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Nicolepoetry.net Interview With Up-And-Coming Model Tiffany (April 2010)


Nicolepoetry.com had the opportunity to interview up-and-coming model Tiffany who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Tiffany is 18-years-old and her ethnicity is a mixtrue of White, Black, Italian, and Latin. She is currently a Honey of Hood Academy Records. Aside from this, Tiffany is trying to expand her modeling career by doing photoshoots for her porfolio, magazines, etc. She is also working to pursue her dreams of becoming a Therapist/working with handi-capped children.

What is Hood Academy Records? "Hood Academy Records is an entertainment label specializing in catchy and relevant music that appeals to both Urban and Suburban atmospheres. We pride ourselves in influencing all coasts and cultures of the world. This strong label consists of 2 CEOs and a supreme cast of talented artists. We house our own great producers, which are equivalent to any in the industry. Hood Academy is not just a label in the industry, its the LABEL of the industry!(via HoodAcademyRecords.com)" The label is based out of California.

In this interview, Tiffany discusses what she does as a Honey of Hood Academy Records, positives and negatives to modeling, stereotypes, hobbies, and more!!! You'll find that Tiffany is intelligent, ambitious, giving, hard-working, and has a GREAT sense of humor. For more information on Tiffany: Tiffany Twitter, Tiffany Myspace, & Hood Academy Records Official Website.

*PHOTO COURTESY OF: HoodAcademyRecords.com


PART 1

1.What is your ethnicity and what languages do you speak?
- PUERTO RICAN AND BLK.. AND SPANISH


2.What was your childhood like, including any unique experiences?
-UMM, I HAD A GOOD CHILDHOOD, THERE WAS SOME ROUGH SPOTSX THAT KINDA BROKE ME. BUT MADE ME A STRONGER PERSON TODAY


3.Have you ever lived anywhere else besides California?
-MMM, NO


4. When did you decide that you wanted to get into modeling?
-WHEN I WAS ABOUT 16


5. How did your modeling career start?
-I WAS APPROACHED BY A PHOTOGRAHER ASKING TO SHOOT FOR HIS PORTFOLIO AND REALLY LIKED IT


6. Are there any particular models that inspired you to pursue modeling?
-UMM MY MOM? BECAUSE SHE WAS ALSO ONCE A MODEL. SOO SHE GIVES ME IDEAS, AND POINTERS


7. Can you explain what a Honey of Hood Academy Records does? How long have you been working with Hood Academy Records?
-LITTE LESS THE 6MONTHS & THE HONEYS OF HOOD ACADEMY RECORDS, ARE CLASSY YET ALWAYS SEXY LADIES WHO REP HOOD ACADEMEY RECORDS, AND THE MUSICIANS WHO ARE SIGNED TO THEIR LABEL.


8. What things about the modeling industry do you like the most, and what are some things that you would like to change?
-IM NOT GOING TO LIE I LIKE THE ATTENTION, WHO DOESN’T. RIGHT? LOL AND THE ENVIORMENT , BUT I WOULD MOST DEF CHANGE WAT A “MODEL” IS SUPPOSE TOO LOOK LIKE TO SOME PEOPLE BEING A SIZE 0, CUZ LORD KNOWS DAMN WELL IM NO SIZE 0. LOL


9. In this line of work, do you always feel respected by others within the industry or your peers, or have there been times when you weren’t respected?
-THERE ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO DON’T TAKE SHOOTS SERIOUSLY, AND STEP OUT OF THE PROFESSIONAL FIELD.. BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO TRY AND AVOID THOSE KINDS OF PEOPLE AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH MORE POSITIVES THEN NEGATIVES. AND ALWAYS CHECK FOR REFERENCES.


10. How do you feel about people who have negative perceptions about video models? Models in general?
- I MEAN EVERYBODY IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION.. AND SOME WOMEN GIVE PEOPLE WHO VIEW THEIR WORK A REASON TO QUESTON.. YOU CANT PLEASE EVERYBODY AND SHOULD NEVER EVER TRY TO.. DO YOU REGUARDLESS


11. What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your modeling career?
- BIGGEST LESSON? MMM PROBABLY TO NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER HOW HARD THINGS MAY BE GOING, OR WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK OF YOU


12. What is some advice that you would give to girls who want to be models or pursue another career?
-I WOULD TELL GIRLS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE MODELING, TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS BUT ALWAYS HAVE ANOTHER OPTION.. KEEP GOD FIRST AND YOU CAN NEVER EVER GO WRONG.


13. Have you ever appeared in a music video for an local/up-and-coming (native) Cali artist or an internationally known music artist?
-IVE BEEN ASKED TO DO SEVERAL DIFFERENT VIDEOS, BUT NEVER FOLLLOWED THROUGH ON THEM


14. If so, which one was the most fun to shoot?
-N/A


15. If you had the opportunity to be featured in a video with 2 or 3 artists of your choice, who would they be and why?
TREY SONGZ – CUZ HES BOMB LMAO!
BEYONCE- HER DANCES ARE ALWAYS CREATIVE AND I LOVE TO DANCE
AND…. HMM LAST 1 WOULD BE DAY 26 IF THEY WERE STILL TOGETHER.. WHY? BECUZ MORE GUYS HAHA MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK LMAO!! HAHA


16. If you could be featured as the cover girl on any magazine of your choice, which one would it be and why?
- PROBABLY ANY MENS MAGAZINE? SIMPLY BECAUSE SEX SELLS AND ID LIKE TO SHOOT FOR AN ILL MENS MAG LOOKING SEXY REPRESENTING WOMEN, IN A SEXY SENSUAL YET CLASSY WAY.


17. What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of modeling?
- UMM SHOOTING SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR NOT 6 FEET AND A SIZE 0


PART 2


1. What are some of your other talents and hobbies?
-I SING AND DANCE


2. I know that you want to become a Therapist to work with Handicapped children one day. Are you currently in school to pursue this goal or anything?
- YES IM A FULL TIME STUDENT


3. Can you describe some of your accomplishments in addition to modeling?
-IVE DONE A LOT OF CHARITY WORK.. IN WHICH IM VERY PROUD OF


4. What has been the biggest life lesson you’ve learned?
- TRUST NOBODY, AND ALWAYS KEEP GOD ON YOUR SIDE


5. What has been your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
- TOKYO, JAPAN


6. Who are some of your favorite music artists, actors, and authors?
-MMM, TREY SONGZ, SOME THINGS OF CHRIS BROWN, AND AS FAR AS ACTORS OR AUTHORS IM USUALLY SOO BUSY I DON HAVE TIME TO SIT DOWN AND WATCH A MOVIE, OR TV… IF I DO ITS MAURY,JERRY SPRINGER, AND STEVE WILKOS IN THE MORNING! HAHA


7. Do you have any celebrity crushes?
-MM NOT REALLY ? LOL IM ADDICTED TO GUYS WITH TATS..SOO CATERGORIZE ALL CELEBS WITH A MILLION TATS HAHA


8. What is a typical day like for you?
-MM MAURY OR JERRY IN THE A.M SOME CEREAL.. THEN CLASS THEN HOME OR OMW TO A PHOTOSHOOT..SUNDAYS ARE CHURCH


9. What are some upcoming projects like videos or events that you will be seen in or working on?
-YOU GUYS WILL HAVE TO JUST WAIT AND SEE ;)


10. What are some goals that you are really striving to achieve like business ventures, etc?
- I DO WANT TO OPEN AN ORGANIZATION FOR HANDICAPPED KIDS. OR UNDERPRIVLEDGED CHILDREN


11. Is there anything else you would like everyone to know?
- UMM BASICALLY THAT IM A “REAL” FEMALE FARTHEST FROM YOUR AVERAGE MODEL, AND A HARD WORKER, I DON’T NEED A LOT TO PURSUE MY GOALS AND GET TO WHERE IVER WORKED SO HARD TO GET.. NEVER WILL I FAIL WITH THE MAN UPSTAIRS BY MY SIDE.. FOR EVERYONE WHO DOUBTED ME? JUST WAIT AND SEE


.…TO BE CONTINUED….

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Nicolepoetry.net Interview With Up-And-Coming Model Kimmi K Smith (October 2010)

1. What were your inspirations to pursue modeling?

- Well there are a few reasons for me wanting to pursue modeling. The main reason is that I grew up with low self esteem, I was always called “fat and ugly” I never had a voice or someone to say that “you are beautiful”. As I grew older I realized that a lot of young girls looked up to me. Also, I have always loved fashion and getting glamorous and easily got the title “DIVA”. So I began looking into fashion shows, contacting photographers, and basically just learning the business.

2. When did you start modeling?

- I have been modeling for almost 3 years now.

3. Who are some of your favorite models and famous women in general that you think really give a good representation of plus-sized models or plus-sized women in general?

- I admire so many women I have a very long list. I love Monique, Queen Latifah, Toccara Jones, Kelly Price, Jill Scott, Chenese Lewis, Mia Amber, Mia Tyler. Every woman I listed is curvy, has lots of class, and has conquered it all. From movies to TV shows, to ripping the runway. I love all of these women.

4. What do you like best and least about modeling?
- I love the fact that you can become someone else in photos, I love the clicking of the camera, I love the runway, I love meeting new people, I love seeing the creative eye of the designer/make up artist, I love when other females say “Girl you representing for US plus size women) I feel so appreciated, I can say there is nothing else like it.

The lease thing about modeling would be other models and them trying to compete with you. It’s mainly like nobody is really happy for you and I feel like we should be happy and support each other. I understand that you may be up against your best friend for a gig but I just feel like what God has for me it’s for me. That’s mainly what just bothers me about modeling.


5. What has been the most challenging aspect of being a plus-sized model? In general?

- The most challenging thing for me was that I didn’t know what type of modeling I really wanted to be in. I was confused if I wanted to cater more to the urban market or stick with fashion, etc. Lately I have been getting a lot of love from the urban market but my heart is runway, commercial work, print work, etc. So that is challenging to me b/c I know where my heart is so do I get the exposure I want or wait my time for the fashion assignments.

6. How do you feel about the media and society not really representing or accepting plus-sized models on a wide scale (TV shows, magazines, runways, etc)?

- I think now that the media is finally accepting us. I know some people have made comments about US Plus models on the runway saying we are a joke etc, but I know a lot of plus models that can out walk any slim model. As a plus model we do have more to prove but in my eyes I don’t mind fighting a little harder.

7. All models go through criticism, sometimes positive and sometimes negative. Some are labeled too skinny, too overweight, alcoholics, drug abusers, untalented, promiscuous, attractive, unattractive, and the list goes on. How do you maintain your strengths despite the negativity?

- I have to say I pray every day for my strength. This is a very hard market and people will have their opinion about you from how you look, dress, and even act. I just try and make myself happy but over all I have been receiving a good response and I feel I am on the right path.

8. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far in modeling?

- I am so proud to say that I did an album cover for a rock band “Turbo Fruit” that was almost a year ago. I have had like 10 features back to back, and also, I just had a journalist follow me for a day and she will be writing a story up about me.



9. What path are you aiming towards with your career (music videos, print, runway, etc)?

- I mainly want to encourage women all over. I want to be a published model, print work, commercial, runway, beauty and glamour model.

10. If you could be featured on the cover or have a multi-paged spread inside any 2 or 3 magazines of your choice, which ones would they be and why?

- I would love to have a spread/feature in Plus Model Magazine, Essence, and Ebony.


11. Any embarrassing or funny stories you have experienced while modeling (photo shoot, etc)?

- YES, this summer I was at a video shoot for a specific rap artist and it was the last scene, it was late and everybody was tired. Well there was a model there and she fell down some steps. It was just really quiet and all of a sudden a huge BOOM!! She got up and kept working. She was a good sport about it. I probably would have cried, but she stayed strong and smiled and was ready to keep working.

12. What is your ultimate goal for your modeling career?

- My goal is to become a published model, I want features everywhere. I want to hit runways for Monif C, Evans Clothing, One Stop Plus, to be a well known successful Video Model, Cover Girl spokesperson, and open a Plus Size Boutique. Honestly I can say the sky is the limit in my book.



13. How do you feel about people with negative perceptions on models in general?

- I try not to focus on anything negative, I may read a comment about a model, and just keep it moving.

14. What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue modeling or are just beginning?

- I would say build a portfolio, do your research google anything you want to know. Just because you are pretty doesn’t mean you have potential to become a model. Learn your angles for poses, network with photographers, designers, etc. Also to have a great attitude!!

15. What are some of your talents and hobbies?

- My hobbies are that I enjoy reading, writing, shopping, I like to play cards, and just relax.

16. What are some of your upcoming projects?

- Right now I am working on a glamour calendar, I am in the works meeting with different agencies. I have 3 that I am looking into. There are a few things right now I am working on but everything is not finalized so I can’t disclose very much information. I just spoke with a representative from Ashley Stewarts and I am hoping for something big to come out of that. Since I am freelance it’s harder to book jobs with these big companies, but I believe in due time some great things will come.

Be sure to follow Kimmi on Twitter!!!