Fresh new faces are a frequent thing in the modeling world, but once in a while there is one face that stands out, makes an impact, and tells a story. I was super excited to hear that I was going to be interviewing just that… Fashion De Arte readers, I give you the beautiful Chekesha. We get personal in an exclusive interview with this intriguing beauty… I know you can’t wait to find out about her so read on and enjoy!
Q: Introduce yourself to the Fashion De arte readers
I’m Chekesha, from Houston, Texas. I played Division 1 basketball in College, and I have a Computer Science Degree. I currently model in New York!
Q: How did your modelling career begin?
When I was in High School, one of my teachers came up to me and said “You should model.” Just like that. She gave me her former agency in Houston’s contact info and I went in to see them. They loved me! So between Track practice or AAU games, I’d do a few jobs here and there.
Q: When was the first moment you realized, “This is what I want to do”?
Shortly after I signed with my agency in Houston, I graduated High School and moved to Arkansas on a full basketball scholarship so I focused on that. Besides, there isn’t any fashion in Arkansas lol! Around my junior year my mom called me, all excited saying she had run into and old friend and she was a photographer in LA and she wanted to shoot with me. As soon as I had a break from school I went to LA and did the shoot! It changed my life! I was like, “Wow, I think I really want to give this a shot!”. I got an agency in LA but decided to move to NY after signing with an agency here.
Q: So, Why modeling?
Modeling is definitely a challenge for me. It’s totally opposite from my personality. I’ve played sports all my life so I’m more of a guys girl, t-shirt and jeans girl. I like nice things, but contrary to popular belief, I’m very low maintenance. I love sitting in the make-up chair and transforming.
Q: Who have you worked with and who do you dream of working with in the future?
I’ve worked with some amazing photographers: Sinden Collier, Terry Richardson, and Yu Tsai. I’ve done editorials for Essence, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Vibe magazines. I’ve also shot with and gotten to meet tons of celebrities. I’ve done a few commercials, have been featured in TV shows and movies, but my dream job is definitely Victoria Secret!!
Q: What has been your most memorable modeling experience?
I did a Nike campaign, I was totally in my element. They had an Olympic trainer and had us running on the treadmill, doing dips, squats push ups and sit-ups, jogging laps, and lifting weights. Not to mention, the Nike shoes we were shooting in were…two sizes too small.
Q: What is your perception of a positive body image and what are your thoughts on this phrase generally?
A positive body image in my perspective is a body like mine! I always say I’m skinny with plenty. I have a little curves, but in my business that’s more bad than a good thing. Every model I know is on a diet, its kind of sad but it’s the job we signed up for.
Q: Everyone seems to be a model now a days, what do you think separates a real from a fake?
Yep everyone’s a model these days, or a singer/rapper. In my personal opinion, money separates the real from the fake. If your getting paid hundreds or thousands of dollars to take some pics advertising a product, then that is REAL! If you are paying to take these pictures and are just on some blog or doing it to get twitter followers then that’s FAKE.
Q: Do you have any aspirations or goals outside of your own modeling career?
I have a computer science degree, but I’m really interested in starting a cosmetics line. I’m a cosmetic junky so I think that would be great for me.
Q: Is there anywhere else in the world you would like to be based besides NY?
Only if my job was to relax all day, I would want to be on my own island!
The FUN questions: QUICK FIRE ROUND!
Chekesha had to answer this next round of the questions with the first thing that came into her head. No cheating!
Q: Have you ever used your looks to blag something or get something you want OUTSIDE of your career?
Oh I use my looks all the time. I get out of speeding tickets and skip in lines. I use them to get away with that extra 10 lbs on my checked luggage, free food.. I could go on and on lol.
Q: What can’t you live without?
Besides my family, there is no way I could live without my cell phone, credit card, and mascara.
Q: Fashion De Arte reader Nicole asks: “Is becoming a model half hard work and half natural ability or is it something that can be learnt”?
In my personal opinion, I think it’s all there. You have to work hard at almost everything to be successful, with modeling there has to be some natural ability but that’s just the base coat. Everything else is learnt from experience, watching others, taking direction from photographers, knowing what you like and what clients respond most to.
Q: And finally – tell the fashion de arte readers ONE thing that you have never about yourself that you have never told before in an interview?
I’m terrified of animals. Worst fear ever! Before I walk into someones house for the first time I always ask if they have pets. I don’t need any surprises!
For booking inquiries, contact Chekesha on her MM!
Fashionably Yours,
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