We were lucky to catch up with Zaria Watson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zaria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Ty and Lisa, made it very clear to me that life is hard work. From 3rd grade until now, I have been in an evolving journey to discovering my identity. As a kid, I struggled with low self-esteem. I had really short hair (it could barely fit into a pony tail), and I have always been slim. I remember making my mom aware of the teasing I got at school from my classmates. One night, while going over my progress report, I became emotional talking about my insecurities and the comments. My conduct grades were a result of over-performing my personality to compensate for my hair length. I remember my mom forcing me into our kitchen mirror. With tears in my eyes, she made me repeat these affirmations: “I am beautiful, I am strong, I am confident.” At 7 or 8 years old, that moment was extremely impactful for me. It was one of my first lessons on understanding my perception of my reality. I had to learn to work around the things I wanted to immediately change, and I had to learn to never let my physical features define my heart. Ironically, 15 years later, I decided to cut my hair completely off to symbolize the start to my new journey as a professional model.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Growing up, my grandfather owned a laundry mat and event building in Westwood, TN. Once a month, my cousins and I would commit to cleaning his buildings for about $40-$60 a day. At that time, I was between 10 and 11 years old, so that $50 left like $1000. I remember taking that money and going to B and P Beauty Supply, down the street from my house, to buy nail kits. My favorite kit was the Kiss Acrylic Nail Kit.. I would buy two kits and nail art from the beauty supply, and I would go to Walgreens and rack up on Wet and Wild nail polish. After spending my day’s pay on nail supplies, I would sit in my room for hours, watching two things: YouTube and America’s Next Top Model. Nails started as an escape for me, and although I am passionate about many things, my creativity and passion for nails has kept me afloat financially. I was 16 when I officially stepped foot into the nail industry. Working part time at Lovely Nails on weekends in high school, turned into a small business in my dorm room during college, which eventually led to a leap of faith to become an entrepreneur in 2020. Doing nails has allowed me to fund myself through college, nail school, and now, modeling and acting.

Seven years later, I am a Memphis grown entrepreneur, nail artist, student, and professional model. Presently, I am finishing a Business Administration degree at the University of Memphis, and I plan to graduate in May of 2023. I work at a nail salon part-time while I am establishing my e-Commerce store-front, FussOver Nail Co., on Etsy. Currently, my product line includes one item, a hand and foot scrub, and I plan to add custom press-ons to the online shop very soon. I plan to continue to expand FussOver Nail Co and its providing products.

My modeling journey started in 2021. Even though nails is my craft, I always dreamed of being a model. In college, I had fantasies of being a celebrity nail tech, eventually working at events like New York Fashion Week, so I devoted most of my time doing two things: practicing nails and doing homework. I forgot about living. I forgot about chasing my dreams, assuming I’m on borrowed time or someone was going to come along and discover me: the real me. I had to do something. After a year with a mobile nail care business, I decided to do take a leap of faith. I did some research and came across IMTA. I sent in a few pictures and received a call back the next day! I immediately started training for a talent opportunity in New York, IMTA. Mrs. Jana, the owner of my current agency Ambiance Models and Talent, recruited me, groomed me, and trained me to reach my goals. In July of 2022, had the honor or competing in IMTA, where I walked away with a “Lifestyle Model of the Year” award, 5 awards in top 10 categories, and a scholarship for the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.

Becoming a model saved my life and self-esteem. When I moved home for Covid, my motivation for life was depleted. I was unhappy and confused. I didn’t know who I was or what was making me happy. I changed everything. The way I walked, talked, ate, showered, everything! My agent told me something that I never let go of. I asked Mrs. Jana, “what can I do to make this a career.” Her reply was simple, “take it seriously,” From that day forward, I had to let go of the old Zaria, the shy Zaria. I got out of my comfort zone and used every day leading up to New York, and after, as an opportunity to prove myself wrong. Winning those awards reminded me that I can do anything I set my mind to. That is not a cliche saying; that is the truth.

I am actively working on myself every day, often times, alone. My mission is to one day feel proud of the work and sacrifices. I want people to feel who I am and resonate with my work: rather I make it to the big screen or I’m servicing their pedicure.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

There are so many inconsistencies that come with the entrepreneurial life path. Right now, I am experiencing a slow period with my modeling career. Since signing with my agency, I have had only one professional project. It is hard being in a waiting period, so I am using this slow time to build my portfolio and network. I am also using this time to better myself. I am finishing up college and establishing my nail brand, so that is serving as a good time-filler. However, when you invest a lot of time, energy, and money into something, you want to see your return sooner than later. I am grasping to concept of patience and timing.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After New York, I thought that the floodgates would open with new opportunities. I thought that because I walked away with awards and scholarships that I would be sooner desired by many agencies and manager. I was wrong. Out of hundreds of agencies at the IMTA convention, I received a call back from one. Despite the fact that I was recruited, the agent didn’t even recognize who I was. After 11 months of training and thousands of dollars, in that moment, I felt so small. I had to learn how to accept rejection and not let it discourage or stop me. The journey will continue, and so will I.

Contact Info:

• Website: ambiancemodels.com
• Instagram: zariaofficial and nailsbyzaria

Image Credits
Ted Partin Marcus. D. Porter CJ, @supeme_ceej