Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monique Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Monique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I started modeling when I was 12 and singing when I was 8. For me growing up I was so shy, I had very little confidence. I had so many hardships in my family and it took a toll on me. My mom would try and push me to come out of that, she would tell everyone I could sing wherever we went. The only place I felt comfortable singing really was in a church building and then man changed that for me. I started singing in my room imagining that I was performing in front of crowd’s. I started working with a lady named Tina who heard me sing while sitting in her styling chair, she offered me the chance to sing and model for her talent agency. I fell in love with it. After I was with her and had some experience under my belt I felt more confident. I took a break, had my kids and after I started thinking I want to model again. I started working with Da Kandy Shop, there was this one time we were doing a shoot and we had to change. They gave us some shirts and panties. I looked around and said I don’t think I can do this God wouldn’t be proud. I left. I started working with this lady named Soopabottoms, I really thought we were on the right track for my modeling but it was all a game. Experiences are just that, you learn something from each. I had hit and miss experiences from then on. Just a spiral down hill. It was honestly last year when I said okay this is it I’m really going for it. I’m not accepting just anything if it doesn’t align with where I’m trying to go. I would love to make this my full time career, not because of what anyone thinks but because I know who’s I am and who I am.

Monique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a woman, daughter, sister, mother, model and singer. I started modeling and singing in front of people because a lady named Tina saw potential in me at a young age. I am the biggest critic of myself. If I have a modeling event I will shut down and stay focused on that. Really that’s how I am with anything I’m serious and passionate about. My mother was my biggest supporter she always pushed me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I decided I want to be more than what I think I am. I decided to brand myself, so I came up with Drea Monique. My grandfather gave me the name Andrea and my parents gave me Monique. So, I feel I have them both in there. I want to be able to make women, girls, men even feel that they are beautiful. Make them feel that they matter, love isn’t a color, love isn’t some material things. To truly love is to become self less, patient, kind, accepting for who they are.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Growing up as far as I can remember we didn’t always have what we wanted or even what we needed but we had each other. My siblings and I had to go stay with other family members or friends during these hardships. I was molested at the age of 8 I remember I woke up the next day and saw him standing in the living room and chills just stunned couldn’t move and he winked at me. Tears rolling down my face I ran in my aunts room. She told me she was leaving and I begged her not to leave me she said why I told her and she didn’t believe me She waved it off. So many more times I was violated, physically and emotionally by others. Me and my mom’s relationship before she passed away 2020 was very dysfunctional. It was so much tough love I never knew what real love was. My mom was my biggest trigger, but at the same time the one I needed approval from, the one I needed the most love from. She was dealing with her own pain that she didn’t know how. Even still I loved her through it all. Every time I am knocked down I still stand tall with a smile on my face. Trust me, if it was me alone I couldn’t make it. I have strength, perseverance and more because of my Heavenly Father.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started building my audience up just by watching those that did it before me on YouTube lol. The ones that are credible!! I used more hashtags, created stories and photo collections in a way that made my page look very well organized. I also went on different pages and just liked photos and videos that I sincerely liked and commented basically showed love back that was given to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Modeldreamonique
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niyahkeiona14
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/chrisbw1

Image Credits
Big.8x Calvin Brown Photography Model Drea Monique Ego Kouture