Jayda B.
Jayda B.
New Jersey, USA.
Age: 24
Measurements:
Waist: 26”
Hips: 36”
Bust: 32”
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 132 lbs
Hair/Eye Color: Black/Brown
Tell us about yourself (where are you from, age, whatever you want to add)
I am 24 years old and I am from Trenton, New Jersey. I attended college at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and La Salle University in Philadelphia. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Human Services in May of 2022. I’ve had a passion/desire to be a model for as long as I can remember. My mom was a model before she started a family. I used to love watching her get ready and was in awe when she would come home from her shoots. I struggled with confidence and went through a lot bullying during the majority of my younger years, so it took me some time to begin to love and accept myself.
Tell us about your modeling experience.
My modeling experience started out rocky. I didn’t know the correct steps to make to be a model doing runway, commercial or e-commerce work. I connected with the wrong photographers and the wrong agencies. I experienced plenty of rejection and still experience it ALL the time today. At first it was hard to swallow, but now I welcome it. It makes me want to go harder and prove to myself that I’ll accomplish my goals. In 2019, I decided that I wanted to sign with agency to gain the connections and foundation I needed to learn how to be a model that didn’t just post eye catching photos on Instagram, but worked consistently with reputable brands and had a fierce runway walk. At that time, I realized it wasn’t all about the glitz, glam and overly edited photos— beneficial agencies wanted to see who you were when all of those things were stripped away. Once I understood that, I began to move in the right direction.
What is your biggest dream?
My biggest dream is to walk in shows for designers like Laquan Smith, Adriana Sahar, Rihanna and a host of others. In addition to walking for brands I admire, I want to see myself in magazines or walk into a mall and see myself smiling— I’ve always had that fantasy. More personally, I dream of starting an organization that sheds light on the effects of bullying, impactful ways to prevent bullying, and advocate for more mental health organizations in schools.
What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?
To me being your own kind of beautiful involves your connection or feelings toward your inner self. Do you genuinely like yourself? When you see someone else who may be considered the opposite of you, can you appreciate who they are but still be fanned out about yourself? My dad always told me beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Being unapologetically you is beauty on its own. Individuality is beautiful. Defying the norm is beautiful.
How would you describe your fashion style?
My fashion style depends on what I am feeling at the moment. I can feel like being tomboy-ish in a stylish sweatsuit and sneakers or feel like being sexy in a mini dress and stilettos.
Who or what inspires you?
It’s cliche, but my parents inspire me. They’ve worked so hard to provide me we everything I need. They’re my rock— strong, supportive, unconditional, and unwavering. I aspire to be that way to others and love who they have been to me. Aside from my parents, I absolutely love Rihanna. I love her work ethic, her vibe, her look, and her confidence. I listen to her music or interviews and I literally feel like my energy is up. She is that b****!!!
What is your advice to someone who is just getting started with modeling?
My advice would be to think about what kind of model you want to be and do research on how to excel in that branch of modeling. If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there are tons of types of modeling. It can be overwhelming to someone who only knows that they want to be a model.
Describe some obstacles you have overcome in your life and how that has changed or shaped you.
One of the most notable obstacles I’ve overcome in my life was my lack of confidence, insecurity and sensitivity. When I was younger, I was the exact figure of what kids bullied/made fun of. I was tall and lanky, I wore glasses, had braces and a strong desire to be accepted or liked. I have so many stories that are etched into my brain of moments where I felt my lowest because I let someone else’s words get to me. It wasn’t until I was in about 10th grade that I just stopped caring. I cut all my hair off, stopped wearing weaves, went natural and was by myself most of the time. My heart and brain was so tired of feeling like I was racing to keep up or “be cool”. Although those were some of the most trying years of my life, if I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything. Those experiences make me proud of myself and how far I’ve come. It also reinforces that just because things look a certain way at one time, it doesn’t mean that it won’t change or get better. I have a tattoo on my left collar bone in French that translates to “With pain comes strength”. This was my first tattoo and means so much to because it is true— those hard moments made me stronger than ever. I wish someone would try to tear me down now lol. I’d just look at them and feel sympathy. I love that for me.
What makes you beautiful/handsome?
I think my inner self makes me beautiful. I love that I find myself attractive, but I love even more that I like the kind of person I am to other people. I am far from perfect, but I strive to treat others the way I’d want to be treated.
What would you say to another girl/guy your age who is struggling with their confidence?
I would ask them to do some inner reflecting. What is the root of your insecurity? Where, when and how did you learn to feel this way about yourself? Once we start asking ourselves the important questions, it gets increasingly easier to find a solution or simply come to the conclusion that, “Hey, I am fine just the way I am”.
