Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Germosen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I always had a passion for fashion ever since I was a little girl. I loved dressing up in the most funkiest outfits and putting on a show for my family and friends. As I grew up, I started wanting to share my outfits on social media and began taking my own photos on my iPhone and setting up hangouts with friends to dress up. I’d make my own “studio sets “ in my room and come up with creative concepts to bring to life. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened in 2020, I had a lot of time to be in my room alone and find myself. I started to branch out in my creativity and start to feel more confident in who I am. I told myself once quarantine was over, I was going to be myself 100% unapologetically because we only have one life to live, I’m going to live it to the fullest. Once the restrictions from the pandemic were lifted and we did not need to wear masks, I was in my senior year of high school. I would come to school in boots, heels, furry hats, cheetah pants, anything stylish I was in it lol. People would tell me, “It’s school, not a fashion show!” But I expressed myself to the fullest and didn’t care what anybody had to say because I felt happy in my style and expressing myself. This helped inspire others to dress however they wanted and feel just as confident as I did. I loved that, and I made it a priority to always uplift the girls around me as I knew how hard it is to really love yourself sometimes. I feel like humans can be in a constant competition and comparison with others when we need more love and support in this world. Continuing to be myself earned me best dressed for my senior class and a photo shoot from my classmate who was in photography club. He liked my style and wanted me to be his subject for a project he needed. I enjoyed taking the photos, and it was my first time working with an actual camera, as I would always use my phone. I loved how the pictures came out and when I posted it on Instagram, I tagged the brand that I was wearing. The brand saw it, they loved it, and sent me a PR package! I was so excited! This gave me the boost I needed to see a dream worth chasing. It made me see my potential and want to create a career out of it. Once I graduated high school in 2022, I was still trying to figure out who I wanted to be. I knew how much I loved to make art with photos, tell a story in the picture, and make the audience feel something. I knew how much I loved to act as I always would make videos growing up/skits. I knew I wanted to have my own creative and financial freedom and genie only enjoy my job. I made it a mission that once 2023 came, I pursued all of my dreams and chase them with courage. Once the new year came, I searched for modeling agencies in my area and went to casting calls. I had never drove more than 20 minutes from my house before around this time, but I was so determined I took my car and drove almost an hour away to modeling agency, the closest one. At the agency I went to, I learned a couple things and was so grateful for my experience there. They helped bring me to my first ever Runway show, where I modeled for the first time in New York Fashion Week! But after a while, I knew that the agency wasn’t able to offer me 100% guaranteed jobs and I was so hungry for the work. Being so passionate about modeling and acting causes me to feel unproductive if I’m not creatively expressing myself. I also thought about how I’m young and this energy won’t be around forever, time is ticking and I’m on a mission. I have dreams I’m determined to accomplish and refuse to just sit around. So, I stayed a freelance model and started to go to network events and put myself out there to meet other models and photographers that I could work with. I would drive two hours away to Philadelphia every other day to meet other creative and collaborate. I would rent out cars if I didn’t have mine working at the moment or pay friends gas money to get me to my photo shoots. I knew that this was something I really wanted, and it didn’t matter what it would take because I knew I was meant for this. I knew everything I was investing in was going to be invested back into me. As I was doing everything, working hard, doing it alone, no breaks, I was also inspiring young girls like myself to never give up and stay determined. I was motivating them, and it made me happy because I truly want to inspire. To represent art and speak to people through emotion and expression. I started to form a community and have girls feel comfortable confiding in me about their modeling experience, asking me questions/guidance and it really makes me happy. We all should win. At the end of the day, my goal is to be a public figure that represents self-love, self-expression, and love. Along with art.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I consider myself fortunate that my acting and modeling career has gone fairly well. But there are undoubtedly some challenges and setbacks along the road that I believe are typical to encounter. It all comes down to how you proceed and overcome it. In the eighth month of my modeling career, I was involved in a car accident. While laying in the hospital bed after the crash, I was really sad and anxious. I had excruciating back pain and was wearing a neck brace. I worried whether I would be able to carry on modeling. However, I have a strong faith in God and his abilities. I was confident that he would provide me with the guidance and strength to prevail. I had faith in my ability to succeed, and my passion for my work inspired me to keep going. After striving to take the best possible care of myself through physical therapy, I went to my fashion show 2 days later and all other events I had scheduled. I knew that might not have been the healthiest choice, but I live by the quote “if there’s a will, there’s a way!”. I wore my back brace to the fashion show then took it off when it was time to walk lol. When I walked the runway I felt no pain, only happiness to be doing what I love. I stand here today in good health and without regrets. I pushed new limits and left comfort zones. It allowed me to feel how passionate I am about this career and motivate me to go even stronger. Another obstacle that I’ve had to face was the hate comments, but I feel without the negativity, the positivity isn’t as charitable. We need the negativity to ground us and appreciate the good. It has only shown me that I’m doing something right. People will always find something had to say but I applaud anyone who puts themselves out there courageously. At the end of the day, I do this for myself and all the dreamers out there, wondering if it’s possible. I want to be the living proof that it is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a model/artist who does runway, commercial modeling, editorial modeling, acting, and performing. I am mostly known for my creative shoots. Being able to walk in New York Fashion Week twice last year and Philadelphia Fashion Week three times, gave me the opportunity to meet lots of amazing designers and models from around the world! Along with modeling I have acted in three music videos and was a romantic lead for one short film. I’ve also been featured on a billboard in Times Square, New York and am a proud brand ambassador for 5 designers in Philadelphia! I made my first ever rock/rage song and music video that I was able to perform in Philadelphia for multiple events. I really enjoy performing and after stepping a little bit in the music industry, I got the opportunity to go on tour with a group of music artists. I sang my song with a live band. It was something way outside my comfort zone and I’m super grateful for these experiences.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It’s hard to say what I will be doing In the next five years as I feel im constantly changing and evolving as a creative. At the moment I’d like to say in the next five years, I see myself in movies, commercials, campaigns, billboards, modeling for my favorite brands, and walking in shows for high fashion. Continuing to express myself creatively and inspiring others is something I always want to carry. I know I’ll accomplish anything I put my mind to as Im very determined to fulfill my purpose on this earth and will not stop working hard until I reach these goals. Thank you so much for this Interview! Blessings to you all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nicolegermosen
Image Credits
Jeff Levy
CJ Photography
Carl Donald James
Miss Camera TME production
