Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanti Hollows.
Hi Chanti, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I remember as a little girl I used to style my Barbie dolls in clothes I made and have my own fashion shows using them. I used to pretend to be a model and strut around my childhood home. Now, I style for myself and different brands and I’m a runway, cosmetic, and print model. I grew up seeing all the models walking in fashion shows such as New York Fashion Week, America’s Next Top Model, Chanel, Gucci, and many other high fashion shows. All I could think of was that I would someday, a supermodel. I studied icons like Naomi Campbell and practiced different runway walks until I figured out a walk that’s authentic to me. At the age of sixteen, I was scouted for my first fashion show. My first show made me realize modeling wasn’t just a passion of mine, it’s my destiny.
Looking back, I realized my talents weren’t really seen. I remember being told I’m too short and just jumping through hoops to get my mom to see the vision because it was becoming too expensive. I modeled up until my first few years of college and stepped away to focus on my studies where I obtained my bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina and focused on being a first-time mother. The years I’ve been away from modeling have allowed me to accomplish and build the foundation for my other pursuits in life. When I graduated undergraduate school, I searched high and low for jobs within my field. It took me five months to get no’s, some callbacks, all to get more no’s. That really put me down and I couldn’t think of what else to do. After going to my favorite tarot reader, Angel (IG: @dahoodoolady) gave me the push I needed to change career paths and pursue modeling again. I accomplished a lot in a short time span since I started modeling again in the summer of 2021. In the beginning, I received a lot of no’s until I got one yes from Javisha, owner of WinningSzn (IG: @winning_szn). My second casting after a few other no’s was Tipp clothing line launch for Alter Ego Brand (IG:@alteregobrand_co) and onwards to getting cast for NYFW, and more shows in Atlanta, Nebraska, and more.
I’m so passionate about what I do. I treat modeling like an artist treats their canvas, that is what I want people to see in my modeling photos, art. I was very insecure in myself and my work at first, but now I am very confident in my talents and the versatility I bring to this industry. It’s all so surreal to me to get more viewers and really make a name for myself. I’m really that “It Girl” when it comes to modeling, and I want the world to see it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My journey is unique. I’ve been through an array of things, both good and bad- mostly filled with grief and trauma. Despite all I have been through, my past has brought me to where I am today. I am getting in a space where I no longer survive day to day, but live and enjoy my present and have time to think about my future. I am transitioning every day to balance my personal life and career and to keep as much of my personal life private. Motherhood has given me a different drive to why I go so hard in my modeling career. I had to find a new way of achieving my own goals in my life after becoming a mom. I want to show my child to not allow anyone, or anything to stop their vision(s) to whatever they want in their lifetime. I’ve found new passions, my life purpose, and found the person and mother I am growing and striving to become. I always put my kid first of course and work around their schedule. With the help of my family and friends, I’m able to achieve what I’m working so hard to obtain now in my career. I have so many people rooting for me, how could I not succeed with a strong support system.
Modeling at a young age gave me great insight into the type of model I would like to become. Pursuing modeling again at the time I did, felt right. I have had my fair share of no’s and pushbacks, but I feel so deeply it’s my time and that’s a power I’m not letting anyone take away. Giving up isn’t an option for me. I plan to make mistakes. I haven’t gotten it all figured out and I am learning and growing each day to make a dream my reality.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m Chanti Hollows and I’m a rising supermodel. Modeling isn’t my only talent— I style, I’m a content creator, vocalist (background), dancer and an actress, to name a few. I am most proud of overcoming hard obstacles, learning myself, and learning how to set and reinforce boundaries. What sets me apart from others is bringing a different aesthetic to the industry shown authentically through my style, my content, the way I pose, in my runway walk and the individual I am. I have such a big heart and compassion for humanity and I can’t wait to get in a position to give back to the community and my own community.
How do you think about luck?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m lucky but blessed, divinely protected, and covered by my ancestors. My ancestors gave me the drive to continue what I started, modeling. I wouldn’t have given modeling another shot if it wasn’t for their guidance and the encouragement from close family and friends. I had so much imposter syndrome and anxiety at first, I still kind of do but not as bad. I used to tell myself all the reasons I shouldn’t become a model when I shouldn’t have questioned my path in the first place.
My journey isn’t going to look like anyone else, and how I live my life is not going to make sense to a lot of people and I am fine with that, but I will live my life in the way I see fit. I plan to take my career to unbelievable heights. I cannot wait to reach other levels in my life and businesses I plan to unfold soon. I have so much in store! I’m excited to build a fan base of people who accept my creativity and accept me for who I am. I put my all in my content and what I put out and I am amazed of how I am becoming noticed. I sometimes sit back and just take it all in because I am working my butt off and reaping the rewards slowly, but bigger is coming. All that I have accomplished so far has made me realize I truly am in a blessed position and it’s only up from here!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_lovechanti?r=nametag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantihollows/
Image Credits
Javisha – designer for WinningSzn Tipp – Alter Ego Brand Designer Hollow Johnson- Photographer Awa Dia Art -Photographer Nor Kin4life -Photographer Alex/xshotit -Photographer Designer Rashad for Dahsar Designer Benji for Retro Wave The Signature Fit Designer M.J. for M.J Queen Fashions
