Meet Kashmir Turry of Orange County, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kashmir Turry

Hi Kashmir, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since I was a little girl I adored being in front of cameras and on stage. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do but I was drawn to any form of performing. Around age 4 or 5, my parents split and that was an incredibly traumatizing time. I remember my mother constantly picking me up from kindergarten hours earlier than school ended to take me to court, I remember a lot of tears (both from my parents and myself), I also remember that I started ballet classes that year. From that first class I knew that dancing was what I wanted to do. Not only did it bring joy back into my childhood during a trying time, but it also ignited a passion inside of me for other creative endeavors. Around age 7, I started dreaming of being a professional dancer. I started writing down big dreams like, “At 18, I’m going to move to California.” “When I grow up, I’m going to be a star.” At 7 years old my mother and I were approached by a small modeling agency and school in my hometown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Modeling was very exciting to me. I loved getting my hair and makeup done, According to my agency, I was a natural in front of the camera but this world was frightening to my extremely religious family. Although I had many opportunities, my mother constantly took me in and out of modeling. She was protective and I think she didn’t fully trust the industry at that time. So I continued to focus on dance.
Through dance I got into cheerleading. That ended up being my ticket to California. I attended the University of San Francisco as a Dance Minor, and I received partial scholarships to cheer and dance there. I enjoyed dancing and learning about dance on a daily basis. I loved my teammates, hearing the crowd cheer at half time made me feel alive. Every performance we did together on that court will forever be engraved in my memory. However, being a D1 cheerleader demanded my full attention, dedication, and at times my mental health. There were many holidays, breaks, and friend’s birthday missed because I had to cheer. This lead to an immense decline in my mental well being. In my Junior year of college, I took a gap year hoping that I just needed a little break, it was during my gap year that I remembered the path I had been manifesting since age 7. I felt a calling to chase my dreams of being a full time dance and model. So in 2023 I told myself that I needed to get out of San Francisco by any means necessary, I wanted to be closer to Los Angeles. I didn’t fully know what my plan was but I knew that I wanted to be on stage and in front of cameras. I worked 4 jobs for 6 months. I saved up exactly what I needed to move to Southern California and I took a chance on myself. I made a vow that if I could not make a steady income through dance and/or modeling within a year that I would go back to college full time, no breaks. That was January 2024. That year, I walked in 2 LA Fashion Week shows, I collaborated with some of the best celebrity photographers in Los Angeles, I signed to a talent agency, I got hired to teach dance and cheer full time, and many more marvelous creative opportunities. I attribute by success to two main themes; dedication and manifestation. I also believe my mom played a huge role because she has been so supportive during this process.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road was very hard and I anticipate challenges are ahead. There were many times that I wanted to give up and move back home to Pennsylvania. Especially during my gap year. I was extremely depressed, working 4 jobs and not fully knowing that I would be successful when I moved to LA. I was also applying to colleges to transfer to at the same time. It was a lot but I am really grateful that it all worked out. Nothing comes easy but I like to think that God put those obstacles in my way so I fully appreciate the life I have now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional dancer and model. When dancing, I mostly coach our next generation of movers. I teach ballet, tap, hip hop, and cheer. In modeling, I got my start last year working closely with a swimwear line called Slay Swimwear. They have been featured in Vogue, Miami Swim Week and LA Fashion Week. Although I shoot mostly as a swimsuit model, I hope to venture into editorial, print, and beauty. I think one of the things that sets me apart is I refuse to be stagnant. In everything I do, I’m always thinking about the longevity of my career and striving to be a better artist everyday. This approach to my art affects my eating habits, lifestyle choices, and even the company I keep.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk taking is the only way that one can make progress. Taking risks takes you out of your comfort zone and when you are uncomfortable, you’ll chase ways to find your true, authentic, self. That is where the best art is created. I took a major risk by leaving my cheer team and the easy path that was set for me at the University of San Francisco. If I never did that, I never would have realized my full potential as a dancer and a model. I do identify as a risk taker, I never want to linger in my comfort zone for too long.

Pricing:

• Photography Flat Modeling Rate: $70+/hr (negotiable)
• Video Shoots Full Day Rate: $300-$500

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashmir.turry/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kash.turry?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Ofer Barr
Remivison
Michael Buntyn