We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jada Bowman . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jada below.

Jada , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was in my teens around 13 or 14, I have always been told that I should be a model because I would go so far in the industry.

I have the look, size and the height. I never really took it seriously as it was not a passion of mine at the time. I felt as if I pursued it then I would be doing it for others and not for me. I got so tired of hearing it that I didn’t even want to consider at all.

Over the years, I started to watch America’s Next Top Model because I loved Tyra Banks and I loved seeing her on the runway teaching other models how to be a model. And I was thinking to myself at one point, I should take a risk and apply to be on ANTM. In my head, it sounded really crazy but I really wanted to know what it was like to be in the industry so I can get a feel of what I may be getting into to see if it is something I would be interested in and continue to do.

I would look forward to seeing who won the competition and what they would get from it. Watching every season, it had gotten better and better and I started to get attracted to it. I started mimicking the poses and the walk. I was like “ this feels so weird and it is uncomfortable like I don’t know if I could do this. If this is what it takes to be a super model then they can have it. Not even knowing that I was doubting myself in the learning stage. I wasn’t giving myself enough grace in the learning process. I was playing around and realized that I was criticizing myself way too harshly and I needed to change that because the industry is cut throat and you have to build thick skin. If I continued on beating myself down, I would never make it.

Over time, I knew I had to change. I had to change my talk. I had to change my mindset. I had to build my confidence and self esteem. My aunt Zelda Polk was a perfect example of exuding confidence. I never knew she was into modeling and seeing her blossom into a shining star was so inspiring. It gave me hope that I can be the same way in my own way. So, I decided and took the step to reach out to her and ask her can I join and shadow her in one of her photoshoots? She said sure. That one yes changed my whole life and perspective on modeling.

The modeling industry can be so cutthroat and negative at the same time and I wasn’t looking forward to that, but she helped changed my mindset on it. Since, I joined her the first time in a photoshoot I learned the backstage part of how photoshoots go, learning different poses, how to change quickly into different outfits and model etiquette. The photographer was really nice and let me get a few shots in and ever since I got into the room, everything just blew up for me and I am breaking into the industry in my own way.

God has sent me divine connections to be apart of my transformation and to genuinely help me grow, gain confidence and to step into my power.

Modeling helped me to become more confident in expressing myself on different platforms.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jada Bowman. I am 24 years old. I was born and raised in Sunny Orlando Florida all my life (24 years). I like to journal, read, dance and exercise. Those 4 things help me to release negative energy, draining thoughts and self sabotage. I am an encourager, motivator and a woman of God who uplifts those around me.

I am a Christian and a true believer in God, who puts God first in everything that I do. He is my creator and he has created me to live out my true purpose. Without God, I am nothing.

I am a fashion published model, who uses modeling as one of the platforms to express myself and my creativity. I want to be able to empower women to embrace their bloom. Embrace who they are becoming, and to be gentle with themselves through the process of transforming into the woman God has called them to be.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There was a time, where I was weak minded and didn’t know how to defend myself. I didn’t have a voice, so I let everything slide. I let everything that was said to me to put me down weaken my mind because I didn’t know how to respond or what to say.

Realizing looking back now, I noticed that it was unacceptable and I digested it because I didn’t feel like I had a voice where I would be understood because of how young I was, and because people are older than me, they are right or they have more power in what they say. When that is not always true.

At some point, people get tired of the negativity. People get drained and that is how I was feeling when I first started the modeling industry. I didn’t know how to take those comments but only personal because I was already weak minded and over time it didn’t feel good or feel right and I knew I didn’t have to accept it but I did because I didn’t want to hurt others in the process by speaking up but also I knew I was hurting myself and I couldn’t do that anymore.

So the comments, that were said to me that I felt like literally broke me and I couldn’t continue on with this journey still didn’t seem right. So, I decided to get around people that would fill my cup up, pour into me and speak truth and life into me. That forever changed me and it helped build my confidence and it helped build my strength and resilience to do whatever I wanted to do even though what was said, bothered me. I felt like I had to prove myself, and push even harder to get better at what I wasn’t good at before. If I hadn’t kept going, I would have quit. If I hadn’t kept going, I wouldn’t be where I am today and sometimes in your journey you will face hard times, people who will put you down but there is power in rising above that and going full force to pursue your dreams and silence the noise.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

That I am able to express myself fully and authentically with no apologies, not feeling embarrassed and truly accepting me for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/theemodelj

Image Credits
@jenningsaford