Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Miller.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I begin modeling about four years ago on a whim. It was my junior year of college and a friend of mine needed a model for a school project. From there I fell in love with the idea, Concept, And overall experience of modeling. I began from the ground up reaching out to photographers to collaborate on photoshoots just so I can begin to build a portfolio. From there, I slowly began to understand the modeling industry and how difficult it was to breakthrough. In the years that I have been modeling, I have applied to over 100 different modeling agencies and have been denied by every single one. But that did not stop me and it will not stop me as I continue to pursue my dream of becoming an established model. Originally I thought moving to LA would help further my career because there’s more opportunities and way more modeling Jobs here then there are in the bay area. I soon learned that although LA is a great place to model it is also a very difficult place to get seen and recognized, although social media’s perception of Los Angeles can give you a different idea. Even though moving to LA has been literally the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do, I’ve continued to stay strong in my faith and trust that I am on the right path.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been for me it’s been a long and very very slow very slow. But I haven’t given up yet and I continued to me and apply to jobs all day everyday in hopes that it will be recognized. I have been very blessed to shoot with some big name companies and brands as well as very famous musicians and photographers. But to get here has not been easy nor was anything forgiving to me. When I first moved to LA, I thought it would be easy to get booked for modeling jobs for at least background work. However, that was not the case, not only was I unable to find work but ended up in a very deep depressive state because of it. Not only was I waking up every day crying,but I seriously questioned the path I was on and if I should even continue modeling.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I have worked as a professional freelance model for the past three to four years, and I am currently seeking representation. In my years of professional modeling, I have done commercial, print, high fashion, editorial, and runway. A few of the companies I’ve worked with include, Ancestry.com, BETr x Beautycon, Dark Horse Wine, Athletes Foot, Girls Undiscovered, and Higher Education Skincare to name a few. Not only am I versatile with my look, but I also act, and have hosted my own live radio show. I have done multiple music videos from having a speaking role in a SAG-AFTRA video for artist Hayley Kiyoko with Maddison Pettis and Maia Mitchell; too being in videos for James Blake & Travis Scott, Seeb & Bastille, and most recently Khalid and Emwak. I can do runway and have walked in multiple shows including The Major Obsessions fashion show in San Francisco. Not only is my look versatile from print to editorial, beauty and fitness, but I have strong emotional acting skills and can cry on command. I can play both young teen and adult roles, have unique hobbies such as crocheting cooking, yoga, and I even have a well trained small dog that can be used on sets. I have been featured in Content Magazine and the cover of Saylse Magazine as well, rounding at as some of my most proudest moments.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the years to come, I see the modeling industry becoming even more difficult to breakthrough. As someone with a unique look I find it difficult to find work and know that it’ll only get harder as social media become stimulus platform in which people can quote on quote become a model. We are entering an age where you can become successful as long as they have a good social media standing. I think it’ll only get more difficult to stand out in such a heavily saturated industry. Although the fashion and modeling industry is slowly becoming more inclusive of all body types shapes and sizes and colors it’s still has a very long way to go. Online popularity is the new form of success, And it makes it difficult for people to get work solely based off talent.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Tamikademill
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/tamikademill
Image Credit:
Ashley Osborne, Azikiwe, Paige Ricks, Barbara Jayy, Josh Farria
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