"America's Next Top Model"

Tianesia Johnson

~Mrs. Jaszy

Who is America's Next Top Model? If you need a hint, it's University of Tennessee owns Tianesia Johnson. At the age of 19 the Memphis,TN native has been known to bless plenty of runway shows and photo shoots.What stands out about this "top model" is one of the quotes she lives by,"There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a star, but I'm not going to worry about them... I'm dreaming the hardest."

With an positive attitude like that, and hobbies like SHOPPING, reading, modeling, traveling, spending time with family and friends, attending events, and listening to music. Tianesia definately has what it takes to be America's Next Top Model.

Getting to Know Tia

-How old are you?

I am 19!

-Where were you born?

Memphis, TN

-On your spare time you like to..?

Depends...most times I just like to lay in bed and watch tv and text all day with my friends after exhausting days of traveling and working....other times I LOVE to SHOP SHOP SHOP till I drop!

-Describe your perfect dream boy.

HA! Funny you should ask that....MY perfect dream boy is Chris Brown BUT I'm not going to even go there....but I prefer a dream MAN...and he would be tall, athletic build, African American, sexy, sweet, funny, great style, a little bit on the bad boy side, because being too goody goody is boring, smart and has goals for himself, responsible, caring, doing something positive with his life, and has his own mind.

-Your favorite color is…?

What can I say?! I'm a girly girl...it's PINK!

-One of your favorite quotes is..?

Oh that's hard, because I have so many I live by...I would have to go with "Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile." :-)

Modeling

-How long have you been modeling?

I have been modeling on and off since age 11, however I was in my first fashion show age 14 and didn't start building my portfolio until age 18. Reason being nowadays most castings and fashion shows you have to be at least 18 to even participate.

-Who are some of your influences?

Tyra Banks has influenced me my whole life far as the aspect of modeling. I have grown up watching her and listening to her advice and tips about life in this industry. Beyonce' Knowles has influenced me as well in many ways. I just admire both for not loosing who they are as a person and being known for their INNER beauty, helping people, and staying close to family and friends. Both started out in the entertainment business at a young age and have not let it destroy them as people.

-If you wasn’t modeling, you would probably be…?

Just another average pretty girl walking the campus of the Universty of Tenneessee, Knoxville, attending class, and being the silly girl with her silly friends taking random pictures everywhere.

-Describe your first time walking down a runway and/or doing a photo shoot.

Wow! There is NO greater feeling than walking the runway...it is just a rush and all eyes are on you watching you do what you love doing! I love it! My first photo shoot was exciting, because I LOVE taking pictures....I didn't have a clue what I would pose like or what it would be like with a professional photographer. It ended up very fun and went very well. I got to experience behind the scenes of what I usually saw on America's Next Top Model :-)!

-What do you enjoy about being a model?

I enjoy being a model because it gives me the opportunity to make a difference and be a role model for young girls, especially young black girls, by showing them you don't have to be a stick figure to be considered beautiful or a model, but they can be simply themselves and confident and be beautiful. I want them to know that CONFIDENCE is the key and having a beautiful personality is what matters, because outer beauty fades. Also it gives me the chance to show my friends and family and people who look up to me that you can do anything if you put your mind to it and just go for it.


Issues

-What are your views about their not being a lot of “black” models being put in runway shows?

I totally agree that there are NOT enough "black models" PERIOD, reasons why I want to be a model. I find it very sad that our own people are not trying to change that. For instance P.Diddy I love him don't get me wrong BUT in his shows, videos, and advertisements he ALWAYS using some hispanic Latina or white model. He himself has a clothing line, and there are too many beautiful African-American models and aspiring models he could help out. Not just him, there are many more, but it starts with them...meaning they can put more black models in their publications and embrace BLACK BEAUTY. I mean who says that the world is full of skinny white women? Runway shows should be filled with every type of model of all ethnicities to represent the many types of beauties of the world.

-Being that we are considered “role models”, what can we do to make the industry better for the youth?

HA! For one quit corrupting the youth making them forced to be one certain way to be classified a certain thing instead of making it clear that it's better to just be themselves. We can do that by being considerate and thoughtful on the effect and power we have as being role models, and not just taking it as a job and expecting them to understand it's just entertainment.

Future

-What is up and coming for you? ( shows,events,etc.)

I'm actually working with a upcoming magazine called Life Pix in ATL, I have a Memphis Urban Couture fashion show in Memphis next month, SEA awards coming up and I'm being nominated for Model of the Year(http://www.southernentawards.com/ballot/nominate.html), more traveling making appearances and more casting calls, and besides starting school in a few days many other things that are being discussed at the moment.

-Advice to aspiring models?

Stay focused and true to yourself. Don't feel like you have to be a certain way or do certain things to get ahead in the industry. Don't let obstacles or people drive you away from making your dreams come true!

-Any Shoutouts?

Shouts out to DMG, my family, my chicas, and everyone who has supported me thus far!

Off Da Wall
-Take A Bow or Take A Hike-

-Men with goals? TAKE A BOW
-Men with dreads? TAKE A BOW
-Men who model? TAKE A BOW
-Men with tattoos? TAKE A BOW

-Men who still wear jerseys(lol)? If PRO or College ball TAKE A BOW otherwise TAKE A HIKE! lol

**Check out Tianesia at:myspace.com/modeltiajohnson

"SEA Award Winner for Clothing Line of the Year"

"Mz. B. the Great"

~Mrs. Jaszy

A couple months back I met Mz. B the Great, and she is definately a grinder.From being a single parent, to designing clothes for many major rappers, and NFL players. She is very talented and her work is amazing, so I took the time out to interview this artistic designer. If you haven't heard of her, I introduce to you Mz. B. the Great!

-Who is B. the Great?
* B the Great is a strong, independent, hard working woman that tries to live by her name everyday being great in every aspect of my life from being a mother,to a designer, to a friend

-Where are you originally from?
* I was born in MN- but moved to St. Louis then Atlanta now I reside in Nashville

-How long have you been designing clothes?
*Roughly around 4 years

-If you weren’t designing clothes, you would be?
* I would be a Graphic Designer, I attended school but had to put it on hold to follow my dreams.
-Who are some artists you have designed for?
*I have just about every Major rapper in Nashville and surrounding counties. But outside of here I have designed shirts exclusively for Anthony Hamilton, Ray Cash,The Kickdrums, Young Buck, 50 Cent,Lil Scrappy, Eminem, Rick Ross, Block (founder of Boyz N Da Hood), Nappy Roots, Yo Gotti, DJ Don Cannon, Katt Williams, and David Banner, the legend "Crazy Leggs" of the infamous "Rock Steady Crew" .I currently have some NFL players added to my clientele such as Mr. & Mrs. Culpepper, Clint Hart and Roman Oben ( San Diego Chargers)

-Are your clothes in stores? If not, do you plan on putting them in stores?
* Currently I am in the process of putting a plan together to sell my clothes in stores, but as of right now I only do orders for people who place them!!

-Describe how you felt when you won SEA 2008 Clothing Line of the Year Award.
*Well, I was actually in my room at the hotel working on an order, I had not slept in 2 days and I stopped to take a break and read about the weekend festivities and realized they gave my award out that night. So I called my friend and he said " Congratulations" YOU WON!!!! I didn’t believe it at first, this was my first time ever trying to win. So, I jumped on the shuttle bus and got my award.. I felt like people finally recognized my GRIND and SKILL!! It felt and still feels great!!

-What does the future hold for B. the Great?
*I hope to have launched my official clothing line by 2010, I will still offer exclusive designs- but I will begin mass producing my hottest ideas for stores to sell!!! Hopefully everyone will be inspired to be the great!!!

-Is there any particular artist you would like to design for?
*I would love to put Idris Elba (Daddy Lil Girls) in my designs. I would Love to do something for Lil Wayne, and Alicia Keys

-Who is your inspiration?
* MY MOMMIE!!! As I grew up I watched her paint, design American Indian clothing and jewelry, but she had to stop and put her dream on the back burner to raise me and my sister. She was a strong single mother and everything I am is because of her. Til this day she is the reason I keep going.

-How did the hook-up with you designing for All Star come about?
* The first year I started I created a crazy buzz in the streets. I took a flyer to a local record store by the name of Platinum Bounds and he saw it and his boys told him to holla at me- and well- we've worked together ever since.

-Describe your clothing line.
* B. the Great is not just a clothing line, I encourage people to GREAT in everything they do. Don’t just "be"... Be Great!! With that being said, I don’t wanna do what everyone else is doing- I wanna do what their not! I help the customer’s vision come to life- Unlike of custom designer’s today- All of my designs are different. If you have 5 of my customers side by side you will never know the same person designed their clothes. B. the Great is the true meaning of original. If you bring me an idea I WILL NOT LET ANYONE GET THAT IDEA OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO IT... IT IS THAT INDIVIDUALS DESIGN. I also specialize in color matching. A lot of my customers like to match their design to their shoes- or hat- or jeans. I match them exactly! Everything is DONE BY HAND... No screen printing machines, so I put my all in every article of clothing I touch.

-Do you feel that the way a person dresses, say a lot about them?
* That’s a good question!!! A lot of my customers want to look like they spent thousands- but don’t want to pay 20 dollars. So I don’t believe their clothing says much about them as an individual. On the exterior they might have $200 Jordans, $150 Jeans, $300 Sunglasses, but what does that say about them as a person? People form their own opinions about people just by lookin at them. Me, personally, I look at a man that spends all that money and energy on appearance and it makes me think they are insecure about something and have to make up for it with materialistic objects. I mean, some of the wealthiest people shop at the Goodwill on 50% blue tag days..lol

-What sets B. the Great aside from other designers?
* My ability to study my customers and learn their personal style. I Google my customers before I design for them or look at their Myspace page and get a good idea of their style and design according to that. Most designers just pass out pre-made shirts and its nothing like anything the artist will wear. I consider that a waste of time.

-Any advice for upcoming designers?
* DO YOU!!! Don’t look at what other designers are doing and try to do it better. Do something that sets you apart from everyone else, Take chances. A lot of people ask me the "HOW TO" questions and even though I don’t mind sharing my techniques, I found out to tricks on my own thru experimenting with different methods. YOUR GONNA MESS UP ALOT- BUT IN THE END YOULL FIND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR YOU. Quit cheatin and askin for short cuts. lol

-Any Shout outs?
* Of course, I wanna shout out my management team, K. Wright mgmt Group, All Star I really respect his grind, Hi-C and Lil Murda, Cashvilles Ace and GLUW Ent., DJ Rage, Nappy Roots, Hangtime Clothing Store, Executive recording artist Paper, 101 the Beats Dolewite and Scooby, my best friends Wise, Kjuan, Vita, Evonne and Cheryl, Shout out to all my single mommies out here doing it regardless of the odds against them. And last but not least, My beautiful daughter, Karina.. I love you baby!!

Off Da Wall Questions:

-Favorite store?
*Dollar General

-Sneakers or Stilettos?
* Sneakers

-You couldn’t live without…?
* My family and friends

-Chicken or Ribs?
*Chicken


-Your dream car?
* Cadillac CTS for now

-You would say no to…?
* Designer replicas and spinach

***To contact B. the Great hit her up at :www.myspace.com/futureairbrush