Meet Sydney Nicole of North Carolina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Nicole.

Hi Sydney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My modeling journey began when I was just seven years old, walking in my first runway show for a local retailer called Fashion Bug. I continued modeling there for several years before attending Barbizon Modeling School. While it wasn’t agency representation as I had hoped, Barbizon gave me valuable industry knowledge and helped educate my parents about the path I wanted to pursue.

After graduation, things became quiet for awhile. It wasn’t until after high school, when I moved to Atlanta, that opportunities began to emerge again. One of my first major experiences was being selected for a test shoot with renowned photographer Derek Blanks for a Vibe Magazine cover opportunity. Although I did not book the cover, I received feedback that would shape much of my journey moving forward. I was told that my skin required too much retouching, and that moment introduced me to what would become one of my greatest challenges-and great lessons.

Soon after, I booked a hair campaign with Atlanta hairstylist Latoshia Kellam that unexpectedly landed me in Hair Magazine. What was intended as a marketing shoot became my first published feature, and it reminded me that sometimes opportunities arrive in ways that we never expect.

Like many careers in fashion, mine has experienced seasons of momentum and seasons of stillness. In 2019, I signed with Known Management Group in Charlotte and I competed for model of they year at IMTA New York under the guidance and mentorship of my agent Matthew Gonzalez, where I placed as 2nd Runner-Up among hundreds of women while earning recognition in multiple categories. While I was over the moon about my accomplishments, I also faced disappointment when agency interest did not materialize as I had hoped. Once again, questions surrounding my skin became a recurring obstacle.

Looking back, those experiences taught me resilience. They forced me to separate my self-worth from industry opinions and focus on becoming more stable within myself and who I am. I eventually made a difficult decision to leave my agency and dedicate time to working on myself. This is no fault of my agent or the agency. To this day, I have so much love and respect for Matthew Gonzalez. He was pivotal in me witnessing all that was and is possible, he is a wonderful agent and person, he worked so hard for me. There were just spaces I needed to fill personally, that he could not.

In 2020, I was offered the opportunity to walk in the Fashion Bomb Daily show during New York Fashion Week. Although I ultimately declined due to requirements that did not align with my personal values, that decision taught me the importance of honoring my boundaries and myself.

My journey continued to evolve in 2022 when I was selected to walk for Harlems’s Fashion Row and Nike’s anniversary show in Tennessee, representing designers Kimberly Goldson and Clarence Ruth. Around that time I became the muse and face of Equalnox Clothing female line – Femme, and I was introduced to Artpop Street Gallery curated by Wendy Hickey, through designer and friend Anise Augustin. That connection opened a new chapter of creativity and community, and I have proudly participated in their shows for the past few years while also landing a few billboards ranging from Charlotte NC to Times Square in New York City showcasing the brilliant work of local designers.

Most recently, I had the honor of modeling for designer Nkengi Freeman in a local Met Gala-inspired Runway Show Competition created by Professor P (Perrine Deshield), where our team won the event. Moments like these remind me why I continue pursuing this deep call within me that is greater than just a dream.

When I reflect on my story, I don’t see a career defined by obstacles. I see a journey defined by perseverance, courage and resilience. I see preparation and I understand the power of seasons. Every season along my journey introduced me to a version of me that carried me to this very season that I’m in, as if those pieces were building blocks for me. I became more stable and sure of who I am. I no longer crave to be chosen but to be aligned with those who are set to help carry this vision forward. Every setback, rejection, pause and comeback had strengthened my belief that what is meant for me will not miss me. Today, I am continuing to build my career with the goal of partnering with an agency that truly sees my value, believes in my vision and can help elevate me to the level that not only do I know I am capable of but I also know that I am meant to be. My story has been written and I have the honor of experiencing all that has been planned for me and I know that the most exciting has been and is yet to come. It has never been a matter of if it will happen, but more about when. When something has been designed for you, you lean into the unknown, the very thing we fear but the greatest thing we need. The unknown carries the mysteries of us. If we’re afraid to face ourselves, we’ll never meet the moment of purpose, our purpose. The moment where you reflect and say, “ahhh this to was part of the plan.”

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?
To say the least, NO! It has not been a smooth road, at all LOL.

For many years, what I believed was my greatest challenge in modeling was my skin. Early in my career, I received feedback that my skin required extensive retouching, and I often found myself facing questions and assumptions that I didn’t fully understand. Really affecting my self-worth. At the time, it was frustrating because I was doing everything I knew to do, yet I was being heavily judged by it and I couldn’t seem to get ahead of the issue, I genuinely felt helpless.

Through an interview that Keke Palmer gave a few years ago when she revealed that she had PCOS and how it affected her skin was the catalyst for me to start my own research and every symptom not only did I resonated with, I was also living with it. At that moment is when I took a different route and reached out to a functional holistic doctor.

What I eventually discovered, after years of misdiagnoses and spending a ton of money on temporary solutions that barely addressed the symptoms, was that the root cause was PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a hormonal imbalance that was affecting my skin in ways that were beyond my control. The reality was that I wasn’t lacking discipline or effort – I was lacking the information and diagnosis that would allow me to properly address and heal that part of my body.

Once I became aware of what was truly happening, everything changed, it had to. I committed myself to understanding and listening to my body when it spoke, improving my health and taking a holistic approach to healing. The progress I’ve made since then has been incredible.

Today, I no longer view that experience as an obstacle nor do I wear it as a label. But, it was a moment for me to learn the importance of self-advocacy and understanding my body and discerning within myself the best route to take for ME. My healing journey is ongoing, but it is not something that defines my limitations. Challenges are simply opportunities to grow and evolve beyond the place that we find ourselves standing, you just have to believe that. And understand and know that there is power in refusing to let a circumstance determine your future because circumstances always change if you’re willing to do the work.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a model, amongst many other things but I’ll take this opportunity to speak about my work as a model. My work centers around runway, fashion, editorial and brand storytelling. I am drawn to projects that allow me to embody a designer’s/brands vision while bringing my own essence, confidence and authenticity to the work. That is why aligned partnerships are so important to me and for me. That aligned partnership carries an energy that is so alive that the clothing speaks simply from the dynamic within the team. Whether I’m walking a runway, participating in a fashion presentation or creating visuals for a campaign, I approach every opportunity as a chance to tell a story rather than simply wear clothing.

Over the years I have become known for my professionalism, reliability, dependability, hard work and ability to stay committed to what is in front of me regardless of the challenges that may come unexpectedly. My journey has been built through persistence, continuous evolution, genuine love for the industry, the people and overwhelming belief in myself. I think people often recognize me as someone who continues to show up, evolve and move forward even when the path isn’t straightforward.

What I am most proud of is not just a single booking, show or accolade; although I am beyond grateful. I am most proud of me. I have truly been on the ride of my life, and there were some moments that I fell off but I got back up time after time. From beginning my journey as a child, to competing at IMTA NY, walking for designers such as Kimberly Goldson, Clarence Ruth, Anise Augustin, Will White. Nkengi Freeman and the face of Exqualnox Femme for Jordan Daniels. Landing magazine features, billboards, New York Fashion Week opportunities and becoming a recurring model for Artpop Street Gallery, every milestone represents years of dedication and belief in myself. I’m proud that I have remained true and grounded within my vision.

What sets me apart; as cliche as this may sound, but the uniqueness of my journey sets me apart. I understand what it feels like to be underestimated, overlooked and told that certain things may stand in the way of my purpose being fulfilled. Instead of allowing those experiences to define me, they sharpened me within my own identity. Without those experiences I wouldn’t have known to seek another way, to disrupt the mold that those experiences tried to put me in. I bring more than a look to the industry – I bring resilience, maturity, adaptability, kindness, authenticity, advocacy and a deep appreciation for every opportunity I receive and every person I am gifted a moment to meet.

As I continue to build, it is my desire and my intentional goal to represent beauty expressed within character, authenticity, resilience, faith while creating space for others to believe in their own light. I want my work to be remembered not only for the images created for campaigns and editorials, the runways graced, the billboards raised, etc. but for how I made people feel about themselves; my impact. They see me and know deep within themselves that there is nothing that they cannot do. That their true power lies within the uniqueness of who they are and there are people waiting to celebrate that.

I hope from my story your readers know that every season is simply building material, and while some seasons may feel heavy and others lighter – being stable in who you are and what you know to be true no matter what is happening outside of you is absolutely vital. That vision you hold in the depths of your being is there for a reason, and it may not happen immediately, KNOW that it will in its right season. It’s not about “the thing” happening, it who you are becoming in the process. Be open to the journey, expect the exceptional and truly know that everything is working on your behalf. That is the true beauty of all of this.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes!

My favorite Podcast is: “Aspire” with Emma Grede. I love to hear other people’s stories. While our journeys are so unique to us there are always principles that you can extract and apply. They always say to sit at the table with those who have already arrived where you are headed and that’s what it feels like when I listen to her podcast. Like I am sitting at a table and extracting what I need to move forward on my own journey.

My favorite books:
Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
The Go Giver Series – Bob Burg and John David Mann
Your Next 24 Hours – Hal Donaldson
Any book by Warren Buffet
5 Levels of Leadership – John C Maxwell
Building a Millionaire Mindset – Johnny Wimbrey

Anything that challenges and expands my way of thinking while moving me in the direction of my purpose, I’m all for.

Contact Info:

• Website: Coming Soon 😉
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesydneynicole
• Youtube: Coming Soon 😉
• Other: thesydneynicolemodels@gmail.com