Hey there, I’m Ann. People like to call me “The Golden Contrast,” which is pretty cool, I guess. It’s just me, though. This hair, this skin – it’s the only me I’ve ever known. I’m a model, but more than that, I’m just a girl from Brooklyn who ended up in a pretty wild industry.
Hobbies and Interests
When I’m not working, my life is pretty normal. I need things that keep me grounded.
- I’m obsessed with my film camera. There’s something magic about not seeing the photo right away. It makes me really look, you know? I love capturing little moments that feel real.
- My hands love getting messy with clay. After a day of being looked at, it feels amazing to just create with my eyes closed, focusing on the feel of the clay instead of how I look.
- I cook to travel. I bring the world into my kitchen since I can’t go everywhere at once. I’ll choose a nation and strive to become an expert in one of its cuisines for a week. This pastime makes my pals quite happy.
- And I scale walls – well, rocks. I use it as therapy. I’m alone with a wall and trying to solve the puzzle. It silences the commotion and serves as a reminder of my body’s true strength.
Nala Ray Journey
My journey? It was a complete mishap. In college, I was studying cultural topics with the expectation that I would work behind a desk. One day, I was just hanging out in the background while visiting a friend for a picture session. The designer really halted his work, gestured toward me, and uttered the words, “You.” Come on over here.
I was really perplexed. He gave me a jacket and instructed me to simply stand there and listen to my favorite music. I was afraid. However, the images were different. They had a sense of strength. Everything changed because of that one chance moment. Agencies started calling all of a sudden – not to alter me, but because of me. For the first time, I saw that my greatest strength was what set me apart.
Ready for the real me?
Are you? because I’m not always camera-ready in real life.
The real me wears my dad’s old sweater and has untidy hair in a bun. The true me weeps at puppy commercials and is a hopeless romantic. I love my friends with a fierceness that is probably a bit too much, and I speak my mind, which occasionally gets me into problems.
I present the world this face, but it’s not my entire reality. I eat way too much pizza, I get insecure, and I have horrible days. I’m learning to remember that I’m not a product, to set boundaries, and to be kinder to myself. I am a human. And at last, I’m comfortable letting others see it.
About Nala Ray Life
I was raised in a noisy, affectionate, and chaotic Brooklyn home. Because my mother is from London and my father is from Jamaica, my early years were filled with rainy afternoon tea and dancehall beats. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and an unwavering curiosity for the world.
I support children’s arts programs during my free time because of this. Whether it’s a laptop for coding, a painting, or a camera, every child should have the opportunity to discover their passion. My break came as a blessing, and I want to help others find their way.
That’s my life, then. Like myself, it’s a weird, lovely, surprising blend.
FAQs
Which ethnicity are you from?
I’m a good blend! My mother is English, and my father is Jamaican. It produces the world’s greatest food and entertaining family get-togethers.
With a dark complexion, how do you take care of your blond hair?
Extremely cautious! It is not a do-it-yourself scenario. My brilliant colorist is a true artist. The key is to use the appropriate tone to avoid coming out as brassy, followed by extensive deep conditioning. I’m obsessed with hair masks.
For aspiring models that don’t suit the “standard” look, what tips would you give them?
Give up attempting to fit in. Your “flaw” is what makes you unique. Take ownership of it. Enter a room as though you already belong there because you do. People that dare to be different are the reason why this industry’s perception of “standard” is evolving. Join them.
Who in the industry do you look up to?
Naomi is one of the legends that cleared the path. Additionally, modern women like Adwoa Aboah are honest, unvarnished, and use their voices for purposes beyond clothing sales. I want to make an effect like that.
What’s next for you?
Honestly, I’m writing it as I go. I’d like to do more creating, perhaps even direct. I have ideas for projects that are about real stories, real people. This is just the first chapter.