Paloma Elsesser

Elsesser was born in London, England to an African-American mother and a father of Chilean and Swiss descent.^[8][9] She was raised in Los Angeles, California and moved to New York City, New York in 2010, to attend The New School to study psychology and literature.^[4][10] She has two sisters: her elder sister Kanyessa McMahon is a director and producer, her younger sister, Ama, is also an actor and model signed to IMG, while her brother Sage Elsesser aka Navy Blue is a rapper and professional skateboarder.^[1]

Elsesser was discovered on Instagram by makeup artist Pat McGrath.^[11]

She has modeled for Nike, Inc., Fenty Beauty, Victoria's Secret, Proenza Schouler, and Mercedes-Benz.^{[12][13][14][15]} She has appeared in editorials for fashion magazines such as American Vogue, Vogue España, Teen Vogue, Elle, W, Wonderland Magazine, and Glamour.^{[16][17][18][19][20]}

In 2018, Elsesser appeared on the cover of British Vogue's April issue with Fran Summers, Radhika Nair, Adut Akech, Faretta, Selena Forrest, Halima Aden, Vittoria Ceretti, and Yoon Young Bae.^[21] In 2019, Elsesser made her screen acting debut in the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems.^[22]

Elsesser appeared on the cover of American Vogue's January 2021 issue,^[23] and on the cover of Vogue Adria's April 2025 issue.^[24]

In 2021, Elsesser was widely criticized for encouraging her followers not post about anti-Semitic incidents that could "delegitimize the Palestinian struggle." ^[25]