Interview with Glo — Full-time music major and model
Gloria, also known as Glo is a 21-year old model residing in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a 21 year old model from Chicago that lives in New Orleans, where I have lived since 2012 when I started undergraduate at Xavier University of Louisiana. I am a music major that enjoys watching shows like Gotham, all types of movies, and learning about the human mind, and want to become a music therapist and have a serious modeling career as well.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
When I moved to New Orleans I knew I wanted to model, although all my life I was told I was too short to have a serious modeling career, but I wanted to try anyways when I went off to school. I was casted in my first fashion show when I was 19 years old, and from there I knew I could be successful as a model and decided to be an independent model. I found different brand ambassador jobs, working with a variety of photographers and muas, and just trying not to limit myself in the modeling industry.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
As far as my professional goals I hope to be a music therapist, and being in a profession where I will have a career in music and helping others, specifically people with disabilities, seems ideal in my eyes. I also want to make a name for myself in the modeling world, despite my height, which is 5’4, and want to see myself doing beauty campaigns, parts modeling, catalog modeling, and if I could get my foot in the door of editorial work, I would just be on top of the world.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I model every other, if not every weekend, since school keeps me pretty occupied during the week, but I always try to make time for modeling. These days I’m doing a lot of photo-shoots that are glamour and implied nude, but in the next couple of months I’m going to the casting call for New Orleans Fashion Week, and although I’m aware my height will be an issue, I’m ready to tear down some barriers.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Well among the worst, not being casted because of height or just my “out-the-box” quirky personality is discouraging, and although you would think being unique would be something to stand out, the truth is that it is not so much. I am a person who doesn’t limit themselves, I’ve had almost every hair color known to man, and I love this about myself, since I try just to have fun. As far as my best experience, I was recently selected to be a model for a hair show, which was so much fun, and I was treated like royalty. I got a dream hair color, and the cut show was an experience I’ve never had before, and I would definitely do it all over again.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Well, I was doing an implied nude shoot with a great photographer on my roof, and I wasn’t self-conscious, but the photographer was seriously concerned that someone may see me. We heard children playing and were sure I was spotted and was going to be reported for indecent exposure or something. But in the end I don’t think they saw anything, and it was just funny to me because I was just on my roof, butt-naked.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I just wish the industry wasn’t so limited, specifically for petite models, since there are so many petite women who should be represented by models who are also petite.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I usually just try to be healthy, drink water and have full meals throughout the day, although I don’t do anything specifically, but just try to watch what I eat. Having a balanced meal with meat, vegetables, and fruit is important to me as far as being a model and just my overall health.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
People that know me know this, but if you don’t I’m a classically trained pianist. I’ve played piano since I was 7 years old, and until I went to College was determined I wanted to be a Concert Pianist.
Would you change anything about yourself?
If I would change something about myself, it would be to try and be just a little more outgoing as far as my social life concerns. If it were up to me I would be in the house 90% of the time, and I would try to be just a tad bit more open to going out, just a little.
Have you ever stolen anything?
When I was about 11 years old I went to Houston to visit my aunt, where she put me in a Christian camp her church friend told her about. Back then I was very shy and became friends with anyone who would accept me, and among those was a young girl who had a history of being a trouble-maker. So one day we’re hanging out and she’s braiding my hair, and then says my hair would look so pretty with beads but I don’t have any. She says that’s fine, and that there’s a beauty supply near and she would buy some, so we go to the beauty supply and she grabs them, then she tells me to turn around and puts the beads in my bag. At this point I’m just extremely confused and then she tells me to run. I take off like a pig that’s just been marked by a hot fork, and I run until I can’t run anymore. I get back to the camp and just feel horrible for what I’ve done, and I cry for an hour straight, although everyone at the camp just finds it extremely hilarious. I vow never to steal after that incident and never have.
Visit Glo’s website for more photos and information