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

Jelani, appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

One thing that has stayed constant amidst my pursuit of my passions is my lack of a desire of simple “fame.” I’ve never been one to aspire to have “fans.” Admiration is cool and all, but I’d rather incite appreciation. It means the most to me when my work, actions, or words inspire, move, or enlighten people. I try to move with meaning and intention at all times. With that being said, I love for other people to find meaning and movement in my work. Awe and admiration is not my intention. I want my legacy to be one of movement. I want to shift perspectives, incite growth, push boundaries, and invite conception. I’m not a fan of the status quo or mundane. I can acknowledge that it’s necessary at times, but I feel it should be challenged with the intention of upward momentum. Life constantly evolves. As should we. I want to be an active proponent of that evolution. That’s the legacy I desire.

Jelani, 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?

I’m Jelani Hopkins, a budding model, actor, creative director stylist, and fitness advocate. I’ve been modeling for about 7 years now, but I’d say it’s truly been a passion and safe haven of mine for 3 years. I started in college on a whim. I successfully made it onto the African Students Organization Dance Team at my school, the University of North Texas, at the beginning of my Sophomore year of college. That same school year, the organization hosted a fashion show and the first Male Pageant on campus. I decided to participate and both. This subsequently opened doors for me in the Dallas runway scene. Originally, it was just sort of something to do, not quite a hobby, but still something I enjoyed. As I navigated further into the scene I began dabbling in editorial style photoshoots with photographer friends and stared being recognized more and more as a “model.” One could say it was starting to become a hobby at this point, but I hadn’t fully submerged into the world slightly due to feeling like I didn’t fit the mold of a “model.” I was 5’11.5″ and didn’t feel I had any features that truly set me apart. My mindset shifted near the beginning of 2021. My friend Amaelyah Woodley asked me to be in a fashion show that she was Creative Directing. The amount of thought and conceptualization that went into this show, the models in the show, and the positive feedback I received throughout the rehearsal process inspired me. It showed me how much of an art form modeling truly could be as well as he messages that could be conveyed. I also bean to see that it could be lucrative for me and I could find a niche within the industry, especially with the emergence of the social justice movement and the need for more black representation within marketing and the arts. This led me to making a true push to put myself out there. Since then, I have signed with my manager, Willie Johnson via J3 Productions, and have also signed with a Grogan Management in Dallas and Slamm Management in Atlanta. I also have stepped into the acting world as I’ve been shown how much the worlds of acting and modeling coincide.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I truly hope to play a large part in tearing down the walls of toxic masculinity. I feel so many people are afraid or discouraged to express themselves due to trying to fit into the parameters that society has set. I strongly dislike that. It creates for a toxic environment and repressed beings. I feel like the image of “masculinity” is one of the areas where this shows the most. I want to help create a space for expression, not repression.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’ve always loved consuming the arts. I love analyzing the details and trying to understand what the artist was feeling when they were creating the work. I always thought I was content with simply consuming. Maybe I was, but, now that I’ve found my way to contribute, I see a new beauty. It’s something special to conceive a concept in your mind and then bring it to life. That within itself is rewarding, but it’s even more rewarding when others are brought to emotion or thought is provoked by my work. It’s beyond being seen; it’s literally being felt. That’s an extraordinary feeling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Big_Body_Lani

Image Credits
@fotoshutters @hi.im.storm @vonteview @trechappel @alexendersimoes @bymalik_____ @houseofdiffa @zachshotit