Age: 21
Hometown: Potomac, Maryland
Ethnicity: Jamaican, German, Irish, Cuban, Indian & African American
Bust: 36D
Waist: 29
Hips: 44
I was discovered: Through pageantry. I thought modeling would be a fun transition, but it wasn’t an easy one. They are so different!
Pageants or modeling?: They’re both so different it’s hard to even compare the two. But my favorite thing about modeling, especially with JAG is that I don’t have to try to fit into any mold. In the pageant community, there can be so much negativity associated with beauty queens gaining weight and it can be extremely hurtful. Model life is not as glamorous as pageant life. I will admit, I love the glitz and glam of pageantry! No one can pry me away from my gaudy eyelashes and sparkly dresses!
I’m currently working on: A big shoot with my first international client!
My best feature is: My smile
I’m beautiful because: I have learned to be fully comfortable in my own skin. Everybody is beautiful and we as women and as a culture need to learn how to accept ourselves –– flaws and all.
My favorite thing to wear to feel special is: My red lipstick stain from Sephora. It makes me feel like a superstar!
My beauty routine is: I cleanse my skin nightly with Neutrogena Naturals Acne Cream Cleanser. Then I apply Effaclar K to my T-zone & Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment by La Roche Posay to get rid of stubborn breakouts almost overnight. I moisturize with Embryolisse Lait-Creme day and night.
My health routine is: I workout with my trainer 3 times a week at Equinox, but I don’t completely restrict myself when it comes to food. So I try to balance out my love for amazing foods with exercise and ALOT of walking around NYC.
The best trick I use to flatter my curves is: SPANX! They keep everything tight and perfectly rounded.
My pet peeve when it comes to curvy girl fashion is: When girls aren’t completely comfortable with their shape and opt for baggy clothes instead or they don’t know their bodies and wear clothes that are way too tight.
Honor your body with clothes that complement it. Your body is your temple. You can decorate it however you want, why not make it look fabulous?
My advice to budding plus size models is: Know that being “plus-size” is not who you are. It’s not who anyone is. You’re a curvy girl who doesn’t fit a sample size 2. That doesn’t make you any less than any other model out there. “Plus size” is a social construct that together, we can break. We are all real sized women, wearing the sizes that are real for us whether it’s a natural size 0 or a natural size 16.
I get into the zone while shooting by: Listening to music and drinking Starbucks beforehand: Venti black shakened iced tea with 8 pumps of classic and extra water. It’s my go-go juice.
My curvy style icon is: Beyoncé of course! I also love the way Kim Kardashian styles her curves to perfection. Every time she steps out, she steps OUT!
My favorite places to shop: TopShop, Zara and any little NYC boutiques I can find.
My favorite style blogs are: Fashionista, Fashion Bomb Daily & Moda Mob
On the horizon: I’m working with a lot of reoccurring clients while also concentrating on my first love: television broadcasting.