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presents:
Shana Marie
CMP: We would
like to welcome the New York Model Shana Marie to the Carolina Model
Project!
Shana Marie:  Thank
you so much! I am honored to be a part of your website and to have the
opportunity to let you and everyone reading this get into my head a little
:)
CMP: Getting
the basics out of the way, Blondes vs. Brunettes who wins and why?
Shana Marie:
I don't think hair color makes one person better
than another. It's all about what's behind the hair…in the brain. If you
are an intelligent, down to earth girl then you rock no matter what hair
color you have.
CMP: How did
you get started in modeling; did you wake up one day and say, “I am an
attractive woman who knows that the world is waiting to see me and get to know
me”.
Shana Marie: HAHAHA
I wish. Actually, I got into modeling because I wanted to be in magazines
such as Maxim. I found out that they had a "Hometown Hotties" contest that
any girl could enter into. Now, I don't like to do things half-assed, so I
hired a makeup artist and a photographer and took some photos in lingerie so
that I could enter them into the contest. After that shoot I realized that
I enjoyed being in front of the camera and decided to pursue it. I posted
my photos on some modeling websites and got some great responses and from
there one thing led to the next and here I am!!
CMP: I was
reading that you have a full time consultant job and model. Do your co-works
know what you do or do you have a secret model life?
Shana Marie: In
my old job I tried to keep it a secret but word eventually spread around the
office that I modeled, and my boss found out. I was a little embarrassed at
first because most of my photos are of me in lingerie but eventually I said
screw it and spoke about it freely. I started a new job a few weeks ago and
have not mentioned anything about it. You never know how someone is going
to react. Some people think it’s really cool and some people look down upon
it. I work in an industry where I am amongst the smartest of the smart and
around a lot of computer geeks so they don't always "get" what I'm doing.
It is kind of like I live a double life!
CMP: I was
talking
with some models during event about the fact that some people can't
separate them from their images (because we all know that models walk around
in four inch heels and string bikinis when go to the store). Does it bother
you that some people can’t separate the “image” of a model from the real
person?
Shana Marie:
No. I don't really care what people think. If
they want to think that I wake up every day with full on makeup and my hair
all done up then that's fine with me. I do post "regular" photos of me on my
Myspace page though so people can get a sense of how I look on a normal
everyday basis.
CMP: With
your list of accomplishments growing by the day, what has been your most
treasured accomplishment and why?
Shana Marie:
One of my biggest accomplishments to date was
making it into the finals in the Stuff Magazine Lingerie Contest. It was
held at a nightclub in NYC and there were about 50 models that entered. I
was so nervous and said to myself, before I walked into the event, that
there was no way I would win but I am going to just have a good time and see
what happens. When I got there I looked around and saw so many beautiful
women. All of the girls had to wear lingerie and walk into the crowd in
front of judges and they picked girls to go to the next round. I made it
into the top 10 and thought wow I can't believe it! Then the top 10 girls
had to walk in front of judges again so they could choose the finalists. I
was the first name they called for the finalists and I couldn’t have been
more excited then I was at that moment. It turned out to be great exposure
for me.
CMP: What do
you think gives you an edge over other models that don't quite make it?
Shana Marie: I
work really hard for everything I get and don't take no for an answer. I
hustle every day by looking up different websites to be featured on, or by
contacting different photographers or magazines to work with. Some people
just sit around and post some pictures and wonder why they aren't doing as
well as the next girl, but it's all about the hustle. You have to be hungry
to get what you want.
CMP:
I was talking to a young lady that wants to get in to
 modeling and I was
explaining to her that great bodies are everywhere but great personalities
are not. What would advice would you give to someone wanting to get in the
business and be successful as you have been?
Shana Marie: You
definitely need to have a look that separates you from everyone else. Not
every girl that is successful has the perfect body but has a sexy "attitude"
about her that separates her from the crowd. It definitely helps to have a
great body too though. It’s all about the total package. If you are
beautiful but have a bad attitude then people won’t want to work with you.
If you have a great personality but don’t know how to pose well or don’t
come across good in photos then you might not get work either. You have to
constantly think about how to improve yourself to make yourself better then
the next girl so you can get the paying jobs and have people come back to
you and ask you to work with them again.
CMP: If
Playboy called tomorrow would you do?
Shana Marie:
In my fantasies I would say yes, but in reality I
would say no. Now don't get me wrong, I have great respect for the ladies
in playboy. I just wouldn't be able to do it because of my morals, my
career, and because it would hurt my family and loved ones too much.
CMP: With so
many models getting plastic surgery ranging from implants to Restylane do
you think it puts pressure on other models to follow suit? Where do you
stand on the issue?
Shana Marie:
OMG YES! You have no idea how many times I look at some girls and say,
damn...I wish I had implants like her...or maybe I would look better in my
photos if I had some Restylane in my lips. I am 100% real though, from my
hair, to my nails, to my toes. I tried extension for two days and pulled
them out of my hair. I tried fake nails too and ripped them off after a
while. I just don't like the way fake things feel so I don't want to commit
myself to a surgery that will last a few months or maybe even a lifetime.
Besides...you never know if you will end up in that percentage of people who
have things go wrong during surgery and are messed up for life. I just
thank God for everything I have and keep reminding myself that I am blessed
with what I was born with.
CMP: Any
projects that you are involved in that we need to be on the look out for?
Shana Marie:  I
will be in two magazines coming out in the next couple of months (MMA
magazines). I am also in talks with doing a reality show with another model
I am close to.
CMP: As your
name and face become a more recognizable, I am sure the “crazy helpers”
(definition of crazy helpers: photogs, managers, industry insiders, etc) are
starting to come out from under every rock to help your career if you just
do this and that, what helps you stay grounded and focused?
Shana Marie:
Bottom line is that I don't do anything I think
will hurt me in the future and I have the freedom to pick and choose what I
want to do since I have my other full time job. I love listening to
constructive criticism from people but I know where I draw the line and I
don't cross that line EVER no matter what "advice" someone gives me.
CMP: Where
else can you be found on the website (saves time from “Google”ing you) and
do you have your own website?
Shana Marie: I
am on about 50 websites so maybe it would be best to "Google" me (Shana
Marie) to find out more info and photos of me. LOL I am on Myspace and my
site is :
www.myspace.com/babygirlshana. I am
also in the designing phase of my new site:
www.shanamariemodel.com which will be
out in 2 weeks so keep a lookout for that.
CMP: Are
there any rumors or persistent stupid questions that you want to put to rest
for once and for all?
Shana Marie:
Ugh...yes.
That I think I am "bigger" than I am or that I am out to step on people.
People that really know me know that I give my love, and support to anyone
that needed it. I'm not looking to step ON anyone but I will step OVER
someone to get where I need to. I don't want to hurt anyone along the way
to the top but I will not tolerate anyone who tries to hurt me. If you do
then you better step aside because it will get ugly.
CMP: Thanks
for letting us get to know you a little better and we look forward to
hearing more about you in the coming years. Keep us updated!
Shana Marie:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my
experiences and thoughts on your site. You guys rock ;)
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