TASTE OF CANDY BY MII
LCN: Tell us about your background… Candy: Im from North Carolina, but now residing in Atlanta, GA. I am West African (Liberian)
LCN: Where were you born, and how was life growing up?
Candy: I was born in Liberia. Life was really great growing up for me. We grew up in the wealthy part because my grandfather was a well-known architect. Due to the civil war that was going on as I got older we had to flee to the United States where we called North Carolina home.
LCN: Interesting, so you’re West African & Cuban decent. That’s one exotic combination.
Candy: It’s actually odd. Both my parents are Liberian but my dad was half Cuban. It doesn’t show on me so I rarely claim it. I just say I’m African (laughs)
LCN: Did you receive a formal education or attend college?
Candy: Yes I have a BA in Mass Communications with a concentration in radio/tv and now I’m in school pursuing my MBA in Business Marketing. I’m such a nerd (laughs).
LCN: Can you elaborate on some of your magazine features?Candy: I was in Black Mens 40/40, Black Mens “Ink Candy”, Straight Stuntin Magazine, Hip Hop Weekly, Asis and Sweets.
LCN: Is modeling your full-time gig, or do you have another job?
Candy: No way. I don’t even really consider myself a model...It’s a hobby that happens to pay sometimes. I’m a full time grad student!
LCN: Cool, so what is it about your personality and your upbringing that makes you so passionate about modeling?
Candy: I think I’m a very outspoken person with a very fun personality. I also think that I am different from most models and I stand out. When people meet me and see that, they are very surprised. It doesn’t make me passionate about modeling; it just makes it easier when I’m in an environment where I’m around the people in the same industry as I am. LCN: Who introduced you to the urban modeling industry?
Candy: I was a radio personality in NC and I did an interview with Big Boi of Outkast and he asked if I modeled.. When I told him no, he told me I should consider it.
LCN: What has this year been like for you in terms of modeling work?
Candy: It’s been a rollercoaster, but a fun one. I have been in Black Mens Magazine twice. I’ve traveled across the United States and meet lots of new people all while making money. Most of all my networking game has been immaculate.
LCN: How much experience have you gotten as far as working with and meeting people in the industry? Candy: I’ve gained so much experience through working at Block Ent studios, doing music videos, magazines and radio interviews and hopefully my experience will not stop there.
LCN: What has been your most memorable modeling experience? Candy: My most memorable experience would be falling on the set of a photo shoot. Most people don’t know that I am really clumsy; and I trip over my own foot steps. That one day I fell busted my ass!!!LCN: Damn (laughs), most people wouldn’t admit that. As an urban model, you likely deal with stereotypes. Which would you say is the worst? Candy: That I’m stupid and uneducated. When I tell people that I am a college grad and pursuing my MBA, they are shocked like I’m supposed to be a retard or something. Just last week I had a guy tell me he would’ve never thought I was as educated as I am and it made me feel a certain way. I pay them back by smacking them in the face with my degrees!! (laughs)
LCN: That’s interesting. You posses beauty and brains. What would the average person say about you? Candy: That I am a kind and giving person and I put others before myself
LCN: How would you describe the image that comes across when people look at your photos? Candy: That I am chocolate girl with a big ol booty and how am I so small with a big bottom.
LCN: What type of ritual or routines do you follow to relax before shooting?
Candy: I starve myself because I don’t want to look bloated.
LCN: When posing nude or in thong, what swayed you to say, “Hey this is something that I wouldn’t mind trying.” Candy: When I became comfortable in my own skin and didn’t care about what others thought about me.
LCN: How well was your reception after that shoot? Candy: It was great; I didn’t regret anything about it.
LCN: What was your most memorable but sexiest shoot? Candy: My Black Mens shoot where I was a sexy mechanic. Shouts out to VXN Studios.
LCN: What models have you enjoyed working with? Candy: I’ve enjoy working with Amber Priddy, Jillissa Lynn, Charm Killings, Cat Washington, Deelishis, and Shay “Buckeey” Johnson
LCN: Who’s your favorite urban model besides yourself?
Candy: If I had to choose, it would definitely have to be Buffie the Body, because she made it cool to be a dark skin model
LCN: How difficult is it for dark-skinned models such as you to land casting jobs for videos, magazines, and even reality TV castings? Candy: I definitely think it is harder for dark-skinned models to land jobs. This industry is very color struck which is sad. Women should be beautiful no matter what color. I think Ive had to work harder because I am dark-skinned. But I wouldn’t change this brown skin of mine for nothing in the world. Somebody in this world loves it and that’s all that really matters.
LCN: What would you say sets you apart from other women in the modeling industry, with similar goals? Candy: I think my communication skills and great personality. Some of these chicks personality are drying than an old paint. It’s always an adventure when you are talking to me. Never know what to expect.
LCN: You were known as “Junk” on the VH1 Reality Show Real Chance Of Love 2. How that experience? Candy: It was really fun, It was crazy being in the house with a bunch of catty girls. It was a great opportunity that I’m glad I’m still eating off of.
LCN: Your nickname obviously came from the saying “Junk In The Trunk.” What other nicknames do people describe your ass-ets?
Candy: Well Big “Booty Judy”, “Juicy”, “Candy Da Ass”, “Assasaurus’, “Ass All Mighty”
LCN: You’re all natural, what’s your opinion on the whole booty injection era? With you being homegrown, does it make work a bit harder for you?
Candy: I’m not for booty injections because I don’t feel that it is safe, but I don’t knock the girls who get it. It’s the same as weave, if you don’t have natural hair then buy it., Why not buy an ass if you don’t have one? It doesn’t make it harder for me because if you put me beside a chick with a fake ass, they still like mine.LCN: How do you maintain your beautiful homegrown body? Candy: I workout at least 4 times a week and I do 400 crunches a day.
LCN: How many tattoos do you have? Would you consider getting more? Candy: I have 4 tattoos but that’s it, I’m not getting anymore.
LCN: Do you think some models limit their marketability by getting inked?
Candy: Yes, especially when it’s all over your face, legs, and just all over. You are only limited to doing ink magazines or playing a biker chick in a movie or TV show.
LCN: Great point… Well what keeps you motivated? Candy: My faith in God and my family
LCN: What’s your opinion on reality TV today? Candy: I think its gotten even crazier. They are fighting more and are compromising their morals for a little bit of fame.
LCN: What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever seen at a casting?
Candy: I can honestly say I haven’t seen anything that really caught my eye.
LCN: What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen off camera?
Candy: On Real Chance of Love2, two of my cast mates started making out with each other.
LCN: Do you consider yourself a brand or just a name in the industry?
Candy: I would like to consider myself as a brand. Everything I do is to brand my name and my image.
LCN: What would you consider your strongest attribute? Candy: I speak very well and I am very proper. In many instances which some people say “talking white”
LCN: Where do you ultimately see yourself down the road? Candy: One day owning my own business.
Candy: I hate a short guy…that’s a super turn off. A turn on would be a tall dark and tatted man.
LCN: What future projects do you have lined up?
Candy: Look out for my graduation (smiles)
LCN: What advice would you give young models looking to step into this industry? Candy: Never compromise your integrity to get ahead.
LCN: Where can we find you? Candy: You can find me on twitter @candy_richards
