We recently connected with Koko Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Koko, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Honestly I’ve been working since I was 15 yrs old, I’m 32 now. During Covid when I got furloughed I literally told myself you need to make a decision! If I am furloughed for more than 6 months it’s time to change careers nothings going up in my current field as a front office specialist to a physical therapy office. Even though it was Covid I was booking modeling gigs as a self rep model which I’ve been doing for almost ten years at the time and booked myself a magazine shoot in September for Vegas. My job literally calls a week before I go and says I have to be present for work the week I leave although they told me ahead of time a new start date which was after my trip. I talked to my boss and basically tells me there’s no growth within my field (although I was promised growth 3 years prior when I started) and that modeling and my arts would probably take me farther……… so whether my job quit me or I quit them is still a mystery lol
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well I started off in modeling at 18 and became more serious at 21. I grew up a competitive gymnast/cheerleader and was a little socially awkward so let’s do something where I don’t have to speak very much. But I got into drag in my 30 but did one amateur night in my late 20s but that damn office job wouldn’t let me be great lol. So I pushed it back and now I’m 2 time pageant title winner and a voice for my community. I think what sets me apart from others I am very adaptable it doesn’t matter what situation I’m in I’m going to make a friend somewhere and it took me a lot to get there.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that not everyone is going to be in your side, no matter how much you support someone else. The love isn’t always there and to give people to same amount of time they give you. But it’s hard when your a liver not a fighter!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding is being around a group of people that don’t know anything about me but love me through my visual arts/performances.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cheetaraxo
- Facebook: Koko “The Goddess “ Taylor
- Twitter: @cheetaraXOX
- Youtube: Koko Taylor
Image Credits
The photos with the boldest/yellow background ig @dublar Randall Routt The rest are action photos from my performances.