Flash Profile
“I want a future in modeling.” As I look up from my notebook, she gives a small laugh and a shrug as if the possibility were ridiculous. In her dimly lit room, the gentle light from the stars pasted on her ceiling illuminate the conflicted expression on her face. Everyone wants to have a career that they will enjoy, right? We dream about things whether we think they’re possible or not. It’s human nature. As I look at the girl sitting cross-legged across from me on the top bunk of her room, questions of dreams versus reality blossom into a flowing conversation.
19-year-old Brooklyn native, Calli Ella, pursues her modeling career while attending The New School University. She models for companies such as Kimera Lingerie, Meg (a shop in Brooklyn), and Michelle NY. She has also filmed a commercial for Apple’s iPhone 6s. “I prefer commercial modeling. Even though runway gets more exposure, commercial pays more because you get paid for each time the commercial plays.” Runway modeling is a whole different ball game. It’s saturated and is much tougher if you don’t fit the set mode. Commercial is a bit more forgiving. When I ask her about whether she sees a future in modeling, she sighs and leans back before answering. “Maybe if I was white. It’s just harder being black, you know?” I study her thin features and the evenness of her coffee-colored skin tone. She looks like the spitting image of a model to me; the type of girl that always gets told she looks like she should model. Nevertheless, she smiles and says, “Or if I were taller. I’m only 5’6.” Only? Laughing at my baffled facial expression, she informs me that companies usually go for girls that are 5’9-5’11. “Wow. That’s really tall,” I say to her in bewilderment. “But I guess everybody seems tall to me since I’m so short.” We both laugh as move on to her current goals.
Calli plans on majoring in Creative Entrepreneurship and getting her bachelors of Arts degree. “What are you hoping to get out of your degree?” She laughs and rolls her eyes. “Clarity of what I want to do.” Outside of modeling, art is one her biggest interests. She aspires to own an art gallery and become a curator. In fact, she has already curated a few shows in Brooklyn and has gained important contacts as a result. “I just want to make enough to be comfortable. Being rich isn’t necessary, though it would be nice.” She smirks and leans her thin frame back into the railing of the bed. Being in the comfort of her own space brings out a humorous side of her that she doesn’t initially show. We smile at each other and keep the conversation flowing. “What are you most inspired by?” As a former dancer, she is inspired by modern and contemporary dance. “I used to practice modern dance, African, street, and ballet. I quit dancing because of the commitment, but I still love it. Except ballet. I hate ballet.” She is enamored with how freeing modern dance is, unlike ballet, and would like her art to reflect that. “A career in modeling would be nice, but it’s good to have options.” Satisfied, I close my notebook and put down my pen. “You sure you don’t have any more questions,” she asks eagerly. “Nope. I think that’s a wrap.”