Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Hammond
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story started in the heart of North Philadelphia. A small innocent 8-year old girl who saw sunshines and rainbows; completely oblivious to the cruel and evil word ahead of her. A single mom and dedicated RN working two jobs who was determined to provide the best life for her two kids despite the odds of living in the hood. Little did she know, she’d meet her future husband in the city of Atlanta. Soon enough, she packed everything she knew and moved to Atlanta for better opportunities. Although it seemed exciting – new environment, new friends, new school – it wasn’t everything it seemed. Being an African American, fair-skinned girl, with ginger hair, I stuck out in every crowd like a sore thumb. Throughout middle school, I would question a lot of things about myself. The names and teasing would slowly become the truth in my adolescent mind. With my mother and father working non-stop, and a brother who was out being a teenager, I felt alone even in the comfort of my home. I would always ask what was it that was so wrong with me? I was a teenager going through emotions and thoughts that circled my mind like a broken record. I found myself going to school with long sleeves and hoodies; even in 90-degree weather. I tried hiding my self-inflicted scars on my body, but little did I know God would heal my heart; and show me to embrace them in ways I would never fathom.
When I got to high school, thinking back, they were the fastest 4 years of my life. The Savannah College of Art and Design had been my dream college since my freshman year. A bachelor’s degree in Fashion Marketing and Business was my goal. I knew from an early age I didn’t want to work for anyone else. One arbitrary morning, I got a text from my mother saying she had signed me up for Modeling & Acting classes. The anti-social side of me was terrified, but the other side of me was curious to see what it had in store. It was a year long course where I learned different etiquettes, mannerisms, modeling techniques, industry techniques, and so much more. Not long after my completion of the classes, I started participating in modeling and acting competitions in my early teen years. I quickly took a liking to the model world; and for the first time in a long time, I felt confident in who I was and what I was doing. Once I was backstage ready to walk the runway, I was a whole ‘nother person; like Beyonce and Sasha Fierce. My first competition I had over 10 callbacks from different talent and modeling agencies. That same week, I made sure to reach out to every single one expressing my gratitude and interest. In 2022, I signed to the Mother Agency “LModelz,” based in Indianapolis. That same year, I had graduated high school; my ticket to the blossom of my modeling career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Obstacles are bound to come at you. If not, you probably aren’t working hard enough. Obstacles give you chances to grow, and without growth you’ll be stagnant. My passion for modeling came after overcoming an adversity that was hindering me. I had to go through the tunnel in the dark hoping there was light on the other side. I had found the one thing that gave me excitement and confidence in myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known mostly for my modeling. I specialize specifically in runway, print, editorial and commercial modeling. My biggest achievement as of now is when I got casted for NYFW in 2023. I originally wasn’t too hip to it and had no plans of attending. A month before the show, I got an email from Coastal Fashion Week saying that they were interested in working with me and that I did not need to attend a casting for it. That would also be my first time going back to New York since I was a small child. I had an amazing time at the show, and met so many new designers, models and even photographers. It was a great experience and I definitely would do it all over again. Another accomplishment of mine is getting published in my first magazine, Fashion Republic. They reached out to me in early 2023 saying that they liked my work and wanted to publish it in an upcoming magazine. That same December, they had published the magazine.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
One of my biggest role models in the industry is Miss Leslie Turner. She’s the CEO of the mother agency LModelz, the agency I first signed to after I graduated from Barbizon Modeling & Acting school, and my first actual experience in getting booked. She was indeed like a second mother to me in the industry and nurtured me as I developed myself as a model. Most people don’t know that my overall goal is to become a modeling agent and open my own agency. She gave me tips and the ins-and-outs of not only the industry, but being a model and an agent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jocelynrielle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithrielle3609
Image Credits
@dafotographa_
@joshiethegoat
@swaelenz x @niahbella
@drewzcollection
