TAMIKA: Thanks for having me.
TAMIKA: I first wanted to walk the runway after doing the photo shoot for Planet Zero Motor Sports. Kenya Smith asked me was I going to do any casting. I had no experience with casting calls or runways. After I thought about it, I decided to do it.
ME: You attended your first and only casting call and waited for the acceptance call, what was that like for you?
TAMIKA: My first casting call experience was great. I wasn’t nervous. I knew that I gave it my all. Once I received word that I was accepted, I was very proud of myself.
ME: You are a career professional, married, three young children and for 33, you look great, how do you juggle everything?
TAMIKA: Hmm, juggling is the right word. I work nights and my husband works days. There is always someone home with the kids so this helps a lot.
ME: Any suggestions for anyone looking to follow in your footsteps?
TAMIKA: Based on my experience I would suggest concentrating on one show at a time because with work and family it can become very time consuming. That is my personal experience.
ME: Serenity Nights was a huge success. You even had some of your family attend the show. What was that like?
TAMIKA: It was nice getting the support of my sister and cousin in the audience. I couldn't have done it without them and the support of the other models. They offered kind words of encouragement.
ME: Now that you have walked the runway and have gotten the first time out of the way what’s next in regards to your modeling career? Is this something that you want to pursue?
TAMIKA: My sister and cousin came out to support me. I was very nervous bc my family was there. Having the support of the other models really helped me out. The nervousness went away as I walked down the runway.
ME: You have two daughters. Have they asked you about your modeling career?
TAMIKA: My daughters saw my pictures of my photo shoots and attended one of my shoots. They haven’t expressed any interest yet.
ME: Are they interested in modeling?
TAMIKA: No, not yet.
ME: Would you let them follow in your footsteps?
TAMIKA: If My daughters wanted to model I would let them model but they have to continue to have good grades and complete their responsibilities around the house.
ME: Is your family very supportive of your modeling career?
TAMIKA: My husband is supportive but between the photo shoots, casting calls and rehearsals this takes up a lot of time. This is time that I can’t be with my family. This is the only drawback about the whole experience.
ME: Are you interested in acting, or just modeling?
TAMIKA: I am interested in modeling, I never wanted to be an actress. I will just stick to modeling.
ME: If you had a chance to do it all over again what would you do differently?
TAMIKA: If I had a chance to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing bc everything happens for a reason. I didn’t give it any thought until we did our first photo shoot. I really liked the shoot and I really appreciate everything that you did for me, more than you’ll ever know. At 33, I didn’t expect to go into modeling.
ME: Next month Fashion Week returns to NY, are you interested in walking the runway for Fashion Week?
TAMIKA: I am very interested in walking the runway for Fashion Week. I would LOVE to walk the runway for fashion week. I haven’t been to any auditions for Fashion Week yet.
TAMIKA: I went to a casting recently to participate in an outdoor show and it was totally different than what I did at Serenity Nights. It felt more like “eye candy” than a fashion show. I wasn’t too pleased with that experience because there wasn’t a featured designer, just a lot of women in clothes just walking around. It hasn’t changed my desire to walk again though.
ME: Do you have future plans for modeling? And if so, would you like to share them with the audience?
TAMIKA: My plans for the future include attending more casting calls. Kenya Smith recently asked me to join Planet Zero Motor Sports for a photo shoot in September. I am really looking forward to it. I wish that I could have also attended the casting call for the New Jersey show.
ME: What advice would you give to someone looking to start modeling?
TAMIKA: I would tell them to have fun with it, always be prepared and always bring it.
ME: Would this be the same advice that you would give to someone in the same position as you? (Working, married mom of three, etc)
TAMIKA: For my married models, time management is most important, Don’t bite off more that you can chew. If you can’t do it, don’t do it. People will remember when you stand them up. Sometimes you just have to say no.
ME: Tamika is there anything else that you would like to tell the audience?
TAMIKA: I want to thank the audience and I hope that this interview will help anyone who is interested in modeling especially working moms.
ME: Thank you Tamika for taking the time out to share your experience with the audience.
TAMIKA: Thank you for having me.
Well ladies and gentlemen I will keep you posted on Tamika and her modeling career in a future edition of “Beyond the Runway.” Thanks again for taking the time in reading my blog. Stay tune as we will prepare our next segment based on the Photographers viewpoint.
