compares me to Bettie Page, I am honored. It’s truly the most flattering compliment, so thank you!

To be honest, I never in a million years sought to be like or look like her. I began modeling for alternative companies; I used to go-go dance for bands and host miscellaneous events a decade ago, all while loving the pinup aesthetic and world. It wasn't until I cut my bangs that my world changed. I'll never forget walking to a nearby salon when I lived in Santa Cruz about six years ago and saying “Okay, give me Bettie bangs, please.”

Everything progressed from that day on. Slowly but surely, I was often contacted to be featured on posters with my new look, modeling for more pinup and retro fashion brands, doing fashion shows, and the list goes on. I never thought to revolve my pinup solely around Bettie Page, but I can't even begin to try to explain how overwhelmed I've been with the encouragement and compliments from those who are Bettie fans, who honestly helped embrace and unlock this new potential me.

I utilized that to study her expressions, poses, sensuality, and overall fun aura she gives off in each of her pictures. I began to be more interested in how she came up with her poses and how she figured out her "best angles," and I tweaked some of mine that worked specifically for my body type. I found that sometimes the most "awkward" pose turns out to be “the one" and that exploring outside of your comfort zone usually produces the best results.

To put your best face forward and accentuate the favorite parts of what makes you YOU is beautiful. I think that applying all I've learned through this growing and changing process helped me evolve into the fully confident person I feel I am today and allows me to continue learning. I also want to note that I have Bettie to thank for my recent publishing of two Bettie Page comics covers by Dynamite Studios. I mean, sitting on a stand next to the Queen herself in shops nationwide is an absolute honor! I owe so much of my success to her existence.

*Striking one of Bettie’s fave poses (Reverse Table with Leg Extension) on our Abs Bettie yoga mat! Click the image to browse our Bettie mat designs.*

In addition to the fun collaborations in store with Bettie Page Fitness, what are some other projects and pursuits you’re excited about?

I am beyond thrilled to continue creating and working alongside Bettie Page Fitness! I love how BPF is extremely body-positive and active in changing peoples’ overall mental, emotional and physical health while making it fun and unique.

I also plan to create my very first calendar for future purchase in 2022; to expand and keep adding to my merchandise store; keep creating fresh and fun new content in the months to come; and branch out even more creatively in the near future. I’ll possibly dive into the world of burlesque more seriously – early next year, perhaps.

Plus, I did a quick and fun shoot with Chris Gomez Photography for a Bettie and the Rocketeer series tribute created by London artist Des Taylor (@despopart).

I also plan to finish my 50 Merc and be able to pose on my own car for the first time and release those images when they are complete – definitely a mini personal goal for myself.

Are there any more Bettie bits or other info you'd like to share?

I just wanted to add how grateful, humbled and thankful I am for people like you who have given me another opening to freely and happily express my love for pinup. It’s those like yourself who motivate me to work harder, stay focused, be kind, and keep practicing and pursuing my passion. Thank you so very much!

We are thrilled to relaunch our What a Bettie! column to highlight the many Bettie Babes around the world who consider our Queen a major inspiration. This round we’re featuring Sydney, a UK-based artist whose mother reached out way back when we sent out the first call for nominations. (Major cool mom points!) In our recent interview, Sydney shared how Bettie has boosted her confidence and helped her cope with chronic illness.

BPF: Tell us a bit about yourself – where do you live, and what do you do for work and fun?

SYDNEY: I am 20 years old and I’m from the UK. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 I was laid off from working as a chart corrector which was a pretty cool job, but as you know many companies are struggling at the moment.

I absolutely love art! I practice whenever I can every day and hope to make it a career in the future. [Click Sydney’s spectacular Bettie illustration below to browse more of her incredible art!] I recently started yoga and really getting into fitness to help with stress and my Crohn’s disease.

BPF: When and how did you first learn about Bettie?

SYDNEY: I was very young, actually. My mum is a fan of pinup and had bought the film The Notorious Bettie Page, and it came at a time that I was old enough to watch it. I was completely besotted by this character and her story and thought, Wow, how confident and uplifting she was! I had to look up the real Bettie, and oh my, was I mesmerized by this beautiful and natural woman, it was at that moment she became my biggest inspiration and muse.

*Click the pic to open Sydney’s art site in a new window.*

BPF: What are some of the things you most love and admire about Bettie?

SYDNEY: Where do I start?! First of all, I love the Bettie bangs. And I love how different she looks, and it’s all natural! Another thing is that her story is so powerful and shocking, and she still kept on smiling throughout – that’s why she is my biggest inspiration. I also love her cheekiness and quirky personality.

And her photos are to die for, of course! When she is posing or filming she shows that you can be yourself and goof around and have fun – not like modern models, all serious, on strict diets, and every picture has to be just right and photoshopped.

BPF: In what ways does Bettie influence and inspire you overall or in your daily life?

SYDNEY: Bettie has helped me through a lot! I’ve experienced some very dark times, including a horrible breakup where my confidence was just kicked to the dirt, but Bettie brightened up my life again. Another big thing she helped me through was my Crohn’s disease – again, my confidence was knocked down, and I wondered how I was supposed to feel pretty or confident with this disease. I was in so much physical pain every day and still in college at the time.

Growing my confidence and getting it back has been a journey, but whenever I’m feeling not myself or get bad news, I always think, What would Bettie do? I think she would stand tall and smile and carry on, and that’s what I always think about when I’m feeling down. I soon did a pinup photo shoot for my college project, in which I channeled my inner Bettie and remembered to just have fun and let loose and be goofy. It made me feel so confident!

Also, being a teen girl at the time and seeing all these girls wear the same clothes and this contour makeup that was popular then, along with the Instagram models, made me think, Why do I look different and not like them? Bettie was unique and naturally beautiful – not photoshopped nor wearing loads of makeup, so yes, Bettie is a huge inspiration and I wish to be like her.

I’m thankful for pages like yours that share Bettie memories and help her legacy live on. Seeing posts and photos of Bettie make me so happy. She is a huge influence to many, and her story deserves to be known.

♥ ♥ ♥

What a Bettie! Meet Dizzy Ms Lizzyy

What a Bettie! Meet Sydney

Column Kickoff: Meet the First “What a Bettie!” Babes!