Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DerNeccia Livingston . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
DerNeccia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Sometimes I sit back and wonder, where would I be if I had started chasing my dreams earlier than, the age of, 23. Or sometimes I even wonder where I would be if I had the support that I needed. We all don’t get the support we needed as soon as we decide to take on the challenge of chasing our dreams. But there is one particular thing I didn’t do. And that was give up.
DerNeccia , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As you may know I’m PrettyLu born in Terrell Tx, and raised in the heart of South Dallas. I’ve been modeling almost 6 years to be exact. Started in Buffalo, NY in 2015 when I got my first yes from one of the biggest modeling agencies known around the world. Wilhelmina Modeling Agency in Rochester NY! I knew I had it in me. I just didn’t know I had it in me! I went to audition with no experience whatsoever. When I received that callback I knew my journey was about to begin. But wait, I could not afford what they were asking me to pay upfront. It was too much money and I was also fairly a new mom. What happened? A guy by the name of Steven Bales took me under his wing and started to teach me the in and outs of this model world. Not only was he a teacher to me, he captured my first pictures in front of the camera. Steven was a big help to me when it came to modeling. Thanks to him I got a chance to rip the runway at the 2015 Buffalo Fashion Show and was honored to walk for Samantha Black who was on Project Runway Season 5! It was incredible and I loved every moment. Modeling isn’t an easy job to do. It takes time and hard work to pull this off. After I was in the 2015 Buffalo Fashion Show I began to do more shows. I was even spotted at a gas station and was asked on the spot to be in a hair show. Onyx and Pearls Hair Show, in which I walked in, from the gas station, and ended up walking for 4 different designers/hair stylists! I know right?! After I was being noticed a lot in the Buffalo area I started to do more shows and then one stand at the bus stop led me to being in my very first music video. Ay Benji saw me at the bus stop and told me he was going to put me in his first music video. And he did! You can check out the video on YouTube “Private Room by “AyBenji”. After my journey in Buffalo I then took on Atlanta, Ga where I met some of the most amazing people. From being on the set of Love and Hip Hop, to being in A list celebrity videos such as YFN Lucci, to being in celebrity runway shows such as Ego Maserati, and featured in one of the most popular web series Atlanta Avenue Season 47. And you can also check me out on YouTube in that episode. I lived in Atlanta for a year and moved back home to show my city I am the IT girl when it comes to this model world. I rip runways, I bring visions to life on set, I act and I’m getting my feet wet with the rapping. No, I’m not a rapper I’m just a model rapping, ya dig! I’m what you call an A Lister. Someone who can do it all and is the jack of all trades. I’m your girl. My new single “Okay” and music video will be out soon. I’m 100% sure this is something you guys would want to stay tuned in. In the meantime subscribe to my YouTube channel “My World PrettyLu” and check out some of my work. I’ve worked with local artists and out-of-state artists. You can also follow me on Instagram at PrettyLu_08. Join this Pretty wave I promise you won’t be disappointed! Check out some of my work:
Fashion Shows:
Buffalo Fashion Show 2015
Onyx and Pearls Hair Show 2016- Buffalo NY
Fashion Art 3.0 Fashion Show 2016- Buffalo NY
Buffalo Fashion Show 2016
Pink Expo Explosion 2017- Buffalo NY
Ego Maserati Fashion Show 2017- Atlanta GA
Zuri Fashion Show 2017- Atlanta GA
The body paint Experience 2017- Atlanta GA
Women Empowerment Expo 2018- Dallas TX
Dallas vs Everbody 2019 Fashion Show
2019 Harlem Nights LGBTQ Awards show (Lash Model)
The BrokenRiches 2019 Fashion show- Dallas TX
2019 Diamond Studded Fashion Show-Dallas Tx
2019 Art Fashion Show- Dallas TX
Lei Vei Fashion show – Atlanta GA (2020)
Music Videos:
Do it- 2wice
https://youtu.be/KYs5yoXqot4
Rocket Man- Payd Wade
https://youtu.be/tHeBplw9Mhs
Luv Dat- 501 Maxx
https://youtu.be/ZYpONK6fF1A
Drop- 843 Youngin
https://youtu.be/61xAK9cXBaI
Tried R fa kids- thee journey
https://youtu.be/-vBA8QNNkAA
Windows- Benji Pedro
https://youtu.be/e_OOBG0JH5s
Hot Topic- Jacoca
https://youtu.be/dNao91_rzhw
Run it up- Finesse Kenny
https://youtu.be/EUocMBO1ppk
Ay Benji- Private Room
https://youtu.be/qRk4e419Mv4
LdotG x – O So Serious
https://youtu.be/QLmGAX_QJIQ
Jabo ft. YFN Lucci- Learned How
https://youtu.be/p0YhsAf9XYg
Shows:
Love & HipHop (2018)
Atlanta Avenue Episode 47 (2020)
https://youtu.be/aX3yKF53zGQ
Commercials
The PVO Life/ Colby Savage
https://youtu.be/6RgXXMZiu6w
Interviews
https://youtu.be/AwI-2sidORs
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_VzfsJdRz/?igshid=1wqdde9b187am
…….and this list goes on
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The modeling business is very competitive nowadays. You have people like, myself, who take this title serious. Nowadays you have individuals putting on lingerie and taking pictures and calling themselves a “model”. Not to take away from anyone else’s journey but that is NOT a model. And since my career title is so loose everyone is considered a “model”. Where here’s where I took a pivot. During my modeling career I learned that models don’t make a lot of money like that. In which we don’t. People tend to use us for our gift with no compensation or reward behind it. That’s a trend in Dallas that I got tired of. One thing you need to know in this business is your WORTH. Individuals will use you until there is nothing else left for you to give. So once again here’s my pivot. I decided to bring out more talent. That’s when I picked up the mic and started rapping. Thanks to my good guy Michael. Never did I think, in a million years, that I would be rapping. I found another hidden talent, that I had, and added to my resume.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Finding and targeting your audience. No it’s not easy but it’s most definitely doable. Staying consistent is one of the main rules in creating. This helps you gain the audience and your fanbase. Also post, post, post. Seems a lot, but it really isn’t. Engage with your audience. Your not a robot. People love to converse. Why not join the conversation. Stay active. Noooo you don’t have to spend hours and houses on social media to stay active. There are so many tools that are being used to help you stay active. And my last rule is be nice. And we all know what I mean by being nice.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/prettylu_08?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.livingston?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://linkr.bio/PrettyLu
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@myworldprettylu8436
- Other: Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pretty-lu/1684978676
Image Credits
Drip Visualz: Photography/ Film Director Instagram https://instagram.com/dripvisualz?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Youtube https://youtube.com/@DRIPVISUALZ