Essence Natae
A beauty cannot be named any other name and for 19-year-old Essence Natae – any other would be unfitting for this 5’6” queen from Florida. This vivrant thing is eager to be the next best thing on your TV screen. But this Duval Dymond isn’t looking to be the next Buffie, Melyssa or Gloria – her goals stretch into the realm of journalism.
As her and fellow Beauty & Brain interviewee – Krystal Michelé plot the domination of the urban modeling market – Ms. Natae sits down with us for a poignant interview.
The sexy starlet-to-be engages with us as she talks about life with the Duval Dymondz, what her worst experience was and what she learned from it.
Beauty & Brains: On a serious note, why would you want to go to college if you have the talent and ability to do something else?
Essence Natae: College is basically your back-up, modeling can be my career but I can’t do that for the rest of my life – that’s where my degree from college comes from. I can’t do it [modeling] forever. I’m interested in journalism. I never get to travel and I know that you can learn a lot more about it. It [journalism] inspired me since the fifth grade. I was the host for my elementary school. I had to tell them what we were to eat every day; I got to act like a news broadcaster.
B&B: From what I’ve seen Duval County seems to have a lot of beautiful women – how do the Duval Dymondz come together and not get all catty acting or overly competitive for opportunities?
EN: I feel you, Kev! If we were to pick a new girl in the group, our managers put them on 90-day probation just to see how they act. We check all of that out before they get into the group. We all get along and our relationship is packed down. I’m tight with Krystal Michelé and they have to reach that standard. There’s no jealousy within our crew because it would fall apart due to pettiness. If anyone can’t deal with it, then they can step. We all love each other, I’ve done two videos without the Duval Dymondz and they all supported me.
B&B: So, is there a drawback to being a Duval Dymond?
EN: Everybody steps their game up, not that we’re better than anyone else, we’re just trying to make moves as a unit. We all stay on the grind. One person may rock it out, but it’s about knowing what you’re here for. We’ll be straight; you don’t have to worry about much. Everyone isn’t knocking anyone down. We’re all supportive of one another. That’s why we only have ten girls in the group.
B&B: In your opinion, what sets you a part from the other ladies in this industry?
EN: We’re all trying to get to the same spot, so if I’m putting out less work then I’m losing out in the game. I’d say that that is what sets me apart. I’m serious about this game. I’m in the gym right now while talking to you.
B&B: This business isn’t something that is built on longevity and it’d already be assumed that you want to be an actress or something of that caliber. But, if you couldn’t do that, what would you want to do for a career?
EN: Good question. I haven’t thought about that, but I would want to be something dealing with kids. I really get along with them great. I have that feel with them. I’d work with them in my community. I think that I would put my effort into the YMCA or the YWCA. I’d like to take care of the kids while their parents are at work.
B&B: “You will never know what success is if you never know failure,” is a quote on your MySpace page. So far, what has been your worst failure that you’ve experience in this business and what did you learn from it?
EN: I was trying out for this top modeling agency, they required acting, too, but at the same time it was for like six-foot-models [laughs]. The guy was like that I was cool and I was straight, but he was trying to saying that ripping the runway wasn’t for me. He kind of hurt my feelings, but I couldn’t let that stop me, but I turned around and did a Latino video. That video was major exposure, I was happy about that, so just because you fall on one thing, you can fall into something that’s bigger. You always have to go through something to get to something and it’s crazy.
B&B: On your page, it says that you’re single, but you seem like a woman too busy for a relationship. So, what could get a hard working woman like yourself to sit still long enough to get a guy up beside you?
EN: I’ma put it this way, I wouldn’t be able to make time, but if I’m digging him – guarantee I’m making time. I don’t care if I’m only talking to you when I go to the rest room, I’m making time. I have had sex with one boy and we just got out of our relationship in January. He was in Texas and he cheated on me while he was out there. Whoever the next boy is, he better know that he’s worth my time – especially if I’m going to be in a relationship with him. We talked everyday and then I saw that things were starting to change, but that’s how you can keep a relationship, though – trust is important. I want more trust next time. A guy doesn’t have to have all that money to be making me happy, I’d appreciate that more. It’s more so about effort.
B&B: Do you think that another reason why you’re single is because guys like hating on you?
EN: There are some guys who are jealous, they may not support that. I took a picture in my lingerie and my ex – at the time – said that he didn’t want everyone else seeing all that. Which I agreed with, somewhat, at the time, but at the same time, he has to understand that this is an industry. I’m not saying that I’d go nude or anything like that, but you have to have a guy 100% behind you. Some guys are just jealous. I want to get somewhere in life, so I’m working on me. I want to have something good for me. I don’t think that right now, I’m ready for a relationship. I’m not saying that one guy messed it up for everyone, but it makes a person bitter for sometime.
B&B: You wrote on your blog that you are now complete – you don’t need a man, an Oscar or anything of that sort. So, if you’re complete all by yourself – what do you still want to have for yourself in your life?
EN: I want longevity. I want my self-respect. I want all of me. With that, I’m good.
B&B: Last question – you, like so many others, are competing for something that you want in your life. What, if anything, could stop you from accomplishing your goals?
EN: If I got hurt, physically, like I’m paralyzed. That’s the only thing that’d stop me. If I had to take a picture in a wheelchair, I would. Like my man Kanyé says, “You can’t tell me nothing!” I won’t stop at anything.
Does that essence have you wanting more of Essence Natae?! Check her out on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/essencenatae.
The sexy starlet-to-be engages with us as she talks about life with the Duval Dymondz, what her worst experience was and what she learned from it.
Beauty & Brains: On a serious note, why would you want to go to college if you have the talent and ability to do something else?
Essence Natae: College is basically your back-up, modeling can be my career but I can’t do that for the rest of my life – that’s where my degree from college comes from. I can’t do it [modeling] forever. I’m interested in journalism. I never get to travel and I know that you can learn a lot more about it. It [journalism] inspired me since the fifth grade. I was the host for my elementary school. I had to tell them what we were to eat every day; I got to act like a news broadcaster.
B&B: From what I’ve seen Duval County seems to have a lot of beautiful women – how do the Duval Dymondz come together and not get all catty acting or overly competitive for opportunities?
EN: I feel you, Kev! If we were to pick a new girl in the group, our managers put them on 90-day probation just to see how they act. We check all of that out before they get into the group. We all get along and our relationship is packed down. I’m tight with Krystal Michelé and they have to reach that standard. There’s no jealousy within our crew because it would fall apart due to pettiness. If anyone can’t deal with it, then they can step. We all love each other, I’ve done two videos without the Duval Dymondz and they all supported me.
B&B: So, is there a drawback to being a Duval Dymond?
EN: Everybody steps their game up, not that we’re better than anyone else, we’re just trying to make moves as a unit. We all stay on the grind. One person may rock it out, but it’s about knowing what you’re here for. We’ll be straight; you don’t have to worry about much. Everyone isn’t knocking anyone down. We’re all supportive of one another. That’s why we only have ten girls in the group.
B&B: In your opinion, what sets you a part from the other ladies in this industry?
EN: We’re all trying to get to the same spot, so if I’m putting out less work then I’m losing out in the game. I’d say that that is what sets me apart. I’m serious about this game. I’m in the gym right now while talking to you.
B&B: This business isn’t something that is built on longevity and it’d already be assumed that you want to be an actress or something of that caliber. But, if you couldn’t do that, what would you want to do for a career?
EN: Good question. I haven’t thought about that, but I would want to be something dealing with kids. I really get along with them great. I have that feel with them. I’d work with them in my community. I think that I would put my effort into the YMCA or the YWCA. I’d like to take care of the kids while their parents are at work.
B&B: “You will never know what success is if you never know failure,” is a quote on your MySpace page. So far, what has been your worst failure that you’ve experience in this business and what did you learn from it?
EN: I was trying out for this top modeling agency, they required acting, too, but at the same time it was for like six-foot-models [laughs]. The guy was like that I was cool and I was straight, but he was trying to saying that ripping the runway wasn’t for me. He kind of hurt my feelings, but I couldn’t let that stop me, but I turned around and did a Latino video. That video was major exposure, I was happy about that, so just because you fall on one thing, you can fall into something that’s bigger. You always have to go through something to get to something and it’s crazy.
B&B: On your page, it says that you’re single, but you seem like a woman too busy for a relationship. So, what could get a hard working woman like yourself to sit still long enough to get a guy up beside you?
EN: I’ma put it this way, I wouldn’t be able to make time, but if I’m digging him – guarantee I’m making time. I don’t care if I’m only talking to you when I go to the rest room, I’m making time. I have had sex with one boy and we just got out of our relationship in January. He was in Texas and he cheated on me while he was out there. Whoever the next boy is, he better know that he’s worth my time – especially if I’m going to be in a relationship with him. We talked everyday and then I saw that things were starting to change, but that’s how you can keep a relationship, though – trust is important. I want more trust next time. A guy doesn’t have to have all that money to be making me happy, I’d appreciate that more. It’s more so about effort.
B&B: Do you think that another reason why you’re single is because guys like hating on you?
EN: There are some guys who are jealous, they may not support that. I took a picture in my lingerie and my ex – at the time – said that he didn’t want everyone else seeing all that. Which I agreed with, somewhat, at the time, but at the same time, he has to understand that this is an industry. I’m not saying that I’d go nude or anything like that, but you have to have a guy 100% behind you. Some guys are just jealous. I want to get somewhere in life, so I’m working on me. I want to have something good for me. I don’t think that right now, I’m ready for a relationship. I’m not saying that one guy messed it up for everyone, but it makes a person bitter for sometime.
B&B: You wrote on your blog that you are now complete – you don’t need a man, an Oscar or anything of that sort. So, if you’re complete all by yourself – what do you still want to have for yourself in your life?
EN: I want longevity. I want my self-respect. I want all of me. With that, I’m good.
B&B: Last question – you, like so many others, are competing for something that you want in your life. What, if anything, could stop you from accomplishing your goals?
EN: If I got hurt, physically, like I’m paralyzed. That’s the only thing that’d stop me. If I had to take a picture in a wheelchair, I would. Like my man Kanyé says, “You can’t tell me nothing!” I won’t stop at anything.
Does that essence have you wanting more of Essence Natae?! Check her out on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/essencenatae.
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