B&B: In urban modeling, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on a woman’s “assets.” With that being so popular in magazines and music videos – is it a gift or a curse when regular men try to approach you?
DE: I definitely feel where you’re coming from. It’s getting a little sickening and out of control. It’s crossing the line of becoming plain raunchy. It’s got to be both a gift and a curse. It’s a new fad now. Women are going out and getting asses, even if they don’t have one. As a woman, you want to feel pretty and sexy, but it can be a curse when trying to pursue it.

B&B: You’re very goal oriented. On your MySpace page, you talk about how you wouldn’t be a stripper or have to sleep around to get where you want to be. Is it just the New York State of Mind that has you so focused? Or is it something else?
DE: My environment embodies the spirit of New York City. Once you see the billions that are generated here in the city, you want to go out there and get it. I know what I want out of life. I want to be established on my own, doing my own thing and having a name for myself that gets respect. I never thought that this is out of reality for me. So, I work hard to attain my goals. I know that it’s real hard to get into this business. I don’t have my foot in Hollywood. Just because I don’t have the connection that I need doesn’t mean that I cannot grind my way to the top. I feel like I am paying dues by doing what I’m doing.

B&B: Since you’re a real estate agent – what’s the prime location for a young, single Black professional who’s ready to live in New York and why?
DE: Money Makin’ Manhattan, baby! That’s where it happens at. The perks of living out here is just ridiculous. It’s in the middle of everything and you have access to so many different people in higher places. People come from everywhere to live here. I’m not being biased, but Manhattan is where it’s at.

B&B: Everyone has a story that shaped the person that they were set to become. What is one event that has happened in your life that made you the woman that you are now?
DE: I was a troubled child. I stayed in trouble. I was never promiscuous… I would trespass; talk shit, fight, steal and all that. I, one time, stole a candy bar from this store as a kid. I remember this Caucasian cop talking to me and I was being really rude back. He didn’t like that. He put me into this category of the Latina stereotype. He said that I was going to have rollers in my hair, ten kids and when I did that I still couldn’t go back into that store. I’m definitely not that and I didn’t want to grow up to be the mother of ten kids and all that. I’m more than that and I know that. Continued on page 3 »