You Say you want to MODEL?!? His Story Unedited!!!

Hello Lovelies,

     In this blog not only will you get stories written by me, but I will feature other peoples contributions, stories, accomplishments, and messages of encouragement so that we can support each other and be encouraged by each others struggles to make it in the things we have passions for and we are able to NETWORK with those who have gone where we desire to go and have overcome the things were struggling with...

     This weeks weekend post comes from a really good friend of mine...Model/Actor/Screen Play Write Willie Freeman. I met Willie my freshman year in Cookman Hall @ Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona-Beach Florida, Psychology was the class. I don't exactly remember how our first conversation went but I remember walking away thinking Willie was really sweet. That was the last class I had with him and then he disappeared...Well I ran into Willie again when I fell in love with Fashion for a Cause. Willie was doing BIG things...his story inspires me so much that I wanted to share it with all of you! So take the journey with Willie UN-Edited...TRUST me you will see his name in lights one day...and let it be known I WAS THE FIRST to share the beginnings of his journey to change the fashion and entertainment industry...Willie shares his story about his journey to NYU, how he got into modeling, and his life in LA...I hope your inspired!

Willies Story: Unedited...

(Intimate Show for Bloomindales)

"Being a Model seems like the easiest most stress free job in the world... Boy was I wrong! I mean. I do have fun with it, but man can it get stressful...

Deciding to attend New York University (NYU) and getting accepted, I was beyond excited. I knew it would allow me to be me and to be free both academically and artistically, knowing opportunities would present themselves. But not in a million years did I think I'd become a model.... or that my first job would be walking New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park in the Spring/Summer show for... Ralph Lauren!! Whoa, was I nervous.

I didn't know the first thing about modeling and what it meant to sell a garment on the runways, so I did what came natural to me... I acted! LoL! I soon got over my nerves and got the hang of this "Modeling thing." Working with some of the best photographers and models in the city really helped. Having people around me like my agents Kathy and Robyn and my NYU friends Chels, Jon and Trevor really balanced both modeling and school. 

(GAP RED) 

I was so excited when the people at Ralph Lauren wanted to use me for an in store and appear in their seasonal "look book", Chels and I screamed so loudly into the phone, Kathy claimed to feel instantly deaf. LoL... Following Ralph Lauren, I got hired to do GAP, thinking it was no big deal until I was informed I was to shoot for the PRODUCT)^REDcampaigns! The room was full of inspiration, knowing what was happening was honorable and decent, everyone worked together.  

  My favorite thing about modeling was all of the free clothes and free travels. Being flown in from New York to Las Vegas in a matter of hours is pretty cool... And to get paid for it was not too shabby. Behind the scenes was always chaotic and a frenzy... models running around half naked; producers freaking out because someone missed their exit... and all for 12 minutes. It was magical!                     

   (Very first photoshoot... Lacoste) 

I've stepped a way from the modeling scene a little to focus on acting and "Gettin this ART out"! Acting and writing is where my heart is now... FreeFILMS productions! But I will not fully quit modeling until I have a few more Ads under my belt... Anyone hiring...?   ;-)                  

For more information about (PRODUCT)^RED visit the website at joinred.com "

Remember to dream big, make strides to NETWORK, know your worth, and pray Daily...stay connected to the source and you can not FAIL!!!

Rich and Royal