Rising Stars: Meet Deja Natei

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deja Natei.

Hi Deja, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My original dream was to be a model and artist. However, my parents convinced me that wasn’t a career worthwhile where I could make money. So I then set my future goal on becoming a drug dealer! Lol just kidding, I set my goal on becoming a pharmacist. I loved science so I went off to college with my best friends and decided to minor in BioChemistry and major in pre-pharmacy.

My college dreams quickly ended when I ran out of financial aid after my third semester in college. I felt so crushed and depressed to have to move out of my dorm and move back home. It was depressing because all of my best friends were still in college doing great, while I’m back in my home city working a dead-end job as a cashier at a grocery store.

I decided I could either feel sorry for myself or finally figure out how the heck to start modeling. So I went on Craigslist (I know sketchy, right lol), Facebook, and Model Mayhem to find modeling and acting gigs. I would find different gigs on these sites and either walk and take the bus there or my mom would take me.

Looking back, I’m glad I ran out of financial aid lol. I don’t think I would’ve been happy being a pharmacist and I still would have longed to be a model.

Moving forward I have now modeled in New York Fashion Week, I have modeled internationally, I have been published internationally, I’ve modeled in music videos, I enjoy getting to work with different brands, and so much more. So I’m glad I was able to get myself out of my comfort zone and try doing something I had no knowledge on.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was definitely bumpy with big hills and sometimes it felt like the road ended abruptly.

I’ve been scammed a few times, but the good thing is after getting scammed you now know the signs to look for to avoid it happening again.

I had to deal with rejection! Sometimes you’ll get rejected just because people want to cast all of their friends for the show. I went to a lot of auditions and a lot of castings and wouldn’t hear anything back. But the thing is you just have to shake that off and keep applying and perfecting your craft and eventually you will hear something back.

Lastly, I would say learning to be around the right people. It won’t benefit you to be around people who talk a big game but can’t back it up. So learning to situate myself around people who live out their dreams and teach you how to do the same!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a model, actress, salsa dancer, and soon to be a business owner! I love and am grateful for having the opportunity to travel the world doing what I love.

I specialize in commercial, beauty, and fashion modeling. I enjoy coming up with concepts for photo shoots. I also enjoy being a muse and letting people use their creative imagination on me.

I make reels, short content videos, and user-generated content for different brands. I enjoy doing runway and being a brand ambassador/promotional model.

Currently, I’m most proud of the business I’m about to start. I know it’s really going to help beginner models give them the guidance needed to start successful careers. I’m excited to be able to give new models the advice and help I wish I could’ve gotten when I first started.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my willingness to give back and help others succeed. I believe that we all can win and me helping someone out makes us both better.

I have a glass is half full mentality and always look to see the positive out of any situation. I believe everywhere I go I prosper and everything is working out best case scenario!

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work and collaborate with me by emailing me at dejanatei@gmail.com or sending me a DM on Instagram. People can support me by following me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @dejanatei. People also can support me by signing up for my buymeacoffee page where I share a behind-the-scenes look at my modeling and share different tips and tricks.

Contact Info:

• Website: Buymeacoffee.com/dejanatei
• Instagram: Instagram.com/dejanatei
• Facebook: Facebook.com/dejanatei
• Linkedin: Deja Mitchell
• Youtube: YouTube.com/dejanatei 

Image Credits
B.ivy_photography Simplysavannahart Photocredned Photocredned Alejandro_pictures Marijane._.official B.ivy_photography Iamshotbysean Alejandro_pictures