Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Nieves.
Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m born & raised in NYC & started modeling about five years ago. I got signed in NY & then moved to LA about three years ago – I wanted a change & to push myself out of my comfort zone. So I moved to Los Angeles on a whim no friends, family, just got up & moved! I found my apartment through a FaceTime viewing filled out the application got approved & slowly started shipping just some clothes over really. I wouldn’t say I was afraid I felt called to do so but when I got here it was, well lonely. To be completely honest I think it’s my personality that’s gotten me where I am today & my faith. I always wanted to show up as my best self in every situation, I knew coming to a new place by myself I had to make my mark & I believe I have but I’m also still doing just that. I knew as an overall creative to do this I had to put in the work. I reached out to amazing creative photographers, mua, hairstylists, stylists, etc. to build teams & creative ideas. I’ve studied posing (through dance) specifically & build teams. I let people’s nos be nos & tried not to take it personal & kept going. I focused on those who believed in me & took a chance on me & they never regretted it. I made beautiful connections & work/art because I let my true self be in the forefront.
I have huge dreams for modeling, especially being an actress which I feel like a lot of people don’t know. But the goal is to impact as many people in this lifetime with courage & of course to be on every tv screen and billboard lol
I even started a 1 of 1 brand during the pandemic because I wanted to find more ways to express my creative brain. & although I had to take a step back from it, everything is a process & I’m learning every day that my journey is truly my own & things happen always in divine timing.
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?
I think we all wish it would be a smooth road but speaking for myself it definitely has not been at all. Being from NY has def given me tough skin but things still hurt. Coming to LA alone like I said previously got lonely & sometimes made me feel lost in the sense of “ what the heck am doing?” — I didn’t have the height, the LA girl look, the following, etc. & because of it I felt overlooked. With clients, agents, creatives & relationships overall.
The biggest struggle was getting in my own way, being in my head & shutting down completely. I knew I was working hard but felt like it wasn’t enough. & there was moments I almost gave up because of it. You push so hard & still not able to survive off your craft can be mentally exhausting.
But over time I changed my perspective & I still do. I push past all of the negative spaces & continue to grow. I’m grateful for it though — my lows teach me, build character & overall bring me to the spaces with wisdom, love & compassion. For myself & those around me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think what you should know about my work is that it’s an extension of me. All the work that I do in modeling, acting, my brand — is a part of my journey & my evolution in who I am or want to become. I try my best to never make it feel like work & more an extension of my life story. I look at each space as a place to grow either from or with.
I model because it’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl I just never knew I could do it, I didn’t grow up where these things were accessible to me it felt more like a dream world, felt unattainable. With modeling it helped me lean more into my body accept every part & every stage of it. It’s helped me learn more patience, set more boundaries & learn new confidence because this industry will make you feel terrible about yourself if you let it.
Acting started as a passion project, a friend wanted us to improv based on a story she briefly shared with us. When I went up & did it in front of a few people I was terrified but it was almost like everyone disappeared & it was just me on stage lost in emotion & passion. I knew since then I was called to do this it was apart of me & who I wanted to become. I wanted to do it because it scared me so much so I started & quit so many acting classes because of fear but always went back, started over. I let courage lead the way & im still doing that today fighting the urge of fear & letting the courages being in me do the work. Because of it it’s leading me to really cool spaces – spaces that I feel safe not knowing it all, feel safe learning and feel seen.
What I’m most proud of is simply not giving up on myself. My courage, tapping more into self & my spirituality, setting boundaries & challenging myself to do new things.
The spicy Puerto Rican from Lower east Side NYC with her own style/edge with heart is always going to evolve me & be the reason I get into the rooms I deserve to be in. & I want to be remembered for constantly standing on & spreading love. I want to be remembered for creating art, beautiful art with beautiful people & doing it all regardless of how many people thought I couldn’t.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson – well I have a few. I’ve learned is to be present, and find joy in every moment. Enjoy the journey, romanticize your own life, & have grace for others & most importantly for yourself. All of it is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kimberly-nieves.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shessbeauty/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shessbeauty?lang=en
- SoundCloud: https://music.apple.com/profile/kimberlymn
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@kimberlysrosexo
Image Credits
Christopher Parsons Yasmina Safi Michael Nyembo Dametreus Ward
