Loading summary
Transcript245 lines
- [00:01]
Kenya
That's the sound of a big deal at Wayfair. That sound happens a lot. Dream sofa for half the price. Big deal. New dining table you've been eyeing for months. Big deal. Finally picking up those last few pieces and finishing that bedroom. Now that's a really big deal. Whatever your home needs, Wayfair has the selection, the savings and over millions of five star reviews to back it up. Shop Wayfair.com today before someone else snags your big deal. Wayfair Every style, Every home.
- [00:31]
Interviewer 1
This is Dr. Laurie Santos from the Happiness Lab and this message is brought to you by Simple Mills. Simple Mills packs nutrient dense ingredients into snacks that taste amazing like their cheesy, light and airy pop ems or their five different delicious flavors of almond flour crackers. Lifting you up, never weighing you down so you can keep shining through the day.
- [00:52]
Interviewer 2
You could say Simple Mills is the
- [00:54]
Interviewer 1
feeling of the sun in a snack. Find simple meals at your grocery store.
- [01:00]
Interviewer 2
Listen up. I've got to share my new nighttime ritual. I kept hearing about Magnesium Breakthrough by bioptimizers from all different types of people. Fitness experts, doctors, friends and everyone kept saying the same thing. This one is different. Most magnesium supplements only use one or two forms. Magnesium Breakthrough combines seven different forms of magnesium plus key cofactors that help your body actually absorb it and use it supplement. So after hearing all the buzz, I finally decided to see what all the hype was about. Gave it a try and I can tell you it really is game changing. People can't stop talking about the benefits. Deeper sleep, feeling calmer, better workout recovery, even improved digestion. So if you are looking to take the next step in your overall wellness and get a little bit more, especially as you're if you're getting older, you want to recover faster, get better sleep and if life is getting busier, every little bit helps. And buy Optimizers offers a 365 day no questions asked money back guarantee. That's a full year with zero risk. So what do you have to lose? You have a lot to gain. It might change your life and allow you to be just a little bit more efficient, better and just overall feel better. And if not, you know, get your money back. Magnesium Breakthrough can help make a noticeable difference in how you feel day to day. You can sleep better, wake up more rested and feel less tense Overall. Go to bioptimizers.com vial files and use our exclusive code V I A L L1 5 for 15% off any order. Make 2026 the year you finally start sleeping great again don't forget Vile Files plus now offers ad free episodes for all Vile Files episodes, including Ask Nick Reality Recap and Going Deeper. Plus, if you love Ask Nick, you will absolutely love our Ask Nick updates where you get updates of your favorite calls, our deep dive on all your favorite reality recap TV shows, and our pop culture roundup where we talk about all your favorite pop culture culture topics that we didn't get to in this week's episode. Plus deep dives on our Going Deeper guest and so much more. All you have to do is go to V files and you will be lucky you did.
- [03:04]
Kenya
You're crazy.
- [03:15]
Interviewer 2
Kenya, welcome to the show.
- [03:17]
Kenya
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
- [03:18]
Interviewer 2
We're very excited to have you.
- [03:20]
Interviewer 1
We're very excited, very excited to have
- [03:22]
Interviewer 2
this conversation and just to be with you. I always, I'm just kind of curious. Obviously the America's Next Top Model documentary on Netflix dropped a couple weeks ago. Everyone's been talking about it, everyone's been watching it and there's been so many opinions and feelings and people that are doing press. But I imagine for you and a lot of the other models who have been a part of the show, that experience might have been a little different than say, the average viewer who just, who is just watching it. As a fan. And I'm just curious, what was that like watching it back and how did you go about watching it, watching the documentary itself?
- [03:59]
Kenya
I had a little watch party.
- [04:00]
Interviewer 2
Okay.
- [04:01]
Kenya
I had some friends over.
- [04:03]
Interviewer 2
Yeah.
- [04:04]
Kenya
A little support system. My mom came with me. You know, it's really interesting, just TV land in general. You know, I understand that documentaries all have their sense of storytelling and you go and you answer a bunch of questions and I, I really wanted to have a really balanced approach because I appreciated being on the show. But it's really nerve wracking not knowing exactly how, what the angle is going to be.
- [04:30]
Interviewer 2
Yeah. So was there almost a little bit of like even filming the documentary itself? Almost a little away triggering, almost brought you back to when you were filming the actual TV show because having that kind of uncertainty of like, I'm doing this, but I don't know how it's going to come across.
- [04:46]
Kenya
Yeah, absolutely. It's really interesting, especially because the show was so long ago, but they were asking a lot of the same questions that I've kind of been answering for the last 20 years. So it's not like it was tough. But definitely watching clips back because I haven't watched the show. I was 19, I was a child and I, I've just Grown so much since then. So it's just like kind of cringe to watch, really. And so seeing those clips come back up, it's definitely like a little triggering and, and stuff. But I had, I had a blast on the show. I just have to say, like, I had a really good time on the show. I'm really proud to have been on America's Next Top Model. And so it' not like this, this sad, like, scar of my life. It's really led to what I'm doing now.
- [05:34]
Interviewer 1
It's so interesting. I mean, I grew up watching the show. It like, is what made me want to be a model. And, and it like, it's so weird watching it back today because you're just like, I remember this stuff happening, but like, I was just enjoy. You know, it all just looked so fun. They were on, you know, writing elephants and doing all these crazy things and it was like, this is so cool. And so it was. Now watching it back with like an adult perspective, you're like, oh, maybe I shouldn't have been watching that at such a young, impressionable age. Like now I do realize maybe some things were wrong and things shouldn't have been said. Did you watch your season back before you did the documentary?
- [06:17]
Kenya
I did not watch the season back only because I lived it and I kind of already had a sense of the things that happened on the show. But, you know, something that is, like, really important for me to say is that I am so grateful to Tyra for choosing me to be a part of the show. It was such a huge dream of mine to be on that show and be in the modeling industry. And there were certain things going into it. I knew this was going to be a TV show. Like, there was not like, you know, I think that it's unfair for us to really use this lens of today on a show at that time only because it was. It really was a different time. I know that a lot of people have really haven't really been happy with hearing that. Oh, it was a different time. But it really was. It really was a different time. It was like, you know, the beginning of reality tv. It was at the same time as like Fear Factor and like the Swan and all of these other crazy, crazy shows, you know, and so, you know, it's. It's unfair for us, I feel, to really say it was just Tyra and, And kind of attack just her. I think, you know, I. I just know personally for myself, she. She changed my life. So I. I'm really grateful to her for that.
- [07:38]
Interviewer 2
Yeah, I mean, I think it's a really interesting perspective. And you're right. I mean, you, you see a lot of comments about people being like, stop saying it's a different time. And I get why people are sensitive that because it does. Sometimes it feels like people are trying to make an excuse for how the show is made and things like that. But to your point, I think it's important to remember that even as fans and viewers, like Nellie was saying when we were watching it, back at the time, when we were watching it, at least when it first came out, no one was like, what's going on? We weren't questioning out loud some of these very controversial things that we didn't have to hear the behind the scenes to know that, like, maybe this is,
- [08:16]
Kenya
like, not okay, maybe this isn't okay.
- [08:19]
Interviewer 2
And we were all enjoying it and laughing about it.
- [08:23]
Kenya
Yeah, for sure.
- [08:24]
Interviewer 2
And talking about. So we were just. Culturally, we were all kind of complicit in accepting, you know, the different times that we were in. And I think it's just, it's very easy for us as fans to sit back and wag the finger and point the finger and critique.
- [08:39]
Kenya
Well, I mean, if the show was really all that bad, I don't think it. There would have been so many people going to sign up for the show. I don't know. I don't know. That's kind of hard to say. Cause some people will do anything no matter what they think they have to go through. But at least for me, I watched the first few cycles, I was a big fan of the show before going on it. And if anything, those previous episodes or seasons or cycles gave me a little intel as to like, okay, when the makeover happens, don't, yeah, lose your shit. Like, it just, it was like a key to, like, staying on the show. But I was also like a fan of it beforehand. It was, it was all the rage.
- [09:22]
Interviewer 2
No, it makes a lot of sense. I mean, like, I, I've said this a few times. I was like your friend Susie on the Bachelor a long time ago. But like, I've, I've never heard the reality TV star come on, like an interview or whatever and say, you know, that thing that I said that you all love or that thing that I did that you all love? That actually wasn't my idea. That was a producer's idea. They should get credit for how good I look in this moment. I've never heard that. I have heard many reality TV stars say, oh, I was told to say that when the thing they say doesn't land or it doesn't look good or blame their edit. And it's not to say that, like, a lot of people who go on reality TV in general have, you know, are put in these kind of very complicated situations that are just unnatural. And it's not to say that we can't critique it, but it can be refreshing to hear you be able to strike that balance between. Yes, I have. There's some situations that we can talk about that, you know, weren't my. You know, that were difficult to deal with. This affected me in a negative way. Like, we can talk about that. But like yourself, I have a lot of moments from my experience in the show that were hard to get over, that I deal with. But I. I'm sitting here with you today. I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for that franchise and to go on that franchise and the opportunities they gave me for all the good and there was plenty of bad, and there was definitely some dark moments, what it was. But I can still be appreciative of where it. What it gave me. And it's refreshing to hear someone in your position recognize that.
- [10:58]
Kenya
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, to be completely honest with you, when I watched back the Netflix doc, I felt as much as. When I say this in the same breath, I definitely feel for Shandy and a couple of the other girls who were really traumatized from the show. But I went into this thinking this was going to be a, like, let's talk about Top Model and maybe where the girls are now and let's just like, revisit this show. I really didn't think it was. We're looking for accountability from Tyra. We are going, you know, we are talking about. I've got to be fully transparent here. I thought it was going to be maybe like 10, 12 girls to see that it was only like a very small handful. And the girls who've had, like, the worst experiences, it's kind of like, oh, I. I really did not think. I mean, I was so. I truly have a balanced, like, a true appreciation for Tyra and so much of this modeling industry, especially at the time. And when it came to our bodies, like, it really was in the middle of Heroin Chicago era. And I was aware of that. You know, I. I think. I think that the show could have handled it with a little bit more care considering the viewer, because there were so many young women. And, you know, I think I may have mentioned this in the documentary, but, like, hundreds of women have, you know, either Messaged me or commented on a video from some. An interview or something that I've done. And they say that they've gone into a. An eating. Had an eating disorder, developed some kind of, like, a really poor, like, self image from that. So that I think it was damaging to more than just me but everyone, you know, but at the same time, I'm not. I'm not. I. I'm so appreciative. It's totally led to where I am now, which I love. Yeah, I'm doing now. So that's.
- [12:56]
Interviewer 2
It's. Yeah, that's like, kind of a fascinating thing. I mean, Nigel said it, you know, when he was interviewed, and we had a chance to speak with him, too. And it's, you know, listening to you, trying to find the right words. And I know he did, too, because, like, it's such a. Especially now in 2026, you. Now we're in the, you know, accountability, and, you know, you can't. Everyone is from their side. They're the righteous person. And, you know, it's easy to point the finger. But to your point, there is a level of. We have all heard stories about the modeling industry. And I mean, it is the modeling industry. So it is about appearances and how people look and their bodies and. And so it's even him trying to find the words of. Trying to explain, well, I'm not making it okay, but like, like, this is the industry as a whole. And how do you strike that balance to have a conversation that's. That's productive around.
- [13:49]
Kenya
Yeah, for sure. But I. You know what I will say, and this is something that I think viewers don't understand, that at least with America's next top model, they are trying to satisfy every person in America at that point. If you line up all of the winners of the show, it covers every demographic that you could think of. It's like the first two winners were white, and then it was like, okay, black America's like, where's our black girl? Then we've got the third winner who. Who's black. And then fourth is. Was my cycle. She's interracial. And then we go to, like, petite. Then we get our redhead, and then we have our curve girl. So it's like at the end of the day, I. The winner's already chosen. And it's. It's a storyline, and there are things that they have to find while we're filming to give a person a reason to go home. Yeah, you know, it's. There's. There's. There's like politics involved in, like, the show. And so I've always understood that just behind the, behind the scenes, just understanding they're just trying to keep the show running and keep everybody happy to keep watching.
- [15:06]
Interviewer 1
How did you have that perspective at 19, like, being in this, being on the show, like, being able to separate the two.
- [15:14]
Kenya
Separate the two.
- [15:15]
Interviewer 1
Meaning of like this, watching the previous cycles and being like, okay, this is. I get they're making a TV show here also.
- [15:23]
Interviewer 2
I'm going to, like, you don't see a lot of that from reality TV people. It's like a lot of it is, you know, they're the main character in their story and this is their moment. And especially nowadays, a lot of people go and just like, you know, you see the success other people have, but you forget about all the people who it didn't work out for them, and they come in with these expectations that this is going to happen for me, this is going to happen for me. And then when it doesn't happen for them, they, you know, it's easy to start pointing fingers and things like that. But to Natalie's point, you had, you seem like, even at such a young age, a really healthy outlook on what this opportunity was and what it wasn't.
- [16:00]
Kenya
Oh, well, I appreciate you guys saying that. That's. That's pretty cool. For one. I was obsessed with the modeling industry before getting into it. I know a lot of the other girls who, who are maybe not like, who did not go into. A lot of the girls stopped completely after doing the show. I was like, no, I have to move to New York now. I have to, like, pursue this for real now. And so I just had different respect for the modeling industry in general. I just view that as like my. My golden ticket in. And plus, I'm a very competitive person. So I was watching the show. I used to get just chills and goosebumps when he used to come on. I just felt like, I need to get on this show. I can do this. And so that's. That's really where that came from. But, like, at the same time, not expecting to be, like, babied, I knew that it was tv. Like, I don't know. I just, like a part of me, like, knew that and understood it. It was just really fun to be on it and not knowing what you're going to do for the day you're with all of these other women. It felt like a summer camp. It was so much fun.
- [16:59]
Interviewer 1
Were there moments during filming where you, like, had to remind yourself or remind the Other women, like, this is a TV show. Don't take it too serious. It's going to be okay.
- [17:10]
Kenya
No, because to be honest, when, when girls get all freaked out, like, there is a degree. I guess this is maybe just my competitive nature, but like, there's a degree where you're like, well, like, you do your thing and you know, hey, that's you.
- [17:27]
Interviewer 1
Yeah.
- [17:28]
Kenya
And then also when girls get. Go home. I think this was actually something that contributed to Tyra's outburst. Was that one of the. Some. One of the producers or editors told us that for our season, they selected very friendly girls who would. Who was gonna have. Would have a different, like, overall narrative. And so many of the girls would feel so bad when other girls would get eliminated and I would see this and it would be like, that just made you one step closer to winning. Like, I don't understand why you guys are sad about this, but I don't know, I just think I have a very competitive nature.
- [18:06]
Interviewer 2
I get what you're saying. I mean, again, not to. But like, most reality TV shows have some kind of elimination and yeah, it's kind of like, see ya.
- [18:15]
Kenya
You know, like, sorry. Yeah, you know. Cause it's, it's. It is nerve wracking. It is very much so. Because you feel like, you know, at that time, I did not realize that it was not going to be the most helpful thing for my career once I moved to New York. Because reality TV was not like, revered how it is now. Agencies were viewing us as reality stars. So I moved to New York. I lost a bunch of weight because I was like, well, you guys are not about to. I was like, I now got to be ready for the real modeling industry. Yeah. It's just, they. So this is how it is in the modeling industry. Okay. In order to get signed to a modeling agency, you either need to be a completely fresh face or you need to be experienced and have traveled and have been published in magazines and your portfolio was built out. We were neither. We were household names, so we weren't this fresh face and we had zero real experience. I couldn't use my actual portfolio from Top Model because the images were like crazy holding on alligator, you know, a crazy heavy makeup. It was just not indicative of the real modeling industry at all. There were a couple of things where you could see where maybe Tyra was like, oh, the modeling industry is like this, you know, but it was such a shocker to get to. To New York and see that. Yeah, this is not.
- [19:41]
Interviewer 1
And to use the photos from the show in your portfolio, Was it the photos that they chose? Because obviously, that's been like, they've decided. Sometimes they choose, like, not the best photo so that they could have something to talk about. And then it's like, were you forced to use that photo at, like, was that the only one they gave you access to?
- [19:58]
Kenya
Those were the only photos we ever saw. Oh, wow. Period. From the whole thing, I'm even surprised one of the crew sent me my portfolio. He was like, hey, look, like, I'm gonna send this to you. I think you did a really great job. And he sent me prints, which I still have, but every girl did not. They didn't say, like, here are your images, guys. They just, like, left us out in the wind with it. Yeah. Figure it out. But even still, yeah, those were the only images, and, yeah, absolutely. Those were not the best image, because so many of us after. After elimination, we would be like, is that. Was that really my best shot? And I think, you know, I was discussing the documentary a little bit, but, yeah, it's. That's part of the tv.
- [20:49]
Interviewer 2
You know, was there any moment watching the documentary back where, you know, especially hearing your perspective, you had this. With this seemed very aware, healthy kind of understanding of what you signed up for, to a certain degree, I imagine. But was there anything you watched back listening to Tyra or listening to Ken or any of the judges where you were like, that's how you guys did it. Are you, like. Or were you. Did nothing kind of surprise you?
- [21:18]
Kenya
What was kind of surprising was how much Tyra said she was not involved in things. And also Jay making it seem like he wasn't involved in things. He was a creative director. For our shoots. Example, when we had two. We were in Africa, and we had the different animals, and I got the elephant. I'm pretty sure Jay had some level of creativity in that. Like, you know what I mean? And so, yeah, just seeing, like, I guess I wasn't looking for accountability, though, when I was watching it back, I really, truly wasn't. But just seeing that thing, that being shuffled around and tossed around to other people was interesting, but nothing really. Nothing really surprised me much.
- [22:07]
Interviewer 1
Tyra's kind of response to you?
- [22:11]
Kenya
Oh, well, you know, yeah, I would say that I was surprised that she apologized, and I'm appreciative that she apologized.
- [22:22]
Interviewer 1
Did it feel genuine?
- [22:26]
Kenya
I'm just. I'm appreciative that she.
- [22:28]
Interviewer 1
That the words.
- [22:29]
Kenya
That the words came out. You know,
- [22:33]
Interviewer 2
I.
- [22:34]
Kenya
The. The thing about it is that we were. We were so young, especially for Me to be like a fully grown woman now. We were so young and I would be so careful about saying damaging things if you're coming on as like a mentor guide to people. And so now I'm a post coach and a mentor to so many models. I've been doing this for 11 years now. And I have to be very realistic with them because a lot of people want to go do Victoria's Secret and be in Vogue and do all of this high fashion editorial stuff, but there are such strict requirements for that. And I have to be very careful with breaking the reality to somebody that maybe that's not the market for you, you know, because when we try to get into the modeling industry, we can't make the industry concede to what? Like you can't come in and say, I'm going to be the first 5, 4 model to walk for Gucci. You. Right. You can't claim that yourself. Like, you have to be chosen and there's standards and requirements and I have to be careful and. And that's my part of my responsibility as like a mentor and a guide to these young models. And then show them, hey, you can actually make a lot more money over here. But there's a way to do it. You know what I mean? But I think that because of the time period of the show, it just wasn't even on their minds. Yeah, who's watching how we're affected? It just wasn't even.
- [24:01]
Interviewer 1
Cause I do feel like they used the. Like this is what the real modeling industry is like. So we're going to treat you the same way as like they're. You know, it's like Tyra would kind of always fall back and be like, this is what it's like in the real world.
- [24:17]
Kenya
This is what it's like. I'm giving you the right. Which is honestly, that part really did prepare. Prepare me, which is why I went and lost like weight before even going to New York. But I want people to understand, like, I'm 5 foot 11 and at the time I was about 130 pounds, which is really, really slim. Like, very, very slim. I was maybe between. I was probably like a size 4 between a 2 and a 4. And so which I'm not too far from now. And it's like, I don't know, they did kind of prep us. But again, it all comes back to the show and tv.
- [24:58]
Interviewer 1
What was your relationship like with your body before you went on America's Next Top Model?
- [25:03]
Kenya
That's really interesting, actually. So I grew up here in La. And honestly, I was made fun of pretty badly for not being curvy and thick and for not being. Being really slim. I didn't really have. I mean, I had glasses, braces, like most models kind of start off kind of awkward. And I was always made fun of for being too skinny. So by the time I went onto the show, I was like, well, this is where I belong. This is perfect. And then, see, now all of a sudden, like, you know, hey, you are. You are not. You are not. Skinny is like. Okay. So it was a shock, and it was. It was confusing, but, yeah, it was just something that.
- [25:54]
Interviewer 2
Do you feel like their commentary about your body or your appearance was they just decided that you were going to play that role? Or was it. At least from the modeling perspective? Did you eventually take it as, like, harsh but constructive feedback, or was it just like. No, I got typecasted as. As this body type for. For purposes of tv.
- [26:17]
Kenya
I think it was maybe a little bit of both. But I was definitely. I was. I was so, so skinny.
- [26:27]
Interviewer 1
Yeah.
- [26:27]
Interviewer 2
I mean, I'm 5 11, 130.
- [26:29]
Kenya
I was really, really, really skinny. And I think. I think it. It did have to. Like, someone had. I went into the show thinking I was going to be the first black winner. And when I went in it, when. When we were. While we were filming the third season that had already had its first black winner had won. She had won. And we had no idea because it was airing while we were filming. So I. The whole time was thinking, I'm gonna be the first black winner. I'm gonna be the first black winner. And so to, like, in hindsight now, it's like, I don't know if they would have had, like, another black winner right in a row once you look at their lineup of winners. So I do. A part of me feels like, oh, yeah, well, they just had to find something and stretch that thing out. Yeah. In a major way. And, you know, there's another documentary that is coming out on E. And that one has Janice on it, which will be really interesting to hear Janice's point of view. But I know Janice was brutal. But, you know, believe it or not, when we had the. When they talked to me about the weight, Janice was the only one who came up to me after the set and. Or after, you know, actual filming and gave me, like, advice and pointers and was very real. Like, I think that she had a Persona to be, I guess, the Simon Cowell of. Of Top Model, but she was actually very.
- [28:01]
Interviewer 2
She was more human when the cameras Were off.
- [28:03]
Kenya
She was more human. When the cameras were off for sure, for sure.
- [28:06]
Interviewer 2
It's like, hey, you know, sorry, you know, but like here's some real good advice. That's interesting. How did, I mean, I'm curious, like how did you. You talked about like this was a dream. You were a fan. How did you end up on America's Next Top Model? What was the process for you?
- [28:19]
Kenya
Oh my gosh. I actually auditioned twice. I was in my freshman year of college and I sent in a videotape for the first time. An actual totally aging. But there was a, like a VHS thing like recorder that I had to rent from my campus to, to film my Runway, walk in my dorm and send in some pictures of myself and didn't hear anything back. That was for cycle three. And then for cycle four, I was watching Ricki Lake. Are you guys old enough to remember Rookie Lake?
- [28:53]
Interviewer 2
I'm 45.
- [28:53]
Kenya
No. Okay. Hey, what's going on?
- [28:57]
Interviewer 2
I gotcha.
- [29:00]
Kenya
I was watching the commercials and Tyra's like, if you think you've got what it takes, you know, in la, you can come in person and audition for America's Next Top Model. And that's the one I went to and made it all the way through.
- [29:14]
Interviewer 2
Do you remember your first time meeting Tyra?
- [29:16]
Kenya
Yeah, for sure. I thought I was going to pass out and die. I was so excited to see her. I was so young. I hadn't really ever seen anyone who had really been on TV or somebody that I really admired. And they like to surprise us with Tyra. They like to just let it be a curveball. And so every time it was just really shocking. But it was, it was nice.
- [29:38]
Interviewer 1
Was she at that audition in person?
- [29:41]
Kenya
No, no, just the producers or casting directors.
- [29:45]
Interviewer 2
Yeah.
- [29:46]
Interviewer 1
Watching the documentary back, you said you watched it with your support system. You had your mom there. What was that like to kind of sit by your mom and have her watch this with you?
- [29:56]
Kenya
It was amazing having her watch it with me because she's, she's just always been like my biggest like supporter and has always believed in me. Even from me moving to New York at 19, just bright eyed and bushy tailed and broke and like not knowing how I was gonna make, make it at all. She's just always been there for me. She's just amazing. So it was really nice.
- [30:22]
Interviewer 1
It was nice. Was it when she, when the show aired and she watched it, was there a little bit of like mama bear energy where she was kind of like, wait a minute. Or was she also kind of just.
- [30:34]
Kenya
I Guess this is what TV is. I don't know. Well, we, we watched America's Next Top Model. We had watch parties every week because this is when this is before streaming. All these conversations I have now just aged the hell out of me. It's crazy. So we had to actually wait for the, you know, stuff to come out and I would just have a bunch of friends over and we'd watch it collectively and it was awesome. And she already knew when I came home because she asked me when I came home from filming, like, did you win? What happened? And you know, I of course told her I didn't win. And so it wasn't like it was a surprise and they felt for me, but they also kind of like understood, like, yeah, but we also saw live for the first time how much editing does, you know, even in the clip of me posing as the elephant. That's what's really interesting about now that we're in 2026. We all edit and we know what technology and AI and all this stuff looks like. And so even when you watch the show back now, if you were to watch it, you can tell where they're cutting and splicing sentences. You can tell when you visually look at it. It's like my stomach didn't really do that. They did something and made it like they edited that. It's just so bizarre to see, like now.
- [31:57]
Interviewer 2
Yeah, you're right. Back then we just had no idea. We took it all for granted.
- [32:00]
Kenya
We just took it all.
- [32:02]
Interviewer 2
You know, there's like a voiceover. You know, a lot of times they're making tv, they're interviewing you getting your, you're just talking. And then they will, you know, show a scene. They hear you hear a voice. No one's speaking, but those two, like, have no actual correlation at all in reality. But they use it together. And it's so easy to hear that and to change context and the meaning and things like that. And you're right now everyone's a bit of an editor. Yeah, everyone understands like TikTok and things like that. So, yeah, you're a little bit more
- [32:33]
Kenya
hyper aware even after filming and after living the experience of doing America's Next Top Model and then watching how they edited it. I could not watch the other seasons, so I really don't know many of the other girls from other cycles after mine. Because I can tell just from a girl. You can just, just by the music that they're choosing. If they have a girl come on and all of a sudden the music is okay, she's going home. She's going home this week. Or that's a voiceover that was done after I, I could just tell all of that after living it.
- [33:12]
Interviewer 2
So after a long winter, even a small shift can change how a home feels. This spring, open the door to something better. Explore vibrant scents inspired by Place the bright citrus terrace to blooming lavender fields and layer them into the rooms you love most. For a limited time, get a free Purifor diffuser when you subscribe to $0.02 for 12 months. It's an easy way to refresh your space without starting over. Visit pura.com and bring spring home.
- [33:41]
Interviewer 1
In the documentary you mentioned like the you eating something and then putting it like on a loop and you're like, that was the same bag.
- [33:48]
Kenya
It was, it was a bagel.
- [33:49]
Interviewer 1
A bagel.
- [33:50]
Kenya
Yes. Yeah. And that was, I mean it was, it was crazy. Yeah. If you show me eating, it's so funny even having this conversation now, but if you show me eating the middle of a bagel and then the end of the bagel and then after that you show me eating the beginning of the bagel and I'm in the same car, it looks like, man, she brought three bagels out the house and woo, she was hungry. You know, it's that I remember watching that back and that like pissing me off so badly. So badly that that led to, you know, I definitely had issues with like eating in public after that. Really, like in New York, I didn't want anybody to think, you know, she's eating too much. Here she is another human being over there.
- [34:43]
Interviewer 2
Now she's really enjoying that thing.
- [34:45]
Interviewer 1
Chewing and swallowing.
- [34:46]
Kenya
Yeah, yeah, she's chewing and swallowing stuff, guys. So. But also like the industry was just horrible. You know, there was a couple, I had some connections with people was to have interviews with some of the modeling agencies and even after me losing a bunch of like water weight to just be as stick thin as I possibly could. The agencies, one of the agencies which I won't name but I will, I'll never refer my models there now because of that. But I remember that one of the agents was just like, yeah, so if we can get you to just come down like a little bit more. So I probably was maybe 120, 125 at that point. And she was like, so maybe we can just eat like a Caesar salad, no croutons, dressing on the side, breakfast, lunch and dinner and then come back to us in a month. Those were her literal. That was her advice, sir.
- [35:39]
Interviewer 2
She tells you eat Salad for a month.
- [35:41]
Kenya
Salad. But yeah, but then also. Yeah.
- [35:44]
Interviewer 1
She basically told me to eat lettuce.
- [35:45]
Kenya
Lettuce only? Yeah. Like have like chicken but like dressing on the side. Like maybe.
- [35:49]
Interviewer 2
What does dressing on the side mean if you can't eat the side?
- [35:51]
Kenya
Not putting it on. Like not getting all of that. Full serving of dressing.
- [35:55]
Interviewer 2
You know, you get two dips.
- [35:57]
Kenya
Yeah, two dips max. But at the same time, I mean, on top of that, I was doing, I was doing. There's this drink, but it's something that gives you like really good energy to like burn calories. And I would be on the treadmill, just cardio, cardio, cardio. And it just gets to a point where it's just not good for you.
- [36:20]
Interviewer 2
Yeah. You know, I mean, well, after, you know, you, you go on the show, you're this very thin, 19 year old, very tall person. You go on the show, you get casted as the elephant.
- [36:33]
Kenya
Gluttony.
- [36:34]
Interviewer 2
Yeah, gluttony. Make it seem like you're eating all the bagels on stage.
- [36:39]
Interviewer 1
You're like zooming in on your stomach. Oh, God, I remember.
- [36:41]
Interviewer 2
And then you go into the modeling agency and realize that. But yeah, they, they're not, they're not yet.
- [36:48]
Kenya
That was.
- [36:49]
Interviewer 2
At what point did you kind of have like an epiphany? Just be like, what, what am I? This is, I'm not, this is not how I should be. And this isn't healthy. And this is not. I don't, I don't want to keep doing this.
- [37:02]
Kenya
It took years, honestly, because I was living in New York and I just, I started working. I started working. I went to Paris and did Paris Fashion Week, Milan, London Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, Miami, Swim Week. Like, once you start booking the work, it's like, okay, well, I just need to keep this going. But then I also realized I can make money in other areas, like doing commercial print where it's not that big of a deal. And so, you know, all of the things that I've learned on that journey of like, really being in New York and like really feet hitting the pavement, trying to get signed, I now understand everything that they want to see, you know, so that's again, like led so much to how I'm helping aspiring models now.
- [37:50]
Interviewer 2
I'm curious. You kind of alluded to it, you know, when we started having this conversation and I was, it was refreshing to hear you say that. But before we had a chance to sit down with you, I was talking to the team and yes, it definitely seems like Tyra wasn't perfect. And certainly, I'm sure a lot of fans wanted some accountability. And we had the pleasure of speaking with Nigel and Jay. It seemed like a lot of their press that they have done with for this documentary was centered around Tyra, and they certainly seemed like they had their stories and their frustrations. You know, some of them didn't hear from Tyra, you know, when Jay was fired, and there's a story there. But do you feel like in any way, Tyra has been a little scapegoated by some of the other people involved in making this show in a way that, like, they could have maybe done more in some of these instances that the models have spoken up about. About some of these unfortunate moments that we all could have done better, so to speak. And do you feel like, was it almost. Did you want to hear more from some of the judges or some like. Or Ken?
- [38:58]
Kenya
That's a good question. I definitely feel like, first of all, I love Nigel. Nigel has been like, I've seen him. We've. We've run into each other. He's been. He's been pretty awesome towards me about everything. Ms. J, who I feel so. I'm so happy to see that he's doing better now. But even after I got eliminated, when we were in Africa, Ms. J walked straight up to me and. And. And said how much he wanted me to win. And that meant so much to me because I was invisible at that point to Tyra. She had, like, walked right. Right past me after one of the fashion shows. This is why we were still on the show. Like, we were still filming, because the last two. So the top five girls made it to South Africa. And for continuity purposes or to keep the winner, to keep it, I guess, a secret to the people in Africa, they had us all walk in the finale fashion show so that no one would know who's been eliminated. And after that final show, Tyra walked right past me as if I just didn't exist. And right after she walked past, Jay walked up and said that, you know, he was. He was rooting for me, and. And that meant so much, and that stuck with me for so long. And then in the same breath, after the situation of. I mean, it's a little heavy to say sexual assault, but the situation with Bertini, the dancer, model guy, that situation happened, and Mr. J, like, rolled his eyes at the time. And I think I've seen him mention in. In a few interviews that he wish. He wishes that he would have had a stronger backbone to be able to stand up to Tyra. But, you know, at that time on set, Tyra wasn't there. And his reaction was so dismissive of the entire thing that I know personally for me, watching all of these things play out and everyone's making Tyra the villain, it's like, well, Jay, you at that photo shoot, Tyra wasn't there. It was. It was you. And so it does suck.
- [41:17]
Interviewer 2
You were expecting someone to stand up to him.
- [41:20]
Kenya
Well, well, I mean, I was the one who stood up to for myself, but I mean, in that time, he was the one authority there to either acknowledge what I was saying or not. By the time I made it to Tyra, the photo shoot's already done.
- [41:35]
Interviewer 1
Right.
- [41:36]
Kenya
So it's like, well, what made it to Tyra and how did you feel about what I was saying about this male model? You know, so it's just very interesting. But.
- [41:45]
Interviewer 2
Yeah, that's an interesting.
- [41:46]
Kenya
Yeah.
- [41:46]
Interviewer 2
Remark given that she wasn't there.
- [41:49]
Kenya
Yeah. Tyra wasn't there. So let's just say, like, Tyra makes her. Her statement, but at the same time, it's. It's interesting because Tyra says that she didn't know, but you have footage. You guys are all looking at this footage and editing the footage together. So you did know exactly what happened because it was recorded. But, you know, it's. It's more so about just Jay was the one who was there on set, you know.
- [42:15]
Interviewer 2
Well, because it almost. If that is your. That's how you remember it. That's how it was.
- [42:21]
Kenya
Yeah.
- [42:21]
Interviewer 2
Then it almost would make sense not to again defend Tyra. But if they're all editing it and they're in the editing bay and she's watching it, I imagine one of the people she went to for, like, well, what. What did you think about it? It was probably Jay and so she heard his perspective.
- [42:39]
Kenya
Exactly.
- [42:40]
Interviewer 2
And you remember his perspective to be dismissive.
- [42:42]
Kenya
Initially, the initial response live in the flesh of Hay. I feel very uncomfortable was. Was really dismissed.
- [42:52]
Interviewer 1
It wasn't like, hold on, let me talk to producers. Let me see how I should respond to this.
- [42:56]
Kenya
Exactly, exactly. And so. And I think another part of it that I think was completely just, if I'm being honest, that was just like, dismissed. There was that this male model was so inappropriately hitting on me, saying he was going to come and find me in America. He wanted to date me so badly. It was like. It was like an immediate obsession type. Like, I've been hit on before, but it was, like, heavy. Right. And that by the time we got to the set, that's what made it seem like it would feel like it was so uncomfortable is because he hit on me so heavily beforehand, and it was on.
- [43:36]
Interviewer 1
On camera, and he's miked up and there's someone listening to his audio.
- [43:41]
Kenya
Exactly.
- [43:42]
Interviewer 1
People filming and, like, knowing that this is going on and this is happening.
- [43:46]
Kenya
Yeah.
- [43:47]
Interviewer 1
I think that's where the frustration for me kind of comes in is it's like there were so many people who could have said something in that situation
- [43:56]
Interviewer 2
you were put in. Was that something that was fairly common back then? You know, because now, now in today's culture, you know, filmmaking, you have an intimacy coordinator. So, like, now when you have models or actors in this kind of vulnerable position, there may be making sure that it remains a very professional environment. Was that a problem in that industry back then?
- [44:18]
Kenya
I don't think so. We had a previous photo shoot before we went to Africa, like, very, very beginning of the season, where we had to have a pillow fight with. Fight with these firefighter men. I don't know if you remember this.
- [44:29]
Interviewer 1
Yes, I do.
- [44:30]
Kenya
And so I was, like, straddling this guy. There was no issue there because he was, like, professional. I don't know if there was an intimacy coordinator, which sounds so nice, but I don't know if they had. I don't know if that was a norm back then. I don't know if that was a norm. But, I mean, at the end of the day, you know, our, our voices. Our voices need to be heard and respected, I think. And I mean, again, I, I, I struggle with finding the right words because I understand. I just, like, I have a level of, of understanding. I don't want this to all come back onto tyranny. You know what I'm saying? Like, there's a level of understanding that I have, but I think for sure, like, if a woman is saying that she's uncomfortable and the model is, like, knowingly cross the professional boundary already, somebody needs to pull him aside and have a conversation with him or replace him or whatever. Our, that dance photo shoot was supposed to be them dancing. That was not supposed to be a groping, touching grind in bump and grind.
- [45:35]
Interviewer 1
And then to the point that you pointed out in the documentary of, like, you chose the photo of him grabbing my hips, grabbing me, like.
- [45:41]
Kenya
Yeah.
- [45:43]
Interviewer 1
Do you feel like. I mean, you were so strong in that moment to even speak up, you know, I think a lot of women, myself included, would have been like, just eat it. Just get through this. Don't do it. Don't say anything. Don't Interrupt it. And you were so strong in that moment to be like, wait a second. I'm not comfortable to then be immediately shot down, to then have Tyra be like, you need to deal with this type of thing in a fun way.
- [46:09]
Kenya
Did that.
- [46:10]
Interviewer 1
Not necessarily that situation or that. Did you ever get put in that position again? But, like, did that change your mentality going forward in this modeling industry of, like, if I'm in that situation again, I guess this is how I have to handle it?
- [46:23]
Kenya
Absolutely not. It made me. I still knew, I think, also just because of, like, just how my mom raised me. But let me make. Paint the picture to you. In one of the first episodes, there was a. There was a challenge where we all had to. We went into bankable productions or some office space, and we. They made us all sign these contracts, and the contracts were bogus. Okay? Like, completely bogus. And so Tyra, they made a whole challenge out of it or, like, a learning moment out of it for us to know our rights, stand up for ourselves, read the paperwork, and, you know, yada yada, like, be aunt. Be your businesswoman and do all of that. So I promise you, the one thought that did go through my head at that photo shoot was, what would Tyra do in this moment? Tyra would say, hey, I'm uncomfortable. Yeah. And this needs to stop. Or whatever case may be, like, in whatever way that she would deem appropriate. And so it was just confusing for me for just that moment. But not at all did I think, oh, I can't speak up for myself if a man is making me feel uncomfortable.
- [47:43]
Interviewer 1
Thank God.
- [47:44]
Kenya
Moving forward. Yeah, thank God.
- [47:46]
Interviewer 2
Was Tiffany on your cycle?
- [47:48]
Kenya
She was. I can't believe that was my cycle still to this day.
- [47:53]
Interviewer 2
Were you there when that whole situation went down?
- [47:55]
Kenya
Yes. Yes.
- [47:57]
Interviewer 2
How do you remember it exactly?
- [48:00]
Kenya
As it played out on tv, it was incredibly. Okay, you gotta understand. Panel was the time that we all dreaded. Okay. And panel was held, like, in the house. We. It seems like panel was this place that you drive to and we get judged and whatnot, but it was, like, on the other side of the kitchen. And so just the energy of, like, going into that room and be at panel is just so heavy because you just. You might be going home and it's quiet. It's dead quiet.
- [48:33]
Interviewer 2
It's not like how the fans. You hear the music or whatever.
- [48:35]
Kenya
Oh, my God.
- [48:36]
Interviewer 2
It's the silence.
- [48:37]
Kenya
Oh, it's the worst. It's the worst. And. And that's where, like, the competition gets real. It's like okay, we've been having fun all week and, you know, whatever, but it gets super real here. And so that energy was. I. I still, like, to this day. I had never seen Tyra lose it. I had never seen her raise her voice. She had been coming in as, like, Tyra. You know, she'd been coming in as, like, our. Our mentor and, like, our savior. So it never. It. It just. I was just completely shocked and surprised. But a part of me understood where she was coming from only because I had a huge respect for the modeling industry at that point. I wouldn't. You know, I cried. I boohoo cried when I left. I felt that, like.
- [49:27]
Interviewer 2
Oh.
- [49:28]
Kenya
You know, and so a person who's. Who may not feel anything. I think that Tyra just found it, like. Like, disrespectful in a sense. Like, how dare you not care that you're getting booted from this? This.
- [49:44]
Interviewer 1
Yeah. Did you see Tiffany's response? She, like, commented on a. Or said something along the lines of,
- [49:51]
Kenya
like, this was way worse.
- [49:53]
Interviewer 1
Yeah, like, you bullied me about, like, me and my son throughout the whole thing. You were never nice to me.
- [50:00]
Kenya
I think that there were maybe some other words, but again, I. This was over 20 years ago, and so I really don't remember word for
- [50:08]
Interviewer 2
word, but at the. Watching it back, the energy we felt. You felt.
- [50:14]
Kenya
Oh, for sure. I was petrified.
- [50:17]
Interviewer 1
And what was the energy like after that?
- [50:20]
Kenya
Oh, my gosh. It was the worst. It was so quiet. It was so awkward in the house. We all felt like, this is not a joke. This is not a game anymore.
- [50:33]
Interviewer 2
She's not doing a scene.
- [50:34]
Kenya
Yeah. Yeah. This is not. And you know what's hilarious is that we knew that it wasn't scripted because underneath the panel, like, and underneath the kitchen in the house was, like, an editing room, and the editors, like, all night, kept replaying it over and over and over. And I guess they were all in shock, too, watching that clip. Yeah, we got gold.
- [51:03]
Interviewer 1
So y' all could hear them editing the show?
- [51:06]
Kenya
Yeah, just that. But we had never heard them edit anything else or replay anything ever. It was. Yeah, we could hear it full blast. And playing it over and over and over.
- [51:15]
Interviewer 2
They were celebrating, probably. Yeah. That's crazy. Did Tyra address you guys as a group afterwards or did it from. Or did she just kind of act like.
- [51:24]
Kenya
Yes. Did she? No, she addressed us as a group. After Rebecca passed out, there was another girl who passed out because she had this condition that, like, I guess would cause her to just lock up and. And black out and she walked up and asked and told us about how scary that was, but I don't believe she spoke to us after that. She just let that marinate. Marinate and like, riffle through our DNA. Yeah.
- [51:55]
Interviewer 1
Wow. What is one of your fondest memories, looking back on your cycle?
- [52:00]
Kenya
Being able to go to South Africa. Honestly, you know, I've always. At that point, I had always envisioned myself going to Africa, but thought maybe I can go much later after I. I've made a lot of money and I'm able to travel internationally. I haven't traveled internationally. I don't think up at the. Until that point. And so it was. That was a highlight for sure. Being able to go on there, winning challenges was really fun, but the overall experience was amazing. It was so much fun.
- [52:31]
Interviewer 1
Yeah.
- [52:32]
Interviewer 2
Watching the documentary, a big part of the narrative was, and you referenced it before, is how this show didn't fulfill its promise on setting up these models for success outside of the show into the modeling industry. And through my experience in reality tv, I've always said that being on reality TV gave me incredible access and zero credibility. And that has been really helpful for me to remember when I get in certain rooms and people are just kind of like, you know, like, we're asking you all these questions. What was it like? You know, gave me some, like, tea. The behind the scenes, you know, they're just fans of the show and they just want to hear that stuff. But it did get me in rooms. And so when I was watching that part of the show back, I was kind of like, you kind of was just like, you know, I see what you're saying, and that's definitely. It's. I feel bad for anyone who came in with a dream and left feeling disappointed, but hearing how you left that show and how you approached the experience and you had a similar experience, which is to quickly realize that, yeah, I mean, this has opened up a lot of doors for me, but this has made this part of the gig that much harder. I have to prove myself. I have to get this credibility that I clearly don't have with these agencies. I really respect how you went about that and clear. And I think it speaks to why you've been able to have this success that you have. I mean, did you realize that in the moment that you were kind of taking that kind of objective approach rather than. And again, every model's experience is different. And obviously some had some very difficult experiences, but I imagine a lot of them who, you know, went on the show and didn't have to deal with maybe some of these more traumatic experience that some of the models did and it didn't work out. Kind of will blame the show as to why their modeling career didn't work out. As opposed to you kind of took your career by the horn, so to speak, and took charge. And it sounds like you look back, you were still able to use America's Next Top Model as a reason for your success. Even though in some areas it hurt you a little bit, but you were able to overcome that.
- [54:41]
Kenya
Yeah, absolutely. That's a really good connection because we're talking about the modeling industry here. Seeing that there were some hurdles and it wasn't as much credibility with the actual modeling agency agencies. It's still because of my drive and like, I'm not going to quit. I've been through so much. I've moved to the other side of the country. I have to keep going. And there were so many other models at the time that whether it's Top Model was a part of the equation or not. Like if they're just like regular models coming in. Right. They also had a degree of like, well, I gotta keep going. That, that is absolutely true. I got no's just like all the other models. But my nose had something to do with like Top Model. But I had to still just like keep pushing and keep going and learning. Okay, well, where can I. Where, where do I fit? Where do I belong? Because yeah, I mean, it was a true passion for me. It was not to be a reality star. I didn't even believe. I remember the moment that Ken, like when we got accepted onto the show and we were in some room and Ken turned around and was like, you guys know you're going to be famous, right? We were all like, yeah, right. We didn't realize how big the show was at all. But I didn't go on to the show for that reason. It was truly because I wanted to compete and be the winner of this show and I respected it.
- [56:10]
Interviewer 2
Yeah, well, I mean, just such a mind fuck these experiences people have. Because I think when we're kids, on some level, whether it's modeling or not, there's always a fantasy of like becoming a celebrity or some kind of public figure and then you. And maybe you have a talent or not. Right. And then when you get brought on these shows, you have to this kind of this weird acceptance of like, why people know who you are type of thing. And I imagine for a lot of the models who left America's Next Top Model, they were very much banking on America's Next Top Model being the reason that they would have success for sure. And then when they didn't have it, I imagine that being very defeating, you know, to be like, oh, well, fuck. You guys told me this would work. And you were like, oh, okay, well, fine. This won't help me, but it does help me. You know, like I said, imagine it got you indoors and got you in conversations. And I'm sure a lot of people are fascinated with meeting you and talking to your stories. And when you're in those conversations, you got to be like, I'm gonna show you the real me.
- [57:14]
Kenya
Absolutely. I mean, it opened up so many doors. I've met so many. And plus, like, moving to New York in general was like, people are hustlers and go getters. And I just was thrown into a world where you don't give up. And I believed in myself to the degree of like, okay, I'm not. I can't turn back now. I cannot turn back now. But, you know, developed amazing relationships and connections with people. But the biggest thing that I'm grateful for is that I was able through to. Through the rejection, was able to learn the do's and don'ts of this whole thing, like, how to build your portfolio working with really good photographers, especially for models of color. There's only, like, three hairstyles that we can even really wear that are considered marketable in the modeling industry. And a lot of people, you know, even black women, don't even realize this sometimes when we're looking at advertising. And so there's so many things that I've learned about the modeling industry that now I get to put in a pretty little package for aspiring models and, like, show them the way. Like, that is the most fulfilling thing about this whole thing, you know?
- [58:26]
Interviewer 2
Yeah. And so, yeah, as a mentor, I'm curious because again, like, a lot of the industry and the show, a lot of any building excuses is like, well, you know, it's the modeling industry. And like, you know, we. We judge people by their look and their bodies or whatever. But you have been able to find a way to work with these young models and mentor them and show that you can deliver this direct feedback and steer them in the right direction, and you don't have to be cruel or mean about it. And maybe, like, I also imagine a lot of models who became talent agents and run agencies. It's like, I imagine every bully was bullied type of thing. And it's almost like you're kind of taking it out on the next generation and justifying it. Well, I had to go through this and now you do too. But you've been able to do it in a much more.
- [59:19]
Kenya
I would think it's in a healthier way. Yeah, I don't know if you were going to use those words. Sorry to put words in your mouth, but I think it's in a healthier way that's less damaging. And even when I do that in a healthier way for some girls, I can tell this is a really tough pill for you to swallow right now. And it's not just like weight and size. Sometimes it's height. Like height is a big thing and that one is really tough because you can't do anything about your height. And so it's, it's like tough. I know exactly how these girls feel. But definitely now that there's body positivity and way more inclusivity and so many more modeling markets and areas for people to make money in the modeling industry, it might not be the Runway, maybe it's for Macy's, maybe it's for, you know, something that's just like more commercial. And so at the end of the day for me, I try to show them that there's a light at the end of the day of the tunnel. So my company is called Find your light. I help them find it within and on set. I've known to have mastered the art of posing. So now I show, you know, these models and some celebrities as well, like how to pose and how to kill it in front of the camera. Really excited. It's, it's been, it's been amazing. It's been amazing to be able to still stay in the craft of it all because I, I was just really passionate about it and didn't want to give up on it and to give
- [60:42]
Interviewer 1
back in such a positive way to
- [60:43]
Kenya
like stay in the industry. But like for sure. Well, I mean it's better, it's better to, for a model to know, hey, I've given it my best shot. I've, I have a really great portfolio because I have a full service where I can build their portfolio, shoot their digitals, teach them how to pose, build their book, whatever. Like it's a one stop shop. But it's much better for them to say, okay, I've tried it, I've done, I've submitted to agencies, I had really good materials and it, and it doesn't work that way. As opposed to people having no idea where to start. And then it just stays this kind of delusional fantasy of a career that you want to get into that. You can't really say you've even tried.
- [61:28]
Interviewer 1
It's also so helpful because when I was going through, I mean, I remember them being like, you need to build your book. And I'd be like, like, what the. Goes in a book? Like, what. What do you want to see in there? I don't know. I have to schedule my own photo shoots. But, like, what are you. What am I supposed to be doing
- [61:42]
Kenya
in the photo shoots? How. How different?
- [61:43]
Interviewer 1
What's. What's the range you want to see? So, like, the fact that you offer all of that is just, I'm sure, so helpful for all of these people going in, being like, there is so much unknown.
- [61:53]
Kenya
Yeah. Were you. You were assigned to an agency? I'm assuming?
- [61:56]
Interviewer 1
I was. Yeah. It took. It took a while, and it took a lot of. I was definitely called fat a lot. And I was really. And I was very skinny and very small.
- [62:05]
Kenya
Even when you're with an agency, that is not the end of the road. You still need to add more stuff to your portfolio. You need to, like, stay active, and your agents won't come on and tell you, do this outfit. Do these kind of moods and expressions. They do not jump in there with you to, like, make it happening.
- [62:21]
Interviewer 1
You on another casting until you get more in your book.
- [62:23]
Kenya
Yeah. It's like, oh, how do I do that? What. Thank you for your help. Yeah, for sure. So that's. That's. That's why it's. It's really fulfilling for me because imagine, I mean, wanting to model, I think, is just as valid as somebody wanting to be a doctor or whatever the case may be. It's a passion. It's a passion of yours. It's something that you really want to do, but there's no one who shows you how. So I'm really happy to show them how.
- [62:50]
Interviewer 2
Do you. Do you think your approach is becoming more common, or do you feel like inside the bigger talent agencies, even today, there's still some of this very toxic way of communicating about these models.
- [63:07]
Kenya
I think it's absolutely still very toxic. I think that my business is probably the plushiest, cushioniest, cushioniest. I'm making words up at this point, but it's like the softest place where you can come and learn those things with, like, nurturing, care and love. Love. You know, there's nowhere. These agencies, they don't give you any information or feedback, first of all, but once you get signed to an agency, there's a ton of other girls who are already working, like, why Agencies are only making.
- [63:38]
Interviewer 2
They're like, if they can't make money
- [63:39]
Kenya
from you, they're not coming over to you, coddling you, saying, hey, baby, you need some more pictures in your book. They're not doing that at all. You just kind of silently get shelves. So they. That's what's kind of toxic about the industry is that there's really no nurturing. There's no union for models. There's at least a union for actors, but there is no union for. For models.
- [64:00]
Interviewer 1
That is true. Yeah.
- [64:02]
Kenya
There is no. Nothing to make sure that we don't get touched on set or whatever's happening. Making sure we get paid from our agencies.
- [64:10]
Interviewer 1
That is wild that there's still.
- [64:12]
Kenya
There's so many. Actually, there's tons of companies that. That run alongside the modeling industry that are not real, that scam people and charge them thousands and thousands of dollars, promise them. I'm sure you're familiar with some of these things or have heard about it, right? And there's really no protection for. For these people. Yeah.
- [64:33]
Interviewer 2
They still notoriously bad at paying their models.
- [64:37]
Kenya
No. It just depends on the agency. You know, if you're with a legitimate agency, they're good with it, with the paying, but you don't get paid. You don't get paid in a couple. In a week or two. Like, you get paid. You know, I think LA just changed it to, like, net 30, but I think in other areas, you still have to wait, like, 60 to 90 days. But that's just like the industry.
- [64:58]
Interviewer 1
What is your favorite part about helping these young models?
- [65:01]
Kenya
Seeing their confidence boost. Yeah. And seeing someone have clarity. Clarity is one of the. The. One of the best feelings that you can have related to a lot of areas of our life. Right. Clarity on where you're going. Clarity on. Plan B. If this doesn't work. Clarity on. Is this something that I can do?
- [65:21]
Interviewer 1
Yeah.
- [65:21]
Kenya
Clarity on. Okay, this looks. This pose looks good. This looks bad. That clarity gives you a sense of relief, you know, so that's. That feels nice because I knew for so long, like, literally no one helped me. Tyra. Nobody from the show. Other models that I knew in New York, they also couldn't help me, especially if they weren't black, because they have a completely different experience. Like, they can't come and tell me, hey, like, you shouldn't be wearing a weave. You know, that was. You know, that was. That was tough. So, like, I know how it. How it feels to feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, what I'm putting In my book, I'm just gonna do a bunch of free photo shoots that actually don't look good, but this is, like, the only thing that I know that I can do. So providing that. That boost for them to have, like, a thick skin and clarity.
- [66:11]
Interviewer 2
Those are for any, say, parents listening to this episode who have daughters, you know, 17, 18 years old, who are like, I want to be a model. I want to. This is my dream. What advice would you give to them? Or what are some things they need to be mindful of if they want to support their son or daughter in this industry?
- [66:34]
Kenya
I would for sure. That's such a good question. I would absolutely say make sure that this is something that your son or daughter really genuinely wants to do, but also, like, make sure that they are not using the modeling industry to validate them, because we have to. So much of it is out of our control, and we have to deal with rejection and not hearing back from anybody. And just because you don't get a modeling job, like, that doesn't mean that you weren't pretty enough or skinny enough or whatever the case may be. It doesn't mean that all the time. But that's how it feels when you don't get the job or you don't get signed. And as long as your kids know their worth beforehand, that's like. That's gold. Just knowing your worth. Also making sure that they have a sense of identity and personality that have, like, nothing to do with modeling, you know, like, because it can really affect a person's ego as well. Like, I've worked with models as well whose egos were just, like, through the roof. And it's like, I have to remind them, which is why their business side of it was, like, lacking. It's like, you. It's not just looks, you know, it's relatability and being memorable and, like, being confident, being yourself. Are you able to be authentic in a space? Are you able to just show up and just, like, talk to casting directors and not, like, put these people on a pedestal just to, like, secure some job or. Or do other, like, odd things that people do to. To, like, elevate or grow in the industry? You know, I'm sure there's probably a couple of other things as well, but it's just, like, make sure they know who they are. Make sure that your kids know who they are before getting into this. But I would also, for sure, say. Say figure out as soon as you can if this is 100 something that they want to do. Figure it out. Either yes or no. Because if. If you're kind of wanting to do it, but you realize that maybe you're super sensitive or it's really surface reasons why you want to model, you're not going to make it through the hurdles and the rejection and the. Maybe you're in a bad city, you know, maybe you're in a city where it's not going to really become much, you know, in order for you to move and do all these things, it's
- [69:01]
Interviewer 1
like, oh, New York isn't your market, but Miami's your market, right? Yeah. Like learning the different. There's so much to it.
- [69:08]
Kenya
And if you don't want it that bad, you're not going to move there. If you move there, you're not going to like, keep it, keep it going right.
- [69:15]
Interviewer 2
So well that, I mean, just the. The validation part I think is so great just because I imagine. I imagine so many people, whether it's models, anything in entertainment, a lot of people do it for that validation, only to find out that the last thing they get is validation. And they get. It's. I mean, I'll never forget my first time going on tv and I thought I was like an all right looking guy from Wisconsin and people are on there. It's just like I'm the ugliest person in the world. Like, you know what? My mouth is fucked up. You know when people are just like picking you apart and it's like validation. Yeah. Is the last thing you'll receive. But if you really have a passion for it and you're willing to do the work and. And you. And you enjoy the process of. Of getting to wherever you want to
- [70:02]
Kenya
go, then yeah, for sure. Enjoying the journey and not. Not making that the end all be all. People don't realize that modeling is not really. Unless you really make it to like the top, top percent this is not going to be your main career. Even in high fashion and stuff. It's. There's no longevity in it. It's only for a few years, really.
- [70:26]
Interviewer 2
At the end of the documentary, Tyra teased that there might be another season. Is there a world. Let's say they knocked, they picked up, you got a call and they're like, kenya, we'd love you to be a judge.
- [70:40]
Kenya
Oh, judge.
- [70:42]
Interviewer 2
Or just have any type of role, whatever it would be. Would that be something you would be?
- [70:46]
Kenya
I would come on as a judge. Yeah. I would come on as a judge. I think that at end the this point, considering that Tyra and everyone has heard everyone's opinions and and all of these things that I think they would be a lot more careful moving into a 25th cycle. So as long as it's not any going on, I wouldn't. I wouldn't mind coming on.
- [71:11]
Interviewer 2
Do you think that'll actually happen or do you think that was Tyra trying to manifest something?
- [71:16]
Kenya
I don't know. It could have been a tester. It could have been to put feelers out to see, like, what people would say. But I think at the end of the day, no matter how dark some of these things or traumas that we went through, I think that there's always going to be people who would sign up for sure.
- [71:31]
Interviewer 2
Oh, yeah.
- [71:32]
Kenya
Like, so it doesn't even matter. You know, like, it's. I think that'd be pretty bold to. To come on and say that at the end of a documentary where everyone is. Is wanting to hear your opinion and then it not really be happy.
- [71:46]
Interviewer 2
I don't, I, you know, it's just hearing your perspective interesting. Like, you know, I'm gonna, you know. You got asked to be a part of this documentary, not knowing what it would be. You asked, answered some questions. I'm really curious what her expectations were and what she thought it would look like.
- [72:03]
Kenya
Well, yeah, I mean, I. You guys have to understand when you go in to do a documentary, you have no idea what their storytelling or their narrative is going to be. And so. Yeah, because a lot of people were like, I'm surprised she did this, you know, and so it's, it's.
- [72:25]
Interviewer 2
That being said, I don't. I mean, if she had. I think it would have been worse if she hadn't done it.
- [72:29]
Kenya
Yeah.
- [72:30]
Interviewer 1
Well, what, how different were. Since you were part of the Netflix one and the one that's coming out on E, how different were your two experiences?
- [72:39]
Kenya
It's the same. Same. It's. I'm always truthful, like, you know, in these things, like I'm. I'm telling my story. If anything, that one might be a little bit more real of. Of. I don't. I really don't know. I still have no clue.
- [72:54]
Interviewer 1
Yeah.
- [72:54]
Kenya
Because I don't know how they're going to portray me on. On that. But though these were. These were real experiences, I definitely have a little bit more emotion on some of the things because. Because it was my first time really watching some of those clips back, so I, I was definitely like, maybe a little bit more. I don't know. Gotta see. Gonna watch it back with everybody. Yeah.
- [73:18]
Interviewer 2
And is the emotion more nostalgia or a mix of happy and sad times.
- [73:26]
Kenya
I'm just feeling so bad for my younger self, you know, who just wanted that so bad, you know, and like, you know, all of our younger selves, I think we have like a soft spot for our younger selves.
- [73:40]
Interviewer 1
If you could tell Kenya, 19 years old, going into cycle four, America's next top Model, anything who you are today,
- [73:48]
Kenya
what would you tell her? I don't know if I've ever been asked that specifically. Like, if, like what I would tell my younger self going into the show for the first time. Kill it. Yeah, you're gonna go really far. All of this is going to make sense. It's all going to make sense. No matter what you go through, it's all going to make complete sense later on for sure. I'm just, I'm a really big believer. My grandmother told my mother this and she's passed it along to me that, you know, every single thing that you go through in your life is literally to prepare you for the next thing. So in a smart grandma, you know,
- [74:31]
Interviewer 2
it's like, I mean, I'm a big believer in that.
- [74:33]
Kenya
You know, it's all led to where I am now. It's crazy that I've been doing this for 11 years now of coaching and mentoring girls. I've got about six models right now that have beauty campaigns in Sephora, which is awesome. I discovered a model at my gym in Miami who has gone on to get signed to nine modeling agencies. He's done New York Fashion Week. He's done all the fashion weeks. He got signed in Paris as well. He's killing it. Like, I just, I'm really proud to have been like a part of these models journey.
- [75:06]
Interviewer 1
How do people, people find your program?
- [75:10]
Kenya
My, my website, find your light today.com and then also my Instagram where you'll see success stories and might be posing it down. And you know, I do these big retreat workshops, so I like to curate photo shoot experiences for these models. It's kind of like my own little baby top model, I guess. But again, because so many models don't know how to really build strong portfolios, I will like, rent out these really amazing spaces and do these big photo shoots. So I just did one at the Invisible House in Joshua Tree. I'm not sure if you guys heard of the Invisible House. It's.
- [75:46]
Interviewer 1
It's like all the mirrors, right?
- [75:48]
Kenya
It's like a glass house, basically. So I had like a whole slumber party, like situation, working with two amazing photographers stylists and showing them how to pose like people don't realize America's Next Top Model didn't really teach us. Teach us this. Kind of like, let's get all of these young people and ask them and let's. Let's make them compete to see who makes it out on top as opposed to, we're going to show you the ropes, like, really show you the ropes and then see who prevails from there. So, you know, that's what. That's what makes my whole situation different.
- [76:21]
Interviewer 1
That's great.
- [76:22]
Interviewer 2
Final question, and I really appreciate you being here and having this conversation, and I just appreciate your fairness on this conversation. What do you want? The takeaway, as we now have watched it back there was the 2020 kind of renaissance of people rewatching this and feeling a certain different way. Now the documentary has been out. What do you want the legacy of America's Next Top Model to be?
- [76:46]
Kenya
Oh, man. This was a show that gave a lot of us a taste of the modeling industry and gave us a glimpse of that, accomplishing that dream. And I honestly am still just eternally grateful for the experience. And I had a blast with it. I'm so glad that I was a part of it. And I. I want the legacy of it to be positive. I don't want it to be this negative, dark thing. You know, I really feel for a lot of the other girls and that, you know, we all had our different experiences, But I think Tyra was a pioneer in the sense that she really did allow a lot of other women who maybe would not have been seen or appreciated in the modeling industry to have a chance. You know, she really did give us a chance, so I think there were good intentions there, so.
- [77:49]
Interviewer 2
Well, Kenya, I appreciate your time, and thank you for everything.
- [77:53]
Interviewer 1
Yeah. You've been so vulnerable and open about, obviously, some of the tougher parts in your life. And as someone who was in the dark side of the modeling industry, you having find your light in this mentorship is. Is so inspiring, and it's just so beautiful to see. And I can't think of a better person to, like, lead the charge on this. And so I know all of those models are in such great hands. And thank you. I hope everyone listening.
- [78:18]
Interviewer 2
And if you're listening, you're interested your website in the show description.
- [78:23]
Kenya
Yeah. Sign up. I do consultations. We'll talk about your goals, see whatever it is, you know what your weaknesses are, strengthen your weaknesses and get you going. There's work.
- [78:34]
Interviewer 2
Yeah. It's like, because it's, you know, you always hear these stories about the industry and just, it's the Wild west, and you really are alone, and there's just a lot of pitfalls of bad actors. So it's, it's great to, you know, there's guidance.
- [78:49]
Kenya
There's guidance. Here, let me lead the way for you.
- [78:51]
Interviewer 2
You. Well, thank you guys for listening. And thank you again, Kenya. We appreciate you.
- [78:55]
Kenya
Thank you for having me.
- [78:56]
Interviewer 2
We'll see you guys tomorrow. Safeway and Albertsons have made saving easier than ever with great savings on family favorite favorites this week. 16 ounce sweet strawberries are two for $5 member price. And don't miss the incredible deal on Signature select boneless skinless chicken breasts. Value packs for $2.97 per pound limit. One plus extra large avocados or mangoes are four for $5 member price. Fresh and delicious savings for every meal. Hurry and these deals won't last. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.