Today we’d like to introduce you to Tocha Ferrell.
Tocha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since the age of thirteen, I have wanted my name Tocha Cope to be famous around the world. At a young age, while little girls were playing with dolls, toys and the easy bake oven, I was into fashion, makeup and clothes. Fashion has always been a burning desire in my soul along with being famous. Some of my fashion models were Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Lisa Bonet. I admired these three women for their style. I would dress like my fashion icons every chance given. Everything about these three women influences me to one day be in the world of fashion.
While in college, I wanted to get into modeling but was unable to get into the industry. I had no direction or guidance to fulfill my long-life dream. As the years flew my dream slowly faded. I married in 1999 and became a wife and mother, and as we all know priorities change and more responsibilities are placed on you as a wife and mom. Blessed to be birth my 2nd child in 2004, put modeling on hold, but keeping hope alive with my dream buried deep inside my soul. Fast-forwarding to 2016, my husband asked me what my childhood dream was. I responded honestly a fashion model or a stripper. My husband gave me this look like really a stripper, but unbeknownst to me, my husband had scheduled me an appointment with a fashion model agency in Fort Myers, Fl. This is where my fashion model career started at the age 45. I can remember my first fashion show, David’s Bridal, this show elevated my fashion career in the right direction. My photo from the David’s Bridal show made the front-page newspaper of local Fort Myers News Press. From that News press exposure, the photo was placed in a local magazine (The Grandeur lifestyle magazine) which is circulated throughout Southwest Florida.
Shortly after my photo being placed in the Grandeur magazine, I cast for a local Fort Myers commercial and selected as one on the talents. I gladly participated in local fashion shows, commercials and photoshoots until January 19, 2021, when my dream came true. I received the email from HSN to cast for 1x Plus Size Model. Words could not express the way; I was feeling when Model Talent Specialist Team offered me the position. I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I still pinch myself, I’m a 52-year old female that followed her dream of becoming a curvy model. Then to become a part of live Nationwide Television Show Home Shopping Network (HSN) and living out working in the fashion industry.
I like to share my story praying it may influence a Teen, Women, and Men of all body shapes and sizes. It’s never too late to set a goal or to tap into your heart desires. I also want to introduce body positivity, no matter what age of a person. My overall vision is to encourage individuals to love self and never to settle into the option of others. My mission is to be that voice of support and encouragement which everyone needs when going after their dream.
I live by this quote “Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” Eleanor Roosevelt.
So, lean on your faith and trust God to direct your path!
Alright, 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?
Honestly, it has not been a smooth road. I still face a lot of “No, you aren’t what we are looking for, what other wigs do you have, exactly what size do you wear.” When going on the set many of the individuals aren’t friendly, but I keep pressing forward. Many agencies seem to focus on other models and still aren’t pushing forward African American women unless we damn near look white with curly hair. So, as far as myself, yes the road has not been smooth, but I take the good with the chances.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
During the year of 2021, My daughter and I decided to try the pageant world. Well, we competed in a local pageant together. I signed up to compete for Ms. Curvy Plus and Raven signed up to compete for Miss Teen South Florida. I was crowned Miss Curvy Plus Nautical Mile 2021. Raven came 1st runner up for Miss Teen Nautical Mile. Raven and I went on to compete in Miss Global united states pageant July 2021. I was crowned Ms. Curvy Plus universal Global. Raven placed 2nd runner up for her category. We decided to take a break from pageant world and spend more time with each other.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned “Not to take life for granted and to cherish every day as if it’s your last.”
Contact Info:
- Email: blessing0499@gmail.com
- Website: polizhedplussizemodel.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/polizhed_plus_size_model?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polizhed.copeferrell
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/IWk-lDsc8qk”
- Other: @bferrell928
Image Credits
Photos by: Andy-Don. Photos also by Red Door Photography.
