If anyone knows the importance of confidence, it’s Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The 38-year-old mother of two started modelling at just 16-years-old, her first campaign for Levi jeans, and became the face of Victoria’s Secret at 19. ‘In my early career, I was really fortunate to have a few key people who helped guide me,’ she tells Grazia. ‘Having mentors who believed in me made a huge difference and they offered advice, support, and sometimes just a listening ear when things got challenging.’

Such challenges include critical casting agents – she, like so many models, was told to lose weight early in her career and sent home from shoots for being ‘full-figured’ – being rejected from jobs for having ‘too much of a personality’ and told she wouldn’t work past the age of 25. Tell that to Jean Paul Gaultier, for whom she walked the runway in Paris Couture week earlier this year, her first show almost a decade after shifting focus from modelling into more acting and business ventures.

‘It was a combination of guidance, self-belief, and resilience that truly shaped my career,’ Whiteley explains. ‘I believe young women need a combination of [these] key elements to succeed in the working world. Role models are incredibly important as they show what’s possible and inspire confidence. Alongside that, believing in yourself and your abilities opens doors and encourages you to take on new challenges, even when things feel uncertain… Ultimately, success comes from a blend of support, mindset, skills, and access to opportunities.’

This summer, Whiteley will take on a mentor role as part of her work as a new ambassador for The King’s Trust, which provides support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. ‘With everything I do in my career now, I’m always focused on ensuring there’s purpose and lasting impact behind it,’ she says. ‘One recent initiative I’m especially proud of is the Vesative Collective closet sale, with 100% of the net proceeds going directly to The King’s Trust to support young people. We’re also exploring further initiatives within the charity, particularly the Change a Girl’s Life campaign. As a mother, it’s deeply important to me that every girl has the opportunity to thrive and this initiative helps provide just that, through access to education, training, and employment opportunities.’

Earlier this month, Whiteley joined King Charles during a reception at Buckingham Palace for the winners of the King’s Trust Awards, one of whom was 17-year-old refugee Adey who won the breakthrough award for demonstrating exceptional resilience when starting a new life alone in the UK just over ax year ago. ‘Hearing Adey’s story before was incredibly moving but finally meeting her in person was something I’ll never forget,’ Whiteley says. ‘Her journey from Eritrea to the UK is deeply inspiring. The strength, confidence, and quiet determination she carries as she builds a new future is nothing short of extraordinary.’

Now, Whiteley will continue to work with the King’s Trust to help support women and girls in building the confidence and skills necessary for success at work. Knowing all that she does now, what advice would she give her younger self? ‘I would say: trust the journey and be kind to yourself along the way. It’s okay not to have everything figured out right away and growth takes time. Don’t be afraid to take risks or make mistakes, because those experiences shape who you become. And remember, being present in the moment is key!’