Meet Daishaya Gadson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daishaya Gadson.

Daishaya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started over a decade ago at Bryant Park’s -New York fashion week. I always dreamed of being a part of the “other world under the tent.” The incongruous girl in line amongst the other models was me. I was self-made and eager, standing at 5’10,” nearly a size two, a damsel in fashion distress who could only be saved by being casted in a show. I would submit to agencies, sending tons of photos and go to every open call possible. At every fitting, I would ask other models to keep in contact and share info regarding shows, and I promised to do the same. I heard “no,” way more than “yes.” All that preparation and excitement just to be told “no” really drained my soul. Every show I did book compensated for when I was overlooked and did not get a callback. However, when I went to a fitting and was in the lineup, it gave me an invigorating boost of energy that released an influx of dopamine in my brain, I always yearned for more. Occasionally, I wanted to burn my model bag because it was not always fun and encouraging. I am a very spiritual person with a larger than life personality. Designers who did not want models of my type could not resist me after observing me from behind the scenes. A simple hello and sometimes just eye contact and synergy would do it for me every time. I was a blank canvas, and the designer a painter with ideas; together, we would birth those visions one runway show, fitting, and photoshoot at a time.

I got to where I am today by consistently putting myself out there repeatedly. I would submit to jobs that specifically wanted more traditional looks. Although boldness got me turned down then, soon after I would receive an offer once something came up for me. I would promise to never doubt or punish myself again because my time would come and go, similar to trends we all have seasons. My end goals were always bigger than to obtain “clout” and “money.” Similar to a drug, it was self-medicating to do what I love, equally to having a fantasy fulfilled. It was baffling how I could buy anything I wanted and could represent a brand in my world, but they would not represent me in theirs.

Every season from fall to spring, my dream of being a part of the fashion industry grew. I also went to fashion night out and anything fashion oriented, where I could increase my chances of meeting like-minded visionaries. Besides, it was my only exposure. I would walk down hallways in schools and place one foot in front of the other while controlling the movement of my arms, chin up and my hands clasped like a barbie. I never gave up, and I grew accustomed to rejection. It just meant that a “yes” response was coming shortly. I also had to tell myself and others that “we are good enough; just not in tune with that particular product’s vision” when we did not make the cut. I also learned to focus on the positive and to be grateful. I took chances when I went to Belgium for a few weeks and stayed in Paris and shopped myself around in 2016. It was a great experience. It was here in the US that I met Mischka Valesco in 2009, and she was the first designer to pay me. She was fun and very protective of me as I was for her. I am currently a Mischka model. Our bond and passion mean more to me than a lasting relationship in the industry. And when I say “here”, I mean Fashion week, music videos, television, a brand ambassador of wearwatashe, a cast member of Models of ATL and now a producer of a project of my own.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had to learn to mentally process things a certain way over time. Along the way, I also met some great designers and moguls as well as some scammers. My mantra was “As long as there is a Maye Musk, there will be a Daishaya Gadson.” She is my muse. Despite the chaos that goes on behind the scenes, it is always a brighter day and another casting to look forward to. Some of my struggles along the way were the self-inflicting injuries I endured from being mentally weak. Yet, I never sacrificed my soul or passion. I did turn down a lot of work because of self-doubt and fear. I did not have a big support group until after I was affiliated with celebrities and working for bigger names. On route to this level, I never knew the difference between investing in myself and buying a counterfeit dream until now. I don’t regret a dime or a second of the time that I spent because it made me who I am today. I can help others so that they don’t try to desperately buy their dreams or worse accept an invite to the casting couch.

After being in my car wreck, I sustained some serious injuries. A broken eye socket, nose, maxilla, ribs, ulna, and bones in my foot. After finishing my opioids, I was depressed I felt worthless because someone had hit me and left me partially ejected from my vehicle similar to a crash dummy. Even test dummies make it to television, get commercials and are properly stored after the crash. I was just left to die, and I missed my final exams because I was in the hospital. After I was discharged and devastated, all I wanted to do was get better and put that behind me, with missing three top front teeth, being severely bruised… visibly, mentally, and internally. “I kept it moving” as we would colloquially say in Queens Bridge, “I was born and raised there.” Within two months I was accepting offers, submitting for gigs and getting booked, I also went back to school. It was a great distraction from the liquid diet and blood I was coughing up. I always loved being from “the hood.” Some people just embraced it recently and only because of the recent surge of acceptance of urban culture in society. I always saw the good and the bad, not what people saw solely on the news.

What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I have a popular hair extension line, and I run a virtual model coaching service. I specialize in teaching models everything from how to pack a model bag, posing, getting prepared for casting, to walking the runway. I am known for always finding ways to grow as a model, gracing runways, going live behind the scenes as we prepare for shows, and my philanthropy. What sets me apart is being multifaceted, having great energy and a helping spirit. You can also find me at the nurses’ station at Good Samaritan health center. I love the bond I have with the staff and the patients whom I adore.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The best antidote for my success is patience, an empathetic nature, perseverance, and resilience. It’s all about energy and my innate ability to be selfless. Sometimes, the universe may align you with someone because you or they are at the brink of suicide or perhaps to teach them a lesson, break a stereotype, or to learn something. I have a purpose.

I am in love with love, life, nature, and dreams.

Contact Info:

• Email: daishaya@me.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madame_shay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurseshaya
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Daishaya1

Image Credit:
Derek Blanks, Dwayne Rogers, 1201 Studios, Neiman Marcus, Anton A.A, Pierre Bazin

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