February 5th 2024.
Modeling has always been a passion of mine, but I never could have imagined that it would become my way of speaking out and making a difference. It all started when I posted a photo on Instagram, proudly showing off my grey hair. I didn't expect much to come from it, except maybe connecting with other women my age who also felt invisible in society. But to my surprise, within just four weeks, I had not one, not two, but four modeling agencies reaching out to me, asking if I had representation. I was blown away by the sudden interest and couldn't believe it was all happening to me.
You see, I was 54 years old at the time and had only started my Instagram account to spread a message of positivity about aging and to raise awareness about the lack of age inclusivity in the fashion and beauty industries. I wanted to challenge the idea that getting older should be something to fear, something that I myself used to believe for many years. In my 40s, I was terrified of aging, influenced by advertisements for anti-wrinkle creams and the societal pressure to stay forever young. But as I started to embrace my natural grey hair, I realized that we shouldn't automatically shy away from showing signs of aging. We should embrace and celebrate getting older.
It was a conversation with my teenage daughters that truly inspired me to change my mindset. After dying my hair for two decades, they begged me to let my natural grey hair grow out, saying that I would look amazing without the harsh chemicals. Reluctantly, I agreed and was surprised to find that I loved my softer, natural hair color even more than I had ever imagined. It was a turning point for me, and I knew I wanted to spread this message of self-love and acceptance to others.
As I continued to post about positive aging on Instagram, I quickly found a community of like-minded women who also wanted to challenge society's expectations of midlife. I even received messages from women in their 20s and 30s, saying that we were an inspiration to them as they looked towards their own future. Together, we noticed the ageism that was prevalent in society, particularly in the language used in advertising, with phrases like "anti-aging" and "turn back the clock." It was time for a change, and we knew we needed more representation for older people.
But as I continued to spread this message, something unexpected happened. I started receiving messages from modeling agencies, asking if I was interested in working with them. Each time, I called my daughters, and they squealed with delight. I was flattered, but I also felt uncertain. I had always been camera shy and struggled with body confidence. I couldn't understand why these agencies saw potential in me, and I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
But then I realized that this was an opportunity to be the change I had been calling for. To show up for all the other women who felt ignored by the fashion industry and society as a whole. I signed with my first modeling agency in July 2020, and since then, my life has been a whirlwind. I even landed a modeling gig for a lingerie campaign with Marks & Spencer, which was both terrifying and empowering. It was a win for all midlife women, and I could feel the impact of our message of inclusivity and self-love.
I started to see myself as a representation of the change I wanted to see in the world. And my work as a model has expanded beyond just posing for campaigns. In 2021, I was cast as a mermaid in the Disney film, The Little Mermaid. It may have been a small, non-speaking role, but it was a powerful moment for me. When have you ever seen a Black, middle-aged mermaid onscreen? It was a reminder that representation matters, and I am honored to be a part of it.
Modeling has become my form of activism, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my voice and platform to change the negative narrative around aging. I often think back to my younger self and how I would have loved to see a Black woman with natural hair, passionate about fashion and confident in her 50s. Now, I have become that representation that I always wanted. And my daughters have even told me that they can't wait to be in their 50s, which brings me so much joy and motivation to keep doing what I do.
I've given up my day job to focus on modeling, content creation, public speaking, and soon, even writing a book. I am on a mission to change the way society views aging and to empower women to embrace their age and their bodies. It's a journey that I am proud to be on, and I will continue to do so for as long as I possibly can. After all, I was taught from a young age to be active and use my voice to speak up for equality, and I am grateful for this opportunity to do just that.
I believe that representation is important, and I am proud to be a part of the change that I have always wanted to see. My daughters' excitement and admiration for what I do tell me that I am on the right path, and that is all the validation I need. I hope to inspire others, especially those in midlife, to embrace their age and their uniqueness. It's time to redefine what it means to age gracefully and to celebrate all stages of life.
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