Interview with Dayna T
Dayna T is a 25-year old model residing in Fontana, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi I’m Dayna T a young spunky single mother of many talents that loves to laugh and smile. I am a lover of life.
Do you have a nickname or artist pseudonym? Who came up with it and how?
Well one nickname that I have would be Lyrik I got that name by becoming an exotic dancer. I was told that my body moves around the pole like lyrics to a song. Lol whatever that means.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I would say that I was about 17 or just turned 18, I wanted to be a professional dancer and was actually on the set of a music video for an artist. I wasn’t supposed to be in it but I was approached and asked to do some scenes, which sounded like fun to me. From there I was approached and given business cards and asked to do some photos, I was just having fun but somehow got discovered.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
My personal and professional goals are pretty much the same. I want to one day own a business either a dance studio or have a place for young girls that needs a little encouragement to come. I have a little girl and as a female it’s a pretty cruel world out there. I remember it being times where I felt like I wanted to give up and didn’t have anyone. I wish that I could’ve gone to a place and had someone there to talk to, I think I would’ve made better life decisions.
How much do you typically charge for a photo-shoot?
In the beginning I wouldn’t really charge but all of that has changed, since I have a little one. So now I charge 60-100 per hour depending on what type of shoot.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
The best experience would probably be, doing the BET’s blaze the stage fashion show. I loved it and I was the shortest person there. I’ve always been told I was too short to do fashion shows. That goes to show you that you can do whatever you want to do.
The worst would have to be going to a meeting to discuss business and had something put into my drink and then told “it’s nothing personal, just getting you ready for the industry” that had actually broken me. But I did not give up I quit for a second but I didn’t give up.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Ha! When I first started modeling I didn’t know how to walk in heels, I was such a tomboy growing up. But the photographer named Adrian of akm photography gave me a pair of heels to put on. I remember to this day they were some really tall clear stripper heels and I tried to walk down a little hill and tumbled. My knees were all tore up so funny.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I would change the type of look that they expect you to have in order to be published. Just because someone doesn’t have a gigantic bottom doesn’t make them less beautiful than a woman that has a huge bottom. I think that the way society views us women is ridiculous. I just want to live and take amazing photos that makes it to magazines. Without that being determined by my body type; everyone is beautiful in their own way.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
In high school I played volleyball and also played a little in college. As far as my food habits hmm that’s bit tricky. I tend to just eat whatever as long as it doesn’t have tomatoes or onions. The only exercising I do would be pole aerobics, that is extremely important to me, I also teach it.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I would have to say that I’m a computer geek. I would get to school extremely early to get to the career center to be on the computers and help the students that needed help. After high school I would be at home troubleshooting other’s computers, and I wear glasses.
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
Besides the fact that I am blind, not literally but no I wouldn’t. I think that I was made the way I was supposed to be. That is good enough for me.