Destry Allyn Spielberg Is Building Her Own Name

Steven Spielberg's 20-year-old daughter Destry Allyn is referred to as another one of those "model kids with famous parents." The public may dismiss her as entitled, or assume she pursues a modeling career because it's easy to do with a famous family in show business. But what people may not realize is that none of the above is true. Not only is she someone you'd want to hang out with, but the fact that her dad is Steven Spielberg makes her journey ten times harder. And she's very aware of this truth. "Honestly, I can’t stand articles that are like, ‘Celebrity kids are modeling.’ Of course I get so much [sh*t] from people," she tells me on the red carpet. But according to the model, the challenge and judgements are all worth it, because she has something to say.

Allyn, who signed with a modeling agency in November, tells me she's also auditioning, hopefully acting, and "all that jazz." In other words, she's used to the showbiz shuffle, and is in no way above anyone else in making it happen for herself. Part of that shuffle is getting written off and constantly rejected, which she’s actually OK with.

"I do have those moments where I feel bad about myself. It is an industry of a lot of judgement," she says at The Women's Cancer Research Fund's recent LA event. "People can say whatever they want, in the end, it’s me putting myself out there." In an industry based solely on image and perfect beauty standards, Allyn hopes to model an opinion, not a look.

"I’m so sick of people putting themselves down. I can’t do it anymore," she says. "I’m trying to figure out my voice, and I wanna put my word out." She realizes she isn't the typical runway model, and that's exactly why she strives to break the mold. "I’m trying so hard. I’m not here to be all skinny mini, and I knew going into it there’d be a time where I’d feel rejected, but that’s just how it is."

Beyond wanting to get a positive, empowering message out there, I find it fascinating that Allyn is drawn to the modeling world because of its artistic components. "Let me put it this way: I grew up loving photography," she says. "I’m obsessed with fashion [and] having the opportunity to see how it really works and how photographers work." And although Allyn is proud of her famous name, it remains a constant struggle to break away.

She explains that she constantly asks outlets to drop her last name, but they don't listen. "It is so frustrating," she says. "I’m a Spielberg at heart, but everyone has a voice." And at the end of the day, she's just like any other 20-year-old. "Girls go through sh*t, boys go through sh*t, things can suck... I want [people] to know that I’m not a spoiled brat, I wasn’t born into that, I promise," she says.

And I believe her. Major kudos to this girl.