By K.B. Tindal
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Things are no longer the way they used to be. There is no more regionally-known activities, such as aspiring models have to move to Los Angeles or New York City. Now, it is rather simple to launch a career from anywhere with a smartphone and internet access. Of course, a lot of hard work still goes into it, but every area has a little bit of everything.
Wisconsin is not particularly known for its modeling, but it is home to Aaleah Lee. One of the most-popular rising video vixens, Aaleah Lee is making her way through the game. Part Indian and part Nigerian, she has a very diverse background. All of this has contributed to her exotic look, which has built her presence on social media.
For the latest Hottie of the Week edition, Hip Hop Vibe talked to Aaleah Lee. It takes a lot to go into a career as demanding as modeling that is full of so many ups and downs. During the interview, Aaleah Lee talked about what it has been like for her, as she goes about making her way in the game, which she has done through such avenues as her web series.
Read the entire interview below:
Do you feel like working in the Midwest worked against your modeling career? Not at all, I believed it helped, I say this because where I came from, I was considered rare not just because of my looks but my personality and my outlook on life. I feel like when you can conquer where you came from then you have the right to branch out and seek challenges elsewhere. A lot of people are sleep on Wisconsin. That’s a “Show Me state!” and that’s exactly what I did and what I am doing. You all think you know but you have no idea.
What do you think is your sexiest attribute? My sexiest attribute are my legs, they are long and luxurious and they lead straight to HEAVEN. (Laughs). I have a short torso and I’m 5”9, so I always say “my legs start underneath my breast.”
Where does the nickname “The Golden Girl” came from? I actually got this name from a photographer in Wisconsin by the name of Brian. He sent me an email after one of our shoots saying ‘Hey your skin always does these weird things” your skins is glowing like its golden. The golden girl…..” I started laughing and was explaining it to my homegirl and realized that, that is one thing I have always gotten compliments on and that’s my skin color. So, we were like Aaleah Lee “The Golden Girl.”
You have both Nigerian and Indian in your background, in addition to black, how do you feel about most of the new generation of models being diverse, much like yourself? I love it, I love how everyone is embracing their ethnic backgrounds. My father is from Nigeria and my mother is Native American and Black. Since I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to use my ethnic background to differentiate me from others. It’s a way of showing that you’re proud of where you came from no matter where it’s from. No race is perfect so embrace it..
Are there any places in particular that you love to travel to? I am going to go to Dubai, South Africa, Nigeria, Paris and Italy. I still have some places here in the United States I need to get to also.
Has your work led you to such places as Nigeria and India? Unfortunately not yet, but soon, I am so ambitious and open and full of determination that all of that will come in due time. Guaranteed!
You have a strong internet following, can you tell us about your web series that helped build this presence? Yessss and I love all my followers! I and my little brother, from another mother and father, started a small web series called “Late Nights with Aaleah and B-Lo.” We only put out one preview and one episode, but people loved it and gave great feedback and, until this day, are still asking if we are going to come out with another episode. I blame B-Lo, he’s a ladies man and kept missing shoots, I’m just saying.
Even though you have your web show, you still do music videos, can you speak on this? I do a lot of things, I’m well diverse and I get bored easily. My mind is always wondering, I am always looking for ways to improve and learn new things, so branching out and doing multiple things within the entertainment industry is a given for me. Stay tuned I have a lot to offer the world.
What are some upcoming projects we can expect to see Aaleah Lee involved in? Right now, I am working full time on Branding myself, Aaleah Lee, and getting my clothing line, “Nakud Gyrls,” off the ground. I design and make my own clothing and I have a few photo shoots in the works that are going to be mad crazy. I am also in the process of moving to Atlanta, Georgia in June of 2013.
Can you give us your social networking links so fans can connect with you? You can follow me on Twitter @itsAaleahLee, Instagram is @AaleahLee, like my Facebook page, Aaleah Lee, and check out my website, AaleahLee.com.
See additional photos of Aaleah Lee below:
