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Nwana
Bennett
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It looks like
we've struck gold once again with this month's model feature.
Ladies and gentlemen I would like to introduce you to Sac
Town's very own Nwana. I recently had an opportunity to slow
her down for a brief Q&A session...enjoy.
Jay: When did you know that you
wanted to be a model?
Nwana:
Ever
since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a model.
I use to watch a lot a TV and I saw how beautiful the girls
were there and in the magazines. I had always told my Mom
that's what I wanted to do when I grew up...be on the cover of
many magazines.
Jay: How did you get started in
the biz?
Nwana:
I’ve
always been interested in modeling, but as an adult I was
always told that I was too short or that there's no market in
print for women my height, so I didn’t pursue it any longer.
Just recently in May of this year I was given a website
to check out for general purposes and I noticed this online modeling
agency www.sacculturalhub.com/hubmodels
I submitted my application and a photo and maybe a day or two
later I received a response asking me to come out and do a
photo shoot. It turned out to be a lot of fun and my pictures
were AWESOME. I received lots of positive feedback
from my pictures and was told I should continue to pursue
modeling further. From there I submitted my photos to
many online magazines (like this one) asking to be featured.
As soon as my features hit, there were so many inquiries as to
who I was...and so here I am now.
Jay: Who are your influences?
Nwana:
My
influences range from Halle Berry to Jada Pinkett-Smith to
Tyra Banks. I know Halle and Jada's main focuses aren't
modeling, but it is a huge part of their job. Even with their
petite frames and short statures, they have taken this
industry by storm. Tyra...now that's my girl.
Every where I turn I see her. She is definitely
"IT" I love what she's doing for young girls
with her current show. "America's Next Top Model".
It let's women every where know that there is a way for you to
go after your dreams, no matter what your height or weight is.
Jay: What is your proudest moment
professionally/personally?
Nwana:
I
have yet to have my proudest moment professionally, that will
be when I see my face on the cover of a magazine or a large
spread within the magazine. But if I have to choose
something, I'd say it was when my Yahoo group reached a 1000
members. I know it's not much, but it tells me that at
least those 1000 people are interested in what I'm doing and
want to see more of me in the future. The two proudest
moments I have personally are giving birth to my 2 boys (3 and
9). They are the light of my life and bring me so much
joy. Whenever they see any of my photos they tell
me how pretty I am and how proud they are of me. It
really touches me in that tender spot.
Jay: What type of modeling are
you looking to do?
Nwana:
Well
I'm looking to get involved in lots of print work such as magazines,
calendars, posters. I also want to get involved in
acting to do some music videos, commercials and maybe see
myself on the big screen one day.
One of my goals is to get published in Smooth Girl magazine,
so be on the look out for me in the next round (http://www.smoothmag.com/contests/smoothgirl04/index.php).
I'd also like to be featured in Black Men Magazine, XXL, King
Magazine,
Maxim and even Playboy. I'd also love to be one of Victoria's
Secrets or Fredericks of Hollywood's model.
Jay: What type of work will you
refuse to do?
Nwana:
I
refuse to do PORN or any EXOTIC/EROTIC pictures (no girl on
girl). I don't mind nudity as long as it's very classy.
I'm not ashamed of my body at all and being 29 with two
children...I'd have to say I look pretty damn good.
Jay: How have you managed to
keep working over the years?
Nwana:
Currently
I work in Customer Services and have been doing so for about
11 years. I'm hoping one day I can go into business for
myself by helping other young girls/women get started in the
modeling business. It would be nice to model full-time,
but right now it's only a side job for me. I'm very
realistic in knowing that you always have to have a back up
plan with modeling. You can be hot today and NOT
tomorrow.
Jay: What's on the horizon?
Nwana:
At
this time I'm working on my new paid site which should be up
by the end of October and my 2005 calendar which is guaranteed
to be HOT HOT HOT. I'm hoping in the near future I'll
get to do some traveling and work with many different
photographers. Living in Sacramento makes it very hard
to get the kind of "EXPOSURE" I'm looking for.
Jay: Any words of advice?
Nwana:
The
best advice I can give any woman wanting to get involved in
this industry is to learn the business and be serious about
it. Ask many
questions of the people you’re working with and for.
Try to always get references from any photographer
wanting to photograph you.
Find a mentor and learn fast that all assignments are
not good assignments, no matter how much money is involved.
Never compromise your self worth and always stay true
to yourself. “If
you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for
anything”. This business is very
competitive and no one is guaranteed to be in it for any
length of time.
For
more information and bookings please log onto http://nwanasworld.com/
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