Shanté is a freelance and agency model currently based in Toledo, Ohio. From modeling hair extensions and hair products, to makeup, clothing, and more, every shoot for Shanté is different—and she likes it that way. Her career in modeling has created unique opportunities that have brought her from Jacksonvillle, FL to Vienna, Austria and everywhere in-between. We’re big fans of her dedication and commitment to her craft, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

The Basics:

Hometown: Orlando, Florida 
Current city: Toledo, Ohio 
Alma mater: Florida State College 
Degree: B.S., Nursing - RN
Very first job: Fashion Merchandiser
Hustle: Agency + Freelance Model

The Interests:

Babe you admire and why?
Daryna Barykina. What I love the most about Daryna is how she embodies her work, and shares it with her viewers.

Which fashion trend do you hope comes back?
Leg warmers.

What’s one book that has greatly influenced your life?
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Describe your life using album titles.
The Blessing by Kari Jobe; Let it Echo by Jesus Culture; Young & Free by Hillsong United

The Hustle:

Tell us about your hustle.
As an agency and freelance model, I am known to many clients as a clothes hanger or human canvas. Whenever a client decides to market a product, I am more than likely the person they would hire directly or through my agents to showcase said product. The product I tend to model could range from hair extensions and hair products, to makeup, clothing, and more. Every shoot is different!

Pursuing a passion can be pretty scary. What/who motivated you to pursue your passion for modeling?
My mother. 

In what ways do you incorporate your own creativity or vision into a project?
I love role-playing prior to arriving to set for particular projects. For instance, I booked a hair project where I had to embody a modern-day Grace Jones. Days before the session, I found ways to reenact who I thought was a modern-day Grace Jones. The day of the photography session, I arrived at the photoshoot in all black attire and my favorite biker boots. I had this bad girl aura; yet, professional approach. When it was time to capture the look, the persona I created prior to the photography session was present.

How would you say the modeling experience has changed in the last decade?
Within the last decade, the modeling industry has been more acceptable to more plus size, disabled, and ethnic models.

Do you feel that the body positivity movement has relieved any pressure on today’s models?
Somewhat. There’re still indirect guidelines within the movement—there are definitely still clients who have weight restrictions for plus size models. There are also clients who use the term “ambiguous” when searching for models of color, and more specifically, black models.

How would you describe social media’s influence on the modeling industry?
I’ve joked many times that social media is the new agent. In some ways, it’s true. There are so many more companies who are searching platforms for influencers because they are more relatable to the everyday buyer, versus someone who’s classically trained to act. 

Can you tell us about some of your favorite gigs you’ve worked on?
One of my ultimate favorite gigs was for Goldwell’s ColorZoom in Vienna, Austria—which was also the moment I knew, without a doubt, I became an “international” model. This experience was also one of my mother's proudest moments, which makes me even prouder. 

How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
They prepared me with the opportunity of growth and to extend what I have learned to help teach other models to make healthier decisions, and market themselves within the modeling industry. 

How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
I’ve learned to stay true to who I am. We must remind each other that there’s no one greater than the person God created us to be.

What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
Staying committed.

Modeling can seem pretty glamorous. What’re some misconceptions about your career that you’d like to clear up?
There’s more time spent preparing for the glimpse of what viewers get to see in post-production—on a photo, on a magazine cover; on television or any form of media.

Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
I have been inspired by encouraging words from Jaundayln Haywood-Barker, my long term makeup artist, whom I had the pleasure to model for as a beauty model.

How do you unwind after a show/project?
After a show or project, I spend the rest of my day or the day after lounging at home. There’s just so much energy implemented into preparing for shows and projects, that once they’re over, I need to rejuvenate.

Career and/or life advice for other babes?
Don’t allow the opinions of others to dictate what you’ve been called to pursue.

Connect with Shante:

Instagram

This interview has been condensed and edited.

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