Model Monday: Amber Monique
Photography by: Robert Tate @tate.foto
What type of modeling do you do? How did you get started as a model? What’s an average work week like for you? I got my start as a plus size model 2015. I remember feeling like I had no particular career goal and i had been working a 9 to 5 for several years, making good money but not enough to keep me happy, my mind was always wondering off to anything else but the 9 to 5 I was working, finally I went on a quest to add color to my life as I called it and started helping behind the scenes for local fashion weeks. I had watched the women strut their stuff and I just felt like I was supposed to be up there, it was literally an epiphany type of moment for me. That day I went home and looked up everything I could on plus size modeling. Companies, designers, and agencies. I even started checking out some local plus models that I knew. It was a reach for me with having a demanding 9 to 5 job. But I knew I wanted it , as I was looking around for events and model jobs, I came across designer Rene Tyler, at the time she was looking for models for a runway show and I answered the call, and she actually picked me. So here I am on a runway for the first time as a plus size model and was scared senseless. And the rest is history.
What are some tips you’d like to share with aspiring influencers or models? Some tips I would like to share for aspiring models, is don’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity to start, start now, and throw yourself out there get your feet wet, and get the experience. Continue to enquire knowledge about the industry, Listen, pay attention. Ask questions and take constructive criticism because that will be crucial to your growth as a model. Growth is key; everyone starts from 0 before they get to 100.
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice as a little girl, what would you tell her? I would tell my younger self Keep God first , love your uniqueness, embrace your beauty, stop holding back apply yourself more, think positive and everything will work its self out.
What are your goals and dreams as an influencer or model? What accomplishments are you most proud of? My most proud moment was walking for Los Angeles fashion week this spring, ever since I started modeling 3 years ago that was on my bucket list, and I got to walk March 2018. My goal as a plus size model is impress myself because I am my worse critic and its hard to impress myself lol, become a household name, and grace many magazine covers. And just to be a huge success story and blessing others with my testimony.
Photography by: Robert Tate @tate.foto
How has your body image and self-esteem changed over the years? How have my body and self-esteem changed over the years? My body has changed so much over the years I didn’t know much about being healthy I was a major junk food vegetarian eater, I didn’t know much about exercising. And I had always been heavy set, and uncomfortable with me myself. It wasn’t until I almost passed out and taken to the hospital from a diabetes scare that made me do research about healthier foods, and a healthier lifestyle to avoid getting diabetes. I grew a liking to Zumba and working out, and I feel much healthier now, making better choice as a vegetarian and hopefully staying far away from diabetes as possible being that it runs in both sides of the family. My self-esteem actually begun to change when I made the conscious decision to choose confidence everyday no matter what I looked like, it was a struggle at first until one day it got easier and easier many pep talks later. And I can honestly say that I feel good about myself now.
From where do you draw inspiration for your work? I draw inspiration from so many women, but Beyoncé is by far my ultimate muse. I draw so much inspiration from her, watching how she strategically planned her career, how she has stayed focused and accomplished everything she set her mind on and I admire that. I think we can all learn from Beyoncé’s drive and determination and apply it to our own career of choice.
What can readers expect next – do you have anything exciting you would like to share with us? What I would like to say to the readers is women don’t expire. Don’t allow society to stop you from doing what you always wanted to do. It’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Eliminate age, your beautiful and your worthy at whatever age you are.
Photography by: Robert Tate @tate.foto
Social Media:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/itsambermonique