Today we’d like to introduce you to ReShonda Parker
Hi ReShonda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! My name is ReShonda Parker and I am a mother to 3 beautiful children ages 13, 20 and 26! I am also a jewelry designer and started creating in 2012. I have a small business called ” Sugar” that I’ve been working on. I am also a 46 year young professional model! I started when I was just 13. Back then I was extremely shy and I was bullied for being dark skinned, having natural long hair and for being tall. I wasn’t popular, but I still had many friends. It didn’t matter because I still felt horrible inside. So my mother signed me up for modeling courses to help bring me out of my shyness. What I discovered was a love for modeling instead. It was also the first time someone told me I was ” beautiful” and could be a model. I went on to do a few things off and on throughout the years , but never seriously. When I was 16 I traveled to Baltimore, MD to live with my father and at the time I worked with an agency owner named Christian at Nova Model Management. I ended up homesick and my father didn’t support modeling . Before I left I was told he was thinking about sending me to ” Essence” , but I came home anyway. When I was in my early 20s I was a part of an 8 week modeling competition where I made it out of hundreds of submissions. Toward the end I made it to the last 3 models. During that time, I was judged and won a makeup challenge for IMAN Cosmetics. IMAN herself and her creative director selected me as their winner. But despite all of that, I ended up sitting out of modeling for 15 years after getting married and having my children. In 2019 I went through a bad divorce and I decided to try modeling again. My life was starting over and I felt more at peace so I figured it would be the perfect time to try again. It took a lot of prayer and stepping out on faith. I hold God number one in everything. So I started working with photographers and eventually created a portfolio . I posted my work on my social media platforms and soon people started to take notice. Photographers started reaching out to me and i began walking fashion shows and working events. As I worked more , I was noticed by magazines and submitted to them as well by photographers. Today I have been published in 66 magazines. I am blessed to have been noticed by the local news, MSN Lifestyle, movies and TV shows as well and I’ve also had the opportunity to work with major actors and actresses. I have also worked as a booked convention model for WPPI in Las Vegas. I also work as a brand model for PUSH talent and companies like ” Tabz Cosmetics” , ” Different is the New Cool” , “FIEcru” apparel, and designers like Shamar Houston ” Legend Couture” and more. I am thankful for everything big and small because once upon a time this was a dream that I did not think would ever come true. At my age people don’t think they can still follow their dreams and passions and I want to change that.
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?
Honestly I would say it’s like anything else you want , it’s work. When I started out I was super young so there was so much we didn’t know and we got scammed. As I got older I just dabbled in it , but when I decided I really wanted this I worked hard. I put my all into everything I did and I made sure that I networked at every show, shoot and event. When you’re passionate about something , it never feels like you’re working. But in saying that you dedinently have to put in the effort. I would say that I’m blessed that people told others about me and that opened continuous doors. But sometimes it is a struggle because although I might not appear my age, I am a mature model and some agencies are looking for “new” or ” fresh faces”. I feel a mature model sometimes has to work extra hard just to show we can. I an currently seeking representation by a reputable agency that would have my best interests at heart. I am still beyond blessed to have done so much as a freelance model this entire time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional model and I am a creative so I love doing a little of everything! I love every category of modeling! I love boudoir, Fine Art /implied nude, runway, print, editorial , high fashion and cosplay. Modeling in cosplay was new for me and my photographer and family Christian Ortiz introduced me to it. I love becoming other people ( I have even shot as Cicely Tyson with my photographer Michele Howard) and characters. Some of my favorite cosplay has been characters from Marvel like Gamora, Storm and a few others. I also have worked in movies and on sets of popular TV shows as background mainly , but I am blessed to have gotten a lot screen time like in ” Ghosted” with actir Adrien Brody. I also have portrayed a famous person and worked in a few other really cool projects coming out soon. I am most proud of not giving up when it would have been so easy to. What sets me apart from others I feel is that I never stop, I am extremely driven and I’ve accomplished so much in such a short amount of time due to my work ethics and wanting to show my children that they definently have the power to live the life they dream of. I want to encourage others and uplift women my of every age. I am also different because I model in cosplay which is something not every model does and I love every second of it lol.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh wow how much time do we have?! I am so thankful and so blessed because I have had a ton of support over the years. I would say number one has been my grandmother who is 88 years young. She’s been my anchor and was the person who taught me how to talk to God. My kids have been my motivation as well and they taught me how to be a better human being period. My fiance Patrick who has been my biggest fan and I mean that because he’s really cheered me on and pushed me to do things when I didn’t think I could. He has been my ” glass half full” person and has loved me through every up and down. I love my family very much. ALL of my close friends, photographers, brands, and my followers across IG , Facebook and Tik Tok and magazines like yours. I appreciate you all so much for giving me your time and a platform to put my name out there. I feel everyone helped play a part in my success and I do not take that lightly. I sincerely appreciate it. You can follow me and my work on IG at @reshonda_parker and @reshondatoolofficial . And please look for the account verified with a check mark on Facebook and follow me! I am also on TikTok under @Chocolatedrip77 .
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/reshonda_parker & www.instagram.com/reshondatoolofficial
- Facebook: ReShonda Parker ( Verified Account only)
- Other: TikTok @chocolatedrip77
Image Credits
1.)Ricalous Lewis, 2.)@dubography_photography
3.)@Kcsoulphotography,
4.) @Stillimage7,
5.)Shamar Houston ” Legend Couture”, 6.)Delontaye Taylor,
7.)@Photosbycspreston,
8.)@forevermoreportraits
9.) X- men Storm by Nickie Parker
