Interview with Oki Doki — Burlesque Performer and Avant Model
Oki Doki is a 22-year old model residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, I moved away as soon as I graduated high school and immediately got involved in the local arts scene of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The rest is history as the people I met helped catapult me into the performance and visual art world that I now find myself in. When I’m not behind the camera or on the stage, I’m typing away at my computer as a freelance journalist and editor for a local paper from back home, Florida.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
It’s seems silly, but I truly got my beginning when I got my senior portraits done for high school. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it, and the photographer seemed to really enjoy my energy! When my portraits came out looking something out of a magazine and not a yearbook I decided I wanted to start doing it professionally. After moving to Michigan I quickly became involved in the local burlesque troupe, and finding photographers to model for was easy after that.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I have a lot of goals, with an umbrella goal of accomplishing at least half of them. The big two are expanding my horizons as a performance artist and going on an international tour. Some other goals include getting photos done I’ve only dreamed of, finishing college, and making a million dollars -at once of course-.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I don’t model often anymore, and this is because I’ve just got a lot more picky about who I want photographing me and what type of modeling I want to portray. I used to do anything – so long as I was getting paid. Now I do a lot of t4t shoots with amazing photographers who can make my visions come true. I tend to fall into the erotic category, and though I love a good boudoir shoot I find myself leaning more towards art nudes and avant-garde themes.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Oh boy. Let’s get the bad out of the way first… I had a horrid experience with a “photographer” who drank whisky during the entire shoot, despite having to drive to different locations, asked me inappropriate questions, and never got my photos to me because I turned him down when he asked me out. Now the best experience is literally any time I’ve shot with Tim Motley: the man is an utter genius, and gives the absolute best feedback. If he likes what you’re doing, you’ll hear a lot of “ohh fuck yeah”‘s and “holy shiiiiit”‘s – it’s hilarious and very reassuring.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Sometimes I’ll wear those cheap, fake nails you can pick up at the dollar store for shoots -although they don’t look cheap or fake on camera- so that I don’t have to do my real nails, which wouldn’t look as good anyway. Though the last time I picked them up, I forgot to pick up the nail glue you have to use to apply them. So, I used eyelash glue instead, which made sense and seemed like a fine alternative. The shoot was in a bathtub, however, and as the shoot progressed my nails kept falling off in the tub. My MUA was desperately fishing in the milky water for my lost nails every few minutes, and super-gluing them back on! The damn things didn’t come off for days after that… but we all had a good laugh.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Of course, we all want to change something, though I think most of us can agree that it would be great if people weren’t so damn flaky. You don’t even want to know how many shoots I have booked that never even happened, because someone didn’t get back to me after agreeing to a damn date.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I’ve always done yoga, since I was a kid and my mom owned a shop that sold incense and crystals. Yoga has been a huge part of my life, and it is both a fantastic workout and stress reliever. Though on top of yoga I run in the summers -give me a break, I live in Michigan- and have recently been learning aerial silks at an aerials gym once a week. Nutrition has also always been a big part of my life, with a father who is a nutritionist. I try to keep a balanced diet, I never starve myself, and I never get fast food… ok, the occasional fry.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
In the realm of models and photographers, many people aren’t aware that I’m in a burlesque troupe. They’re called Super Happy Funtime Burlesque and it is the absolute best time of my life. We write zany, original music, tour the country and meet some of the most amazing people showbiz has got to offer!
Would you change anything about yourself?
Never. You should always love yourself, both on the inside and the outside, and if a change needs to be made, make it for yourself and always be healthy both physically and mentally. I love my life, my friends and the experiences I continue to make. I wouldn’t change a thing.
What was the meanest rumor ever spread about you?
High school was great in a lot of ways, but high school was also hell. I had a girl, who did not like me at all, spent weeks with one of her friends making custom t-shirts, headbands, and even socks! that said “Rheannon is a Whore” or some such variation of that sentiment. She even made an entire photo album on Myspace of their progress — though of course I didn’t see this until after she passed them out to any and everyone who would wear one on the last day of my Sophomore year. I made it through one class before I reported her and got to go home until the next year. In an ironic twist of fate, she later became my best friend, although we don’t speak anymore.
Visit Oki Doki’s website for more photos and information