In the enchanting world of kids’ talents, where dance, modeling, acting, and sports often take the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the importance of personal qualities. This sentiment rings true in the captivating story of Danika and Delaney, identical twin sisters from New York, whose remarkable bond and charming personalities add depth to their already impressive array of talents and inspired me to photograph their story. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with these two extraordinary young girls during their spring break vacation in Palm Beach. Our time together not only resulted in stunning captures but also offered a glimpse into the unique qualities that make them stand out.
Discover the latest summer fashion looks for inspiration and delve into the captivating story of Danika and Delaney.
Concept, style, photography: Aleksandra Ataca
Tell us about yourselves and your story.
Delaney said: My, well *our* Birthday is June 15 and we are 9 years old. We are identical twin Geminis which is special. And I am older by 17 minutes. We starting acting and modeling when we were 6. I also am learning baton and I am trying to teach myself the keyboard.
Danika said: I am 9 years old. My favorite color is black. I like to act, model, play softball and do indoor rockclimbing. We have a big family, 6 kids.. we are right in the middle. My sister likes to brag she is the older twin. But only by 17 minutes.
Do you prefer modeling or acting?
Delaney said: I like both equally really. Acting because I get to meet famous people. Acting on set with other actors is so fun, its a lot different than just doing auditions. I like modeling mostly because I get to meet new photographers and hair and make up people. I always like meeting the stylist too because I like to draw sketches of fashion.
Danika said: Acting more, it is more challenging and usually has better snacks and food at Crafty. I like to learn about the behind the scenes stuff. I may want to be a script writer or director one day.
What has been your favorite project?
Delaney said: Hello Beautiful or Daughter Replica – Both are films. Ones a feature film and one is a short film.
Danika said:I can’t say because its not out yet and we signed a NDA. It will be on TV and I got to do scenes with a really really famous actor. It was fun though and the set was so cool.
What has been your biggest project?
Delaney said: I think the biggest project Ive done is the feature film Hello Beautiful. I was also on Girls5eva which is a show on Netflix. One time I did a commercial with Kate McKinnon and it was really fun to get to act with her.
Danika said: Probably the show that I just got to be on that I can’t talk about yet. We also got to do 5 episodes for a Nick JR show where we got to interview Nick JR characters like the paw patrol dogs. It was cool because they weren’t really there but the animators added them in after we taped.
What do you admire most about your sister?
Delaney said: I admire her because she is smart and kind and always helps kids at school. She always includes everyone at school. She is known for being really nice at school. Everyone likes her.
Danika said: I admire Delaney because she’s really good at taking care of our little sister. She is really good with babies. She also takes care of me sometimes. She likes to make us breakfast and take care of me when I’m sick or sad. She is very caring.
You both have a strong bond, but do you ever argue?
Delaney said: YES. All the time. We just argue and go right back to playing. We never stay mad at each other for a long time.
Danika said:Yes sometimes. We don’t like to fight but we share everything and fight over it sometimes. We mostly fight over the iPad or clothes.
Are you always booked for jobs together? If not, how do you feel about it?
Delaney said: No not always, but sometimes we do. I like it better when we both book jobs together because then we get to be on set together. We used to try to make it even if she booked a job like a commercial then I’d want to book one like her to keep it even. But now we don’t really care about that.
Danika said: We do sometimes but not every time. Sometimes it’s a little sad if one of us gets a job we both auditioned for but after were really happy for each other. Sometimes it just takes a few minutes to be sad about not getting it. But we are happy at least it was one of us.
Do you have a role model?
Delaney Said: I never really thought about this. I don’t really have a role model. I think everyone I meet is my role model. All the good people I meet I try to be like them.
Danika said: Yes! I love Zendaya. She’s so smart and pretty. I know pretty doesn’t really matter but I do think she’s so pretty. She is such a good actress and she started as a kid like me so I think I want to be like her.
Who is your style icon?
Delaney said: I don’t have one of these either, really. I like Taylor Swift in her reputation Era. I like black clothes like that. I really like skater girl style too, or surfer girl. Those girls always are cool.
Danika said: Zendaya again. She models and acts. Her modeling pictures are so good and we look at pictures of her on the red carpet or at award shows and she is just an *icon*. (Lots of laughs and a dramatic pose after saying the word icon).
Which actress or actor do you look up to?
Delaney said: Lin- Manuel Miranda is my absolute favorite actor in the world. I am so obsessed with him. I like Adam Sandler too because he’s so funny.
Danika said: Are you surprised If said Zendaya again?
Is it challenging to balance school and your career?
Delaney said: its not hard but we did just have to do homeschooling for a couple months because we went over our absences at school and we had a few bookings to do, so our mom just homeschooled us. We’re actually going back to public school next week though.
Danika said: Yes I think its hard because we have to do school work and we have a real job, no one else in our class has a job like us. And we have to learn so many scripts for auditions after homework sometimes it is a lot but its worth it.
How do your classmates react to your acting and modeling?
Delaney said: Well my friends think its cool if I’m on TV, if they see me on TV they tell me and always laugh. Sometimes they don’t like it because we have to miss school or birthday parties because of jobs.
Danika said: Some of our classmates don’t even believe us. Our friends do. Neither of us like to talk about it at school because we don’t want people to think we are bragging.
What advice would you give to kids who want to pursue a career in acting and modeling?
Delaney said: Good luck. And if you don’t book it, it is ok because most of the time you will just be doing auditions and only booking a couple of those.
Danika said: Just bring the characters you get to do to life. And sometimes you can do that the best out of all the kids and still not book it because they needed someone shorter or taller or with different color hair or eyes. Getting a callback is really good.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Delaney said: My favorite part of acting and modeling is traveling and meeting people. And of course just getting to do acting and modeling. The job is my favorite part of the job.
Danika said: I agree with Delaney. Doing the job is my favorite part. I like when there are other kids on set too because we get to become friends.
What is your favorite movie and book?
Delaney said: Book – Harry Potter, I only ready the first one so far but it was so good.
Movie – Does the broadway show Hamilton on Disney plus count as a movie? Thats my favorite.
Danika said: Harry Potter- I’m on book 2 and I really want to finish all the books before I watch the movies. But I bet those will be my favorite.
movie: Zombies 1,2 & 3 on Disney.
What is your favorite kids’ magazine or blog?
Delaney said: well actually our favorite magazine in national geographics. Its not about acting or modeling but we really like nature and animals so we like to read those.
Danika said: I like this blog, Junior style. Mom doesn’t really let us go onto blogs a lot but she has showed us this one because we did a shoot for it in New York.
What was your favorite outfit from this shoot?
Delaney said: I liked The Sunday Collective dress. It was giving me an Alice in wonderland on vacation vibe.
Danika said: For me I liked the (c’era una volta) dress the best. But my other favorite was the Green Cos I Said so suit outfit Delaney got to wear. I would wear one of those on the red carpet if I get to go to one soon.
Cortney, Delaney and Danika’s mom:
What do you find most challenging about having kids who are actors/models?
The thing I find most challenging is not having any background in this business. I find this industry is hard to navigate. Acting coaches are super expensive usually so I end up trying to help them on my own and I really have no clue what I’m doing! Having a great agent and manager combo has really helped me. I’m in a unique situation having twins in the industry because really, they are each others biggest competition. Keeping them happy and not putting pressure on them is important. Being happy if one books but feeling sad for the other is always a challenge as their mom. Its hard to be super excited for the twin who books and then look over at the other one who is bummed out. They are usually good sports about it though.
In your opinion, what is the secret to success for kids in the modeling and acting industry? What advice would you give to parents who are considering this path for their kids?
I don’t think that there is a secret to success in this industry! I think these kids are all amazing and work so hard with such little reward. Acting for kids is usually a pretty thankless job. Its audition after audition and most of the time you never hear back. Any kid in this industry definitely has to be self motivated. Its a combination of talent, hard work, perseverance and luck! As far a advice for parents who are considering this path for their children I would definitely say make sure they want to do it and that they realize (both the parents and kids) that it’s a pretty big commitment and a ton of work. And as hard as it is.. don’t compare your child’s journey to any one else’s. “Comparison is the thief of joy..” and its really easy to compare kids in the acting and modeling industry. As long as your kid is happy thats all that matters.
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