Randi is a student at TU who also enjoys modeling. In fact, she is signed to Modelogic Wilhelmina and has done several print modeling jobs and runway events. Randi is currently studying abroad in Italy but we reached out to her to hear more about her trip and how she began modeling.
Her Campus Towson: Tell us about Italy….What program you will be doing? How long you’ll be there? What experience you hope to gain?
Randi Williams: “Florence, Italy is the city and country where I will be studying abroad. I will be in Italy from January 28th until May 17th. I am a double major in Pre-Mass Comm and Political Science so I have a schedule of 5 classes consist of the two majors and a language combined. … I hope to embark the Italian culture to the point where I participate or [began to] do it at home as well. I have chose a home-stay family so I am actually getting a chance to get a feel for what Europeans and Italians do. I signed up for four trips so I will be going to 1. Rome and the Vatican, 2. Nice, Monte Carlo, and the French Riviera, 3. Venice, and 4. Switzerland-St. Moritz and Como Lake. Five months is a enough time for me to network at events, go to museums, concerts, read a couple of books, and meet lots of other Americans that chose to study abroad.”
HCTU: How long have you been modeling?
RW: “I’ve been modeling for about four years. I am signed to Modelogic Wilhelmina right now, I haven’t gotten much work, but my look is very versatile so I just have to put a little more effort in my craft. A lot of people in the industry have said that I can definitely get work all around the world, it just takes meeting the right people.”
HCTU: How did you get into modeling?
RW: “I got in modeling when I started at Johns Robert Powers, which is now Starz2Be, and competing in Miss Teen Maryland in 2009 for the 2010 title. It took some research but it was a good experience. I do not suggest that any model attend modeling school because it is a waste of time and money. I mentor young girls that have seen my photos to become the models that they would like to become free of charge.”
HCTU: What are some of the biggest projects you’ve been apart of?
RW: “In modeling I have been apart of the Seventeen Magazine’s Internships 101 event, I did a jewelry ad for a client in VA when I first started, and I also participated in Baltimore Fashion Week. A lot of what I have done is staggered over the past 3 years, so I definitely can’t remember all of it.”
HCTU: What’s been your greatest accomplishment?
RW: “My greatest accomplishment is just growing up and making to 19 as a educated African American woman that doesn’t take no for an answer. I’ve managed to gain strength, make new friends, create new goals, and a better relationship with God. The closer I am to him the better life I have!”
HCTU: Where would you like to see yourself go as a model?
RW: “As model, I just would like to see a couple of beauty commercials, print ads, and hosting in my future. Whatever comes my way is what I will do! I just go with the flow because modeling is not continuous. I really would like to become a Covergirl though :)”
HCTU: Are there any models who have inspired you?
RW: “One of my biggest inspirations would have to be Tiara Young. I say this because she models internationally and in the USA, but I have access to her. We follow each other on Twitter and every time I have a question it never goes unanswered. I like the mutual/virtual relationship that we have because it proved to me that no matter how famous a person is they’re never too busy to speak to the someone similar to them.”
HCTU: Does it get hard to stay focused on school while working on your model career?
RW: “Hell yes! OMG, it is the worst most times because if I have to fly to another state for a couple of days and it may be during the school week. It does hinder a lot of what I want to accomplish in school but I have learned to do a minimum number of modeling jobs during the school semesters.”
HCTU: What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring models?
RW: “To all aspiring models: 1. Do your research 2. Know which direction you want to go 3. Make GOALS, but be realistic 4. just be YOU 5. Never go to a photo shoot alone, EVER. 6. Practice posing + facial expressions 7. Have FUN and make that paper honey!”
HCTU: Outside of modeling, what are your other hobbies?
RW: “Outside of modeling I enjoy watching basketball and football games. I volunteer my time with Johns Hopkins Department of Mental Health Center for Prevention of Youth Violence when they need help on outside projects in and out of the office, A Mothers Cry which is a charity for mothers that have lost their children to gun violence, this past thanks giving and christmas my family gave away over 100 gift cards and hams to people that are in need. I enjoy volunteering at Medfield Recreation Center in Baltimore City during the summer time.