Today we’d like to introduce you to Ziannah A’Bella Dennis, Khaloni Yvette Dennis, G.babii George, Kori Simpson, Mashawn Black, Jalyn Chanel Griffin and Jasmine Griffin.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Mini Models of IG is an independent mini Series about four kid models Jalyn Chanel, Ziannah Dennis, Khaloni Dennis, and Kori Simpson. These girls with the help of their moms (Momagers), worked their way up from everyday kids that post on social media to actual models in the modeling industry.
THE DENNIS SISTERS: (Ziannah & Khaloni) (MOM: G.babii George) Ziannah A’Bella Dennis, had the opportunity to be an extra in a diaper commercial at five months old.
“Ziannah always loved being in front of the camera even as a baby it made her excited when she had her Pictures taken. So I knew modeling would be a great hobby for her.” Unfortunately her extra scene was cut from the commercial and I was determined not to let that be the end of her new found career.
On December 22nd, 2016 I gave birth to Khaloni Yvette Dennis. “Khaloni was the opposite of Ziannah. She didn’t like being in front of the camera, taking her pictures made her upset. I didn’t want to push anything on Khaloni she didn’t want so I still focused on ziannah’s modeling.”
At three years old Ziannah was the kid to tell you I WANT TO BE A STAR! I WANT TO BE ON TV. “She knew what she wanted and I wanted to be able to give her just that” So I started searching for more gigs for her but things wasn’t working out the way I wanted them to most people turned her down, wouldn’t book her for whatever reason so I started doing photoshoots with local photographers to help build up her portfolio, Khaloni was one at the time and just wanted to take pictures with and be like her sister so I let her. Soon Khaloni found her own love of being in Pictures and in front of the camera.
I was on a mission to get them what they wanted. I meet a woman on Instagram who was a agent at a model management group. She instantly loved my girls and wanted to get them signed on at the agency she worked for and She did. She got both Ziannah and Khaloni signed together as sibling models. Even after being signed a lot of companies wanted kids with experience. So I came up with the idea to let my kids model my clothing designs , I am a seamstress & apparel designer I sale my clothing wholesale online. I used this platform to showcase my children’s talent and helped them break into the industry as sibling models. I hosted my first photoshoot which is how we meet Kori Simpson.
✨KORI SIMPSON (MOM: MASHAWN BLACK ) Kori initially started out in pageants at two years old. Then her mother realised she enjoyed taking photos more. Her mom got her a photoshoot with a local photographer and she did GREAT! She made her an Instagram page and submitted her photos to magazines for features. She started building followers and getting exposure. She started out in local fashion shows and as a brand rep for a few small businesses which is how she meet “The Dennis Sister’s & Their mom Ms.Gee”
Kori traveled to Georgia to participate in my business photoshoot. She was a natural at taking photos. That day was my first time hosting a photoshoots and it gave me a rush of happiness. The photos came out great and from that moment forward I knew I wanted to feel that happiness again. I published all the girls on my website and got it to our agency. Not long after the Dennis sisters where booked for more gigs for products, toy companies, doing voice over work, etc.
I didn’t want to just sit on the sidelines and watch my children work. I wanted to help them get the work, and I made up my mind then I wanted to become a media marketing manager.
I went to my kids agent with my ideas in hopes to have the agency work with me on getting gigs for the kids. At first I was turned down, but I didn’t give up I came back to every meeting with more details. Finally I was given the opportunity. I instantly thought about Kori Simpson from previous work so I contacted her on Instagram and she agreed and wanted to be apart of the cast.
We put out casting ads for kid models. We thought it would be nice to add a child with not as much experience because at one point my kids has nobody who would give them a chance because of experience levels. This is how we meet Jalyn Chanel.
✨JALYN CHANEL GRIFFIN (MOM: JASMINE GRIFFIN ) Jalyn has a spark about her. She has never cared what people say or think of her. She’s unapologetically herself. She loves to be the center of attention. Taking pictures and being on video makes her happy. She loves to talk about being on TV which is what made her mother create her multiple accounts for casting opportunities online. Jalyn had professional headshots and this made her account more approachable than other beginner talents. Jalyn has the ability to catch on to directions very quickly and adapt to new faces. She started about a year ago participating in local fashion shows and doing photoshoots in the Jacksonville FL area.
Although her mother wasn’t sure if the casting for the series was legit she took a chance. Determined to make her daughter dreams a reality her mother brought her to Georgia to participate in the filming of the then unknown independent mini series. Mini models of IG. My kids agent planned a meeting and photoshoot and this was also the first episode of mini models of IG. we meet Jalyn Chanel in person and i knew then we made the best choice because Jalyn was 100% herself her personality spoke volumes. I could tell right away she would do perfect for the series.
Jalyn Chanel, Kori Simpson, Ziannah Dennis & Khaloni Dennis became the very first cast of mini models of IG. Since starting this series All four girls have imdb credits. The girls have been on billboards, in magazines, sale papers, heard on radio, done interviews, completed voice over lessons, Modeling toys, accessories, clothings, and even food/Snacks. All four girls have grown in this industry and it shows in each episode you watch them mold into amazing talents.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all the series mini models of IG was originally to air on a network but we were turned away after sound quality.
We have a voters poll to help the kids win after each episode, the poll gave us trouble alot this year which made it pretty hard to determine winners.
We had sponsorships from different people and companies who backed out on their end once they realized we didn’t have a big network or platform to showcase our series. We have had photography studios know that we are traveling from out of town take our money and leave us to do filming outdoors. The parents are traveling from out of state sometimes and that can be pretty costly. Most of all since covid-19 hit it’s been really difficult to book locations and have gigs that still want to go thru with the process. But we don’t give up we work together as a team to make mmoig a successful series for our kids.
As Mashawn would say nothing Worth having comes easy.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you guys do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
Mini models of IG is a independent mini series. We specialize in commercial print modeling. We help children strive into the modeling industry with promotional advertising. We offer basic skills in voiceover, fashion & runway, TV commercials, print ads, and more. My goal is to let each child have multiple skills in different aspects of the modeling/Acting industry so they can make a choice on which part of the industry is best for them.
My main goal is to build confidence, structure, and to insure success even if not in the modeling industry but for these things to be installed in these kids personality for them to know they can do anything if they put hard work into it. To build friendship’s and bonds. And let the kids and the parents know that they aren’t along in this, if we work together we can make amazing things happen. I wanted to build a Support system for young models to grow and learn together. I honestly feel I have done that and that is what I’m most proud of Mashawn says Kori came into this Series and she was shy & quiet. If you watch EP. 1 you could barely hear her answer questions and now going into the ending of the season, Kori just completed a whole voiceover commercial where she remembered the lines on her own went into the booth & spoke loud & clear…her mother says she is most proud of the fact that Kori had speech problems & had the confidence to do a Voiceover.
Khaloni is only three years old and the youngest of the mini models but Khaloni completely finished a voiceover and remembered every line, she started out in this industry staying to herself and only talking to her sister I noticed she is making friends now and actually talking to other kids.
All four girls believe in themselves and work ethic is there. It’s unbelievable to think Jalyn just started out a year ago and to know companies love her. Jalyn is our fan favorite on our Instagram account. And Ziannah has so much confidence , she truly believes and CAN do anything she puts her mind too.
What sets us apart is that we work as a team, I keep parents hands on with what is going on. We set schedule times together to know what’s best for everyone to show up on time because I know these people have jobs outside of the kids work and a lot of modeling gigs give you a three day notice or a week top and I think that’s unfair so I try to set things a month ahead so if you need time off work you can try to work those things out as needed. I keep parents up to date on whats planned for each kid next gig and try to set activates around preparing them for a future success such as interviews, and classes etc.
I hope to expand Mini models of ig into MMOIG TALENT GROUP Where we focus on helping other children complete these goals and more.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Atlanta… Most castings are in LA, New York, and now Atlanta, GA. Being in Atlanta has been a great help for our series because the castings are here. Major companies have castings all over Atlanta, GA. Music video shoot right here in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is growing with the years and it’s bringing bigger better opportunities to the Georgia area… what I like lease is traffic and the large capacity of people at times lol but that goes with growth.
Contact Info:
- Email: minimodelsofig@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/minimodelsofig
Image Credit:
Photographer: Zhairi Hightower @Whimpsicalphotography_
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