Fox of the Week (4/21/10): Katrina

Katrina is a model from New York. She discusses what she enjoys about modeling, what makes a great photo, and what she plans to do when she finishes her travel and tourism studies. She appears courtesy of Tawag Enterprises.

You're relatively new to modeling. What do you enjoy most about it?

I enjoy modeling because you get to play a character from time to time during shoots. I gained confidence and my self-esteem increased. I also enjoy modeling because you never know who you're going to meet!

What do you find most challenging about it?

Getting my name out there and not getting stereotyped as just eyecandy material. I have many diffrent sides that I plan to showcase.

What makes a great photo?

What makes my photos is great is I am willing to try new types of shoots and I am very comfortable with my body.

How do people underestimate or misjudge you?

People misjudge me by thinking I am not smart and that all I do is play in the mirror all day. I am actually very intelligent and enjoy talking about things that are happening in the world.

Who are some models you admire? Why?

I admire Jennifer Lopez she did modeling at one point during her career and I have always looked up to her. I admire her confidence, style, and her fashion taste. I also love the fact that she is multi-talented and owns her business.

You are studying travel and tourism. What do you plan to do when you finish your studies?

I want my travel agency. I also plan to have my own chain of nightclubs in all the top five USA hot cities.

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Fox of the Week (4/14/10): Miss Sunshine LaShawn Lawson

Miss Sunshine LaShawn Lawson is a model who calls lots of places home. She discusses her first photoshoot, what sets her apart, and who she admires.

What types of modeling do you do?

Promotional, I rip the runway fashion show, hair show, freeze modeling, video model

Describe how you felt at first modeling job.

My first job was a photoshoot for an aspiring photographer...it was soooo hot. Although before I never really had an issue with being in front of the camera, I was so determined for my first photoshoot to be a success that I was nervous yet very anxious and excited. I did have a lot of fun though I did more thinking and concentrating about it than actually having it. Despite all those feelings, the shoot turned out really well.

What sets you apart from other models?

The easiest way to put it: face of a model, physique of an athlete, and personality of the girl next door. (laughs) But it's often said to me that most models are stuck-up, arrogant, and not very personable and find it very surprising that my personality is totally opposite. Sunshine...inside and out.

Who are some models you admire? Why?

Eva Marcille because she is a young, African-American, beautiful, intelligent, SHORT, fashion model/actress. I admire her for not letting people tell her no because of her height and for getting past her insecurities, which is something we have in common...as well as previously being tomboyish before getting into modeling.

What makes a great photo/photoshoot?

A theme that tells a story, a model that can deliver the story, and perfect lighting for that particular theme. The model should have energy, flexibility, and poise and the photographer is key to framing the model as she delivers the theme through her facial expressions and body language.

What is one goal you hope to accomplish?

Simply to inspire other young women through hard work, love, and motivation.

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Miss Sunshine appears courtesy of Tawag Promotions.

Fox of the Week [12/23] Coli Hellraiser

Coli Hellraiser is a model from Virginia. She has been featured on Awesomebods, Blockdymez, GGurls, and Examiner, among many other sites. She discusses her work, her first photoshoot, and her ideal photoshoot location. She appears courtesy of Tawag Promotions.

Give us a brief course in Coli 101.

Im 5'4 and a mix of Cherokee, Powhatan, and Mulatto. My measurements are 32BC-24-37, Im based out of Virginia but I travel out of state often. Ive been featured on 30 men's interest, automotive, and modeling websites since 2007. I work the import and domestic car show circuit and have worked with names such as HIN, NOPI, and Funkmaster Flex. I do bikini competitions, host, go-go, spokesmodel, just about everything in the modeling realm. On weekends I do most of my traveling for gigs but on weekdays I work a 9-5 and am enrolled in college part-time pursuing a degree in graphic design/fine art.

Describe your first photoshoot.

My first photoshoot was an on location shoot at a car show. It was alot of fun, We brought a lot of traffic to the booth I was working, we had a lot of fun and got some great shots!

What do you think is your best feature? Why?

My best features are my mini curves. I'm petite but curvy.

What would you say is the most difficult part of modeling?

Finding people who are legit and serious to work with, the industry is overrun by scammers, cons, and creeps.

What is the most rewarding?

Finding people who are equally serious and driven to work with!

You have a lot of features on your resume. Of which one are you most proud?

That's a hard question, I definitely can't pick one. I am grateful for every feature because those companies and people took the time to see my potential and that I take my career seriously and am trying to bring my dream to life. At the end of the day that means the most to me. Every litte bit helps.

If you could do a photoshoot anywhere, what location would you choose? Why?

Hawaii, on one of its famous black sand beaches. I've only seen them on TV or in music videos. They're beautiful. Who wouldnt like to see a beautiful woman rolling around in the waves and exotic black sand? That would be the sexiest shoot ever!

What is one goal you feel you must accomplish?

I must break into mainstream modeling. I've been just on the cusp for a while now and I'm working overtime to contact or be noticed by the right people who can help me take my career further.
Follow Coli on Twitter.
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Fox of the Week [12/16]: Lady J

Lady J is a model from New York. She discusses her accomplishments, great photos, and her dream photoshoot location. Lady J appears courtesy of Tawag Promotions.

What would you say is your best feature?

I would say my best feature would be between my smile and smooth sexy legs. I've always been complimented on my smile and if you know me well enough you would know that I'm smiling most of the time. I personally feel that my legs are my best feature because the natural observation is from bottom to top and back. My legs are the type that when you see them, it is hard to resist touching. Any girl can just show their ass for attention, but my legs are what make you want to keep looking.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

At the moment I think I'm most proud of my work with First Love Dynasty Girls website. Although it is fairly new site coming into the game, I feel it has the potential to be very successful Eye Candy site as well as provide an opportunity for upcoming models. I'm a major visual on the site, between being the splash on most pages to the face you will see on the navigation icons. It is a great site and I take pride in the fact that they chose me to be the major face of their brand. The entire site will be up end of December/early January 2010, so be sure to check me out there and some other hot models!

What makes a great photograph? What makes a great photo shoot?

A great photograph, to me, is one that can evoke strong emotion and draws people in. It can paint a vivid story to the viewer and creates a connection. The best photos I've ever seen were ones that kept me wondering about what was going on when the shutter snapped.

A great photo shoot is the collaboration between an open mind and just pure creativity. Some of my best shoots were the result of a spur of the moment idea and going with it. I feel that the success of a photo shoot doesn't just fall upon the qualifications of the photographer, but the dynamics of the talent as well.

If you could do a photo shoot anywhere, what location would you choose? Why?

I think I would choose somewhere in Jamaica or the Bahamas. Coming from a Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, the tropical atmosphere is home to me and where I feel I would be most in tune with my creative side. I would also just love the opportunity to travel to either of these beautiful sets of islands and b e captured along with the natural wonders these lands posses. I most desire having a shoot set under a waterfall or just near it.

What is one goal you hope to accomplish?

I hope to make a name for myself in this modeling industry not only for my looks, but also for one day the opportunities I will try to create for other girls who started out just like myself. I'm not high fashion industry standard in height and I don't have the classic glamour model look entirely. My girl next-door look sometimes gets me passed over in one realm and being only 5'7" makes it harder for runway. I've always looked up to Tyra Banks for how much she has given back to aspiring models and if I could accomplish even a fraction of what she has then I'd feel fulfilled.

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Singer-songwriter Cocoa Sarai: my dream is to sell out MSG

Cocoa Sarai is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. She discusses her songwriting, winning the Hot 97 Blaze the Stage contest, and artists she would like to write with. Cocoa appears courtesy of Tawag Promotions.

When did you write your first song? What was it, and do you still perform it?

(Cocoa Sarai) I started writing poetry at the age 11, which is something that I still do well. I wrote my first song at the age of 13. The song was titled "Goodbye". It was actually a great song at the time. Currently I don’t perform it now that I think of it; maybe I should bring it back into my set list.

Describe your experience participating in Hot 97 BET Blaze the Stage and describe your reaction when you won.

(CS) It was a lot of fun! All of the Artists performing were very supportive and had beautiful energy backstage. The start of my day to the finish was extremely busy. [laughs] This was actually my second time performing at Blaze the Stage; whereas, I performed previously in December of 2007. This time I had a great team backstage with me. When it was time for my performance I just went out there and did my thing on the stage. I didn’t think about anything else except putting on a good show and remembering the dance moves. [laughs] When they called my name for 1st Place I was standing in the back of the crowd. The experience was amazing!


If you could sit down and have a conversation about music with anyone, who would it be?

(CS) It would definitely be Prince. I think he’s GREAT! He plays a various kinds of instruments and he had so much feeling in his music. Music is about tackling the emotions, that’s the only way people can relate to it. It’s about what feels good. I’m a firm believer in that. It’s something about the way he dug deep, especially his live performances. I would like to ask him questions about his creative process.

With whom would you like to write and perform a song?

(CS) That's a hard one, well I love Neyo's writing. Of course! He’s absolutely amazing and a definite inspiration. Performance...hmmm...that would be a toss up between Prince and Kanye West. They are both amazing performers.

What is the one thing you want to accomplish in your career?

(CS) My life long dream has been to sell out Madison Square Garden. From the age of 9, I wanted to perform there. I will be extremely happy WHEN that happens... Yes I said WHEN [laughs]. Got to have faith.

What would you be doing if you weren't making music?

(CS) Well I’m a teaching Artist already, So I would definitely be a teacher. It’s an amazing feeling. There are people that came into my life that I will never forget, and it feels good to be able to do the same thing for someone else. Being a part of the Hip Hop Project (A documentary produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah) has been life changing. And being that blessing to someone else is far more than another career choice; it’s a life mission. Also a psychologist would have been a career path for me, I’ve always been interested in the way people think. That frame of mind has definitely helped me as a Songwriter.

Keep up with Cocoa on Twitter.

Hip-hop/RnB singer Barr: I want to make a difference

Barr is a singer from New York. When he was a member of the Boys Choir of Harlem, he had the opportunity to perform with some amazing artists. He discusses his beginnings on piano, his growth as an artist, and his political aspirations.

You began playing piano at age 4. What was your favorite kind of music to play when you were growing up?

My favorite kind of music to play was early Jazz and Classical music.

You've had the opportunity to perform with some incredible artists (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, etc). How has this helped you grow as an artist?

I feel the opportunity of performing with such artists has helped me to understand my history of music and to gain ideas and new methods that helped me cultivate my style and ability of music. In addition it has increased my level of humility. If there is not one thing I learned that in this industry, it is essential to know where you are going. Above all it is imperative to know where you came from.

If you could write and perform a song with one artist, who would it be? Why?

Any legendary icon! I am always willing to work with people who are as driven, motivated and hungry as I am.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

There are many things for me to be proud of, but one accomplishment has to be me discovery my passion for music and completing my first solo independent album.

What is one goal you hope to accomplish in your career?

To be honest, this question is increasingly difficult because as an aspiring artist I am always setting new goals for myself. However, one short-term goal I have is that I want to establish myself as one of the greatest artist to be in the music industry. Also, I want to make a difference within the music industry in terms of innovative sound, record-breaking sales, consecutive number one records and many more.

What would you be doing if you weren't making music?

I would say Politics. I actually had dreams and aspirations of being the first Black President of The United States but that milestone has been reached. Other than that, I would be a professor of music.

Barr appears courtesy of Tawag Promotions. Barr's CD Barrcode is available on CDBaby.