Meet Marquis Harrell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquis Harrell.

Hi Marquis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thank you so much for having me and allowing me to share my story. I’m a model, actor, dancer, artist and host from the small town of Victorville in California. I started my journey in entertainment when I was in 2nd grade singing in the talent show at my elementary school and fell in love with the stage and inspiring others through my art. 

From there, I continued to perform, winning talent shows in middle school and doing dramatic and musical theater in high school where I had my first lead role as seaweed in hairspray the musical which was so much fun! I started to take my acting and modeling career a lot more serious towards my junior and senior year of high school shooting with local photographers in my small town getting used to being in front of the camera falling more in love with my craft. After high school, I took it upon myself to start doing background acting on many different sets and networks which got me used to being on set very quickly. I also took it upon myself to audition all around Los Angeles to many different modeling and acting casting calls. Mind you, I’m traveling back and forth from Victorville to LA during this whole journey so I have spent so much time traveling on the road but it was never an issue for me because I have a huge passion for what I do and will do all the work that’s needed to reach success in my art!

My dedication and focus started to pay off the middle of 2019 when I started to book fashion shows all over LA, got invited to Miami to walk in a fashion show at the Miami Art Basel and got to walk in multiple shows during New York fashion week and started booking photo shoots with more known photographers and got signed to an agency called Divine model and talent management in LA and that was just the start of my journey for me even with the pandemic that took over 2020 I did not let that stop my career. 2020 I took it up a notch with my career letting people get to know the more vulnerable side of me sharing my story on podcasts and with different magazine companies where I snagged my first 2 page spread in Obvious Magazine also sharing my stories and interests with the world. I’m able to keep chasing my dreams and goals with the endless support of my family who have been by my side every step of the way. I will continue to grow and become a powerhouse in this industry because I’m only focused on my goals and so driven that I will never stop and I will continue to work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road for me with my journey growing in the industry, I got into a relationship that was a huge distraction and was steering me away from my goals turning more abusive and toxic everyday but I found my strength again and put that strength all into my art. Going into the industry had its struggles within itself. Knowing I was a gay black boy from a small town I knew I had to work so much harder than the average American model in LA, there’s been many times when I didn’t get a callback and I thought I would but I never let that discourage me so I have always pushed through and took it as a learning experience to be better than I was yesterday.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a model, actor, dancer, host and artist what I’m mostly known for now is high fashion modeling but I’ve been pursuing being an all-around entertainer since I was in 2nd grade doing talent shows throughout my school years getting into theater with lead roles and doing runway. What sets me apart from others is my one of a kind personality. When people meet me, I always leave them with a little piece of me so they never forget who I am and you can never put me in one box when it comes to my talent that goes beyond modeling. I’m very proud of my 2-page spread and cover story in Obvious Magazine and the hosting work I’ve gotten to do because I have always had a small stuttering problem when I was younger so I never thought I would be able to host and carry a show but I got to do it and its going amazing!

Any big plans?
For the future, my plans are to grow and expand myself and my brand in the industry I also will be getting in touch with my music side and sharing my story through music for everyone to hear because music has been a very huge part of my life. Reaching bigger audiences partnering with bigger brands and continue my road to becoming a powerhouse. I’m gonna do this by continuing to work and network and always being ready so I don’t have to get ready and creating my own opportunities being consistent with my art and development.

Contact Info:

• Email: harrell.marquis@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marquisnharrell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marquis.harrell
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/quissyyy

Image Credits
Photography by Jerris Madison @jerrismogul on Instagram