Today we’d like to introduce you to LaToya Fletcher.
LaToya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Good evening, my name is La’Toya Nicole Fletcher. I’m a Makeup Artist, Plus Size Model, Educator, Dance Choreographer, Published Model and Artistic Director of Photo Shoots. I got my professional start in the modeling industry 21 years ago when a photographer (who happens to be my male best friend) approached me at a wedding reception to ask me would I be interested in auditioning for his annual Phenomenon Calendar. This Calendar was based on Maya Angelou’s poem Phenomenal Woman. It featured women of color from the entire South-Eastern part of the United States. I was so nervous, but I agreed to come in for some test shots.
After my audition, I was cast as Ms. Kwanzaa! I would be featured for the month of December. Not only was I December’s feature, but I made the front cover and the inside cover as well. After that, I began to get bookings for various magazine features and clothing lines. While modeling, my interest in Makeup Artistry began to peak as well. The Professional Makeup Artist that I was using during my professional start of modeling was Deborah Murdock. She was the manager at the Fashion Fair Counter in the Riverchase Galleria Mall. She was certified by the Dudley School of Cosmetology. I asked her if she could teach me the basics and how to do a natural look on myself in case it I couldn’t make it to her for photoshoots or urgent casting calls. I use to play with Makeup as a child, but then I fell in love with it once I knew how to apply it professionally. My bestie started to use my new gift in his price packaging for his photography clientele. As of now, they both have been a very intricate and adored part of my life. Both Makeup Artistry and Modeling have opened many a doors for me that I couldn’t imagine and have taken my confidence to new heights.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, neither has been a smooth road. With every great achievement gained, there will always be critics that follow. As far as the modeling industry goes, my height has always been an unfortunate stumbling block. There wasn’t much a person standing at 5’3 could do in the late 90’s early 2000’s. I was limited to print modeling, Urban hair shows, and extras in commercials. Beyond doing college fashion shows, no standard fashions were interested in casting a 5’3 curvy size 8 model in 2001.My struggles with my Makeup Artistry began around the same time. I pretty much stopped both to appease my ex spouse. Plus I started to gain weight and didn’t know why, which made things even more difficult. Doctors were prescribing me steroids for my migraines and allergies. I didn’t know at the time that steroids cause you to gain weight. Wow, reading and educating yourself is truly fundamental. If I knew back then what I know now, then things would possibly be so much more different. In 2002, I entered what would be a 13-year abusive relationship that turned into a marriage. I stopped modeling professionally in 2004. My ex-husband, which was my boyfriend at the time, began to show extreme signs of jealousy. Being naive, I didn’t know any better; but I should have run away from him. However, I chose to stop modeling due to extreme weight gain and his bouts of jealousy. It was too much to handle, but God had a different plan to bring me back full circle in 2016.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professionally trained Freelance Makeup Artist, A Professionally Trained Model, a Professionally Trained Dance Choreographer, and I am a College Instructor. God has blessed me with gifts in all of these areas and more. I am nothing without Him. I think the fact that I remain humble and acknowledge Him is why God has blessed me so and my humbleness sets me apart from others. I am truly grateful to be a Published Model and Makeup Artist in over 40 publications. I am also extremely grateful to have been voted Instructor of the year at 2 different educational institutions. I received my first Instructor of The Year Award in 2005 from Putnam Middle School. My lovely students bestowed this honor upon me. Next, I was voted by the faculty, staff, and students of Virginia College to be Instructor of The Year in 2018. However, my most proud achievement, though is that God has forgiven me for all the wrong that I have done and He has given me a second chance to do it right. God has delivered me from some pretty dark situations and I Thank Him whole heartedly. That’s my Biggest Honor.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can book me at 205-612-6419 or email me at Latoyanicolethemodel@gmail.com. They can also DM me on all of my Social Media handles.
Contact Info:
- Email: Latoyanicolethemodel@gmail.com
- Instagram: @la_toyanicole205 and @latoyanicolethemodel
- Facebook: La’Toya Nicole and La’Toya Nicole The Face Slayer
- Twitter: @LaToyaNicole2
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCJ_4PCF487FelAYbPkqvk6w
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMegQ3ewt/
Image Credits
Photo Information Black Bikini and Egyptian Look (Cleopatra) shot by Erica Gooden of Erica Good Photography https://www.facebook.com/egooden.photography/ https://www.facebook.com/ericagooden.photography Instagram: @ericagoodenphotography Mermaid Look, SteamPunk (all black w/ magician hat), professional head shots and comp card, Unicorn Look, SteamPunk (Red on Cobblestone Road), Jessica Rabbit, and flyers and photos for the Breast Cancer, Heart Disease, and Lupus events were photographed by Derrick Jerome Smedley of D Jerome Smedley Photography. https://www.facebook.com/djeromesmedley https://www.facebook.com/djsphotography1/ https://linktr.ee/djeromesmedley Instagram: @djeromesmedley Bronner Brother’s Hair Show- Atlanta, Georgia February 2017. La’Toya Nicole The Face Slayer Featured on Fashion Designer, Demi Maddox of Atlanta, Georgia Website. Picture taken by Photographer, David Price of Atlanta, Georgia. On the Runway for C Denim’s “Size Doesn’t Matter” Buyer’s Fashion Showcase of Atlanta, Georgia. https://www.facebook.com/demimaddoxfashionhouse/ https://www.facebook.com/demi.woodard Instagram: @demimaddoxfashionhouse https://www.facebook.com/PricelessPhotosFamily Instagram: @pricelessphotos_ Lemonade Outfit and Chevron Dress photographed by Master Photographer, José Pagãn of José Pagãn Photography https://www.facebook.com/josepagan Photographer https://www.facebook.com/JosePaganPhotography/ Instagram: @josepaganphotography Leopard Print Shirt and Tulip Skirt designed by Fashion Designer C Denim of Atlanta, Georgia. On the Runway at the “Eye Candy Fashion Show” in Atlanta, Georgia. Photography by David Price https://www.facebook.com/CDenim-413294115765674/ https://www.facebook.com/weno.cdenim Modeling for Curvy Gurl Collections sold in Macy’s. Owner and Operator is Andrionna L. Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. Featuring in her Fall Clothing Launch Fashion Show at Macy’s in Lennox Square Mall. Casting Agent for Curvy Gurls Modeling is Kwana Photography by Jus 4 Love Photos Outfits Gray and White Blouse and Yellow 2 Piece Maxi Dress. https://www.facebook.com/andrionnalwilliams https://www.facebook.com/curvygurlcollection/ https://www.facebook.com/jus4lovephotos/ Featured in Atlanta’s Full Figured Fashion Week in 2016 hosted by Good Lyfe Entertainment. Owner and Operator, Calvin Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by David Price Fashion Designer of The Gold Mermaid Dress is Coretta Maria, Flavors of Fullness of New York, New York. https://www.facebook.com/calvin.johnson.7792 Instagram: @goodlyfe_fashion https://www.facebook.com/coretta.coleman.52 Instagram: @flavorsoffullness Purple Egyptian Bodysuit created by Coretta Maria of New York, New York. Photography by Fred Luse.
