Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Edwards.
Hi Alicia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Life has always been an adventure full of ups, downs and unexpected turns. I was about eight years old when I gained the understanding that if I wanted anything in life, I would have to go and get it myself. Since birth I was raised by my maternal grandmother, never having the chance to know my biological parents and my environment well, grew me up faster than most at that age. Growing up in dysfunction, instability, abuse and poverty took its toll, but even in the midst of all the chaos, I somehow knew there was more to life and I was determined to find out what that more was. I was in 3rd grade when I realized I was smart and viewed life differently than those that surrounded me. There wasn’t any real supervision, granny had a gambling addiction so I was often left with strangers. No one cared rather or not I went to school, so I got there on my own. (walk, bus, catching rides, etc…) Honestly, school was the only place I felt safe and cared for so made sure to pay extra attention, make straight A’s, and never miss a day, but after years of sexual and physical abuse, being passed around and sleepless nights, enough was enough. At the age of ten, I put my fears aside and finally spoke up, as a result was placed in the foster system. Full of anger, resentment, pain, and confusion, I was shuffled around to like 20 different foster homes, never feeling at home. I suffered from PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia and had extreme sleep paralysis. I was lost with misplaced anger and became destructive to myself to the point of trying to take my own life as a young child, but there was favor on my life and instead of dying, I was given my voice. At age 11, I was exposed to poetry as a coping skill to help me open up and express myself in a healthy way. I had no idea I would excel at it, not only was I good, but poetry gave me my voice and power I never knew I had and I haven’t lost it since.
Throughout the years spent in care, I was nominated for Who’s Who in America, competed and took 1st place in regional U.I.L. Spanish competitions, poetry competitions and maintained a 3.8 GPA. I aged out of care at age 18 and was thrown to the streets, but I enrolled myself in college and graduated four years later which was a huge accomplishment since no one from my immediate family had an education past 7th grade. Even with the brains, I always lacked a sense of self-love and confidence. I never felt pretty or good enough for anyone or myself, so I decided to do something I never thought in a million years would be possible. I went out for an open model casting call because I figured, what’s the worst that can happen. Scared doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt, but that made me want to do it even more because I had something to prove to myself. I never thought I’d get a callback, but I did and another and another. Over time my confidence began to build and for the first time, I looked in the mirror and saw the beauty staring back. While taking headshots in a studio, a sitcom director asked if I ever considered acting and of course, I hadn’t. He said I should consider it and gave me a monologue to perform in front of random strangers and I was scared out of my mind, but I did it anyway. You see, my goal has always been to just inspire, motivate and empower because there are so many that are just like me, growing up in chaos and unsure about what life awaits. I go after everything in life that I desire because I want those that see me and hear my story to feel and know that they can too. Even my adult life hasn’t been the easiest. Over the years I have experienced homelessness, abuse, betrayal, and even spent 62 days in jail for a crime I didn’t commit which was later revealed.
Through it all, I have always remembered what I told myself at the age of eight, ” If you want something in life, you have to go and get it yourself.” I live by that. Today I am still modeling and have an upcoming show called ” The Future of Androgyny” September 1, 2022 hosted by Kia Comedy. I am still acting and play the character “Jessie” in “The Norm”, which can be found on YouTube written by Tequila Martin. I am also attending casting calls in hopes for greater roles. I perform my spoken word pieces at open mics here in Atlanta and am in the process of writing my own book. I have my own place and still striving every day to become better, have more, do more and go after my dreams no matter what. It took a while, but I now know that defeat is not inevitable, it’s optional. I no longer believe in lack or limitations but instead elevation and manifestation. I am determined to become successful and make lots of money doing what I love so, others can see regardless of the hand life dealt, you can shuffle them and make it work in your favor. Long term I plan to buy a property with the money I’ve earned to have my own group homes and be sure that all kids are treated with dignity and respect, they feel loved and have a sense of self-worth. I want to be sure to teach them to stand in their power and believe in themselves. When they leave, I will ensure they are prepared for the world and carry everything they have learned with them. Even if I can be a small piece of change in this world and create something that can be carried on even after I am long gone to continue to help, I would have fulfilled my purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but a journey definitely worth traveling. It has always been my dream to be signed to a modeling/ talent agency so that I can really do what I’m good at and what I love, but with the different challenges I’ve faced (Homelessness, job inconsistency, financial hardship), it has been challenging to keep up with casting calls, model calls, and creating as a whole. Last year I got my own place, so now I am back going after my dreams and although I haven’t been signed yet, I know my time is coming and so I will continue to work hard, believe in myself and trust my power. I refuse to give up on me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a teacher for at-risk youth in a private institution. The children at the facility come from hardship and tough communities. I am honestly proud of my ability to care and have the heart I do despite my background. I genuinely care about others and will do my best to help in any way that I can. I thank God every day that my heart never harden and I never became bitter. The love that I have in my heart is pure and I want to help provide healing, starting with the children because they are our future. I want to be to them what I needed someone to be to me at their age. I want them to know they have purpose and can do anything in life they want as long as they believe they can. I feel like what sets me apart is my ability to empathize and their ability to find me relatable.
What does success mean to you?
The best way I can describe what success is to me is with a quote by Maya Angelou, ” Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” This resonates with me because I have learned to love myself and I stand in my power, loving what I do and knowing that how I do it will land me my chance. Success to me is making today greater than yesterday and believing in an even better tomorrow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _Dopeenergy
- Facebook: Monique Edwards/Model Madness
- Youtube: Jessie on “The Norm” The S.W.T Life Productions
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lbgt-futuristic-andro-fashion-show-tickets-400522893757?aff=Dopeenergy
