Nesh Mickles
Would a rose called by any other name still be a rose? While you ponder the possibilities, let me introduce you all to Nesh Mickles. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, this born and raised beauty received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and has utilized that achievement to look towards the star.
The luscious poet has been writing ever since she could remember and has uprooted herself from the corn husks in Nebraska for the stars of Los Angeles, California. Always the chameleon, Ms. Mickles burst into the acting scene. Having appeared in television shows such as Sister to Sister and The Wayans Brothers, several short film productions, staged theater performances, commercials and so forth – this budding star is looking to place her name alongside others in the stratosphere.
The impatient seductress, who doesn’t like waiting for people to do things for her, has taken to Beauty & Brains like a fish to water. As the Scorpio model sits down with the Scorpio writer – Ms. Nesh Mickles talks about relationships, how she influences her daughter and how she would treat male models if the tables were turned.
B&B: In another interview that you did, you said, “When it comes to relationships, it’s usually a control thing with men, and I can’t be controlled.” Just to play Devil’s Advocate – why would anyone even want to control you?
NM: I’ve been in relationships where the guy doesn’t want me to model, he doesn’t want me to pursue that type of career. He felt that since I had a degree that I had to be in the office and work a regular 9-to-5. He didn’t want anyone to look at me. It’s just general in a situation where a person tries to manipulate another person. I just want someone to take me for who I am.
B&B: How? Describe?
NM: I’m a laid back and fair type of woman. I like to treat people how I think that I’m supposed to be treated. I want someone to respect my hustle and my ambition. I get along with everyone that I meet. I am very good at reading people. I’m really introverted. I’m kind of to myself, but I am very approachable.
B&B: That’s true of most Scorpios. So, what even got you interested in becoming a model?
NM: I started off in theater. I have done some shorts, a few television shows. I was on the Wayans Brothers and Sister, Sister. That allowed me to get my SAG [Screen Actor’s Guild] card. For a long time, I wasn’t trying to take any pictures, but I took some of me in some bikinis and I started sending it around. The response I got was positive. Black Men’s Magazine had reached out to me to do test shots and it was good from there. But my first love is acting and that’s what I’m trying to get back to doing. I am working with a director/photographer now and he’s doing a film called, The Industry. There are five leading ladies and it’s kind of like Entourage meets Sex In The City. They tap into these stories about how these women deal with these obstacles that they meet when trying to get in and work within the industry. It’s official and I’m signing the contract soon. It’s a short film and we’re going to push it into film festivals. I’m just happy to be back at it and whatever work comes my way, I’m with it.
B&B: You’ve been featured in magazines, but there has to be more to you than just a body and a pretty face. What are some misconceptions that people have of you?
NM: I try to cut that out from the gate. From interviews, I talk about different things that I’m doing. But in regards to eye candy, they think that that’s all you do. It’s not that I’m trying to set myself aside, but I’m more than just surface stuff. It’s more than just modeling with me. I want to be able to give opportunities to other people. I’m trying to meet all the right contacts, so that I’ll be able to work behind the scenes when my time in front of it [the camera] is over. I’m from Omaha and I want to be able to get people from there to get their dreams out. When African Americans are talented, they’re usually that across the board. So, I’m trying to bring mines out and showcase it to the world.
B&B: You have a nine-year-old daughter. As a model – what are you teaching your daughter that’ll help build up her esteem?
NM: I always instill in my daughter that she’s beautiful and that she can do anything that she wants to do. That’s what I try to make stand out. I try to watch what I do, as well, as far as the type of poses that I do. I still make it eye candy. I am real with my child. I expose her to things so that she’s well-rounded. She wants to be a teacher. Her mind is developing well and I love her. Anything that she sees me do, she’s proud of it.
B&B: What are you teaching her about the business that most grown models may or may not know?
NM: The main things that I would stress is don’t sell yourself short. If you feel like you’re going to regret it – don’t do it! A lot of times in this business, people will manipulate you into doing certain things. But at the end of the day, you have to be happy with yourself. I’m still somewhat new to this, also, and I’m trying to come up. One of the reasons why I haven’t made it to the next level is because I haven’t sold myself out. I know what I want and how I want to handle my career.
B&B: You hit the nail right on the head when you made a comment about people viewing eye candy models in a negative way. How do you think that modeling – suggestively showing sex – can be made into a positive?
NM: Well… in a sense of the actual photos, it’s in the eye of the beholder. People may look at it like she’s just showing her ass or some may look at it like you’re really beautiful. But if you’re more than just those photos then that is a positive. I’d say to all models to share what you’re doing so people look at you more than just a picture. To me, some guys will respect it and others won’t, but it’s up to the individual to choose which is which. When the woman has more than just a pretty face, then that is a positive… hands down. You can’t really care about what people think – people are going to always have their own opinion, but at the same time, I tried to clear certain things up from the gate. At the end of the day, though, you can change what people think about you. But what sets you aside in this business can give you positive or negative attention.
B&B: What would you say is the most demanding part of your job?
NM: Staying fit. That’s the most demanding. You also have to be on call all the time. You can have a corporate job, but that’s taxing in itself. Even if you are available, you may not be able to get all of them. So, it’s a challenge. Even though you have Beyoncé and J-Lo, Hollywood is still really on thin girls. I’m shapely, so I have to make sure that I’m lean. If not, then I’m not going to get booked, straight up.
B&B: How can you navigate the business without giving into the peer pressure aspect?
NM: I think the peer pressure comes from the manipulation of people. They make promises and some people can’t uphold that. So, if you know that you won’t be happy with the choices, then don’t do it. If you can, then do you. Certain things, to me, aren’t worth selling your soul. But at the end of the day, it’s really about networking. That’s the key.
B&B: If the tables were turned and men were made to be the objects of women’s affections – do you think that men would be propositioned like women are today?
NM: It happens now. There are a lot of women who are in control, who throw their weight around. But, at the same time, I’m almost going to say that men started this shit. I think they would be propositioned because there are manipulative people in the world. I hear guys talking about the same thing. Women would have shit set up for them. Even men-to-men… [laughs].
B&B: Would you?
NM: I don’t play games like that. I wouldn’t do that. If I’m feeling someone, then that’s besides their career or dreams. You have to look at them for the face value. Are they a good actor? Are they worth it? But if it’s a business situation, I wouldn’t get at them anyways. It’s not appropriate. I don’t think that that would be cool at all.
one moment...
Reply To This Comment
Got an account with one of these? Log in here, or just enter your info and leave a comment below.
