Kayla Rodgers
There’s something to say about wisdom and experience; two of the greatest teachers. For Kayla Rodgers, her teachings came in the form of being involved in the entertainment business at a young age. While little girls are celebrating their “Sweet Sixteen,” Rodgers was in front of a lens, giving sexy looks to co-star Ne-Yo.
Most girls would be envious of Kayla Rodgers and her innocent, yet devious look, but the now 18-year-old insists that she quickly learned about the game and it helped hone her street smarts. Beauty & Brains manages to pin the young entrepreneur in motion down for just a moment. In this interview, the mature beauty fesses up to a secret that no one knows about, how men treated her before she was ripe old age of 18 and gives pointers to the other young ladies who try to get into the game, too.
Beauty & Brains: You got into the game deep at 16. How was that experience being at that age?
Kayla Rodgers: I’ve been actually pursuing a career in music since I was 13-years-old. I’ve had the experience of being in the entertainment business since then and it was definitely a shock at first. Especially being that young, but when I was 16, I learned quickly that people can be shady. I learned how to see people for who they were. It was really an eye opener and it helped me to have a lot more street smarts when dealing with regular and professional people.
B&B: I’ve heard that the industry had its share of cats who try to be more than just professional. Was anyone respectful of the fact that you were still a minor?
KR: They actually really were. Especially when we were on set, they treated me like their little sister. Of course, I’d get hit on by people, here and there, but once they knew my age, they backed up.
B&B: Getting in the business at such an age, you can surely relate to the girls who are trying to get into the industry at 16 and younger. What is the allure of modeling?
KR: I think that the money and the lifestyle these people live is the attraction that many women look at and aspire to have for themselves. What they don’t see, though, is the hardships involved in being in an industry like this. When I was first got involved, I was getting paid $750 a day, which for me being 16, 17, was a lot of money. But, now, they’re making around $250, which doesn’t sound quite as alluring to me, if you ask me. I mean when I was 16, 17, I didn’t have any responsibilities, either, so I know that that helps, but still – some of these women do it for free...
B&B: [Because of whatever] Do you feel that the business helps build up young women’s self-esteem? Or does it still manage to pick apart at certain things?
KR: It depends on which artist you work with, but I think overall the business is not in favor of women. It’s very degrading towards women. Some girls are video models and some girls are video hoes. There are some songs that are still uplifting for us, as women, but I don’t know how much they get played on stations. I really love a lot of the women artists in the game. I love Keyshia Cole’s new album. It’s really good.
B&B: How did the men treat you when they found out that you were legal?
KR: I’ve been trying to lay low since I turned 18. I think that they are definitely more aggressive. I used to be with my mom a lot and now I’m on my own, so they’re more aggressive. I know how to keep it in control, though. I know that I won’t let anyone corner me. I’m not the type to go out to parties all like that, either. I won’t knowingly put myself in a situation that I know I can’t get out of.
B&B: What did you do during your time off?
KR: I moved back to Boston and I went to a high school for Performing Arts in Dance. I played Snow White for a graduation grade. [Laughs] I was one of the sexiest Snow Whites to ever play there. It was also a public school, so kids made it a big deal that I was there. There were people at school who knew of my resume and they’d make comments and all like that, but all my friends were people who weren’t interested in me being in videos. I didn’t like being treated like I wasn’t me. I like being regular and my friends treated me like that.
B&B: Now, you’ve been in videos with Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes and Juelz Santana, to name a few. What have you learned from those opportunities that you want to apply to your own career?
KR: I think that working with certain artists like Ne-Yo, you learn how driven that individual is. Each person taught me different things that I apply to my everyday life. You have to put a certain amount of work to get certain respect.
B&B: What is one secret that no one really knows about you?
KR: One secret? Let’s see… I think a lot of people think that I’m mulatto, but I’m Black, White and Brazilian. It’s funny because I’ve never even been to Brazil, but I want to go there and I plan on going there very soon!
B&B: What’s next for you?
KR: I am doing promotions with KOOL Cigarettes and I have an album on the way. People are really going to be surprised with who I am working with on this project, but I’m definitely on the grind. It’s really hard because I’m still in school and in addition to all of this I still work three other jobs. There’s no sleep for anyone who wants something in life.
B&B: With all the negative connotations that they place on your profession and all the individuals involved – what keeps you wanting to be a part of it?
KR: I actually have a love for the whole industry, the music part, the people, the video, the lifestyle, all of it. As long as I stand by my morals, I can stand by it [the industry]. I always wanted to be a part of this. I’m not in it for the limelight. I just like being a part of everything.
If you want to see more of Ms. Rogers’ beautiful neighborhood – be sure to check her out at http://www.myspace.com/kaylareneerodgers and http://www.myspace.com/hazeleyezmodels.
Most girls would be envious of Kayla Rodgers and her innocent, yet devious look, but the now 18-year-old insists that she quickly learned about the game and it helped hone her street smarts. Beauty & Brains manages to pin the young entrepreneur in motion down for just a moment. In this interview, the mature beauty fesses up to a secret that no one knows about, how men treated her before she was ripe old age of 18 and gives pointers to the other young ladies who try to get into the game, too.
Beauty & Brains: You got into the game deep at 16. How was that experience being at that age?
Kayla Rodgers: I’ve been actually pursuing a career in music since I was 13-years-old. I’ve had the experience of being in the entertainment business since then and it was definitely a shock at first. Especially being that young, but when I was 16, I learned quickly that people can be shady. I learned how to see people for who they were. It was really an eye opener and it helped me to have a lot more street smarts when dealing with regular and professional people.
B&B: I’ve heard that the industry had its share of cats who try to be more than just professional. Was anyone respectful of the fact that you were still a minor?
KR: They actually really were. Especially when we were on set, they treated me like their little sister. Of course, I’d get hit on by people, here and there, but once they knew my age, they backed up.
B&B: Getting in the business at such an age, you can surely relate to the girls who are trying to get into the industry at 16 and younger. What is the allure of modeling?
KR: I think that the money and the lifestyle these people live is the attraction that many women look at and aspire to have for themselves. What they don’t see, though, is the hardships involved in being in an industry like this. When I was first got involved, I was getting paid $750 a day, which for me being 16, 17, was a lot of money. But, now, they’re making around $250, which doesn’t sound quite as alluring to me, if you ask me. I mean when I was 16, 17, I didn’t have any responsibilities, either, so I know that that helps, but still – some of these women do it for free...
B&B: [Because of whatever] Do you feel that the business helps build up young women’s self-esteem? Or does it still manage to pick apart at certain things?
KR: It depends on which artist you work with, but I think overall the business is not in favor of women. It’s very degrading towards women. Some girls are video models and some girls are video hoes. There are some songs that are still uplifting for us, as women, but I don’t know how much they get played on stations. I really love a lot of the women artists in the game. I love Keyshia Cole’s new album. It’s really good.
B&B: How did the men treat you when they found out that you were legal?
KR: I’ve been trying to lay low since I turned 18. I think that they are definitely more aggressive. I used to be with my mom a lot and now I’m on my own, so they’re more aggressive. I know how to keep it in control, though. I know that I won’t let anyone corner me. I’m not the type to go out to parties all like that, either. I won’t knowingly put myself in a situation that I know I can’t get out of.
B&B: What did you do during your time off?
KR: I moved back to Boston and I went to a high school for Performing Arts in Dance. I played Snow White for a graduation grade. [Laughs] I was one of the sexiest Snow Whites to ever play there. It was also a public school, so kids made it a big deal that I was there. There were people at school who knew of my resume and they’d make comments and all like that, but all my friends were people who weren’t interested in me being in videos. I didn’t like being treated like I wasn’t me. I like being regular and my friends treated me like that.
B&B: Now, you’ve been in videos with Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes and Juelz Santana, to name a few. What have you learned from those opportunities that you want to apply to your own career?
KR: I think that working with certain artists like Ne-Yo, you learn how driven that individual is. Each person taught me different things that I apply to my everyday life. You have to put a certain amount of work to get certain respect.
B&B: What is one secret that no one really knows about you?
KR: One secret? Let’s see… I think a lot of people think that I’m mulatto, but I’m Black, White and Brazilian. It’s funny because I’ve never even been to Brazil, but I want to go there and I plan on going there very soon!
B&B: What’s next for you?
KR: I am doing promotions with KOOL Cigarettes and I have an album on the way. People are really going to be surprised with who I am working with on this project, but I’m definitely on the grind. It’s really hard because I’m still in school and in addition to all of this I still work three other jobs. There’s no sleep for anyone who wants something in life.
B&B: With all the negative connotations that they place on your profession and all the individuals involved – what keeps you wanting to be a part of it?
KR: I actually have a love for the whole industry, the music part, the people, the video, the lifestyle, all of it. As long as I stand by my morals, I can stand by it [the industry]. I always wanted to be a part of this. I’m not in it for the limelight. I just like being a part of everything.
If you want to see more of Ms. Rogers’ beautiful neighborhood – be sure to check her out at http://www.myspace.com/kaylareneerodgers and http://www.myspace.com/hazeleyezmodels.
one moment...
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