Conversations with Wokie Zaria

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wokie Zaria

Hi Wokie, 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?
Wokie’s Journey: From Liberia with a Dream to a Model with a Purpose

I was six years old when I was first discovered—but it wasn’t my time yet.

Born in Liberia, West Africa and raised for a brief time in the Commonwealth of Dominica, I immigrated to the United States at 6 years old. Upon arriving, my mother shaved my head, a cultural tradition that also made me stand out. That simple act caught the attention of model scouts and industry professionals, who saw something in me. But my parents refused their offers and wanted me to focus on my education. They had other plans for my future.

Even then, I knew modeling was part of my destiny. I believe God placed it in my heart at six years old. That same year, in third grade, I drew a picture of myself on a runway. I wrote on it: “Model Wokie. Supermodel Wokie, to be exact.” I still have that drawing today.

That desire never faded. At 11 years old, I convinced my parents to let me take modeling courses. Maybe they thought it was just a phase, a way to ease my curiosity, but for me, it was the beginning of everything. I learned the basics, runway walking, posing, the essence of movement in front of a camera. By 12, I was already working, modeling for brands like Wet Seal, JCPenney, and StrawBridges as a fit model and freeze model. I even won a modeling competition where I won 5k.

But at 15 or 16, my parents sat me down and told me it was time to focus on my education as I was graduating and starting college. As African parents, they saw education as the ultimate path to success, and I respected that. I put modeling on hold, but I never let go of the dream. Instead, I prayed. I asked God to guide me—where I should go, how I should begin again. Everyone said I should move to New York, but something in my spirit told me no. It felt like a crowded version of Philadelphia, and my heart wasn’t at peace with it. So I kept praying. I wrote notes to God every day, tucked them into my Bible, and waited for an answer.

At 19, He answered. Los Angeles.

The Leap of Faith

I worked relentlessly to make it happen. I graduated college a semester early and spent six months working nonstop as an ABA therapist and associate consultant in psychology. I worked every extra shift I could, sometimes eight days a week, saving up $10,000 to make my move.

On February 1, 2016, at 5 a.m., I woke my parents up, bursting with excitement: It’s time! My best friend of 21 years, my mother, my father, and my little sister accompanied me to the airport. I was finally going to L.A.

My college best friend and I moved LA together. We had big dreams but no stable home. For eight months, we were homeless, not on the streets, but without a place of our own. We stayed in Airbnbs, with friends, anywhere we could. We even got kicked out of a family friend’s house after just one month. But we never lost faith.

For 40 days, we fasted. And even in that uncertainty, I felt peace and joy. I was moving by faith, not by sight.

Breakthrough

That February, everything changed.

• February 9th – I booked a campaign with Cardi B for an eyeshadow line (though it was never released).

• February 17th – Anastasia Beverly Hills reached out for a casting via IG DM’s. I didn’t book it, but it was my first real taste of something big.

• February 29th – My breakthrough moment.

I landed a major campaign (National and International) with Benefit Cosmetics (my first campaign in Sephora, by the referral of celebrity makeup artist Mail Magic and Danessa Myricks. I remember the shoot vividly. Two hours, pampered and treated with such care. When I finished, I received my check $10,000. I called my mother to express my joy and excitement. I was in disbelief, speed-walking away from the studio, thinking they must have added an extra zero by mistake.

That was the moment I knew, I was here to stay.

I told myself: I’m going to take over this industry. I will be the beauty queen of L.A. I will open doors that were shut for me.

From Model to Mogul

Nearly ten years later, I have built a respectable name for myself in this industry. I’ve worked on major campaigns, and my face has graced countless brands, Sephora, Ulta beauty, Macy’s, Reebok, Google, Skims, Haus Labs, Wet n Wild beauty, Smashbox cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Prana, Solarwave Skincare, Patrick Ta beauty, About- Face beauty, Kosas, Goop, Music videos (All the stars and Jlo-Can’t get enough), commercials, Magazines and Billboards around NYC and internationally and many more. I’ve expanded my journey beyond modeling, stepping into the world of Liberian cuisine and culinary arts.

When I won the L.A. Afrobeat Block Party Jollof Rice Cook-Off in 2023 with 270 votes, my business Mamie Peppa Liberian Kitchen went viral. Since then, I’ve catered for Akon, Vegans of L.A., Black on the Block, and private events across the city. I’m currently working on expending Mamie Peppa Liberian kitchen.

But my story is still being written.

I’m still chasing that moment, the moment when I’m on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Vogue Magazine, when I’m the face of Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, Maybelline, or CoverGirl and many more. When I am able to make more of an impact and my voice to be heard for change in my country and community.

I remember when I was 15, coming back from Sierra Leone, and a TSA agent looked at me and said, “You’re going to be a model. I can see you in Sports Illustrated.” Fifteen years later, I’m still waiting for that prophecy to come to pass. But I know it will.

Because I’m not just a model. I am Wokie, the Supermodel, “THE FACE”. A girl from Liberia with a dream and a purpose, walking in faith, as God continues to open doors for me.

And this is only the beginning!

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?
Has the journey been smooth? In some ways, yes. But in many ways, absolutely not.

I’ve been blessed in ways that many models dream of. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2016, within a month, I booked my first national-international campaign with Benefit Cosmetics. From that moment on, I just kept flowing with the rhythm—one job led to another. For nine years, I’ve been able to sustain myself in one of the toughest industries in the world. Even in moments when the industry was at a standstill, I was still moving forward.

• In 2020, when the world shut down and many models weren’t working, I was still working.

• In 2024, when it was one of the slowest years for models, I was still getting booked.

That kind of grace, that kind of favor, it’s not luck. That’s God.

But make no mistake, the road has not been smooth simply because I am not the industry’s prototype.

I am not 5’9”.

I did not grow up with a silver spoon.

I do not have nepotism or favoritism in my corner.

I have no last name that opens doors for me.

I have only my faith, my resilience, and my purpose.

The Hardships Behind the Glamour

My journey has been filled with moments that tested me, moments that could have broken me.

• Homeless for eight months when I first moved to L.A., yet still showing up to castings.

• No car to get to far-away auditions, spending my last dime on Ubers just for a chance to be booked.

• Moments of insecurity, like when I walked into my Benefit Cosmetics casting with a breakout on my skin. I had always had clear skin, and when they told me to wash my makeup off, I panicked. I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection, and had to give myself a self-affirmation talk just to walk back into the room with confidence.

• Being overlooked. On set for Benefit, the makeup artist hesitated to even start on me because of my skin. The director had to tell him three times, “Start on Wokie.

Then there were the heartbreaks in the industry.

The biggest one? Chanel.

I’ll never forget that day. I had booked Chanel. Chanel.

At 11 a.m., I got the email confirming it. I was ecstatic. Overjoyed. I responded immediately—Of course, I’m available! But then at 7 p.m., I woke up from a nap to a new email. My agency told me Chanel had overbooked models, and I was no longer needed. I was devastated.

That was the first time a “no” didn’t feel like “not yet.” It just felt like rejection. I cried the entire day. My mother, my father, my sister—they had to talk me through it, reassure me that bigger things were ahead.

That was 2021 into 2022, a time when I would book things, only to have them unbooked. It felt like blessings were slipping through my fingers. Like maybe God had taken His favor off of me.

But I had to remember, God’s ‘no’ is just a redirection. When something is delayed, it means something greater is being prepared. And when you anchor your faith in that belief, you don’t fall apart—you rise.

Friendships, Betrayal, and Loneliness

Beyond the industry struggles, there were the personal battles.

• I am far away from home. My family is in Philadelphia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

• I come from a tight-knit family, and my little sister is my best friend.

• When my college best friend , moved out of L.A. in 2020, I felt completely alone.

And then, there were the friendships in the industry that didn’t last. I tried to build with people, thinking we could rise together, but not everyone shares the same loyalty. I’ve helped people get opportunities, only to be backstabbed in return. It’s a painful lesson, but one that has made me more discerning about who I allow into my space.

Defying the Industry’s Expectations

Despite every challenge, I have thrived in an industry that wasn’t designed for me to succeed.

There are girls who are 5’9” and above, the “perfect” model prototype, who haven’t peaked yet. Meanwhile, I—someone who doesn’t fit the mold—have booked campaigns that many never thought I would.

People see me and don’t even believe I’m a model. They question it: “You’ve done what? You’ve worked with who?”

But I have opened doors that were never supposed to be open for me.

The journey has been smooth in the sense that I have accomplished my goals—I have made a name for myself, I have sustained myself, I have become the beauty queen of L.A. But there have been obstacles, disappointments, and moments where I needed to remind myself who I am and whose I am.

And at the end of the day, I am Wokie. The Supermodel.

I am still waiting for the day that Chanel, Sports Illustrated, or Estée Lauder come calling again. But I know when they do, it will be because God has ordained the moment—not a second too soon, not a second too late.

So until then, I will keep walking in purpose, standing in faith, and breaking every barrier set before me.

Because this is just the beginning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What Do You Do?

I am a fashion model, entrepreneur, and creative force. I specialize in beauty and skincare campaigns, commercial work, and high-profile brand collaborations. Beyond modeling, I am also the owner of Mamie Peppa Liberian Kitchen, a ghost kitchen and catering service dedicated to bringing the rich flavors of Liberia to the world.

What Do You Specialize In?

As a model, I have built my career around beauty, skincare, and commercial campaigns. My face has become my signature, leading me to work with renowned brands in cosmetics, fashion, and lifestyle. Some of my notable work includes:

• Beauty & Skincare Campaigns: Known for my radiant skin and striking features, I have worked on major campaigns for industry-leading brands.

• Commercials & Music Videos: Featured in music videos such as “All the Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack and Jennifer Lopez’s “Can’t Get Enough.”

• Magazine Covers: I have graced the cover of Gmaro Magazine, Harper BazaarUS further solidifying my presence in the industry.

• Luxury & Lifestyle Brands: I have campaign with Woodford Reserve, the official whiskey of the Kentucky Derby and Google pixel

• Athletic & Fashion Campaigns: Worked with brands such as Reebok and Prana showcasing my versatility beyond beauty.

What Are You Known For?

I am known as “The Face.” This title was coined in 2017 when I walked and was the face of in the UCLA Traveling Fashion Show that traveled around the country to 6 different states, and it has stuck ever since. My presence in beauty campaigns and commercial work has established me as a recognizable figure in the industry.

But beyond my face, I am known for my confidence, resilience, professionalism, naturing energy and ability to command a room.

What Are You Most Proud Of?

I am most proud of everything I have accomplished.

Coming from Liberia, West Africa, and growing up in Philadelphia, I had a bold dream, to move to Los Angeles and become a model. In an industry where I am not the prototype, I have defied the odds.

I may not have the traditional height, but I have the face, the presence, and the confidence to leave an unforgettable impact. Many would have overlooked someone like me, but I refused to let limitations define me. Every campaign, every booking, every opportunity has been a testament to my faith, hard work, and belief in myself.

What Sets You Apart?

What truly sets me apart is my resilience, my unwavering confidence, and my deep connection to my heritage.

• Resilience: I have faced rejection, obstacles, and moments where doors closed on me, but I always get back up. No setback has ever stopped me from moving forward.

• Confidence: If you know me, you know that I carry myself with unwavering self-assurance. I walk into every room knowing I belong there.

• Cultural Pride: My Liberian and Sierra Leonean heritage shapes who I am. I lead with my culture, my history, and my identity.

• Faith: My walk with God is the foundation of everything I do. I trust in His timing and His plans for my life. I can step into any room, any country, any opportunity, and make the best of it. That is what makes me different.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For Fashion & Modeling Collaborations:

If you’d like to collaborate with me as a fashion model, there are a few ways to connect:

✅ For direct collaborations (test shoots, creative projects, non-commercial work):

• DM me on Instagram: @Wokiezariaa

• Email me at: [email protected]

✅ For professional work, advertising, or commercial bookings:

I am signed under an exclusive contract with Aston Models LA, so all professional work that will be used for advertisements, campaigns, or in-store promotions must go through my agency.

• Contact my agents, Lorenza or Nik , via Aston Models LA.

• Their direct emails and contacts can be found on AstonModels.com.

• Their Instagram handles are also listed in my bio on Instagram.

For Mamie Peppa Liberian Kitchen (Catering & Culinary Collaborations):

If you’d like to support, order, or collaborate with Mamie Peppa Liberian Kitchen, you can:

✅ Email me at: [email protected]

✅ Follow & engage with us on social media:

• Instagram & TikTok: @MamiePeppaLibLA

✅ For catering inquiries, private events, or collaborations, reach out via email, social media or call/text directly our phone number is (310) 625-7985.

I also have a Kickstarter campaign for donations to help expand Mamie Peppa Liberian Kitchen in Los Angeles in the Bio. Your support means everything!

Ways to Support Me Beyond Business & Work:

If you want to support me beyond work collaborations, here’s how you can help:

✅ Follow, like, share, and engage with my content on Instagram: @Wokiezariaa

✅ Share my work with potential clients, word of mouth and recommendations are powerful!

✅ Support Mamie Peppa by following, engaging, and referring people who love Liberian and West African cuisine.

✅ Stay connected, send encouragement, and uplift my journey, your energy, support, and kind words matter!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://models.com/models/wokie-zaria-kiamue
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamiepeppalibla/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WokieZariaa
• Other: https://www.astonmodels.com/women-main/all/2258953/wokie-kiamue

Image Credits
Patrick Ta Beauty campaign ’23, Solarwave Skincare ’22, Angel Wings by Henryjimez , Afrocon Ball .23 by Me
Black n white image by iconic photographer : Aaron Lacy