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

Hi Shalois, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have always dreamed of becoming a model, when I was younger I used to try to be different with school uniforms. Trying to add color and detail to it while still following guidelines, My family used to always call me the model of the family. So I have always known fashion it’s always been a part of my lifestyle. But actually stepping in and doing it in real time I had to learn a lot, such as learning speed pace, control of arms and face, learning to walk through the music not to the music and much more. At first it was challenging because I didn’t think I was fit for it too short and not enough confidence. Thanks to a lady named June that helped me to get out my head and just keep going no matter what anyone thinks is what lead me to the place I am now. I have anxiety that sometimes gets in the way of my thoughts but I learned breathing techniques and I do it everytime I’m about to walk on the runway. Honestly once you get out of your head and let your legs do the talking you’ll overcome any anxiety there ever was!

Shalois, 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 have been modeling for about three years now, I never knew about all the modeling opportunities in my area at the time until I seen this post for a casting for a nonprofit organization and had to join. After that it has been many shows and many more to come. I have been apart of two big shows in Cleveland such as Area 51 production of frisk me good and The Cleveland Gala 2024 which has been the biggest so far. Being in this industry has taught me a lot from inside and out like renting the space, marketing, getting all the designers, and much more before even casting models it’s so much to do. Even watching designers make their pieces taught me the ins and outs of my sewing machine. Hopefully in the future I won’t just be on the runway fingers crossed it’s my designs!

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

 Last year we had a casting in Cleveland for the Cleveland Fashion Gala, I went to the casting very nervous because I knew there was going to be a lot of competition. They informed us that only 100 would be selected for the show and some would know right on spot because they would receive a golden ticket. After hearing that my nerves was skyrocketed, we went in groups of 6 i believe and I seen so many models come out with their tickets. I showed my excitement for them , but whole time i am shaking in my boots. So now its time for me to walk and I was so nervous I almost messed my walk up over thinking and after that I didn’t receive a golden ticket so I left and kept trying to have a positive mindset and a few days later I received my congratulations email. This goes back to when I said it’s a mind over matter thing. This taught me to stop self doubting myself.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn is that this is not a competition it’s a family it’s a community. And it took me a while to learn this and I am so glade I did. Going in with a competition mindset set me back so much because I thought I had to be better than everyone,everything is on me, and I had to be perfect. Not knowing that the imperfections is the most beautifulest thing there could be, once I got out that mindset it opened up more friendships, more opportunities, and get me noticed more because it allowed me to show off my personality more and not be so shallow as much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fanbase.app.link/pykHvCIk7Qb
• Instagram: _.x.shayyyy
• Facebook: Shalois croom

Image Credits

@_canonshooter
@sxsudrai
@miaturquoiseimage
@clevelandscene