Model Shout Out!

Huge Congrats to Ashley for being chosen as this week's #modelshoutout! And 'Thank You' to all that applied! I could write a book with all of the amazing Beauties on EM, if only I had the time... The saga however continues next week! So if you want to be considered leave us a comment below this post ;)


Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Ashley Jermaine - talking about myself is actually difficult - I never told anyone I modeled when I was in grade school through middle school. I kept this extra-curricular activity to myself, so while other kids were running down the soccer field, I was walking my first runway or shooting for a designer. I'm the girl that walks the halls in High School with her books and glasses on - I'm lucky to have amazing friends, the sport of volleyball, and the excitement of modeling and acting. I was quite successful at keeping my modeling a secret from everyone but my closest friends. I'm not quite sure why I never told anyone, maybe I wasn't sure how people would react, however, last year - when I received my Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue Magazines, I hadn't thought about everyone else at school receiving their copy too. I'm happy that I had an instinct from a very young age to follow my dreams - I speak up and when I have my sights on something that's important to me, I become passionate about it and work for it with a thirst and drive to achieve. Modeling is my second dimension, school, friends, volleyball is one, and modeling is another. It's something I see myself succeeding at, it's amazingly fun, rewarding and with each opportunity I gain valuable experience. No matter what your passion, you can never stop learning, growing and perfecting.

How did you first get started in modeling?

My mom said that 'model' was practically my first word, that when I was 2 I insisted on picking out my own shoes, a few years later I would lay out my clothes for kindergarten to make sure I liked the look. I bugged my parents constantly asking if I could model, I was even caught on a home video dancing on my bed and telling my mom "I'm going to be a model when I grow up". So, persistence paid off, and when I turned 9 my mom brought me to a Boston agency and I was signed. A few years later, Renee Lauren, the director of CLICK Models, in the Philly office noticed my picture with a photo entry to ChildModelsAdvice.com contest for model of the month, and that was a huge door opener - I won runner up as Model of the Year and was signed by CLICK Models, in Philly. When I turned 14, I signed with the Boston office, visited the NY office for castings, and while in LA, worked with the LA office.

What are your favorite things about modeling?

I absolutely love modeling - From lifestyle modeling, editorial work and runway - it's exciting! Working with a designer to bring their creation to life is transforming. I've been told by several photographers that I'm a chameleon, whether I'm modeling sportswear or an elegant gown, my persona changes, it morphs to compliment the design. One of my favorite aspects of modeling is Runway - it's an entirely different element of modeling, it's exhilarating and heart pounding! It provides a platform to showcase the designers work as it was intended - bringing their piece to life with movement on a stage in front of hundreds of fashion followers.

What is currently your favorite piece of clothing?

Tall Ralph Lauren leather boots - a staple clothing item for the Boston winters - I'd be frozen without them!

If you could transport yourself to any place in the world at this very moment, where would you go and why?

On a shoot in Paris or Italy for Vogue Italia - Why?.. Several reasons - I love Italy, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe a few years ago, and Loved it! Shooting for Vogue Italia would put me on the map as an up and coming model and the third reason, landing the cover of Vogue Italia before the age of 18 is one step closer to being noticed by a Victoria's Secret casting director!

What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people COULD know?

I'm an anti-bully activist - not because I want people to know that this is how I volunteer my time, but because I would like to bring a greater awareness - to end bullying - to put a stop to a hurt that is 100% preventable. When I was 12, I had the opportunity to work on a anti-bully music video. The opportunity to donate my time for something bigger than myself was uplifting. From this project came many more, all working to help educate teens - to act if they see see bullying, to band together and stand up to the bully - to not be a placid bystander. Currently, I'm working with MAB (Models Against Bullying) which will benefit the Kraft Family Jordan Boys & Girls Club of Boston with an ART Exhibit and Runway show later this year.

Give Ashley your own SHOUT OUT on her EM Plus Profile!

You can also catch up with Ashley on Instagram: AshleyJermaine