Check Out Shadha Ahmad’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shadha Ahmad

Hi Shadha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always wanted to be in the industry since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t in the cards for me until much later. When I was 17, I was messaged by a photographer on Instagram to do a photoshoot. I decided to try it out, and shortly after, many began to follow, and that’s where it all started. I was doing photoshoots almost weekly and started getting partnered up with brands, some as big as BLK Water and Becca Cosmetics, only a few months after I started. I continued working on photoshoots and growing my Instagram from 1k to 4k followers in only a year. Then I wanted to get more serious about modeling and started applying to agencies, but unfortunately, I had no luck as my height is far under industry standards. I decided to try and get in through another route, through pageantry. I competed in over six pageants within just a few months, growing more and more each time, going from not placing to landing in semi-finals, then landing 1st runner up. After working so relentlessly and still not getting to where I wanted to be, I decided to take a break from it. After a year-long break, I decided that was enough time off and to try my luck once again. To my surprise, I got signed for the first time with a modeling agency, EFMM. I was ecstatic to have accomplished this after my break, and despite my height being much under the standard. Following that, I worked harder and went to NYFW to cast for a chance to walk in the biggest show of the year. I went to Runway 7’s casting and again, with height not being on my side, I was the shortest model by far to attend the casting. To my surprise, a few hours later, I received a text from the designer Maiden Earth that I had been selected to walk for their line in the show. Then I received an email that I was selected for another designer to walk their show as well. The designer Elie Balleh, whose designs are sold in some of the biggest stores such as Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks, had selected me to walk for his NYFW show. After walking for the first time for NYFW, I was signed to yet another agency, Hannah Noelle Models. I continued working and to my surprise was signed to one of the biggest agencies in New York, NYMMG. I then went on to work on my first-ever TV show set in Atlanta, working on the show “Found,” which has protagonist Shanola Hampton. I then worked for my first-ever formal market in Atlanta. Despite my height being a difficulty as all the dresses were too long, my agency found a way to make it work, and I worked in quince dresses where height doesn’t affect the dress fitting. I got to work for one of the biggest designers in the prom/homecoming market, Rachel Allan. Despite the odds against me at times, I have relentlessly worked towards my goals and dreams. My dream would be to change the industry standard of height. I have proven that despite height working against me, I have worked extremely hard. The industry needs more representation of petite models, especially since the average woman is 5’4″-5’5″. Even though I may be under that height, modeling is now all about including everyone. That means all shapes and sizes, and my goal is to one day include height in that as well.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Height has always been such a struggle for me as I’m not only far under industry standard but as well as under the average height. As the modeling industry has always been known for its height this made it incredibly difficult to get anywhere. Though this hasn’t stopped me and I have persevered through it and I continue to work on including petite models in the industry.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I model and as well am now trying to get into acting. I specialize in print/commercial. I also am working on growing my social medias to work as an influencer on instagram and tik tok. On Instagram I have gained over 6k followers and on I just opened a tik tok this May and have managed to grow from 0 followers to over 20k and over 2 million likes in just a few months. I would absolutely say I’m most proud of my persistence. My persistence has been my biggest quality as it’s what’s gotten me to where I am now. As I often go to castings or apply for agencies and shows even though I know I will very often hear no I have not let that stop me and continue to work until I hear yes. I’ve often been told what sets me apart is my unique look. By many I get told I have a very unique look and i attribute that to my ethnicities as they are a not an often seen mix. I am a mix of Hispanic and Middle Eastern.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Most importantly I have learned how to handle rejection these last few years. I understand I’m attempting to enter an industry where my biggest set back is such a main aspect of the industry. I have learned to not let it affect me when I get rejected for shows or modeling jobs because I know that I can’t change an industry standard that has been set for so many years over night. I know it’ll take lots of time and lots of work. But when I’m doing something so important as giving a whole community a representation I know it won’t be easy. But it’s important that petite women be represented in the industry as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nymmg.com/portfolios/shadha-ahmad/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadhayasmin
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shadhayasmin
• Other: https://www.everythingformals.com/shadha-a-height-53-bust-32-5-waist-26-hips-37/#gallery-6

 

Image Credits
Carl Simmons
Kurtis Martinez
The Bailey Perspective
Harlan Cone
Josiah Randleman
Ilya Savenok