Rising Stars: Meet Anaiya Raiford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anaiya Raiford.

Hi Anaiya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My interest in modeling and being in the entertainment industry started when I was six years old (2002). I decided to allocate my dreams and aspirations to my beautiful mother, Denise Marie, who supported me 100% in everything that I wanted to do as much as she could. Even though I was very young, I knew exactly who and what it was that I aspired to be and started to really take myself serious. I started to build my portfolio with my uncle in law, Elton. Who was a photographer on the side doing weddings and parties for people he knew. He was also someone that believed in me early on.

After my pictures came in, we got them printed and I started my process on becoming the woman that I fought so hard to be today. I commenced my research to then begin auditions and submitted to as many things as I could. In conjunction with being a full-time student in public school alongside the sports (Cheerleading and Basketball) that I was in at the time, would allow. I was excited to start my journey! Despite my hunger for fulfilling what I knew to be my destiny, around the age of 13 (2009) my mom thought it would be best to put a pause on pursuing my dreams until I graduated high school to focus on my academics, sports and in her words ” protect me from the Industry ” which she was in her right to do. I was reluctant and upset but I understood her concerns.

So, I stopped physically pursuing modeling in the outside world. However, not in MY WORLD. I never gave up on myself. I would be in the mirror practicing poses, facial expressions, and my runway walks religiously in my free time. Even out in public, I would do my runway walk and I didn’t care who was watching. I never let my flame go out. I believed in myself since day one and never gave up. Whenever I was done with school, I wanted to be 110% ready for what it was that God had planned for me.

After accomplishing graduating high school with extra credits at the age of 17, being involved in sports from 6-17 years of age (basketball, cheer, volleyball and track), being a team captain and a top runner for my school Jesse Bethel in Vallejo, Ca where I was born and raised (Bay Area), notwithstanding me trying to enjoy childhood. Going to college locally studying kinesiology. I was still eager to do what I had planned when I was six.

I was now ready to be who I was born to be. I recommenced my research and resumed my path in the modeling/entertainment industry. I then went on to being signed to my first agency at 17 in 2014, where I was represented in Pleasanton/San Francisco. I was able to work with brands such as Levi’s and Gap, fit modeling and e-commerce. I was also getting freelance work on my own. Even more than what my agency at the time was doing for me, so I made a decision to not renew my contract with that agency and started to really do all the work on my own, which is how I began at the start only being six. I knew that it would be harder as a freelance model, especially being a woman of color but that was never going to stop me.

Fiercely, I continued my journey. Where I then started to work with a lot of smaller businesses, brands and artists as much as I could. I met a lot of cool creatives along the way in the Bay Area. Despite my hard work and time I was putting in, I was not where I wanted to and knew I could be. So, fast forward to summer 2017. I asked my mom to come with me to the waterfront in our little city so we could relax and talk about things. I had done a thorough analysis and shared with her that I thought moving to Los Angeles, CA would be a great decision and that I would really be able to pursue my career out there. She heard every word that I expressed to her and supported me wholeheartedly. We sat there for hours coming up with a plan to make this big decision come to life. The lease where we were, was coming to an end soon and time was ticking.

In March 2018, my life as I knew it would change forever. I made the hardest yet greatest decision by far in my time here on earth. It was so heartbreaking leaving my family, whom I am very close with especially my beautiful and only niece Callie, who was only one at the time. Though it was tough, I knew it had to be done. Goodbyes were said and met with tears. I then restarted my whole life with only clothes, covers, pillows and my faith packed into my car, driving to the City of Angels in heavy rain the whole way. Accompanied by my mom and brother (Isaiah). We started from the ground up putting in work with no connections or family in LA. We came here with no place to call home, living out of small motels, Airbnb’s, and hotels all throughout Los Angeles, having to pack up and move our few belongings place to place for two whole months. Them searching everyday for places to work, me submitting, auditioning, freelance work and driving for Lyft, doing everything possible just to get my foot in the door. I knew a foot was all that I needed. After our hard work, saving every penny, the strength of our mom, We were blessed with a beautiful place to call home in May 2018.

Since my move, I have accomplished so much! I have been on some major sets, working with clothing brands, walking in huge runway shows and being in High Profile artists videos as a model such as (TY Dolla Sign, Mozzy, Kalan Fr Fr, Chris Brown, Russ, Miguel, Blueface, etc.). Meeting, conversing and working with these people was only more of a confirmation that I am doing exactly what it is that I was meant to do. I have met, been in rooms and grew relationships with people I grew up watching on my tv as a little girl. I have also found great friends whilst on my journey, who I am also grateful for. To think this is still only the beginning of my story! I am so blessed and proud of myself and I am not even done yet. If I had the chance to do this all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. All on my own, I was just a girl from a very small town with a dream and faith in myself. I am all I ever needed and little me is so appreciative and enraptured! To the ones who encouraged me when I shared my dreams and the ones who continue to support me now, I want to say thank you. I hope, to whatever beautiful soul is listening and reading my story that it inspires you to never give up on yourself. No matter how hard it gets, how old you are or unsure you become, you can do whatever you set your mind to! Please don’t stop. I want to hear your story next! Keep going.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road, lol but it is to be expected when you test your faith and live in your purpose. I never expected it to be easy. I knew it would just have to be a part of the story that I would one day tell.

Some struggles that I have faced would be:
– Getting turned down for certain jobs due to the color of my skin.
– Being unhoused for two months straight, grinding with my clothes in a plastic bin.
– Going through stress, depression due to not knowing what would happen in those two months.
– Missing my family terribly.

I know there will always be obstacles along the way, which I take on head first every time! I always try to remember that the bad times never last and I will get through them. Always.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a model/artist who specializes in (Runway, Commercial, Fit, Print, Video, Swim and Writing).

I am an entrepreneur who does video editing, digital design, influencing and running a small business.

I am mostly known for modeling and my YouTube.

I am most proud of accomplishing everything and more that I set my mind to when I was younger and becoming exactly who I wanted to be.

Something that sets me apart from others is my drive and ability to adapt to any situation I am in.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a very quiet child growing up. One could say I was shy but I was just more observant than anything. Very aware of my surroundings, which was something that I was taught, being raised by my mom and three brothers. Especially in the city we lived in.

Personality-wise, I was very loving, goofy, openness to experience, conscientious, introverted, caring, giving and happy.

I was interested in Writing (music, poems, books), modeling, art, music (rap, singing, producing, instruments).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/anaiyakymahni
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfFn-Beq3c5dkZ9LGWX2Zw

Image Credits
Devin Ryan Krissy Nichole Emilynnrose Dominika L. Maria Kanevskaya