Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Patton

Hi Jade, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Hey there! My name is Jade, I’m from Alabama, being freakishly tall and awkward amongst my peers. I knew I was meant for something much more, just couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Suddenly one day when I was fifteen years old, my mom made a comment regarding how I should try out for a local modeling class taught by a girl that did pageants, etc. She had a foundation of contacts, and a knowledgebase that not only was priceless if I had not attended, I would not be where I am today. Local department store fashion shows, all throughout that I was still also attending high school at the time, focusing on my education. Modeling was always just a very fun, creative hobby for me. Also cathartic in a way because I don’t think I’ve ever had body dysmorphia, but either way modeling can make you very critical of your overall appearance. Now the way things are, compared to even just 15 years ago. We still have a long way to go, but I remember when my mother approached me with the idea at fifteen years old, I sought that as an opportunity to change the way that models are viewed or dismantling the ‘unattainable’ beauty standard.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Struggles are part of it, and for mine it was definitely a challenge with being financially strapped for someone with no college experience, fresh out of high school. The best I could do was work disposable burger flipping jobs meanwhile using that income to help my single mother I was living with for rent, and towards my modeling pursuit like gas, makeup, wardrobe, hair products, even to the smallest like bobby pins. You have to be prepared, it’s expected. The moment you see someone whip out double sided tape, while you’re digging in your bag thinking you ‘might’ve packed it’. Sometimes preparation matters. But also only because it’s an extremely competitive environment. You have to take the personal, emotional side. Ironic as it is, because it is surrounded towards the focal point of beauty, expressions, posing, the amalgamation of essentially what is what we in today’s society would consider ‘style’. Style can come from your birthplace, hometown, parents, almost nearly anything. So it takes a moment of mind over matter when pertaining to the struggles. Being told you are ‘too overweight’ for high fashion, despite even it being a poor choice of words, that was said 10 years ago. You would be sickened at how detrimental it can be towards mental health if one takes something like that personally and deeply to heart. It was a struggle overcoming body shaming, I’ve always been skinny my entire life. My father being over six feet, it’s almost as hurtful when someone gets called ‘fat’, when someone says ‘Oh my Gosh, you are SO skinny!’ As if it were my choice, sometimes the struggles were within. Modeling has always been a vicious and dangerous game, just more extremely competitive. The only thing that’s changed is my perspective to not take things so seriously, especially when it comes to modeling. Plus, designers and photographers love personality!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I have chosen to do modeling at fifteen years old, and it quickly became a rapidly growing passion once I graduated high school. I tried out for America’s Next Top Model after turning eighteen, only to be told I was ‘too laid back’. That’s when I knew I was meant for more in terms of my uniqueness, and how I could utilize that in an expressive manner within the beauty industry. I am usually known for my unusual adaptability to become almost an entire different look, and I embrace that. If anything, that is what I am most proud of. It just derives from within of what drives me and my niches as a person with how I choose to interact with the world. Especially what sets me apart from others, My approach generally is just casual. It honestly makes me sick to my stomach after a while of adhering to any expectations, even if it’s career related. That’s where the natural, genuine creator rears it’s head, and constantly just keeping my physical appearance ‘up to date’. Personality is priceless.

How do you think about luck?

The role that luck has played out essentially was either for the greater good for my well being, for instance if you look at a flaked out photoshoot as ‘bad luck’. But in reality, that photographer was actually a criminal, and in the best market for him to be a predator. I was even genuinely down and out before finding that out, that it even could’ve almost happened to me would have been too late if for it had not been cancelled. The good luck, I suppose it naturally deters me because I have put in so much work over the course of years from my lifetime, strictly into modeling and becoming the best I can be at it. Placating that mindset, in terms of luck, it was sometimes having encounters with people like Ron Howard, Andie MacDowell, to even Sean Paul. Right place at the right time. Surround yourself in it when it comes to networking with people, being on a set, even as far as including yourself as a background character job for it only to be one of the featured parts of a scene. You just have to be yourself. Luck will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clickmodelsatl.com/women/main/3574-jade/
• Instagram: redneckprincess
• Youtube: mynameismudd